Embracing the updated sound, radio has already launched the first single from Pieces Of A Real Heart, “Forgiven,” to the top of the charts and gathered enough spins across multiple Christian radio formats to make it the No. 5 most played song this week on Billboard’s National Audience Monitored chart. As the single continues to gain momentum, the song has also become the first video from Pieces Of A Real Heart. Yahoo!, the No. 3 most trafficked US site on the internet, debuts the “Forgiven” video this week at (http://new.music.yahoo.com/sanctus-real). Following the Yahoo! debut, the video, which is directed by Nathan Corrona, will run on numerous other outlets nationwide.

Sanctus Real further recorded an acoustic version of “Forgiven” and four more acoustic songs from Pieces Of A Real Heart for its Digital Deluxe edition. This Deluxe edition features all the studio recordings, the five acoustic versions and a digital booklet, all available exclusively through digital retailers for $12.99, including iTunes (http://bit.ly/d7h5OM).

Sanctus Real is also offering music fans the opportunity to download a FREE song from the new album. Anyone can immediately receive the brand new song, “These Things Take Time,” by re-tweeting or posting the link http://www.tweematic.com/sanctusreal/ on their facebook pages. Sanctus Real guitarist Chris Rohman has called this song one of his “absolute favorites off the new record.”

Music fans can also listen to the full album that is available to stream now from http://www.rhapsody.com/sanctus-real/pieces-of-a-real-heart.

As the album hits physical and digital retail outlets everywhere today, here is what media critics are already saying about Pieces Of A Real Heart:

“With honest lyrical prose and heightened musical charm, Sanctus Real re-energizes their stay as one of Christian music’s favorite bands. Leading with their bona fide hit, ‘Forgiven,’ the pop/rock [band] charters through the vulnerable sway between faith and doubt with such ease, listening to Pieces Of A Real Heart feels more like eavesdropping into a Christian pilgrim’s personal spiritual journey, full of perpetual questions and surrender.” – CCM

“Best overall album by one of the premier bands in Christian music… I expect multiple hit songs to emerge from this album. Sanctus Real has really hit the mark with Pieces Of A Real Heart.” – NewReleaseTuesday.com (Album rated A+)

“They’ve developed a more refined and mature pop/rock sound. They still pack plenty of energy and overflow with sunny harmonies, but now with swelling keyboards and the occasional string accompaniment.” – ChristianityToday.com

Popularly known for its captivating recordings and live performances, Toledo, Ohio-based Sanctus Real is playing “Forgiven,” “Lead Me” and other new songs from Pieces Of A Real Heart, as well as fan favorites spanning 13 No. 1 and Top 5 radio hits, on its headline spring tour with special guests Addison Road, Above the Golden State, Me In Motion and Speaker Sammy Adebiyi. The tour launched March 3 in Albuquerque and travels coast to coast through April 18. This leg of its 2010 tour is sponsored by the charity, Mocha Club (www.mochaclub.org), an online community of people giving up the cost of two mochas a month ($7) to fund relief and development projects in Africa. (See below for upcoming Spring tour dates.)

Sanctus Real is all about living out their lives as “real” Christians, not only on the stage and as they interact with fans, but in the quieter moments of their lives as husbands, fathers and fellow believers. The band creates compelling, authentic music that lives up to the meaning of their name: to be Holy (Latin meaning of “Sanctus”).

Sanctus Real’s 2006 breakthrough album, The Face of Love, landed at No 2 on the Billboard Top Heetseekers chart and amassed a string of radio hits, including the No. 1 songs “I’m Not Alright” and “Don’t Give Up.” The band’s most recent release, We Need Each Other, garnered the band a GRAMMY nomination, and the album’s title track became the band’s sixth No. 1 radio single.

For all the latest Sanctus Real news, go to www.sanctusreal.com, www.myspace.com/sanctusreal, and www.emicmg.com.

Upcoming Sanctus Real spring concerts follow:

2010-03-09 Bakersfield, CA Jesus Shack

2010-03-11 Clackamas, OR Sunnyside Foursquare Church

2010-03-12 Kennewick, WA Calvary Chapel

2010-03-13 Lake Stevens, WA Calvary Chapel Lake Stevens

2010-03-15 Moorcroft, WY Moorcroft H.S. Auditorium

2010-03-17 Kalona, IA IMS

2010-03-19 Minneapolis, MN Club 3 Degrees

2010-03-20 Waukesha, WI Fox River Christian Church

2010-03-26 Springfield, MO Evangel University

2010-03-27 Shawnee Mission, KS Cross Points Church

2010-03-28 Oak Brook, IL Oak Brook Community Church

2010-04-03 Toowoomba, QLD, Australia Queens Park

2010-04-08 Waverly, OH New Covenant Church

2010-04-09 Lancaster, PA Lancaster Bible College

2010-04-10 Zanesville, OH Secrest Auditorium

2010-04-13 Mansfield, OH Mansfield Christian School

2010-04-14 Greenville, SC The Channel

2010-04-15 Rome, GA The Church at Northside

2010-04-16 Springfield, GA First Baptist Church

2010-04-17 Boca Raton, FL Mizner Park Amphitheater

2010-04-18 Melbourne, FL Palm Bay Christian Church
* Tour dates subject to change.

For more info on Sanctus Real, visit the JFH Artists Database.