Poll: Christian hard rock

[farouk]

t: I wholeheartedly agree about the conflict between the Lord Jesus and the world.

When it comes to music styles, etc., there is always an element of subjectivity.

For example, if someone listens to the Hatikvah (based I think on Smetana's Ma Vlast), or Beethoven, or a track by Red or Casting Crowns or Skillet, who is to say which is 'better' or 'worse'. In the end it's the lyrics that count, a lot of Christians would say.

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Oh no here we go again.. that's like arguing white lies white witchcraft good spells evil spells or voting for the lesser of two evils. Don't you guys remember who used to be in charge of the heavenly instrument section or stop to think he just might influence these groups or do you think being Christians he leaves them alone? Oh while were at it don't forget this is the same world that nailed our Saviour to that tree..

tob

I used to be anti-rock, was raised that way. I'm no longer anti-rock as of a few years ago. I know the arguments against it, and put a lot of thought into it.
I'd share some of the conclusions I reached with you, but I'll refrain from doing so unless you want me to. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter.

 

[farouk]

It's good when this subject can be discussed dispassionately.

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Fair enough. I'll respect that you don't wish to discuss it. God bless.

 

[farouk]

Depends on how hard it is. If it leans more towards metal, in my perspective, it sounds like it's tearing the message apart. I'm not saying that it's absolute, just saying that's the vibes I get from metal. ...

YH:

Interesting point. How do you mean, exactly?

Like you say. it's hard to argue the point exactly, I reckon, anyway.

Blessings.

PS: If you listen to the track 'Battle Lines' by Disciple, for example, it's real hard rock. But so effective, with God honoring, Biblical lyrics.

 

[YosefHayim]

Interesting point. How do you mean, exactly?

I guess different people are reached in different ways. Just because it's not traditional doesn't mean it's a sin.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Yeah, metal's not for everyone. xD I used to dislike it myself, but it grew on me.

I guess different people are reached in different ways. Just because it's not traditional doesn't mean it's a sin.

Yup. Traditional music itself was once a new thing and initially criticized.

 

[farouk]

Yeah, metal's not for everyone. xD I used to dislike it myself, but it grew on me.

I guess different people are reached in different ways. Just because it's not traditional doesn't mean it's a sin.

Yup. Traditional music itself was once a new thing and initially criticized.

questdriven:

Interesting; you even used to dislike it, did you, as well as being 'against' it as an inherited viewpoint?

It's interesting how people's views and tastes develop, really.

Blessings.

@questdriven :

PS: For example I think Disciple's 'Battle Lines' is a real masterpiece of Christian music. So would you describe it as strictly Christian hard rock, Christian heavy metal, or maybe fitting in both? Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Yeah, metal's not for everyone. xD I used to dislike it myself, but it grew on me.

I guess different people are reached in different ways. Just because it's not traditional doesn't mean it's a sin.

Yup. Traditional music itself was once a new thing and initially criticized.

questdriven:

Interesting; you even used to dislike it, did you, as well as being 'against' it as an inherited viewpoint?

It's interesting how people's views and tastes develop, really.

Blessings.

@questdriven :

PS: For example I think Disciple's 'Battle Lines' is a real masterpiece of Christian music. So would you describe it as strictly Christian hard rock, Christian heavy metal, or maybe fitting in both? Blessings.

IDK. I'm not terribly good at discerning between genres. Probably both.
I'm told that their earlier music was even more heavy metal.

 

[farouk]

Yeah, metal's not for everyone. xD I used to dislike it myself, but it grew on me.

I guess different people are reached in different ways. Just because it's not traditional doesn't mean it's a sin.

Yup. Traditional music itself was once a new thing and initially criticized.

questdriven:

Interesting; you even used to dislike it, did you, as well as being 'against' it as an inherited viewpoint?

It's interesting how people's views and tastes develop, really.

Blessings.

@questdriven :

PS: For example I think Disciple's 'Battle Lines' is a real masterpiece of Christian music. So would you describe it as strictly Christian hard rock, Christian heavy metal, or maybe fitting in both? Blessings.

IDK. I'm not terribly good at discerning between genres. Probably both.
I'm told that their earlier music was even more heavy metal.

questdriven:

Well, okay; interesting.

I noted anyway that from actively disliking heavy metal, you said it grew on you. Especially the Christian variety, of course. Do you think you could put into words somehow the way this happened - possibly in a gradual way? (It's all very subjective, I know, but some people - as we know - think they can be very objective about being 'against' it, anyhow.)

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

questdriven:

Well, okay; interesting.

I noted anyway that from actively disliking heavy metal, you said it grew on you. Especially the Christian variety, of course. Do you think you could put into words somehow the way this happened - possibly in a gradual way? (It's all very subjective, I know, but some people - as we know - think they can be very objective about being 'against' it, anyhow.)

Blessings.

I believe after my mom found out I liked Christian contemporary, she said something about music that screams at you or something (referring to AC/DC mostly, which I don't think is a Christian band). (She said this on the way home from an airshow that they were playing AC/DC songs during.) I said basically that I'm not into music where they scream, that I mainly liked Casting Crowns and soft rock.
I think I discovered Skillet about 6 months later, and I was a little surprised that I liked it. Later on, someone shared Disciple with me, and I only liked a couple of their songs at the time. Think it was mostly their older, more hardcore metal songs they shared at the time. More recently I began to look more into Red, which was when I decided I liked metal. And even more recently, re-looked into Disciple.


As for people who are against it, I respect that. We are all one in Christ, and there is no need to create division by arguing over petty things.

