Released 11 years ago this October
Open Heaven / River Wild
Hillsong Worship · 2015
70 min · 12 tracks · Christian rock
An uplifting blend of contemporary worship and melodic rock, capturing a spirit of reverence and communal connection.
Top tracks — play these first
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O Praise the Name (Anástasis) Start here — This track beautifully encapsulates themes of resurrection and hope, making it a powerful anthem for worship services worldwide.
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Open Heaven (River Wild) — The title track draws listeners into a vivid experience of spiritual longing and openness, embodying the album's overarching message of seeking divine presence.
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What a Saviour — With its soaring melodies and profound lyrics about redemption, this song stands out as a testament to Hillsong's ability to craft deeply moving worship experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively combines worship elements with melodic rock, creating an engaging experience for listeners.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of anthemic choruses that invite congregational singing, particularly in tracks like 'O Praise the Name' and 'Open Heaven (River Wild)'.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with many tracks building to a climactic final chorus.
- Several tracks incorporate instrumental interludes that create a reflective space between lyrical sections, enhancing the worship experience.
- The production employs layered vocal harmonies and rich instrumentation, often including strings and synths to create a lush soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cathartic sing-along moments
- uplifting anthems for worship
- reflective heart-centered listening
- communal celebration energy
- spiritual rejuvenation through music
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Debuted at number one on Billboard Christian Albums, signaling wider recognition.
- Career context
- In 2015, Hillsong Worship released 'Open Heaven / River Wild' as their follow-up to the successful 'No Other Name' from 2014. This album came during a period of rapid growth for the group, solidifying their influence in the contemporary worship music scene and showcasing their commitment to creating anthemic congregational songs.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bethel Music· Elevation Worship· Passion
Tracklist
- 1 O Praise the Name (Anástasis) Start here 5:29
- 2 Love on the Line 4:57
- 3 One Thing 6:13
- 4 Open Heaven (River Wild) 7:29
- 5 Transfiguration 5:37
- 6 What a Saviour 6:57
- 7 Heart Like Heaven 7:29
- 8 Jesus I Need You 5:00
- 9 Here With You 6:57
- 10 In God We Trust 4:01
- 11 Faithfulness 5:38
- 12 Never Forsaken 4:36
What to play next
Let There Be Light
2016
Continues the uplifting worship theme with fresh energy and musical exploration.
There Is More
2018
Sets a foundation of worshipful themes and communal spirit leading into the current album.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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