Found this thread by accident and wanted to inform you guys that InnerWish is going to release a new Album These days and it seems as it will be absolutely mindblowing. And you should also check out Sunburst - Fragments of Creation released on Inner Wound (also run by Emil).
^^ Innerwish's latest is self titled, and it is quite good. The new lead singer gives the album a completely different feel then all their previous ones, but it rocks none the less. However, IMO they are not a "Christian" band. I have not heard anything from them that would indicate the are not "safe" to listen to (meaning they do not promote anti-Christian ideas), except for a couple of songs, such as Inner Strength from the Inner Strength album, which seem to suggest that we can find redemption within ourselves.
I don't think it's a matter of thinking God will smite you. For me, as a Christian, I just know that the pressures in the world wear me down. I specifically look for music that will encourage me to be what I want to be. (GIGO works for people as well as computers!) Others likely think similarly.
Ulterium Records has some of the best Power Metal out there. My favorite band on the label is Diviner (who don't seem to have been mentioned yet). I asked the singer and he confirmed that they are Orthodox Christians. That is a really silly argument. Not only are the Orthodox Christians, the Orthodox Church is the earliest Church with apostolic succession going back to the Apostles.