Church Music For People Who Listen to Metal

It always  surprises people that Christian hardcore/metal exists.  I do recognize the disconnect there and I don't blame anyone for being scared off by screaming in music. I also won't sugarcoat the fact that I love it when it is done well.

This post is for those friends of mine who would keep screaming to a minimum in music. Compiled here are my top 5 favorite songs with religious themes. Often a hardcore Christian band will include a worship or praise song at the end of the record, these are the songs I would like to highlight today. These are in order of my preference and I hope you take the time to listen to them and really hear the words and feel what the band is trying to express.

5. Underoath - Some Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape

This song is off of their first release of any real consequence "They're Only Chasing Safety."  I still remember the contrast between the song and the usual tone of the music.  This song demonstrates a musical understanding unmatched by many bands in their genre.  They are able to convey their beliefs lyrically in a prayer of sorts that came across to me as nothing if not sincere.

4. Life In Your Way - Threads of Sincerity

I'm not going to lie, this song does not keep screaming to a minimum in the first half but if you can make it through the payoff is huge.  I always describe this as a primary song shoved inside a metal song. If you can't handle the screaming skip to the 2:30 mark of the song.  This lyric always resonates with me,  

"There are days where I'm right where I'm supposed to be

  But mostly I am far away

  Learning to live the way I should

  Learning to love the way you would"

3. Sons of God - Caution

Some songs grab you, inexplicably, and will not let you go.  Songs that you can listen to 80 times in a row and not get sick of.  Caution is one of those songs.  The harmonies give me chills every time I listen to them and I feel a closeness to God through music like this. 

2. Haste The Day - Autumn

A song about leaving and how desolate a place this earth can be as the earth dies every year in autumn. I love the haunting melodies that are expressed in this stripped down acoustic offering from Haste The Day.

1. Underoath - Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear

This is my favorite song in any genre of all time.  Hyperbole is not uncommon for me but I mean that sincerely.  If there is one song you listen to on this list, make it this one because no other song holds so much love and faith as far as i'm concerned.  The song builds so beautifully and takes me to another place.

Best Of '08 (for paul)

Top Ten Favorite CD's of 2008

10)  Destroy The Runner - "I, Lucifer"

This disc is not nearly as scary as it sounds.  DTR are a christian post hardcore band who picked up an amazing singer before this album and he has transformed them from a run of the mill metalcore outfit to a very complex and talented group.

Check out the songs: Crumbs For the Murder, On Falling Leaf 

9)    Emery - "While Broken Hearts Prevail"

Emery followed up an unremarkable LP with this fantastic EP which to me embodies everything distinct and wonderful about Emery.

Check out: The Smile The Face, Ten Talents

8) Greg Laswell - "Three Flights From Alto Nido"

This makes very strong case for album of the year.  Greg Laswell crafts brilliant pop songs and gives them the depth and substance most artists only dream of.   I was hooked in one listen and I haven't stopped listening to it.  It gets better each listen.  

Check out: That It Moves, I'd Be Lying

7) The Glorious Unseen - "Tonight the Stars Speak"

This CD actually came out in 2007 but I didn't find it until 2008 so I think it counts. Tonight the Stars Speak is praise music but with the songs to keep you interested.  I love lyrics that sound like they could be a prayer and this to me is the best i've found.

Check out: Burn In Me, Embracing The Call, Meet Us Here

6) T.I. - "Paper Trail"

I am a sucker for guilty pleasure radio rap and I openly admit that.  Even my friends who listen to obscure hip hop admit that Paper Trail is an achievement in the genre.  T.I. delivers a strikingly personal disc that for me, is the best rap album I have ever owned.

Check out: Dead and Gone, Ready For Whatever, Swagger Like Us

5) Haste The Day - "Dreamer"

Haste The Day gets no respect in the music world yet they consistently churn out some of the best metalcore out there.  I love the harder approach on this album yet they retain their mainstream viability with beautiful clean vocals on many songs.

Check out: Autumn, Haunting

4) Kanye West - "808's and Heartbreak"

Despite the negative criticism this album has received, I agree with Kanye when he says that he created art on this album.  If you haven't properly listened to it, give it two or three listens and you will start to see what Kanye is trying to do on this album.  I hope he keeps doing it.

Check out: See You In My Nightmares, Amazing

3) August Burns Red - "Messengers"

Definitely one of the heaviest additions to my Ipod this year, August Burns Red is doing christian metal better than almost anyone else.  The guitar players are so good and so technical that it makes me want to give up.

Check out: Composure, Back Burner

2) Akissforjersey - "Victims"

This band exceeded all of my expectations on this record which followed up their entirely forgettable debut.  I think they listened to their producer and tried to stick to one direction.

Check out: Devices, Salus Suas Extanderealas Concedit

1) Underoath - "Lost In the Sound of Separation"

This is the best CD that came out this year. Underoath have earned their enormous following with non stop touring and creating records that will last when so many artists will become jokes in the future.  I can't say enough about what this record means to me and how impressed I am with the career that Underoath has made.

Check out: Too Bright To See Too Loud To Hear, Desperate Times Desperate Measures, Emergency Broadcast ::  The End Is Near

As always, please check out these bands and let me know what you think.  You can listen to any of these songs in their entirety at www.lala.com.