Saturday, December 11, 2010

Christian 'Metal'

Demon Hunter would kick my face in for writing this, if they didn't have to forgive me.

Heavy Metal is certainly no stranger to oxymoron: "Led Zeppelin", "Quiet Riot", "Blind Guardian", and the like. However, it's fair to say that a phrase like "Christian Metal" really pushes it. Jesus has about as much place in metal music as a dolphin in a desert. Sorry about the confusion, bible-thumping rock fans, but last time I checked, people burn down churches in my genre.

Christian Metal (or "White Metal" if you want to be cute), was originally formed back in the mid 80's as a clever way for hard rock record producers to take advantage of the untapped market of young, impressionable children, whose conservative Christian parents had forbidden them from having good taste in music. The most notable out of the bunch was Stryper, famous for writing tunes such as "To Hell with the Devil", and for throwing bibles into crowds of confused, disgruntled metal fans. I'm sure a good amount of Christian parents were clever enough to recognize that Satan resided in big hair and tight pants, not just lyrics, but enough people bought into the nonsense, and Stryper enjoyed significant commercial success as a glam band with a message.


To hell with Stryper
Fast forward to the late 00's: As I Lay Dying comes dangerously close to being a Grammy award winning act for their metal chops. A couple years later, Tim Lambesis makes a genius of himself on cable television by getting a tattoo of Jesus Christ playing a B.C Rich on his leg. I'm sure his minister was all about that... "God loves metal kids that grew up banging their head and who can still, you know, have a personal relationship with Jesus." I thought God loved everyone? What about the metal kids that grew up banging their heads and just knew better? Although Lambesis will typically deny up and down that As I Lay Dying is a "Christian band", he's not afraid to follow up by saying his views "always come across in our lyrics in some way or another." Kind of like how Creed members tip-toed around the "Christian" label by feeding us garbage about how their lyrics weren't Christian, just "spiritual" and "focused on questions of faith".

Like As I Lay Dying, Christianity in today's hard rock music is mostly seen in a metalcore outfit: bands like Norma Jean, The Devil Wears Prada, Underoath, August Burns Red, Demon Hunter and Haste the Day all claim themselves to be Christian groups and to write lyrics that are inspired by their faith. As much as I disagree with it, being a Christian metalcore band is excellent business sense. Albums by these bands will end up in a metalcore fan's collection, regardless of the individual's faith. Metalcore lyrics are typically such cryptic, forced poetry, that you could put any message behind them, whether it be "praise Jesus" or "I miss my girlfriend a lot". So they can get away with being a non-Christian band for the kid who hates his parents, as well as a Christian band for the kid who loves them, all at the same time. I'm only this upset because it's such an ingenious plot, and I didn't think of it first.

Easily the worst perpetrators of the Christian metal violation is the band Mortification, based solely on the fact that they make music that I want to listen to. It's like a sheep in wolf's clothing. Yeah, I didn't mix that up. These guys are sheep wearing wolf suits. You are lured in by a quality death metal band, and upon routine lyric lookup, you find nothing but Satan getting harshly rejected and all this crap about "preaching the word".

If you find yourself listening to/enjoying a metal act that happens to be Christian, true metal redemption lies in long, sleepless nights listening to the discographies of Deicide,  Mercyful Fate, Dissection, Immolation, Venom and for heaven's sake, SLAYER until you get your metalhead on straight.

God damn it.



Sidenote: Haste The Day has recently announced their eventual parting of ways after their "12 Days of Christmas Tour". I say "Haste the Day" when you break up.

41 comments:

  1. I've seen Norma Jean and The Chariot on several occasions (not on purpose) and my favorite part is always when right before a raging breakdown the singer yells "We love Jesus, our lord and savior and he loves every one of you!" High on Fire played before them one time so I was immune to their preaching thanks to Matt Pike's Devilution.

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  2. Immolation!

