Unspoken is an American Christian band known for its inspiring music and powerful messages of faith and redemption. At the heart of this band is Chad Mattson, the lead singer whose life story is a testament to the transformative power of grace and the possibility of finding new beginnings even in the darkest of times. His journey, marked by struggles with addiction and a rediscovery of faith, is deeply intertwined with the band's formation and mission.
Unspoken band (from left to right): Chad Mattson, Jon Lowry, Ariel Munoz, and Matthew Callaway.
The Genesis of Unspoken
Unspoken first came together after lead singer Chad Mattson met guitarist Mike Gomez on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic. This encounter would prove to be pivotal in both their lives and the creation of the band. After Mike moved to Chad’s hometown in Maine, the two began playing music together and performing live shows. Bass player Jon Lowry and drummer Ariel Munoz from Puerto Rico, later joined the band and Unspoken was born.
A Journey from Darkness to Light
Chad Mattson's early life was marked by faith, growing up in a Christian home. “My family grew up bringing us to church, wonderful Christian people." However, in his early 20s, he entered a dark period, struggling with drug and alcohol addiction for years. “But in my early 20’s I got into using drugs and that whole mess and culture." This struggle led him to a point of desperation, seeking a way out of the cycle of addiction.
In a moment of seeking change, Chad decided to embark on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic to re-build his relationship with God. “I got a card from a missionary in the Dominican Republic and I was kind of at the end of my, you know, I was so tired of running from God. So tired of being beat up by the world that I was looking for something to do but I just didn’t know what." It was during this time that he experienced a profound transformation. “It was that time in the Dominican Republic that turned everything around for Chad, where he got clean and came back to Christ, and where he would meet his future band mate Mike Gomez."
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
This decade of life change follows a dark valley in Mattson’s life, when he was addicted to drugs and alcohol. He found freedom during a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, and he heralds each new day as a chance to learn anew the sufficiency of God’s grace.
For the first time in his life he started to read the Bible and pray every day for an hour. I committed. I couldn’t change everything, I had so much going on. The amount of change and the amount things I needed help with was so massive that it was overwhelming, but I decided to make one change in my life which was going on this trip.
Musical Growth and Lyrical Themes
With two straight Top 5 singles (Who You Are and Lift My Life Up) and successful tours with bands like Sanctus Real and Bid Daddy Weave, Unspoken has built steady momentum through their last two EPs, even as they’ve grown as a band. Lead singer Chad Mattson reflected on this season of growth. The timing is therefore perfect for the band’s first full-length album with Centricity Music, “Unspoken.”
“We got to complete the pieces of what a record could and should have. We have a couple of acoustic drop-down pieces that we love, we have upbeat stuff, we have a radio mix. That’s exciting to me, how diverse the record is.” It’s a diverse record befitting a diverse band, which features members from Maine, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Through this musical diversity, a strong lyrical theme emerged. Mattson and mates were spending a lot of time studying the words of Jesus in Matthew 5 and 6 while writing for the album. The messages in the Sermon on the Mount have become the messages of the album: do not worry… make seeking God your primary concern… don’t hide your light but instead burn bright like a fire.
Read also: "Married to Evil": Chad Graves
“A lot of the songs are about getting back to basics,” Mattson explains. “The basics of just hanging out with God. The more success you get, or the more wealth, or whatever it is, it never seems to satisfy like you want. God has set it up so we realize that He is the biggest blessing. Just to know him, to love him."
Unspoken's Musical Journey
The band released their debut single, "Who You Are", on the Centricity Music label. Released on June 12, 2012, the song has charted on numerous Christian song charts, and was the only song from the band's debut EP Get to Me to be featured on their first full-length album. The self-titled debut LP Unspoken was released April 1, 2014. A five-song preview EP, The World Is Waking, was released July 24, 2013. They have had four straight top-five AC singles in their career including "Who You Are", "Lift My Life Up", "Start a Fire", and "Good Fight", with "Start a Fire" reaching No.
A series of songs tells his story, and the story of so many who find new life in Christ. Who You Are marks the first step, when we come to the cross and realize we can be changed. The song Start a Fire is already kindling excitement in listeners and motivating them to live out a series of Scriptural truths. As he started writing the powerful song, Lowry drew from Matthew, 2 Timothy , and James to exhort listeners to stir up and rekindle the fire that’s in us, to keep burning the gracious gift of God. Continuing the theme is another song of bold encouragement, Good Fight.
The tempo slows on the next track, as the album reflects on the essential element in this journey of faith in Call it Grace: “Some may call it foolish and impossible / But for every heart it rescues it’s a miracle / It’s nothing less than scandalous, this love that took our place / Just call it what it is. Ultimately, we need daily discipline to stay close to God, because we are unsteady while He is unchanging. Tomorrow is a fresh look at a new day, and a new chance to leave the future in the hands of God.
“Unspoken” closes with a stirring ballad that punctuates the journey from darkness to light. My Recovery is the story of redemption for anyone who, like Mattson, has been rescued from a dark past. Mattson speaks from experience: “James 4:8 says, ‘Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.’ It’s letting God do his part. Lay yourself at God’s feet and God will do the changing. There’s no way you can have a relationship with Jesus Christ and not be in recovery, because that’s what His Spirit does.”
Read also: Vallow-Daybell Trial: Key Evidence
The song “Broken Man” from their latest album Unspoken Unplugged is a clear reflection of Chad’s Story.
The Band's Mission and Values
Unspoken remains committed to using their music as an outlet to reach people. The band is involved with Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step recovery program for substance abuse.
“In the early days of the band, God reminded me that there are thousands of singers better than me... but He chose us to do this for Him. We have been chosen to bring a message to the Church…wake up, find your contentment and satisfaction in Him, hang out with Him, and have a real relationship with Him," says Chad.
Through it all, the reason they chose their name still holds: to live lives that are unspoken testimonies to God’s love and power, and to speak what oftentimes goes unspoken.
Band Members:
- Chad Mattson - vocals
- Jon Lowry - guitars, keys, bass guitar, and vocals
- Ariel Munoz - drums
Former Members:
- Mike Gomez - guitars
- Ryan Babin - keys
- Don Eanes - keys
- Yamil Jimenez - percussion
- George Williams - bass guitar
Discography Highlights:
| Title | Type | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Get to Me | EP | |
| The World Is Waking | EP | July 24, 2013 |
| Unspoken | LP | April 1, 2014 |
| Unspoken Unplugged | Album |
Popular articles:
tags: #Chad
