A Metal & Christianity Take

Metal created something in the 90's called Satanic panic, and to be honest, I think the effects of it are still felt to this day. Metal tends to exist in the extremes, both in showmanship and musically. You'll often find some of the most technical guitar and bass playing, and the drumming is often insane, and let's not even touch the wide array of talented vocalists in the pool. Metal shows often involve the crowd, and sometimes the more niche you go, the more insane the theatrics and stuff get.

When we look at the life of Jesus, the apostles, and many of the the old testament stories... they aren't are love and glory. People suffered. People felt pain, agony, and everything you could imagine. Jesus himself felt many different ways here on earth that are documented in the gospels. So why do most of the modern day Christian songs always have to be uplifting and magnificent?

There's not only a place in Christianity for metal, but I'd argue there's an unseen hunger for it.

We were never meant to be perfect coming to Jesus. Ever. That was never the point. It wasn't to clean up and be a "pretty or clean cut Christian" - no, rather it's to have the Holy Spirit within you, fighting your flesh with a heart out for the Lord.

This is NOT easy. It's NOT fun and good times. It's pain. It's hurt. It's sorrow. It's delivering all the trauma you have to Jesus and letting that mess inside get warped around until it's healed. I think someone like me, who is very sensitive and highly insightful tends to feel my wounds more than others, but I've been so good at putting on band-aids, that my poor soul is covered in wounds. All bloody and disgusting. Have you ever ripped off a band-aid you haven't taken off in weeks? Yeah it sucks.

Metal scratches that itch so well. It's pain on display. It's the feelings played out in the extreme. It's note choices, beating drums, and cry outs that you won't hear in any other genre.

We as the church... need more of this. We need this.

Hear me out; metal is a very full sound. Here I am in the early stages of mixing and learning it all, realizing even with basic instruments, I am carving out a sound in a wall of noise. It's huge, it's in your face, and most of all... it's got energy like none other.

Not only does it have energy, but that energy makes you feel powerful. I've always said that metal is for the powerless, the struggling, and the people who want to feel something more than just love and breakups. More than just happiness and dance. Our hearts and souls crave something deeper.

Metal delivers on this from every front... so why not use it to glorify, talk to, or represent the most powerful being in the universe?

Sure, we can all say we're T-swift fans... but have you ever met people who are into metal? It isn't just that we happen to listen to the same artist that 4 billion people listen to, it's that we're already part of a small group that isn't as grand as it seems. People love the metal culture, and it ties people together.

Metal is a scene where everyone is accepted. No matter the dysfunction, the look, the weirdness, the outright bizarre, or anything in between, metal welcomes it. And often it's not afraid to bring it right in and give it a name.

Sure, there's a Christian metal scene that's pretty large, but that leads to my other thing here... the community is deep and dark. As a Christian now, it's very clear to hear the struggles in these bands, specifically the ones that tend to denounce God and religion in their music. Not the bands in particular, but have you ever thought... people resonate with that type of struggle? Those same people's hearts are crying out, and the right bands in the right styles could ingest the sounds they love to hear, with worship they've been missing all their lives.

Metal shouldn't be shunned by the church... but rather embraced. You want to find the lost, sick, and needy? Metal is full of them. Just because you find the music off-putting doesn't mean there's not victories God wants to see there. He just needs a way in through us.

One of the things that makes metal so insanely powerful is that nearly all metal has a tribal feel to it, that just touches the feelings of war and survival, and then pair that with amazing stories. While not Christian, there are bands... let's say that play Viking metal. They take these war, hero, villain, etc. stories and turn them into awesome songs. They are powerful and representative of what it was to imagine yourself in those times.

Christianity... is chalk full of those characters, and whether or not you realize it, a lot of bands use that to their advantage, and it works.

Worship music... what's it got? It's pretty pure in nature and has a goal of gaining and pulling emotions. So does metal, just in a different way. Musically though, think about it; big buildups, tons of tom fills and grooves, dynamic ranges... it sounds a lot like metal when you think about it.

Also, it seems to be a pretty common thing for worship drummers to have played in metal bands before being on the team. While worship music may not be as demanding as blasts and double kicks, it's very demanding on timing and feel. Drums take control of metal songs, front and center. In worship, your drums control the whole feel of the song.

All I am saying is metal is just as useful for worship as worship music itself. Don't let it's raw and crazy external being confuse the heart beneath it.

You know... I think churches could learn a lot from metal. It's an environment and culture unlike any other, however a lot of it is... well counter cultural, and Jesus was also that very same thing in His day. He loved and welcomed everyone, but didn't shy away of from feelings, calling people out, and standing in faith for God where He was needed.

Metal is... one of the most welcoming cultures I've ever been into. Why? Well, I am weird, awkward, my interests are limited, and I think way too much about things. Generally, I am not the social butterfly nor am I the craziest or coolest dude in the room. Metal folks... they didn't care. It's how I met all my friends. It's how I joined a band. It's how I learned and expanded my knowledge on the genre.

Christianity should be no different, yet my experience couldn't be more... opposite. I'll get into that another day though.

Anyway, short kicker article here to fire back up some more posts. Thanks!