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Kalen Bruce

Jesus Follower · Husband · Father · Writer · Learner

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The Case for Christian Heavy Metal Music

Disclaimer: The following article argues that Christian heavy music (heavy metal, death metal, metalcore, deathcore, unblack metal, hardcore, thrash, and the like) can honor Christ. This is not all-inclusive article, it’s simply my thoughts poured out. I encourage you to read it with an open mind.

Do a quick search for “Christian heavy metal music” and you will find plenty of people who oppose the genre, including this guy who doesn’t seem to listen to anyone who replies to his post.

What are the main reasons people oppose heavy Christian music? They bring up the origin of heavy metal being rooted in Satanism, which isn’t really the case.

Sure, many of the early metal bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin were out for a shock effect. They liked the idea of scaring people, but a lot of that came from the massive amount of judgement they got from the masses (mostly Christians) in the first place, because they were different and their music was different.

That’s largely the same today. Dress in all black for a few weeks and see how many people react. It’s obvious that you’re depressed and flirting with Satanism if you dress in all black. There’s not a chance that you simply like the color scheme, right? That’s what many believe.

As Christians, we’re often too quick to find fault in things that can be a pathway to Jesus for many.

Negativity Towards Christian Metal

Heavy metal received a massive amount of judgement, and the musicians reacted by moving farther into the dark lyrical themes. Rebellion is a common reaction to judgement, which is likely one of the reasons Jesus was against judgement.

You can’t drive people away and lead them to Jesus at the same time.

But as far as music goes, there is a dark side to metal, and there is a Light side to metal. Why focus on the dark side? We should appreciate the Godly side, and encourage it to flourish.

I played Christian metal for many years, and I played with some of the best bands in Christian metal. They were some of the best dudes I’ve ever met, and they were some of the strongest Christians I’ve ever met.

There is an underground music scene leading people to Christ daily. Yes, this includes people with tattoos, piercings, and dyed hair. It’s literally a mission field that many people don’t care to save.

Believe it or not, the people holding signs out front of the metal concerts with statements like “heavy metal is Satan’s music” aren’t helping bring people to Christ. Surprising, I know.

It really bugs me that people are so quick to point out the negative. Think about all the people who argue that Christmas, and many other holidays, are pagan holidays, because of the history around it. Maybe they are. But a lot of people, non-Christians included, love Christmas, and it’s a great opportunity to bring up Jesus.

If you have an opportunity to make something about Jesus, why wouldn’t you just take it instead of trying to stop it?

“But heavy metal makes you angry”

Another argument against Christian heavy metal is the aggression factor. They say it “makes people aggressive and angry.” That’s not really the case. Sure, some people may get angry when they listen to metal, just like I get angry when I hear some pop songs, but that doesn’t mean the music in general makes you angry.

Some people are actually calmed by the loudness and screaming of metal. Personally, I can sleep to it.

All kinds of people use music as an outlet, whether listening or playing it, and I’m not just referring to heavy music here.

I’ve listened to metal my entire life, and it has never made me angry.

Miley Cyrus? Now that’s a different story.

“But you can’t understand the words”

This is true, maybe you can’t understand the words, but that doesn’t mean no one can understand the words.

I have a couple points here:

  1. You can understand what you’re accustomed to – Whether you listen to metal, rap, country or rock, you tend to be able to understand what you typically listen to. Try listening to a different genre, and you may have a hard time hearing all of the words. This applies to any vocal style. I can understand the words in most “screaming music,” because I grew up on it.
  2. Why do you need to understand what they’re saying? – The words are easily found if you want to follow along, but you don’t always have to understand every word. Ask someone to recite their favorite pop song, and most people don’t know the words.

Screaming is one vocal style. Yodeling and opera are also vocal styles. If you’re simply worried about not understanding the words, you may want to attack some additional genres of music. Or you could always just let people listen to what they like.

How heavy is too heavy?

If you don’t believe “Christian” and “metal” can exist in the same sentence, then how heavy is too heavy? What’s considered metal? Bands like Red, which is an extremely popular Christian rock band, scream in their music sometimes. Is that ok?

At what point does music become too metal?

I encourage you to eliminate that line, and accept all music that serves Christ.

Here’s a guideline you could use to determine if music is “Christian” or not:

Do the words glorify Jesus?

Heavy Christian Bands

There are too many Christian metal bands to count, but I will mention three of the most popular worship-centered Christian metal bands.

1. Sleeping Giant

Sleeping Giant hails from California. With their hardcore style, they turn bars into worship centers. If you ever see them live, you’ll immediately see the love of Christ in their show. I’ve met them and can attest that they come off as Spirit-filled guys.

christian heavy metal music hardcore case

Lyrics to Tithemi by Sleeping Giant
All fear, all pain, all hurt, all grief, all lies
must bow to Jesus’ name.
All kings, all thrones, everything that breathes life,
must bow to Jesus name.
The earth, the sea, the sun, the stars, the sky,
must bow to Jesus’ name.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

All fear, all pain, all hurt, all grief, all lies
must bow to Jesus’ name.
All kings, all thrones, everything that breathes life,
must bow to Jesus name.
The earth, the sea, the sun, the stars, the sky,
must bow to Jesus’ name.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

theres no one like You my God
theres no one like You my King
no one
there is no one like You
Hallelujah

“They speak highly about supremacy
this is declaration
hear us up – you best prepare
swing open you ancient doors
receive your King”

Kings, crowns, thrones
Bow down.
Fall face down
Bow down.
Kiss the ground
Bow down.
Jesus, you hold the crown
Bow down.