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  3. ok, so, "christian metal" = bad. agreed. but, im a christian and i listen to everything from immortal and dimmu borgir to vehemance, cannibal corpse, obituary and stuff like winds of plague suicide sillence and whitechapel. theres nothing wrong with THAT is there? i mean, its all music, who cares what anyone believes as long as the musics good

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    1. NO ONE CARES.

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    2. that's pretty much the truth. athiest, buddhist, whatever. no one cares.

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  4. I have no qualms with a man who wants to listen to good metal, no matter his belief system. How your belief system looks upon that stuff however, is a different story. I'm strictly atheist, but I was a former Catholic long enough to know Dimmu Borgir listening deserves a whooping in a good Christian household.

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  5. Dude, wtf? Christian metal is real metal if it's hard enough, like a hill to die upon. And the majority of Guardian's are speed power metal.

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  6. Im an Atheist, and ABR classifies themselves as a Christian band, however their lyrics are cyptic enough that you wouldn't be able to tell their faith at first listen.

    All of those other bands can suck it, but you leave ABR alone, they'll shred faster and better than some of the pussy 80s bands you love so much. =]

    And im not saying I dont enjoy metal from the 80s, im just saying I enjoy metal from this millenia way more.

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    1. shred faster and harder then lets say...michael angelo batio? steve vai? andy timmons? jason becker? nuno bettencourt? george lynch? reb beach? paul gilbert? sorry man but no way.

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  7. I challenge you to find anyone who can shred better than fucking Michael Angelo Batio.

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  8. Oh boy...
    Anon: One of those "pussy 80s bands I love so much" is Racer X. With that said, you've already lost, but I'm not about to pass up the opportunity of schooling you. First of all, ABR are not the "metal of this millenia". They are the latest and greatest bastardization of the genre. The 80's had hair metal, the 90's had "nu metal", and now we have metalcore. ABR is just another run of the mill metalcore band. They're no better than Unearth, Killswitch Engage or As I Lay Dying. Not saying they're inferior musicians. Like with most metalcore bands, they're great musicians making bad music. I also don't know where you get the idea that I only listen to 80's music. There are plenty of great metal acts that formed in this decade that I thoroughly enjoy. Case in point, Arsis is just one of many examples that decimates anything a band like ABR brings to the table of shredding. Sorry, kid.

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  9. All hail VENOM! I'm obbessed with Cronos and Venom.
    Lol at the Stryper picture. The "guy" on the right looks like my (female) coworker.

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  10. I'm a Christian, but I can't stand modern Christian music.(I only say this for the modern because Christian classical pieces (like Bach) are very musically talented, so old Christian music isn't talentless)

    I'm also saddened to seemingly being represented by all of these bands that play breakdowns. I'm a fan of bands like Morbid Angel, Demigod, Baphomet, Behemoth, Incantation and the likes. I can't stand to see a bunch of trucker hat wearing, arm flailing hardcore dancers slapping a Christian tag on their overly cluttered MySpace profile.

    Nice blog, by the way. I agree with almost all of what I've read so far.

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  11. Oh and that band Anon mentioned 'A Hill To Die Upon' was actually tolerable! Their album "Infinite Titanic Immortal" is what I checked out.

    Reminds me of Hate (from Poland) and hints of Behemoth, but not so much.

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  12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xBBU1LF89g
    Sheep in wolve's clothing definitely. But man, the music is so good you'd almost catch me singing along to their "how great thou art" song.

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  13. I don't have a huge problem with "Christian" metal bands, as I've always viewed metal as a polytheistic genre. However, I draw the line when a band makes Christianity its entire "shtick". Call me a hypocrite, but I do not hold Satanic, Pagan, or Atheist metal bands to the same standard. I think that is because I dance between Atheism and Agnosticism myself, and I am readily able to accept anything that is anti-Christian.

    I will listen to a Christian metal band as long as it is fucking GOOD. Good music is good music, but when you start using Christianity to cover up the fact that your band SUCKS, I get pissed. Sell albums by being good musicians, not by being good Christians. The same holds true for ANY metal band, Satanic, Pagan, or whatever else they may happen to believe in.

