Are you a fan of rock operas packed with themes of religion, chaos, and spiritual awakening? Then you need to hear Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness: The Story of John the Baptist, the brand-new concept album from Valley of Salt, released on February 3, 2025. Valley of Salt is the moniker of Brian Stemetzki, the mastermind behind this stunning record, who composed and performed every song with remarkable vision. Produced by the legendary Marty Willson-Piper, the album was brought to life in Texas with contributions from members of The Polyphonic Spree and the Dallas Symphony.
“My connection with John the Baptist stems from his profound role as a bridge between the old and new—a voice preparing the way for something greater. His story resonates deeply with me because of his courage, humility, and unwavering purpose. He dared to speak truth to power, even at great personal cost, and his life is a reminder of the importance of staying true to your calling, no matter the challenges.
Writing this album was driven by a desire to explore his humanity alongside his divine mission. I’ve always been fascinated by how his journey intertwines with themes of wilderness, transformation, and the tension between worldly struggles and spiritual purpose. For me, John’s story reflects the universal experience of searching for meaning, wrestling with doubt, and ultimately finding faith in something bigger than ourselves.” – Brian Stemetzki
Rock the Pigeon is thrilled to take our readers on a track-by-track journey through this epic release. Now, let’s dive in! The album kicks off with The Love of God Is All Around Us, an electrifying instrumental that instantly pulls listeners in with soaring guitar work, pounding drums, and a gripping bass line. Seamlessly shifting between rhythms and time signatures, the track takes you on a dynamic musical journey, setting the stage for the powerful storytelling that unfolds throughout the record. Inspired by Brian Stemetzki’s own experience of divine love, this opening piece isn’t just a song, it’s an immersive, cinematic introduction to Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness: The Story of John the Baptist.
“‘The Love of God Is All Around Us’ was the hardest to record because it required a delicate balance of instrumental harmony to truly convey the grandeur of creation. Additionally, the track contained over 20 individual guitar parts, which made it a complex and meticulous process.” – Brian Stemetzki
Let’s begin with the birth of John the Baptist. Don’t Be Afraid tells the story of this miraculous event, following the life of a prophet, spiritual leader, and the cousin of Jesus. The lyrics bring this powerful narrative to life, recounting how John’s father, Zechariah, was visited by an angel who delivered an astonishing message; his wife, Elizabeth, would soon give birth to a son, and they were to name him John. The name means “God is gracious,” and John’s divine purpose was clear: to prepare the world for the arrival of Jesus Christ.
The song opens with a lengthy instrumental introduction that leans into a heavy, metal-inspired sound, filled with distorted guitars and thunderous drums that immediately ignite the listener’s energy. As the soaring guitar solo fades, a warm acoustic guitar emerges, setting the stage for Brian Stemetzki’s raw, soulful vocals. He delivers the stirring lines: “He will be great, he will be great, all will rejoice… his name is John,” with a voice brimming with emotion and conviction.
To let the weight of this miraculous birth fully sink in, listeners are treated to another interlude: Wilderness Interlude. According to the Gospels, John the Baptist spent nearly 30 years in the desolate Judaean desert before emerging as a prophetic voice. This track erupts with electrifying heavy metal-inspired guitar riffs, accompanied by a rumbling bass line that drives the intensity forward. The raw power of the performance captures the isolation, struggle, and profound personal growth John experienced during his time in the wilderness, setting the stage for the next chapter of his journey.
Next, the acoustic guitars return, accompanied by Brian Stemetzki’s evocative vocals. What Did You See explores how people perceived John the Baptist as wild, unconventional, and even radical. In many ways, he was a countercultural figure, his power and purpose remained a mystery to those around him. People couldn’t comprehend his way of life: why he survived on locusts and honey, why he chose the wilderness over the comforts of society, why he rejected the luxurious robes of religious leaders, or why he fearlessly preached against corruption and status. His existence defied expectations, leaving many to wonder. Who was this man, and what was he preparing them for? This song introduces a string arrangement that is absolutely soul stirring. This song showcases the gratitude that is felt for John the Baptist.
“My connection with God is deeply personal and constantly evolving. I see spirituality as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed destination—a relationship that grows through both quiet reflection and life’s storms. While I draw inspiration from religious traditions, my focus is on the heart of those teachings: love, compassion, and seeking truth.
Religion for me is less about rules and rituals and more about the transformative power of faith and community. I find profound meaning in exploring stories like John the Baptist’s because they challenge us to think about who we are and how we serve others in the greater narrative of life. My music often reflects this exploration, inviting listeners to wrestle with those same questions and hopefully find their own moments of clarity and connection.”
– Brian Stemetzki
The story continues with acoustic guitars on I Wait For You. Sung from the first-person perspective of John the Baptist, this song consists of heavenly vocal harmonies and soothing vocal melodies that describe the feeling of waiting for the Messiah to be born. The piano performance on this song adds a touch of gentleness and beauty to the track. The song continues to build musically, new instrumentation is introduced in, including a banjo, and distorted guitars. The composition on this song is absolutely incredible from start to finish. The song perfectly describes the anticipation and excitement of those waiting for the Messiah to come.
Now, Jesus has been born, and the song He Walks uses Spanish style guitar and an electric keyboard to welcome the new King, whom the world has been waiting for. The lyrics of the song describe John being in complete awe when seeing Jesus for the first time. Jesus was around 30 years old, seeking to be baptized in the Jordan River. John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The magical feeling is captured by the composition and performance of the song. My personal favorite performance in the song is the bass line.
His Glory is next and captures the feelings of peace and glory that people felt by being around Jesus. His presence has completely changed the world. Guitars riff in front of a bluesy piano and moving bass line. The song has moments of intensity and moments of reprieve. These musical moments and strong production choices capture the excitement and peacefulness that Jesus brought to the world.
Suddenly, John the Baptists’ life has a major shift. This is sung about in the song Machaerus. John speaks out against King Herod Antipas who has married his brother’s wife, Herodias. He says this act is immoral and against Jewish law. This act of resistance gets John sent to jail. While detained, John begins to question if Jesus is indeed the Messiah, he also has feelings of externalism and ponders his own death. Brian Stemetzki sings with incredible emotion, “guide me in your living waters” which is another way of saying John has refund Jesus and trusts him as his spiritual guide and savior.
A spiritual awakening has been had and a higher power has been accepted. This feels much like a miracle. Holy Holy Is The Lord is a devotion song with incredible instrumentation. Tom Tom drums and a catchy guitar riff kick off this song. The mood is extremely high throughout the track. The contagious energy makes all who listen want to sing along. This song is all about praising God and that praise is definitely felt, especially when the choir and gospel singers take off. Honestly, it’s refreshing to hear a spiritual song with this good of an arrangement and instrumentation. The bass line seriously rocks!
The record ends with I Receive You. This record has a piano solo that will get stuck in your head, giving listeners another element to come back to hear again and again. This is the most folky sounding track on the record. It leans toward Americana, but is most definitely a spiritual Christian song that praises the love of God.
“‘I Receive You’ was the most fun to write and record because it’s deeply emotional and allowed me to express a sense of hope and acceptance.” – Brian Stemetzki
Listen to this record on Spotify now:
Written by Ryan Cassata
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