2. Impending Doom

Also from California, Impending Doom brings music that rivals the secular death metal bands. With a brutal sound, and a loving message, they attract listeners from all walks of life. Also, some of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, and living for Jesus.

death metal christian music

Lyrics to War Music by Impending Doom
Feel the power in the message
This is war music

This is war music

So many bands not saying a thing
So many groups that preach their hate
Not me
Not me
Not me
Flesh and blood are not the enemy
You will never have me deceived
Kingdom war is what I believe
You are blinded by the true reality
There is a battle that you can’t see

This sick
This sick-hearted world
Feeds off anger and hatred
This sick
This sick-hearted world
While destroying the next generation
This sick
This sick-hearted world
Feel the power in the message
This is war music

This is war music

Bury the serpent in chains
And lay his carcass to waste
Desecrate the wicked snake
And scatter his worthless remains
And lay his carcass to waste

And scatter his worthless remains

Nations rise against one another
Don’t be fooled by power and corruption
Not me
Not me
Not me
Flesh and blood are not the enemy
You will never have me deceived
Not me
Not me
Not me
You are blinded by the true reality

This sick
This sick-hearted world
Feeds off anger and hatred
This sick
This sick-hearted world
While destroying the next generation
This sick
This sick-hearted world
Feeds off anger and hatred
This sick
This sick-hearted world
While destroying the next generation

This is war music

3. For Today

For Today hails from Iowa, and they brought a mix of heavy music and worship singing to the table. I have always got a good vibe from these guys in conversation, and they speak as if they’re Spirit-filled to the core.

christian hardcore metalcore music

Lyrics to Saul of Tarsus (The Messenger) by For Today
May the world know that I am Yours. I will never be silenced. May the world know that I am Yours. I will never be silenced. I will never be silenced. I will never be silenced. I will never be silenced. I will never be silenced… I will resist my sin to the point of blood, and I will wear my scars like badges of honor. But let my hope cry out that my God is greater than the pain of persecution. My God is greater than this world. There will never be another chance to live today for God. There will never be another name that can save us from ourselves. And so, steadfast and undeterred, I will proclaim the name of Christ to a dead and dying world. I am not ashamed! I am not ashamed! I am not ashamed! We will resist our sin to the point of blood, and we will wear our scars like badges of honor. But let our hope cry out that our God is greater than the pain of persecution. Blinded, I saw that Christ is Lord. Now, may the world see You through open eyes. God, my Father, reign.

Saul of Tarsus, later named Paul, after his conversion to Christianity, was pivotal in the establishment of the church of Jesus Christ. Previous to his revelation of the divine nature of Christ, he was a brutal persecutor of Christianity, and was responsible for the death of many members of the early church – He was even present at the stoning of the first martyr, Stephen.

If there is any person that deserves to be rejected by God, and abandoned by Christ, it is Saul of Tarsus. But, not only was he sought out and forgiven by Christ, He was used miraculously and powerfully by God. Let this stand True for us all. Not one of us has fallen too far to be redeemed by the blood of Christ. We are not asked to be qualified for the work of God, we are asked to be willing. May we never be silenced, and may our world change as He glorifies His willing servants.

I’m working on an exhaustive list of Christian metal bands, and some Spotify playlists, so look forward to those soon!

The Most Common Objections

Heavy Christian music is one of my favorite topics to discuss, so I’ve talked to plenty of people about it.

I’ve found that these are the most common reasons people don’t like it or agree with it:

  1. It just doesn’t “seem right” – I understand this, because initially when you think of Christian music you think worship or hymns being sung in church. on this point, I encourage you to open your mind to different styles of music. This helps to reach different styles of people.
  2. They think all metal is Satanic – We’ve already covered this above, but just know that nowhere in the Bible, and nowhere in the world does it makes sense for one style of music (not lyrics, just music) to be Satanic on its own. Any type of music can be used for the Lord and any type of music can be used for evil. Let’s pretend like it was originally used purely for Satanic means, wouldn’t it be a good thing to turn it around on Satan and use it to the glory of God?
  3. They grew up with parents that didn’t like it – Let’s make our own decisions, shall we?
  4. They think metal makes people angry or aggressive – There’s really no proof for this, it just seems to make sense to people. We covered this above as well, but I would just say that metal music gives people energy (just like praise and worship does), but energy doesn’t have to mean aggression.
  5. They don’t understand it – Some types of metal, especially more technical genres, are mostly (but not only) understood and appreciated by musicians and people who have listened to it their entire life. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean you have to condemn it. It’s ok for you to not like a type of music that someone else likes.

I don’t feel like these points hold much water, but you may feel differently.

Open Your Mind

If you condemn heavy music or any music with screaming in it, I encourage you to reconsider and ask yourself why you feel this way.

There is an amazing community of Christians in the world of heavy metal. These bands are the light in dark places. They often opt out of playing churches to play bars and secular venues, which is where Jesus would prefer we play I think, based on His teaching.

We don’t heal the healthy, we heal the sick.

My main point is this: why would you condemn something that’s being done for Jesus, with a right heart? If that’s the case, and if that’s why people are doing it, let them serve in their own way.

I’m not trying to make you like heavy metal, I just want you to accept it as a real form of ministry, and good work for the Kingdom of God. And it would be nice if Christians would stop judging it so harshly.

Let’s face it, the Bible is pretty metal. You don’t have to read for long to find some really metal lyrics, especially in the Old Testament and inn Revelation. There is a variety of literary styles throughout the Bible. Why wouldn’t there be a variety of musical styles within Christian music? You can worship in more ways than we will ever know on this earth, especially with different styles of music.

Recognize the fact that you may be against Christian metal for some weak reasons. Maybe you haven’t fully thought so far into it until now. It’s never too late to give metal a try, or at least to accept it as a form of Christian music.

I like to think Jesus listens to metal, and I know He loves metalheads.

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