My beef with (some) Christian Metal.

As I think is the case with alot of the people on this board, I'm a Christian. Baptist, to be exact. I myself have never had a problem with my music somehow interfering my faith, as I believe it strong enough to not be undermined by mere sounds on record (yes, even Mercyful Fate).

But there is a major problem I have with a certain chunk of Christian metal bands that, frankly, drives me crazy.

Now understand, I have absolutely no problem with CM bands using dark, apocalyptic energy or tackling social issues. That doesn't bother me at all. I love bands like Tourniquet or Trouble for doing just that.

But what I DO have a problem with is when they start bringing in niche political and social issues into their material. Culture War stuff, basically. I can't listen to bands like Saint or One Bad Pig because the way they handle this material is so obnoxious it brings up memories of hatecore bands.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that, as a traditional Baptist, I have an aversion to mixing politics and religion in the same pot.

Am I nuts?

I definitely get where you're coming from dude. The New World Order crap on the latest Saint album kinda bugged me too. It kinda seems like tons of American Christian bands worship at the altar of Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly...

I dont have a problem with it - other bands do the same thing so I dont see a problem with an artist expressing their political/social beliefs. A Christian band isnt a non-profit organization and are thus free to espouse whatever religious/political/societal opinions they have. If it bugs you - dont listen.

I do not think it is proper for a church which has that non-profit designation to be engaging in that type of political behavior.

I dunno, I don't let it bother me. If nothing else, it shows that Christian metal bands can be just as boneheaded lyricially as any others.

There should be a law against mixing Metal and right wing conservative christianity .

They have the right to express themselves through their art however they choose.
Just like you have the right to choose to listen to what you like. And not listen to what you don't like.

I don't like extreme views from either side...

Bill Clinton is a huge liberal and George Bush was a big conservative... they both harmed our country behind the scenes. They're all just puppets to those with money.

When I was younger I always imagined Christian metal to be a bunch of people screaming "JEEESUS" at the top of their lungs over some heavy guitar. I wasn't that far off.

Not that I don't like it, but yeah I agree with you.

AAF, please give examples.

There are many things "wrong" with secular and Christian metal. To make a comprehensive list would be exhausting. You just hope there are more things "right" that outweigh the "wrong".

Fat Freddy wrote:

I dunno, I don't let it bother me. If nothing else, it shows that Christian metal bands can be just as boneheaded lyricially as any others.

LOL!!!!!!!! Lyrics are lyrics, they can sing what they want. I guess my issue is with the bone headed lead singers of Christian metal bands that are more arrogant than Rush Limbaugh and have an ago bigger than Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth combined!!!!! That turns me off to a band faster than anything!!!!!!

thejokeriv wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I dunno, I don't let it bother me. If nothing else, it shows that Christian metal bands can be just as boneheaded lyricially as any others.

LOL!!!!!!!! Lyrics are lyrics, they can sing what they want. I guess my issue is with the bone headed lead singers of Christian metal bands that are more arrogant than Rush Limbaugh and have an ago bigger than Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth combined!!!!! That turns me off to a band faster than anything!!!!!!

So you`re not the one who donated 750$?..........

Olafsto wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I dunno, I don't let it bother me. If nothing else, it shows that Christian metal bands can be just as boneheaded lyricially as any others.

LOL!!!!!!!! Lyrics are lyrics, they can sing what they want. I guess my issue is with the bone headed lead singers of Christian metal bands that are more arrogant than Rush Limbaugh and have an ago bigger than Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth combined!!!!! That turns me off to a band faster than anything!!!!!!

So you`re not the one who donated 750$?..........

LOL!!! Heck now!!! In light of recent posts, I have been seriously turned off to said band

I am with joker, the lyrics do not bother me, if you want spew out your politically viewpoint in a song, I only ask that you make it interesting.

I write about whatever it is I feel like writing about. I am a Christian, so obviously that drives a lot of my lyrics. I'm also an American, so that too will effect my lyrics. It's just me expressing what I want to express through our music. What am I suppose to do, limit my writing because it might offend someone? I don't think that most bands coming from opposing views worry to much about it. As a matter of fact, I think a lot of them try their best to offend. Listen to what you like and ignore the rest.

I only hear the vocals if they are turned up in my monitor

My problem is when it is wrong for christians to express views, political or otherwise, but somehow it's OK for bands like Rage Against the Machine to be so far out there in the other direction. I would just like it if people would be honest in the lyrical content and not write words just to get a reaction from the listener. If you are a satanist, write satanist lyrics, if you are a christian, write christian lyrics, or just write about life in general and forget what side you're on as long as the music is good.

James B. wrote:

I only hear the vocals if they are turned up in my monitor

ultmetal wrote:

I write about whatever it is I feel like writing about. I am a Christian, so obviously that drives a lot of my lyrics. I'm also an American, so that too will effect my lyrics. It's just me expressing what I want to express through our music. What am I suppose to do, limit my writing because it might offend someone? I don't think that most bands coming from opposing views worry to much about it. As a matter of fact, I think a lot of them try their best to offend. Listen to what you like and ignore the rest.

Agreed.

Again, I think alot of this does indeed have to do with the fact that I'm an old school Baptist. I really, REALLY don't like politics and religion mixing together. I've seen far too much damage done to people because their pastors or fellow church members are told to vote a certain way or view a certain cultural issue a certain way, and they may think differently (or not care about the issue at all).

