Hillsong United has unveiled February 15 as the release date of its next album Aftermath.

It's the first album release for this much lauded worship band in two years so the expectations are high.

It also marks the first new recording from Hillsong United since the announcement of their alliance with EMI Christian Music Group last year.

But the wait should be well worth it, as the band members say they have used the time to challenge themselves musically and lyrically.

With that in mind, this collection of brand new songs aspires to push the boundary of what's considered "worship".

“I think we just wanted to create an album that didn’t follow all the rules and that we ourselves would want to worship to, whether we’re in the car driving home, on the train on the way to work or wherever we happen to be. We didn’t want to rely on what feels familiar,” says Hillsong United’s Joel Houston.

“So we sat back and asked ourselves the tough questions, namely what are we trying to achieve, and why did we even start doing this in the first place.”

The tracks are tied together by the theme of genuine, paradoxical hope in the wake of the apparent tragedy of the cross.

Joel explains: “Normally ‘aftermath’ has a negative, even traumatic, connotation.

“At the same time, when I look at the Crucifixion as an event, it paints an extraordinarily negative and horrific picture.

"But the aftermath of the Cross is hope for all mankind. It’s grace, freedom, peace, life and everything that is good about God. I absolutely love that picture.”

Fronted by worship leaders Joel Houston, Jad Gillies and Jonathon "JD" Douglass, the United team is also an evolving collaboration of pastors, worship leaders, musicians and songwriters - all intentional about giving voice to a generation passionate about God.

Aftermath will be released via Sparrow Records.