 

[farouk]

I believe after my mom found out I liked Christian contemporary, she said something about music that screams at you or something (referring to AC/DC mostly, which I don't think is a Christian band). (She said this on the way home from an airshow that they were playing AC/DC songs during.) I said basically that I'm not into music where they scream, that I mainly liked Casting Crowns and soft rock.
I think I discovered Skillet about 6 months later, and I was a little surprised that I liked it. Later on, someone shared Disciple with me, and I only liked a couple of their songs at the time. Think it was mostly their older, more hardcore metal songs they shared at the time. More recently I began to look more into Red, which was when I decided I liked metal. And even more recently, re-looked into Disciple.


As for people who are against it, I respect that. We are all one in Christ, and there is no need to create division by arguing over petty things.

questdriven:

Well, thanks a lot; your comments are helpful and expressive.

Yes, those bands do include lyrics that are, liked you say, screamed. For example, the lyrics of Red's Release the Panic wouldn't be what they are without some of them being screamed, right? As as for what I think is a masterpiece, Disciple's Battle Lines, they sing the excellent, Scriptural lyrics in a scream, don't they? all with a background of electric guitar and drums.

I guess that the time came when you discovered that such lyrics in a rasping, throaty roar did something for you, so to speak. Do you think that, by some intriguing process that you found surprising, it's true to say that what you formerly disliked has now come almost to define you and your musical taste?

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

questdriven:

Well, thanks a lot; your comments are helpful and expressive.

Yes, those bands do include lyrics that are, liked you say, screamed. For example, the lyrics of Red's Release the Panic wouldn't be what they are without some of them being screamed, right? As as for what I think is a masterpiece, Disciple's Battle Lines, they sing the excellent, Scriptural lyrics in a scream, don't they? all with a background of electric guitar and drums.

I guess that the time came when you discovered that such lyrics in a rasping, throaty roar did something for you, so to speak. Do you think that, by some intriguing process that you found surprising, it's true to say that what you formerly disliked has now come almost to define you and your musical taste?

Blessings.

I guess. Probably moreso hardrock, because even though I like metal, I tend to like the more toned-down metal a little more.

 

[farouk]

questdriven:

Well, thanks a lot; your comments are helpful and expressive.

Yes, those bands do include lyrics that are, liked you say, screamed. For example, the lyrics of Red's Release the Panic wouldn't be what they are without some of them being screamed, right? As as for what I think is a masterpiece, Disciple's Battle Lines, they sing the excellent, Scriptural lyrics in a scream, don't they? all with a background of electric guitar and drums.

I guess that the time came when you discovered that such lyrics in a rasping, throaty roar did something for you, so to speak. Do you think that, by some intriguing process that you found surprising, it's true to say that what you formerly disliked has now come almost to define you and your musical taste?

Blessings.

I guess. Probably moreso hardrock, because even though I like metal, I tend to like the more toned-down metal a little more.

questdriven:

Yes; I guess I was referring to hard rock /heavy metal, anyway.

So I suppose that the time came when you ceased to be 'embarrassed' about liking Christian hard rock and its often screamed lyrics? (and probably the time came when your mom realized what was happening! yet she still paid for your Skillet album...)

Don't know if 'embarrassed' is the right word, mind. In music appreciation, can one really be embarrassed about it? Interesting question, I suppose, anyway.

Blessings.

 

[farouk]

Interesting point. How do you mean, exactly?

I guess different people are reached in different ways. Just because it's not traditional doesn't mean it's a sin.

YosefHayim:

Yesterday's avant garde could be today's tradition, I suppose. 'Modern' music from the 1930s, 'modern' fashion from the 1960s, etc. can seem dated if modernity alone is being sought.

It's all a matter of definitions.

Blessings.

 

[George Muller]

Not sure what the term ''hard'' means? I have heard some that I could not relate at all as being "Christian" although it was sold and packaged as that. I really enjoy much of the modern "up tempo" music, such as Third Day etc..
It was a real blessing to me as I came out of the world and the music of the world.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Not sure what the term ''hard'' means?

It refers to a subgenre of rock. According to wikipedia, it's loosely defined. "It is typified by a heavy use of distorted electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and often accompanied with pianos and keyboards."~wikipedia article


ETA: @George Muller Third Day is great. If you like them, you might like Casting Crowns, too. They're mostly soft rock and contemporary.

 

[farouk]

PS: In any case, Classical music concerts are often performed by men in tuxedos or women in off the shoulder dresses; while hard rock concerts may typically involve musicians in bluejeans, or leathers, and maybe with tattoos, etc. These are simply style matters. I come back to the fact that IMHO I think it's the lyrics, good or bad, that count, one way or another.

 

[farouk]

Not sure what the term ''hard'' means?

It refers to a subgenre of rock. According to wikipedia, it's loosely defined. "It is typified by a heavy use of distorted electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and often accompanied with pianos and keyboards."~wikipedia article

questdriven:

Yes, good definition.

And then of course some cities have Hard Rock Cafes...

(I wonder if any folk have been motivated to form a Christian Hard Rock Cafe? )

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Not sure what the term ''hard'' means?

It refers to a subgenre of rock. According to wikipedia, it's loosely defined. "It is typified by a heavy use of distorted electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and often accompanied with pianos and keyboards."~wikipedia article

questdriven:

Yes, good definition.

And then of course some cities have Hard Rock Cafes...

(I wonder if any folk have been motivated to form a Christian Hard Rock Cafe? )

Blessings.

Hm! Imagine that'd be a good witness opportunity.