Chart Rewind: Hillsong Worship’s “Open Heaven / River Wild” Debuted at No. 1 in October 2015

In October 2015, the global worship movement Hillsong Worship once again reached the summit of Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart with the release of Open Heaven / River Wild, which debuted at No. 1 during the week of its release (October 16, 2015). The album's immediate success underscored the group's enduring impact on modern worship and their ability to unite congregations across nations through music that is both theologically rich and musically compelling.

Recorded live during the annual Hillsong Conference 2015 at Sydney's Allphones Arena, Open Heaven / River Wild captures the awe, intimacy, and power of thousands of voices raised in praise. Unlike a studio production, the album embodies the raw immediacy of a worship experience-each song flowing seamlessly into the next, evoking the atmosphere of revival and collective faith that defines Hillsong's ministry.

The 12-track album features a stirring collection of songs led by Hillsong's core worship leaders including Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Taya Smith, Ben Fielding, Annie Garratt, and Marty Sampson. Standout tracks include the majestic "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)," now a modern worship standard sung in churches worldwide; the title track "Open Heaven (River Wild)," a passionate cry for spiritual renewal; "Transfiguration," an anthem of divine revelation; "Love on the Line," a moving reflection on Christ's sacrifice; and "Heart Like Heaven," a soaring prayer of surrender.

Musically, Open Heaven / River Wild blends the sweeping grandeur of live arena worship with the warmth and lyrical depth of personal devotion. Expansive guitar textures, cinematic arrangements, and congregational choruses merge to create a sound that is both intimate and transcendent. Thematically, the album invites listeners to encounter God's presence as both imminent and infinite-to "step into the river" of divine grace and renewal that flows through each song.

Upon its release, Open Heaven / River Wild received widespread critical and commercial acclaim. It not only debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart but also entered the Billboard 200 at No. 15, reflecting Hillsong's remarkable crossover reach and the global appetite for contemporary worship music. The album continued Hillsong Worship's streak of chart-topping releases, following No Other Name (2014), Cornerstone (2012), and God Is Able (2011).

Beyond the numbers, the album's legacy lies in its spiritual resonance. "Our prayer for this project is that people will experience the open heaven of God's love and grace," said worship leader Reuben Morgan at the time of release. "When we worship, we're reminded that heaven isn't distant-it's breaking in here and now."

Ten years on, Open Heaven / River Wild remains one of Hillsong Worship's most beloved recordings, a sonic monument to the movement's vision of global, Spirit-filled worship. Songs from the album continue to feature in churches, conferences, and personal devotion playlists around the world-proof that its message of surrender and renewal still resonates deeply today.

Listen: Open Heaven / River Wild on Spotify

 

 

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