Over the years, Christian rockers have embraced everything from pop-metal to new wave to thrash. So it was inevitable that some bands would use rap-metal to promote a Christian message, which is what Pillar does on Fireproof. Musically, this Kansas band mines the same rap-metal and rap-rock waters as Kid Rock, Rage Against the Machine, Fat, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park. But lyrically, Pillar doesn't have Rage's anti-establishment outlook any more than they share Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit's macho bad-boy perspective; instead, Fireproof is a place where chugging, downtuned guitars are combined with a Christian-oriented message. Pillar, however, isn't in-your-face or militant about their Christianity -- Fireproof isn't telling listeners, "Convert to Christianity, or else." If anything, optimistic tracks like "Echelon" and "Behind Closed Doors" are promoting Christianity in a subliminal way; to put it bluntly, Fireproof doesn't sound like a Jerry Falwell sermon. And because their lyrics aren't taking the fire-and-brimstone approach, this CD stands a good chance of crossing over to secular audiences. Musically, Fireproof isn't innovative -- anyone who spent a lot of time listening to alternative rock stations in the late '90s or early 2000s has no doubt heard a lot of similar-sounding bands. And the lyrics aren't groundbreaking either; since the early '90s, P.O.D. has been demonstrating that rap-metal lyrics can be spiritual and optimistic. Nonetheless, this more uplifting vision of rap-metal isn't an idea that has been run into the ground, and some metalheads will find it rather refreshing to hear another rap-metal band that isn't totally dark. All things considered, there is a lot to like about this solid, if derivative, CD (which originally came out on the Nashville-based Flicker label in 2002 and was re-released by MCA the following year). ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Fireproof is Christian band Pillar's second full length album and their most successful, having sold over 300,000 copies. It was released in at least three different versions including a Remixed version and a limited Special Edition that came with Pillar's All Day Every Day DVD and a slipcase. The track listings from the original and the reissue are very similar, rearranging the track listing a little and retitling the tracks "Just 2 Get By" to "Just to Get By" and "Further" to "Further From Myself". The title track, "Fireproof", was featured in the video game MLB 2005 and on its soundtrack CD release. This is the first record to feature current guitarist Noah Henson.
Track List for the 2003 Remixed/Remastered Version
