DECEMBER 2008: Tracks for new album "Body Language" are up! A year in the making, check out the new songs and leave us some feedback! Go to www.CatholicRock.com to find out how you can DOWNLOAD the full length album!

OCTOBER 2008: First song released off of the new album "Body Language" is up! Check out the song "Body and Blood."

APRIL 2008: Critical Mass is in the Studio recording a new album!

CRITICAL MASS:

Critical Mass may be one of Canada’s best kept secrets. Their debut album, Faith Looks Up (1997), won the Best Modern Rock Album award from the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA) and their sophomore album, Completely, received Rock Album of the Year honors from the Canadian Gospel Music Association (CGMA) in 2000. In October, 2004, Critical Mass released its third album, Grasping for Hope in the Darkness to much acclaim. Produced by Juno and Gemini nominated Andrew Horrocks, this album is a modern rock concept album with a storyline tracing the struggle between an unwed pregnant teen, her domineering father and a compassionate priest. This ground-breaking album gave Critical Mass its second CGMA Best Rock Album honors. In August, 2006, Critical Mass released a new Praise and Worship CD entitled Celebrate. This live high-energy album redefines classic hits such as “Awesome God”, “It is You” and “Days of Elijah”, garnering 6 UCMVA nominations for the band in 2007. The band also had songs prominently featured on the World Youth Day 2002 as well as the Gift of God compilation CDs, the latter being nominated in 2007 for Best Compilation CD from both the CGMA and UCMVA. Sales from these albums have totaled almost 50,000 units, making Critical Mass one of Canada’s most successful independent bands.

Critical Mass is also known for its high energy live shows. They played for a million youth at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. Their performances during the Papal Vigil and Papal Welcoming Ceremony were seen around the world by millions of viewers.

David Wang is the driving force behind Critical Mass. He is a university professor and father of 9. He was the founder and president of a company, Handshake VR Inc., which was named one of Canada’s Top 25 up and coming technology companies in 2003. He has been involved in the Christian music industry for over a decade as a music columnist, concert promoter and songwriter. He always provides an interesting interview and has appeared on all the major Canadian national TV networks.

The History...

The initial focus of the group (featuring the Wangs, the Pawelkos, Tim Devine and Eric Kubica) was on leading worship at youth events and Masses. Within a year, Tim's brother Matt joined the band and the group began to write original music, influenced by their Catholic faith. The first album was a demorecording, "Faith Looks Up". Recorded on a shoe-string budget (around $1200), the band members were shocked to have the recording take off in sales and in rave reviews.

Their second album "Completely" was produced by Andrew Horrocks and had a tighter, more aggressive sound than "Faith Looks Up". To the band members' surprise, the album immediately garnered the Best Album of the Year at the Canadian Gospel Music Association Awards and the song "Humility" was finalist for Rock Song of the year.

At World Youth Day 2002, the band was given the honor to perform at both the Papal Welcoming Ceremony and at the Papal Vigil, the latter which was seen by the 600,000 in attendance and on international television. With the exception of David Wang, the remaining members left to pursue other projects.

Dave Wang continued the mission of Critical Mass with "Grasping for Hope in the Darkness" which released September 11, 2004. It too won Best Rock Album honours at the Canadian Gospel Music Association. Their cover of the Kansas classic, "Carry On Wayward Son" also was nominated for Best Rock Song. With new band members Scott McKendrick, Luke Kupczyk, Tracey Doyle, Paul Kieffer, Lawrence Lam, Dave Flitton and assisted by Harvey Armoogan, Critical Mass has extended its reach into the US with touring and retreats. They are looking forward to an opportunity to work with your youth in drawing them to Christ!