'How Do I Know They’re Christian?'
The heavy, aggressive music of Christian metal bands can make it difficult to hear their message.
Articles within this series
- Overview
- Blending into the Mainstream
- 'How Do I Know They’re Christian?'
- How Should Parents Respond to Christian Metal?
- Next Steps / Related Information
Christian metal's wedding of gothic, often violent imagery to biblical concepts creates confusion. The way some bands describe how their faith and music merge doesn’t clarify matters. Still Remains, for example, believes its music speaks for itself and doesn’t call attention to spiritual themes in concert. Frontman T.J. Miller says, “We don’t really consider ourselves a Christian band because we don’t preach or talk about our beliefs from the stage. We leave that up in the air, and most people know where we are coming from.” With statements like that, it’s no wonder teens ask where their favorite hardcore artists stand, spiritually.
But others, such as Demon Hunter, are upfront about what they believe. In a 2004 interview, Ryan Clark said unabashedly, “We’re all Christians. We aren’t going to dance around that.” Yet he also admitted a penchant for penning obscure lyrics. “I like to write in a more poetic and metaphorical style. I’m not one for straight-ahead lingo in songwriting.” Nevertheless, he believes, “If anyone takes time to really dive in when they read the lyrics, the message will be clear.” Clearer still is the band’s Web site, which features sections addressing faith issues, as well as a place for fans to post prayer requests.
Similarly, references to spirituality on Underoath’s Define the Great Line CD are subtle, but the group’s Web site isn’t. Underoath guitarist Timothy McTague wrote in an online journal, “I have been realizing what a duty we have as Christians to treat our friends and family and strangers with love and respect. To say we love Christ, who is love, but then turn and forsake our brothers is probably one of the greatest contradictions we can do as physical representatives of Christ and His teaching.”