LOL - The Jesus Metal Explosion.

[DuchessOfDork]

We both know full well that the canon of metal is about rebellion from the normative culture. It is contrarianist.

Okay then, I'm rebelling against the norms of metal by calling Christinity metal.



I'm being a contrarian by stating my opinions, and they differ from yours. I didn't grow up in a particularly religious area, so being religious IS being rebellious. It's just a different type of rebellion.

But I don't take much stock in the idea that metal is all about rebellion. It's more then that, or emo would be "metal" too. 'cuz emo kids are totally rebellious.

 

[AngraRULES]

I'm 1/2 Native Central American, 1/2 Spanish. My mom's ancestors tortured and enslaved my dad's, so I really need to have a sense of humor about this or it would drive me insane.

If they're creative, they can definitely take advantage of that historical background...

Just saying...

 

[DuchessOfDork]

If they're creative, they can definitely take advantage of that historical background...

Just saying...

GROSS GROSS GROSS...

 

[AeonicSlumber]

If Vikings plundering, pillaging and raping is metal, so are the Jews of the old testament. The Book of Deuteronomy in particular has some pretty gory war stories. Judith has got to be the original metal chick model. That girl cut some dude's head off after having her way with him. That's not metal? To me it's more metal than our current dear old Daniel having simulated sex in fake blood and singing about his pain. BUT THAT'S JUST MY OPINION.

Sure, it's all a matter of opinion. Just like mine, that the bible is about as metal as indie rock, is a matter of opinion.

Truth be told, I feel like I've been beaten to death by asatru-based themes. I don't even care about the vikings anymore ha ha. But yeah, the vikings are metal because asatruism is a dead religion that nobody practices. The brutality of the bible can, and has been "metalized" but it comes off as ridiculous and cheesy 99% of the time with the few exceptions I threw down in this thread.

Norse mythology is dead, because of Christian imperialism. Kids who grew up in Christian families simply did not want to accept the doctrines of the bible and metal was an outlet for that not wanting to conform, and they wrote lyrics about the vikings or satan, or wanting to hang the pope as that outlet. Even Christians themselves felt this way -- look at Black Sabbath. Iommi is a Christian, but their lyrics most certainly are not Christian. Dio was pretty much the Richard Dawkins of the 80's! But the art does not equal or equate to the artist.

 

[DuchessOfDork]

because asatruism is a dead religion that nobody practices.

Not true! I know a lot of "born again Vikings"... lol In fact, fun fact! While researching the "white right" movement in the US (great people, seriously...) I learned that historical Norse religion is their chosen religion. Why? Well, they hate Jews, so, why worship one?

So yeah, plenty of dudes out there worshipping Thor (especially in metal). They might not be as vocal, but yeah.

Another fun fact.. I once had a drummer who quit my (old) band because he said, as a Catholic, I could never be brutal enough for him. Now, this is after I wrote a song about ripping out someone's eyeballs. So you can see why I have to argue this, a little bit. I'm used to people giving me shit for my beliefs (not you particularly, mind you), regardless of the fact that I sing about blood vomit.

 

[AeonicSlumber]

Okay then, I'm rebelling against the norms of metal by calling Christinity metal.

That's an argument for sure. I'm not sure if I buy it though!

I'm being a contrarian by stating my opinions, and they differ from yours. I didn't grow up in a particularly religious area, so being religious IS being rebellious. It's just a different type of rebellion.

Oh, I'm not disputing opinions here. Yeah, of course this is just all a matter of opinion. Just like a believer is entitled to believe, and a non believer is entitled to not do so, it's all a matter of subjective perception, etc. We're all snowflakes, man.

But I don't take much stock in the idea that metal is all about rebellion. It's more then that, or emo would be "metal" too. 'cuz emo kids are totally rebellious.

Actually there are probably more Christian emo/screamo bands than there are secular emo/screamo bands. Certainly, I've never heard of an emo band signing about satan.

