Looking for some good Christian rock groups

[BushOut06]

Looking for some really kick-ass Christian rock groups out there. I prefer heavy, hard-pounding stuff, but not death-metal growling- I like to be able to hear the lyrics. Secularly, I tend to like stuff like Hatebreed, Pantera, Metallica, Linkin Park, Megadeth, as well as 80s hair metal.

Some of the better Christian acts I've found have been Pillar, Project 86 and Demonhunter. Impelliterri is also another one of my favorites - Chris Impelliterri is one of the best guitarists in the industry bar none. I'm familiar with groups like Norma Jean and Zao, but those are just a little too screamy for my tastes. I've also come across some good 80's style bands like Guardian, Holy Soldier, X-Sinner, and Bride.

Just wanted to see if anyone on this board had any suggestions - and please, keep the negative comments out of this, this is why I posted this on the religious forum and not the general or entertainment forums :)

[stepnw1f]

1. lol

good luck

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[stepnw1f]

9. Could be...

Or are you asking if I am one? If so... nope!

[BushOut06]

12. WTF?

Why would you even ask that? I'm on the religious board, asking a religious question - how exactly is that me being a troll? If anything, I could say that those who frequent this board and post negative comments about religion are guilty of trolling.

[Goblinmonger]

28. I'm sorry

When I look at the top of my screen, it just says "Religion/Theology." Is it supposed to say "Religion is Keen"? I was under the impression that this forum was for an open discussion of relgion and theology. I do not know where you got the impression that this forum was for a pat-on-the-back-god-rocks discussion. There are GROUPS that are for that. You may want to go there if you do not like negative comments about religion because those types of negative comments are allowed here. And in a "democratic" society such as ours, they should be welcomed and celebrated.

As for good Christian hard rock, I have never heard any that was good--even when I was in high school and was a devout Catholic.

[BushOut06]

30. Sorry, I missed the DU: Christians not welcome memo

I figured this would be the most appropriate DU forum to post my thread. Again, I meant for this to generate discussion among people who do enjoy Christian rock - I know that seems like an oxymoron to many, but I have found many genuinely good bands out there. Just because a person is a Christian doesn't mean they suddenly lose any musical talent they have. And I sure as hell didn't mean for this to be a "get the hell out" thread. There are plenty of threads on this forum and others to debate religion itself, even though I find that many of those seem to be overwhelmingly hostile in their tone as well.

I'm beginning to wonder if Christians are even welcome at DU.

[Goblinmonger]

33. Who said you're not welcome

I don't think it is the most appropriate. There is a Christianity forum. Why not check there? But anyway, I wasn't going to post anything until you went off on your little "don't dis my religion" bit in your post.

I never said anything bad about Christian rock, just that I found none I liked. I was a catholic at one time and did look for that type of music.

And again, I never told anyone to get the hell out. But you did. You said that there shouldn't be anything negative about religion in a religion thread. You sounded a lot like Bush. Sorry, but R/T is not your bubble. Nor is it mine. You are free to tell me why my atheism is cracked. I'll have that discussion any day.

You're welcome here at DU, but if your skin is no thicker than a plum, you might not want to come to a forum where your views may actually be challenged or *gasp* called out once and a while. I get called out all the time. I have no problem with it. I can defend my beliefs and enjoy having them challenged so I know I am correct in my thinking. That isn't for everyone.

[Angry Girl]

2. Live

[BushOut06]

3. Oh, I forgot - Eternal Decision is a good one

I swear, they sound almost like a spitting image of Metallica - their singer is a dead ringer for James Hetfield. Their lyrics are a bit more religious than I normally like, but nonetheless still a decent band.

[brentspeak]

4. Here's some

Here's a list of Christian rock musicians, from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_rock

[400Years]

5. that's like asking for healthy cigarettes

[brentspeak]

7. Didn't the OP request that negative comments need not apply?

So why are you here?

[stepnw1f]

10. Troll?

[400Years]

11. so? might bit touchy there aren't ya?

[BushOut06]

13. Forget it, I knew this would happen

You simply cannot post any honest Christian posts on a DU board without being crucified for it. Gee, and people wonder why I posted what I did yesterday. I should have expected these knee-jerk stereotypical comments.

[greyl]

16. aaah, don't give up so easily. nt

[BushOut06]

19. Not giving up at all

Just giving up expecting that stereotypical comments won't show up. I wonder if the person who made the wise-ass comment about healthy cigarettes had even listened to any of the bands I mentioned in the OP.

I'm so tempted to put together a little test for such people. I guarantee you that I could pull together a dozen or so songs, ask people if the music was "christian" or "secular", and most people wouldn't know the difference. There are some very talented musicians out there who just happen to be Christian - as I mentioned, Chris Impelliterri is one of the best guitarists in all of metal, right up there with Malmsteem. I'd rank Phil Keaggy up there with Eric Clapton any day of the week.

