Zion (Hillsong United album)

Zion is the third studio album by Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United. It was released on 22 February 2013 for Australia, and was released by 26 February 2013 internationally, under Hillsong Music and Sparrow Records.^[1] Production for the album began in March 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Michael Guy Chislett and band member Joel Houston oversaw production of the album, with the latter serving as executive producer.

Zion
Studio album by Hillsong United
Released	22 February 2013
Recorded	2011–2012
Genre	Contemporary worship music, contemporary Christian music
Length	70:14
Label	Hillsong, Sparrow
Producer	Michael Guy Chislett, Joel Houston (executive producer)
Hillsong United studio album chronology
Aftermath (2011) Zion (2013) Empires (2015)
Hillsong United chronology
Live In Miami (2012) Zion (2013) Zion Acoustic Sessions (2013)
Singles from Zion
"Scandal of Grace" Released: 5 February 2013 "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" Released: 10 September 2013

Two singles were released to promote the album: "Scandal of Grace" on 5 February 2013, and "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" on 10 September 2013.

Background

Hillsong United gave an interview to CCM Magazine's Grace Cartwright Aspinwall about the album.^[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
CCM Magazine	[4]
Christian Broadcasting Network	[5]
Christian Music Zine	[6]
Cross Rhythms	[7] [8]
Indie Vision Music	[9]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[10] [11]
Louder Than the Music	[12]
New Release Today	[13]
Worship Leader	[14]

Zion garnered praise from the ratings and reviews of music critics. At Christian Broadcasting Network, Hannah Goodwyn rated the album four-and-a-half spins, writing that "The music, the lyrics, the movement, it all comes together in Zion."^[5] Matt Conner of CCM Magazine rated the album four stars, stating that this is yet "Another strong United release."^[4] Andrea Hunter of Worship Leader rated the album four-and-a-half stars, writing that listeners will "find songs across generations and traditions to honor God and transform hearts."^[14] At Cross Rhythms, Tony Cummings rated the album a perfect ten squares, saying that the band "have released a peach of an album".^[7] In addition, Cross Rhythms' Stephen Curry rated the album a perfect ten squares, indicating how the release contains "a variety of sounds and moments of creativity", and the band "should be applauded for their subtle but brave changes in musical direction."^[8] Ryan Barbee of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album four-and-a-half stars, stating that he takes his hat off due "to your art."^[10] According to Scott Fryberger of Jesus Freak Hideout, who rated the album four stars, says that this is "the best album United has ever released".^[11] Jonathan Andre of Indie Vision Music rated the album four stars, writing that the release "is full of lyrically rich themes and messages against the backdrop of electronic music that presents a unique way of creating worship music".^[9] At New Release Today, Mary Burklin rated the album four-and-a-half stars, stating that "a richly textured release that manages to achieve an intimate, organic feel despite the band's massive international reach."^[13] David Jeffries of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars, writing that the release is "just a touch overstuffed."^[3] At Louder Than the Music, Jono Davies rated the album a perfect five stars, remarking how the release is "Epic, Brilliant and Original."^[12] Emily Kjonaas of Christian Music Zine rated the album three-and-a-half stars, saying that "this is a great worship album that will help you keep your focus on Christ."^[6]

Commercial performance

Zion is Hillsong United's most successful album to date, with 34,100 units being sold in its first week. It sold 25% more than Aftermath, allowing it to debut at number five on the US Billboard 200.^[15] The album was also their seventh No.1 on the US Christian Albums chart.^[16] The album has sold 169,000 copies in the US as of May 2015.^[17]

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Australian Albums Chart^[18] and has since been certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for sales exceeding 35,000 copies.^[19]

