Christian hard rock band XIII Minutes isn't backing away from difficult conversations. On their new single, "Seeing Is Deceiving," available today through NRT Music, the Tulsa-based trio confronts the lasting impact of childhood mistreatment and the mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds that can follow a child into adulthood.
Heavy, vulnerable, and ultimately hopeful, "Seeing Is Deceiving" is written from the perspective of someone carrying those wounds into a conversation with God. Rather than offering an easy answer, the song gives voice to questions that can emerge when pain collides with faith:
Would... Read More Christian hard rock band XIII Minutes isn't backing away from difficult conversations. On their new single, "Seeing Is Deceiving," available today through NRT Music, the Tulsa-based trio confronts the lasting impact of childhood mistreatment and the mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds that can follow a child into adulthood.
Heavy, vulnerable, and ultimately hopeful, "Seeing Is Deceiving" is written from the perspective of someone carrying those wounds into a conversation with God. Rather than offering an easy answer, the song gives voice to questions that can emerge when pain collides with faith:
Would You care if I walked away?
Do You know the price that I've had to pay?
Please God, I'm having trouble believing
Cuz seeing's deceiving, how can I put my trust in You now?
At the heart of the song is the tension between what someone has experienced and Christ's invitation in Matthew 11:28: "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The song also draws from Christ's sobering warnings in Matthew 18:5-6 and Luke 17:2 concerning those who cause children to stumble.
It's a subject XIII Minutes believes deserves to be brought into the light.
"Seeing Is Deceiving" doesn't minimize the damage caused by abuse or rush past the difficult questions that can follow it. Instead, the song allows those questions to exist while pointing toward the healing, rest, and restoration found in Jesus.
That combination of musical intensity and emotional honesty is already earning attention from Christian rock and metal media.
Solid Rock Unplugged called the single a "hard-hitting, deep follow-up" to the band's previous release, "Panic," praising John Watson's guitar work, Jerrod Cunningham's emotionally charged vocals, and Jamie Kucinski's driving drums. Reviewer Garrett Martin ultimately declared that "Seeing Is Deceiving" surpasses "Panic" and represents another step forward in the band's musical growth.
The Christian Metal Group similarly praised the massive sound created by the three-piece, describing "Seeing Is Deceiving" as "heavy, powerful, and carries a message that deserves attention." The review highlighted the band's ability to address a difficult subject while ultimately directing listeners toward healing and restoration through Christ.
Heaven's Metal Magazine also spotlighted the intentional connection between the song's subject matter and its aggressive musical approach, noting that the heaviness serves the story rather than existing simply for its own sake. The magazine praised the trio's chemistry and called the release another strong addition to XIII Minutes' growing catalog.
The early media attention will continue into September, when XIII Minutes will be featured as the digital cover artist for The Underground Wire's September 2026 issue. The publication highlights the band's combination of heavy riffs, emotional storytelling, and a willingness to address real-life struggles while ultimately offering listeners hope and connection.
The message behind "Seeing Is Deceiving" will also move beyond the recording. Around the release, XIII Minutes is appearing at City Razed 2026 alongside Seventh Day Slumber and Magdalene Rose. The event's focus on standing against child abuse and child sex trafficking creates a powerful real-world connection to the issues addressed by the song.
The band will continue its active live schedule with appearances at Immersion Festival, Nehemiah Festival and Summer Fest, along with opening dates for Convictions and Heal The Hurt as part of the ongoing "Release The Panic" Summer Tour.
"Seeing Is Deceiving" follows a run of growing radio success for XIII Minutes. Previous single "Panic" spent three weeks at No. 1 on both Solid Rock Radio and Gospel Rockin Radio, reached No. 11 on the CMW Rock Charts, and also found crossover radio success. "Fake" reached No. 1 on the CMW Loud Charts and entered the Top 10 on the CMW Rock Charts and TheBlast.FM charts, while "Pitiful" peaked at No. 4 on the CMW Rock Charts.
"Seeing Is Deceiving" is available everywhere today through NRT Music.
XIII Minutes has released "Panic (Autumn's Descent Remix)," a powerful new reimagining of the band's breakout single "Panic." Available now on all major streaming platforms, the remix takes the emotional intensity of the original…
