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.