 

[DuchessOfDork]

Certainly, I've never heard of an emo band signing about satan.

UGH.. You didn't know my drummer... XP

 

[Justin G]

PPPPFTTTT. Details...

Open up any history book.

Spin Saxon's Crusader.

 

[DuchessOfDork]

Spin Saxon's Crusader.

I just recently discovered that I love Saxon, too. <3 <3 <3

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

Only the funny ones. It's a lower percentage of the overall than you think. I just don't comment on your offensive, non-funny jokes

I hate you Jason.

 

[Justin G]

I just recently discovered that I love Saxon, too. <3 <3 <3

Everyone should.

 

[AMBR]

I just recently discovered that I love Saxon, too. <3 <3 <3

I also just recently discovered that I love Sex on two.

Wait! Wrong topic. Damn, you auto-correct.

(Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood. Saxon Rulez.)

 

[Fizrider]

I disagree. Despite my feelings about the bible as an atheist, the bible is a perfectly ripe source for lyrical inspiration. There's any number or dark and poetic themes contained within.

Exhibit A: Mabool by Orphaned Land.

 

[Orion Crystal Ice]

So.......................... the world is full of wars, which are contrary to how Christ would have us live, America is full of apathetics and false prophets who make a practice of feeding everybody disinformation about anything relating to Jesus (a lot of posts here are proof if you just want a small starting point), many of the Christians here won't even do so much as feed the hungry (which is a cardinal point of fruit of faith), governments and financial institutions worldwide are slowly coercing us into their tyrannical one world order, 99% of people I meet hate or laugh at me right off the bat even though they, in actuality, know zero, factually speaking, about what "Christianity" is,..... and yet people are saying this belief, which has been hijacked by anyone and everyone who chooses to with little remorse, is in no way rebellious?


I always gotta remind myself that the only reason I play this music is because I love it.......................................and sometimes, I wish I didn't want to go and socialize and have a good time because it just hits me that the extent of backwards things that some people think is so incredibly deep rooted that I feel like there is just absolutely nothing I could ever do or say that would accomplish anything insofar as a positive change to that mindset................anyway, going to not be discouraged, got some of that off my chest..moving on..................

 

[J. Golden]

As a Christian metal fan, I will totally agree with this. The subject does not lend itself easily to metal and that's why many of the bands have cheesy lyrics. Theocracy, IMO, has done an amazing job of not falling into that trap and having non-cheesy lyrics and excellent narrative.

I'm not one to say many positive things about Christianity but there is massive amounts of material to write songs from. Considering all three Abrahamic religions and the possibilities are endless. And I would dare say there is actually more there to write about then in Norse mythology (jeez will that trend die already). But it takes clever writers to do this and will not to many Christian bands have proved to be good writers.
Most Christian music is evangelical this is write it is just writen poorly. It is not narrative, just praise.

"I got God in my grind" some Jesus rap song I heard the other day.

 

[SeaStorm]

Guess I better clarify. If you want to write about the history and violence and stories of ancient times, yes, endless possibilities and those are well-suited to metal, just like with Norse Gods, Greek Gods, or whatever. If you want to write about the theology (which I think most Christian bands do), *that* does not lend itself easily to metal. Humility, obedience, sacrificial love, and the like are not exactly kick-ass topics for a metal song. That's why I think so many of the songs have cheesy lyrics, because they are addressing the theology - this song being a perfect example.

BTW, I've since learned that the original Finnish lyrics to this song are quite non-cheesy, but it's the translation to English that came out so corny.

 

[Corsair]

I am going to write a Christian viking metal album just to piss everyone off.

 

[dcowboys311]

Even Christians themselves felt this way -- look at Black Sabbath. Iommi is a Christian, but their lyrics most certainly are not Christian.

hehehehehehehehe

 

[J. Golden]

There is nothing metal whatsoever about the crusades, sorry. Nor is there anything really "metal" in Judeo-Christianity. I'm not trying to insult believers with that statement, but it's too vanilla for it to be metal. It's like saying Islam is metal because the Koran can be brutal. Well sure, but the fact is the masses are either Muslim or christian and metal is about opposition to that.

