The band is best known for their number one singles "Lead Me", "Forgiven", "Whatever You're Doing", "I'm Not Alright", "Don't Give Up", "We Need Each Other", "Everything About You", and "The Fight Song".

In June 2004 it was followed by Fight the Tide, which garnered a GMA Dove Award win in 2005, and two singles that charted at number 1 on Christian radio, according to R&R magazine.

The band's music incorporates a modern alternative rock style, and has evolved from power pop to a more melodic and guitar-driven sound.

[5][6] Drummer Mark Graalman and bassist Matt Kollar soon joined, forming the band's original line-up.

[6][8] Sanctus Real's full-length studio album Message for the Masses was released on June 18, 1999,[8] and shortly afterward, bassist Matt Kollar was replaced by Steve Goodrum.

It was completed in 2000 under the title Nothing to Lose, and the band attended 2001's Gospel Music Week in Nashville to distribute copies of the project.

[5][9] From 1996 to 2001, Sanctus Real toured areas of the United States, and also sent demos to several Christian and mainstream record labels.

"[6] Toward the end of 2002, before releasing their first non-independent album, Sanctus Real performed as an opening act on the Festival Con Dios tour.

[13] The band recorded a cover of U2's song, "Beautiful Day", for the compilation album In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa, which was released at the beginning of 2004.

[15] After being nominated in late 2004, Fight the Tide won the GMA Dove Award for "Modern Rock Album of the Year" in early 2005.

[25] The album's first single was "I'm Not Alright" became a number 1 song on Christian contemporary hit radio (CHR), as reported by R&R magazine.

[29] The album's second single, "Don't Give Up", was released in the beginning of 2007, and by May it became the band's fifth number 1 track by placing at the top of R&R's Christian CHR chart.

[32] In August 2007, Sanctus Real returned to the studio to record a fourth album, which was complete by the end of the year.

[39] During early to mid 2008, Sanctus Real guest starred on Third Day's headlining tour,[40] and also appeared on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

[42] In mid November 2009, Matt Hammitt announced on Twitter that Sanctus Real had finished recording their fifth album.

[citation needed] It was announced earlier in year that this would be the final project with the band for lead singer, Matt Hammitt.

[49][50][better source needed] Changed was released April 27, 2018 on Framework Records, in partnership with Provident Distribution and Essential Music Publishing.

Joining them on this 25-city nationwide tour was visionary and speaker David Nasser along with fellow artists Jonny Diaz and MIKESCHAIR.

Sanctus posted a photo on their Facebook page on June 3, adding all people got off the bus, but their personal belongings were lost.

[5] Their second release, Fight the Tide, was described as "melodic power rock" with similarities to Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, U2, and PFR.

[58] The band's music on The Face of Love blended the styles from their previous two albums, evolving into less of a heavier rock sound.