Track listing

Standard edition^[20][21]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Worship leader	Length
1.	"Relentless"	Matt Crocker, Joel Houston	Matt Crocker[22]	05:10
2.	"Up In Arms"	Joel Houston	Joel Houston	04:28
3.	"Scandal Of Grace"	Crocker, Houston	Matt Crocker[7]	04:06
4.	"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"	Crocker, Houston, Salomon Ligthelm	Taya Smith[23]	08:56
5.	"Stay And Wait"	Houston	Joel Houston	05:13
6.	"Mercy Mercy"	Crocker, Houston	Matt Crocker	04:42
7.	"Love Is War"	Houston	Jad Gillies[22]	07:16
8.	"Nothing Like Your Love"	Sam Knock	Jad Gillies[22]	05:52
9.	"Zion" (Interlude)	Michael Guy Chislett, Knock, Ben Tennikoff	Jad Gillies	03:32
10.	"Heartbeats"	Chislett, Crocker, Houston, Tennikoff	Matt Crocker	03:54
11.	"A Million Suns"	Scott Ligertwood, Dean Ussher	Taya Smith Jad Gillies	05:06
12.	"Tapestry"	Chislett, Crocker, Houston, Ligertwood, Tennikoff	Jonathan Douglass Taya Smith	06:43
13.	"King Of Heaven"	Crocker, Ligthelm, Ryan Taubert	Matt Crocker[22]	05:29
Total length:				1:10:15

Deluxe edition^[24]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Worship Leader	Length
14.	"Arise"	Steven Robertson, Taubert	Joel Houston[25]	03:15
15.	"Mountain"	Crocker, Houston	David Ware[25]	07:11
16.	"Mercy Mercy" (Reloaded)	Matt Crocker and Joel Houston	Matt Crocker	04:11
17.	"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" (Reloaded)	Matt Crocker, Joel Houston and Salomon Ligthelm	Taya Smith	07:00
18.	"Stay And Wait" (Reloaded)	Joel Houston	Joel Houston	05:11
Total length:				1:36:18

iTunes Store deluxe bonus video^[24]

No.	Title	Length
19.	"Welcome Zion" (Video)	06:57
Total length:		1:43:14

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic^[26] and Zion booklet.

Hillsong United Matt Crocker – vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, keyboard, synthesizer Adam Crosariol – bass Jonathon Douglass – vocals, electric piano, percussion Jad Gillies – vocals, electric guitar, percussion Joel Houston – vocals, electric guitar, keyboard, synthesizer, bass Peter James – piano, keyboard, synthesizer Timon Klein – electric guitar Simon Kobler – drums, percussion Dylan Thomas – electric guitar Additional musicians Michael Guy Chislett – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, percussion, strings arrangement, synthesizer Jay Cook – backing vocals Evie Gallardo – violin Joel Hingston – electric guitar Carli Marino – vocals Steven Robertson – acoustic guitar on "Arise" James Rudder – percussion Taya Smith – vocals Ryan Taubert – strings arrangement Ben Tennikoff – piano, organ, piano accordion, keyboard, synthesizer Matt Tennikoff – bass Laura Toggs – backing vocals David Ware – vocals on "Mountain" Michaeli Whitney – cello

Production Jay Argaet – art direction Jonathon Baker – engineer Nathan Cahyadi – art design Michael Guy Chislett – producer, mixing, engineer, programming Adam Dodson – project manager Sam Gibson – mixing Bobbie Houston – senior pastor Brian Houston – senior pastor Joel Houston – executive producer, producer Peter James – programming Matt Johnson – photography Simon Kobler – programming Stephen Marcussen – mastering Jim Monk – engineer James Rudder – mixing, engineer Ben Tennikoff – programming Ben Whincop – engineer Stewart Whitmore – digital editor

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2013) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[18] 1 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[27] 152 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[28] 29 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[29] 39 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[30] 8 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[31] 5 UK Albums (OCC)[32] 55 UK Christian and Gospel Albums (OCC)[33] 1 UK Independent Albums (OCC)[34] 10 US Billboard 200[35] 5 US Christian Albums (Billboard)[36] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[37] 11 Chart (2014) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[38] 6 Chart (2015) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[39] 21 Chart (2017) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[40] 29 Chart (2018) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[41] 29 Chart (2019) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[42] 29 Chart (2020) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[43] 22 Chart (2021) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[44] 27 Decade-end charts Chart (2010s) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard)[45] 10

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[19]	Gold	35,000^
United States (RIAA)[46]	Gold	500,000‡
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.