Wow, so glad I'm not dumb.
And personal I think the Christian bible is a bit more brutal than the Koran just look at the two difference in their ideas of hell, Christians gain a lot of "brutal" point there. And besides the media makes the Koran more "brutal" than it actually is.

 

[Orion Crystal Ice]

hum, I suppose I have to say it is actually refreshing to see opinions on lyrics, even though 99% of metalheads are usually completely uncaring of literally anything that could be in the lyrics UNLESS it's some shred of Christianity in there, then the whole record is ruined. Thus, I shall submit some of ours (mine), since, obviously, elements of faith are involved, to test for approval of those interested. For the record: I don't want to be putting out a musical project, like so many others, with poorly written, no substance lyrics. I want people to dig them. So this is interesting to me. I've gotten heat from vanilla-christians about how we are supposedly not bold enough, because evidently to them, art should only exist as a vehicle for yelling rather than honest expression. Don't ask me why, and don't make me foot the bill for it. Here we go:


'Symphony in Black'

I have been to the outer limits
Foreseen the worlds... deep inside myself
I once emerged, both dead and dreaming
Now I'm alive, a living story to tell

Black and blue, oceans of starlight
Under the ice, there is hope for me
Color my soul in shades of twilight
What God has given, what I was born to be

Black is the way - no turning back
Vomiting faiths from inside
Black is the way - no turning back
Legions of being will cry

A symphony, an angry symphony.. in black
Symphony, a vicious symphony.. in black

A symphony of victory.. in black

Lacerate the spiritually profane
Strung up in chains, hate has just begun
Caught between the sick and sensual
Torment and bliss, pruning me as one

Black is the way - no turning back
Pain's not as vile as it seems
Black is the way - no turning back
The deepest of sorrows will scream

A symphony, an angry symphony.. in black
Symphony, a vicious symphony.. in black

A symphony of victory.. in black

And there's no way to stop it now
I'm gonna ride the black light
With heart in hand I'll see you
On the other side of midnight

I will escape this worldly prison
Sacrifice to reach the other side
Divine consign with the Creator
I will leave the universe behind

Black is the way - no turning back
Hail to the end of all things
Black is the way - no turning back
Echoes of lifetimes will sing

A symphony, an angry symphony.. in black
Symphony, a vicious symphony.. in black

A symphony, exalting symphony.. in black
Symphony, a storming symphony.. in black

Symphony, I'm a symphony... in black

And there's no way to stop it now
I'm gonna ride the black light
With heart in hand I'll see you
On the other side of midnight



'Undying Wings'


We've got more scars than friends
Cut once and twice again
Life is a means to our end
And we don't mind at all

We've seen the orchids bloom
We ride the shapes of doom
And I remember you
Live now or wait to fall

Tonight
Time has come to ride
The greatest way to die
Long live the fighters

To fly
We're speeding in the night
A meaning so divine
Soar ever higher

On undying wings

With broken hearts we muse
Exhumed, and reused
They think they've cut us loose
But we've come back for more

We speak the dead language
Consumed with tearful anguish
No sleep until the famished
Angrily, life is but a war

Tonight
Time has come to ride
The greatest way to die
Long live the fighters

To fly
We're speeding in the night
A meaning so divine
Soar ever higher

On undying wings

Give, take, run, hide, hate - murder
Stand, scream, love, faith, bleed - believer

We've wasted too much time
Your soul as well as mine
Love always makes a crime
All hail the thistled crown

Fragile as we are fierce
Held down too many years
They stole too many tears
Hold on, we're going down

Tonight
Time has come to ride
The greatest way to die
Long live the fighters

To fly
We're speeding in the night
A meaning so divine
Soar ever higher

On undying wings