But as Ult said, this IS America, and I in no way meant to imply that a person shouldn't write whatever lyrics that they want.

I have to say that my biggest beef is that there is a genre called "Christian" metal. What does that really mean? If it is just based on lyrical content, then we should have "political" metal or "sci-fi" metal or whatever other theme you can think of. I honestly think this whole term was created to try and downgrade the quality of the music to all the "tr00 metalheadz"

brontotex wrote:

They have the right to express themselves through their art however they choose.
Just like you have the right to choose to listen to what you like. And not listen to what you don't like.

this.

Joe wrote:

I have to say that my biggest beef is that there is a genre called "Christian" metal. What does that really mean? If it is just based on lyrical content, then we should have "political" metal or "sci-fi" metal or whatever other theme you can think of. I honestly think this whole term was created to try and downgrade the quality of the music to all the "tr00 metalheadz"

I'm all for that. It's all metal!

Back in the 90's I walked into a CD store in Albuquerque. I found Ultimatum's CD, that was being distributed by Diamante at the time, in the "gospel" section with The Winans, Amy Grant, etc. Mortification were on the same label but were being distributed at the time by Metal Blade and were in the metal/rock section. I asked the clerk at the store why a metal band was in the Gospel section. He said "because they are Christian metal". He obviously didn't know I was in the band. I then asked about Morty and he said, well, they are not a Christian band, they are on Metal Blade. Of course, I corrected him and told him he was wrong, to which he just said, well Ultimatum is distributed by a Christian distributer. I was a bit irritated so I asked him where the Satan section was because I wanted to buy a King Diamond CD. I also wanted to know where the Hari Krishna section was so that I could buy a Cro-Mags CD. (Obviously being a smart a$$) However, I made my point. It's all just metal.

ultmetal wrote:

Joe wrote:

I have to say that my biggest beef is that there is a genre called "Christian" metal. What does that really mean? If it is just based on lyrical content, then we should have "political" metal or "sci-fi" metal or whatever other theme you can think of. I honestly think this whole term was created to try and downgrade the quality of the music to all the "tr00 metalheadz"

I'm all for that. It's all metal!

Back in the 90's I walked into a CD store in Albuquerque. I found Ultimatum's CD, that was being distributed by Diamante at the time, in the "gospel" section with The Winans, Amy Grant, etc. Mortification were on the same label but were being distributed at the time by Metal Blade and were in the metal/rock section. I asked the clerk at the store why a metal band was in the Gospel section. He said "because they are Christian metal". He obviously didn't know I was in the band. I then asked about Morty and he said, well, they are not a Christian band, they are on Metal Blade. Of course, I corrected him and told him he was wrong, to which he just said, well Ultimatum is distributed by a Christian distributer. I was a bit irritated so I asked him where the Satan section was because I wanted to buy a King Diamond CD. I also wanted to know where the Hari Krishna section was so that I could buy a Cro-Mags CD. (Obviously being a smart a$$) However, I made my point. It's all just metal.

Amen Scott! A few years ago I burned a copy of a Crimson Thorn and a Crimson Moonlight album for a friend who has quite anti-Christian leanings. I didn't tell him that these two bands unfortunately get to be labeled "Christian metal". He loved both albums, and I'm sure he would not have given it a chance if I told him about the nature of their lyrics. Metal is metal!

ultmetal wrote:

Joe wrote:

I have to say that my biggest beef is that there is a genre called "Christian" metal. What does that really mean? If it is just based on lyrical content, then we should have "political" metal or "sci-fi" metal or whatever other theme you can think of. I honestly think this whole term was created to try and downgrade the quality of the music to all the "tr00 metalheadz"

I'm all for that. It's all metal!

Back in the 90's I walked into a CD store in Albuquerque. I found Ultimatum's CD, that was being distributed by Diamante at the time, in the "gospel" section with The Winans, Amy Grant, etc. Mortification were on the same label but were being distributed at the time by Metal Blade and were in the metal/rock section. I asked the clerk at the store why a metal band was in the Gospel section. He said "because they are Christian metal". He obviously didn't know I was in the band. I then asked about Morty and he said, well, they are not a Christian band, they are on Metal Blade. Of course, I corrected him and told him he was wrong, to which he just said, well Ultimatum is distributed by a Christian distributer. I was a bit irritated so I asked him where the Satan section was because I wanted to buy a King Diamond CD. I also wanted to know where the Hari Krishna section was so that I could buy a Cro-Mags CD. (Obviously being a smart a$$) However, I made my point. It's all just metal.

Hari krishna metal.

I only think its kinda lame when a christian band is politically specific all the time. Politics shouldnt be the focus of the message for a christian band anyways I would think.

but like ult said, bands should write about what they feel at the time regardless.

Olafsto wrote:

There should be a law against mixing Metal and right wing conservative christianity .

and maybe perhaps a similar one against metal and the the ultra-liberal godless left?

It confounds me that bands that preach that god is dead/never existed/conservatives are evil are lauded for exercising the freedom to say what they think but when a Christian band says what they believe politically people object? We have been through thread after thread about metal and any attempt to say metal should be only this or that way limits the genre. Let there be an open competition for ideas - an ideal many libs give lip service to but don't practice what they preach.