[greyl]

21. I think it's those commercials for praise rock CDs that do it.

I must say, they don't paint a pretty picture to those who aren't inclined.

[BushOut06]

24. True - I pretty much try to stay away from those

I don't think any of my favorite groups would ever be found on one of those CDs. In fact, many ultra-conservatives actually consider hard Christian rock to be "Satanic" :headbang:

[Goblinmonger]

29. Again

Why don't you try the Christian Group? I do not know an Atheist that will go near that with a 10-foot-troll.

[chaplainM]

6. LambsBlood

I know that Derek Smalls played bass in this group for a while, before deciding to "throw in his lot with evil again" and rejoin Spinal Tap.


http://spinaltapfan.com/atozed/TAP00287.HTM

[BushOut06]

14. Spinal Tap?

I loved the movie, thought it was brilliant satire. But did they actually put out albums? And if they did, are they the same members as was in the movie?

[chaplainM]

26. Yes, and yes

There are two cds available. One is the soundtrack from the movie, and the band also did a "reunion album" in 1992 called "Break like the Wind." The actors from the film are actually fairly good musicians, and play the instruments their characters play in the film. One of the actors, who portrays bassist Derek Smalls, is Harry Shearer, probably best known as the actor behind the Simpsons' Mr. Burns, Smithers, Dr. Hibbert, Ned Flanders, Kent Brockman, Seymour Skinner, Rev. Lovejoy, etc.

One irony is that, at a time when "real" pop stars first began lipsynching their concerts, the "fake" band Spinal Tap were actually playing and singing on stage.

"Break like the Wind" also features some guest musicians, and the only palatable Cher vocal ever.

[chaplainM]

27. Lost recordings

Although no LambsBlood recordings are commercially available, their repertoire was known to include the Zeppelin-influenced "Whole Lotta Lord," and the seven-minute "SinBad Suite."

[salvorhardin]

15. You might want to check out a band by the name of Shadow Gallery

They are not a Christian Rock band per se, but they have worked some very strong Christian themes into their stuff. In particular, give a listen to Carved In Stone sometime. I like that album. Their sound is progressive metal. A bit of a Dream Theater clone, but imaginative.

Probably a far lighter sound then you're looking for but Kansas' music is very much Christian influenced. This is primarily because of Kerry Livgren's influence (well, after the Urantia bit anyway).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Livgren

[greyl]

17. Prince could take them ALL to church. :) nt

[salvorhardin]

18. Did you ever hear Kevin Smith

talking about working for Prince? Very funny.

[greyl]

20. I think I recall that from a few years ago, yes.

Was it a short or was it on Leno or something like that?...

[salvorhardin]

22. It was part of a talk he gave

At maybe Colgate? Cornell? I can't remember... but yeah, it's from a few years back. It's out on DVD and the Prince story is fairly lengthy.

[CatholicEdHead]

23. Actually, there are many "Christ-like" messages in standard rock groups

Read the lyrics from Scorpions, Megadeth, early Metallica, Green Day, Rush, etc...

They are peace/anti-war messages and acceptance of groups of people with differences. I find any "Christian" band to usually be unlistenable to, as they are obviously cashing in on their "religion".

[BushOut06]

25. I can agree with you there

Some of your more popular Christian acts - ie POD, I can see the point. I tend to prefer the ones who don't wear their religion on their sleeve.

[toddaa]

31. Blackhouse

http://www.humboldt1.com/%7Eblackhouse/index.html

I'm an atheist and I like these guys. They're basically power electronics in the old school industrial vein. A lot of his stuff veers into harsh noise and experimental dark ambient, which I like but may not be to your taste, but they've got some fairly accessable techno stuff (think Mouse on Mars) as well. In experimental circles, they're well respected and rightfully so. The name Blackhouse is a play on Whitehouse, which is the infamous power electronic outfit that will never be confused for a Christian band. Humor plays a large part in their music.

Kind of outside the "Christian rock" genre, but worth looking into if you are adventurous.

[BiggJawn]

32. That's a toughie...

I remember Petra and Stryper weren't TOO bad, but since I left The Club I haven't kept up.
Man, that would have been what, 20 years ago?

[Dervill Crow]

34. Me too.

Since I'm a big time Journey fan from way back, my musical tastes might run counter to that of most DUers.

Good pagan music is also hard to find.

[nemo137]

35. Five, Iron. Frenzy

Not really metal, but if you can get a copy of their live show, it's good, nerdy, fun. And has a Tom Jones cover. I'd love to see stryper do that!