God Damn Evil

God Damn Evil arrived on 20 April 2018 through Frontiers Music SRL, produced by Michael Sweet and recorded at SpiritHouse Recording Studios. The title cost it shelf space. Walmart declined to stock the album over its name, as did several Christian retail chains. Sweet has described the phrase not as profanity but as a prayer — asking God to condemn evil. Matt Bachand, known from Shadows Fall, guests with death growls on the opening track "Take It To The Cross." The line-up needs stating carefully. Perry Richardson, a founding member of Firehouse, had been announced on 30 October 2017 as the replacement for Tim Gaines, so this is the first release after he joined — but he does not play on it. The bass was tracked by John O'Boyle, who had played on Michael Sweet's two preceding solo albums. It entered the Billboard 200 at No. 77, and reached No. 1 on Christian Album Sales and No. 2 on Top Christian Albums.