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  14. To me, it's about whether or not a band makes music I enjoy, and that's it. I know, pretentious dbag metalhead blather, but it's just how I roll. The thing is, I have yet to find a christian band I really enjoy. From Stryper to Mortification, I don't enjoy any of them. There seems to be something about having Christ in your heart that keeps you from making ballsy tunes. Correct me if I'm wrong, and I will gladly add another awesome band to my music collection, I really don't care who they worship.

    In my opinion, satanism (theistic, not legitimate LaVeyan satanism) is fucking stupid and only taken seriously by kids during the younger half of their teenage years, but I fucking love Belphegor, Dissection, Behemoth, etc, because they make awesome music. A band's ethos shouldn't get in the way of me listening to it, Nokturnal Mortum is incredible, but they're also fucking nazis.

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  15. Killosopher, if you like Belphegor and Behemoth, try that band the guy up above mentioned "A Hill To Die Upon". They seem to be going in that direction on their album 'Infinite Titan Immortal'. But, as of now Belphegor and Behemoth are far better than them, but those two bands have been in the metal scene for years and years, though. This is this band's first full album and I think it's really impressive for a Christian metal bands first attempt at death/black metal.

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  16. I just can't take Christian metal seriously, and Christians just need to go away and leave everyone alone. What? Torturing our ancestors and burning them at the stake didn't do it for ya, so now you gotta recruit sheeples by invading our genre? I am a narrow minded elitist and I wear that label with pride and to me, Christians have NO place in Black and Death metal. They do nothing but bash pagans and atheists and talk shi* whenever possible. They don't follow a real message, they only follow where they can get many sheeple to buy their music(or download...without paying, is that a sin??). Everything about it reeks of people who have no real culture or else if they did, they would know what their ilk did to other innocent human beings and they wouldn't be "rockin' balls for Christ". But these bands like "A Hill To Die Upon" and "Mortification"...Tomas de Torquemada would be balls deep in sadistic pleasure. So if you are going to invade metal, then at least have the balls and do it the right way...talk about burning innocent people at the stake, slaughtering women in labor..then throwing the baby into a fire, the Inquisition, witch hunts...you get the point. I agree with you Brenocide.

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  17. I'm Christian. I just can't understand how anyone could call themselves Christian and then go on screaming and growling and sounding exactly like the Devil, that is if metal is the devil. Where is the love of God in this music they call Christian? Sure, it might have some subliminal message, but it shouldn't be subliminal it should be straight forward and to the cross[point]. People should be able to understand what the hell you're saying and actually get a message from it without having to look up lyrics and explanations on meanings. How many people have actually turned their life around because of this Christian Metal? Does it really reach people?

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  18. Let's cry about it some more gee.mooney.

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  19. WindsOfReclamation5/06/2011 1:27 AM

    I'm Atheist and fully agree about how dumb Christian Metal is... but the death metal band "Becoming The Archetype" is the one exception I have to make. They may have overtly Christian lyrics, but their music is GREAT. I guess the phrase "listen with an open mind" applies to them.

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  20. You know Tom Araya, the vocalist and bassist from slayer is a devout christian, right? he even said in an interview that Him and Kerry King, literally just write what sounds badass. Araya's obviously not down with satan, but whenever King came to him with a whole, "fuck the world, god hates us all" mantra song, He'd dig it because the fans would. There's a sell out and poser in us all eh?

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  21. Rodríguez6/19/2011 11:48 PM

    I can't agree more with you. I kind of dig Stryper though,and I'm catholic, but yeah, seriosly, christian rock in general sucks. A friend once asked me if I liked Skillet because he thought they were metal, when I heard them they sucked. Heavy music is not meant for this kind of lyrics. At least make it sound badass or just stay with calm music, and for the love of God, don't overpraise Him. Another reason why christian rock sucks.

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  22. There's also American Death/Thrash band Incubus [now called Opprobium, that shitty mainstream band sued them].

    Fucking classic band, Christian or not.

