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Whether at a theatre, a cafe, someones home, or within a stones throw of the Eiffel Tower, the worshippers of Hillsong London are not restricted to the confines of a sanctuary to bring glory to God.Much like its nurturing mother church in Sydney, Australia, this dynamic offshoot knows no bounds to their praise: Hail to the King, Hillsong Londons fourth album recorded in two parts - - a studio CD and a live DVD - - testifies to how high they like to aim.Reminiscent of the spirit that has historically characterized rocks British invasion, yet with a clear, forward-thinking approach to worship, Hail to the King has a sound all its own in the landscape of modern worship.Led by worship pastor Peter Wilson and a dedicated staff of singers, musicians, and volunteers, all under the mentorship of Pastor Gary Clarke, the music ministry of Hillsong London traces its humble beginnings to 1996. As with any new house of worship, things began slowly but steadily. And, as the congregation transitioned into the new millennium, it grew in membership, passion and momentum."Being a new church, the music was a work in progress," recalls Wilson, who first joined Hillsong London in 2000 as a volunteer after he and his wife moved back to London from New Zealand. "By the time I joined, there was a small team on the platform, but there were Sundays where people were away. I think, fortunately, we were never missing a drummer."Drums or no drums, Hillsong London always benefitted from the great working relationship between its own team and its counterparts in Sydney. Together, they exchanged ideas, musicians, and songs that, in time, allowed the churchs worship department to grow a legacy of its own. From an initial core group of about 12, the worship team at Hillsong London has grown to more than 120."There\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s a sense of purpose at the church������¢���¯���¿���½���¯���¿���½a sense of cause, a sense of worshipping Someone bigger than ourselves that really appeals to me," Wilson says. "It wasnt a little Christian club. It is and always has been about people encountering God. It is very outward-focused."This ministry emphasis, coupled with the churchs deeply rooted musical foundation, propelled Hillsong London to the next level. In 2004, with a membership that had grown to over 2,000, the church released its first live project, Shout Gods Fame, a disc that resembled the churchs Australian contemporaries yet with a euro-styled flair all its own.In 2005, leaders at the church stepped out in faith and decided to move the church from the 600-seat Mermaid Theatre to the much roomier, 2,000-seat Dominion Theatre. Today, the church hosts three weekly services at the venue, in addition to a bilingual service in Paris, France, and one in Surrey, a suburban district about 20 miles southwest of London.For his part, Wilson went from volunteer to associate worship pastor around the time Shout Gods Fame came out and began leading the creative department a collective talent pool of songwriters, music directors, producers and worship leaders such as Giovanni Galanti, Dave Tymo, Jay Cook, Dave George and Dave Kennedy.Together, that same group of creative minds joined forces for 2006s stirring Jesus Is, Hillsong Londons second live recording, and the unexpected sequel, Jesus Is Re:mix, a collection of electronic cuts originally intended as a gift to church members, but that ended up becoming one of the best-reviewed worship albums of 2007.With that strong precedent firmly in place, Hail to the King is poised to become another milestone in the trajectory of Hillsong London. The fact that its a studio project gives Wilson and his mates the freedom to try new things, like infusing the music with a decided arena-rock sensibility similar to early U2, Oasis and Snow Patrol.Songs like the rough-and-tumble title track and the garage-minded recasting of "Im Not Ashamed," the high-powered opener off Hillsong Lives Saviour King," are both solid primers for this atypical, rugged approach to worship also classic and raucous in approach they recall The Clashs iconic London Calling.When it comes to straight-ahead praise rockers, Hillsong London delivers in the form of"Rise," an anthem for this generation. And the synth-powered "Now" (co-written by Wilson and Israel Houghton) is a youth-friendly call-to-arms in the vein of The Verve and Blur.When not channeling some of Brit-pops greatest, Hillsong London excels at top-notch balladry. The piano-driven "You Brought Me Home" uses escalating dynamics to go from a prayerful ballad to an explosive declaration of worship. Likewise, the minimalist "I Receive" (another Houghton co-write), builds slowly, carried by a steady rhythm, gentle harmonies, and a guitar part that never lets up.Most of the reverent second half of Hail to the King follows a similar trend, offering songs full of heart to engage churches seeking worship material that furthers aloneness and intimacy with God.For a glimpse of how these songs translate in a live setting, many of them will come alive in a companion DVD to be released in early 2009. Recorded before an ecstatic audience of more than 6,000, it was a time of worship that Wilson will not readily forget."In a few words, it was pretty intense," he says. "The place was packed and everybody was very passionate with a great sense of who we are we really captured the heartbeat of the church."But more than a church experience or an inspiring time of worship, Wilson hopes Hail to the King becomes a tool that helps do away with the preconceived ideas people have about Jesus and his church."A lot of people in Europe have a warped perception of the Church and of who Jesus is," Wilson says. "Its a generalization, but the Church in Europe has pretty much become a historical tourist attraction. As for Jesus, most people agree that he existed, that he was a good man, and did some amazing things. But most people have probably never heard of Jesus as their Saviour and that theyre saved through grace."He continues: "A lot of people have walked into our church and are blown away and cant believe that this is church, in a good sense. They didnt expect church to be like that--full of passionate people who are actually enjoying life together. Friends bringing their friends to church is where nearly all of our church growth has come from."