Review: XIII Minutes – Seeing Is Deceiving (Single)
XIII Minutes continues to prove that three musicians can make a massive amount of noise. Their latest single, “Seeing Is Deceiving,” shows no signs of the band slowing down, delivering another hard-hitting song while tackling a subject with considerably more weight than your typical metal track.
First, I love the artwork. The image of a child sitting alone in a dark room, surrounded by shadows, immediately makes you stop and think. That is what good art should do. Even before hearing the song, the artwork prepares you for the difficult subject matter waiting inside.
“Seeing Is Deceiving” deals with the lasting impact of childhood mistreatment and the mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds it can leave behind. According to drummer Jamie Kucinski, the song is written as a conversation between a wounded child and Christ, with the child struggling to trust His invitation: “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” from Matthew 11:28.
There is another biblical truth underneath the song as well. Christ gives a sobering warning about those who cause children to stumble in Matthew 18:5 through 6 and Luke 17:2. That makes the message even more powerful. The song acknowledges the damage that can be done to a child while ultimately pointing toward the healing, rest, and restoration found in Jesus.
Musically, these three guys are creating some fantastic heavy music.
Jerrod Cunningham, who also fronts I Am the Pendragon, brings a vocal strength that fits the subject and intensity of the song. His voice gives “Seeing Is Deceiving” an additional layer of power without taking away from the seriousness of its message.
Jamie Kucinski’s drumming fills every bit of available space. Nothing feels unfinished or empty. His playing helps drive the song forward and gives the heavier sections even more impact, especially when the breakdowns hit.
Then there is John Watson’s guitar work, which is phenomenal. His playing helps pull everything together into one cohesive, hard-hitting track. The guitar, drums, and vocals work together rather than fighting for attention, giving the song a huge sound despite there only being three musicians behind it.
And those breakdowns definitely add to the impact.
“Seeing Is Deceiving” hits you square in the kidney and lets you know XIII Minutes is here to make a difference, and they are not going anywhere.
What makes the song work especially well is that the heaviness is not there simply for the sake of being heavy. The music fits the subject. This is an uncomfortable story dealing with real wounds, broken trust, and the consequences of harming children. At the same time, XIII Minutes does not leave the listener trapped in that darkness. The song ultimately points toward Christ and the hope of healing and restoration found in Him.
With “Seeing Is Deceiving,” XIII Minutes delivers another strong addition to their growing catalog and proves once again that this three piece has plenty left to say and they know how to say it loudly.
“Seeing Is Deceiving” releases August 27, 2026 through NRT Music.
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