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  23. http://youtu.be/fkmyZ8juZWw

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  24. Dude, metal is a style of music, just like rap or pop or anything else (though I'll certainly agree a superior style of music) If someone wants to express their Christianity in that style, why shouldn't they? Are Christians incapable of making good music or having good musical taste?

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  25. I don't think Christianity is too antithetical to true "metalness." Their central image is of a brutal execution, and their central ritual is consuming the flesh and blood of God. That being said, most Christian metal bands don't get this right, but I'm willing to embrace those who do. Some of the aforementioned metalcore acts are about as good as metalcore gets, The Showdown and Demon Hunter are pretty decent, and Becoming the Archetype is fucking sick. The vast majority of everything is shit, and metal is sadly no exception, so let's accept good music regardless of the musicians' beliefs. I'm a Christian, and "Where is Your God?" by Amon Amarth is in some ways an affront to my beliefs. But you know what? I still listen to it, because it's a fucking great song.

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  26. I disagree, good sir. August burns red are far from run of the mill. their music stands out in the deep blue ocean that is "metalcore". i cant help but feel that, maybe not you(i feel that your opinion is just from dislike of their music, or possibly their american mainstream exposure[no one gives a or knows a fuck about them here in ireland]), but "true metal heads" will deliver countless biased opinions about them due to their image (they look like they belong as backup musicians for justin bieber!).
    their live deliverance is epic, and the music itself is exceptional.

    - Someone who maybe gives a fuck!

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  27. If any christian calls themselves a metalhead, then they must be either a shitty metalhead or a shitty christian.

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  28. None of the bands mentioned in this thread are metal, not even one.

    http://youtu.be/LnI0wXflq4Q
    ^
    Try this instead and THEN tell me it's unmetal.

    And this: http://youtu.be/Rvn0FlGL7iI
    And this: http://youtu.be/Lvwzbq0z0jQ
    And this: http://youtu.be/j1QHEIPn1Fc
    And this: http://youtu.be/67xQAU3qm4g

    I'm so much more metal than you. You ignorant little queef. You must have fetal alcohol syndrome.

    Oh and you WILL die in a fire... forever.

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    1. That's not metal. That's let's thrash together and threaten people that they are going to Hell unless they believe in our god.

      This is true metal because if the Christians I have seen are representatives of the true god then Heaven is no place that I want to be.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPTnyL0ASWo

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  29. Why list a bunch of metalcore? What about Extol, Aletheian, Crimson Moonlight, Lengsel, Antestor? just to name a few off the top of my head

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    1. The author dealt with Christian death metal. Of course, Mortification sounds like the street preacher that comes to my college campus every now and again and starts telling people that they are going to Hell unless they turn to God. In full consideration, Behemoth comes out way more Christian than Mortification.

      Anyway, that's beside the point. I would acknowledge myself to be an agnostic and I could care less what lyrics a metal band sings about. It is true that a lot of Christian metal bands get so annoying after a while because the lyrics don't always match the music style. Antestor and Extol are actually pretty good. I listen to them.

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  30. Shutyourmentallyretardedmouth3/03/2012 8:42 PM

    Remember focusing on lyrics ISN'T FUCKING METAL? Oh no we just forgot about that didn't we.

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  31. I'm a devout Atheist, but there are a few good Christian bands out there. I enjoy their music despite it, not because of it. Lots of old doom bands have Christian themes. Trouble and Candlemass come to mind.

    On the other hand, I can't stand the christian crap Mustaine is spewing these days. Someone stick the heroin needle back in his arm, cause he sucks as a sober christian.

    GK

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  32. christiancore bands have christian lyrics?

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  33. Christian metal is ,lyricwise, just as ridiculous as satanic metal. But it's both metal nonetheless.

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  34. I don't think it matters what the music is about as long as it's good. Metal is metal.

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All readers that post under the name "Anonymous" and are too frail and weak to represent themselves properly with a title, shall be deemed false metal poseurs for the remainder of their pitiful existence.