Christian metal

Christian metal
Stylistic origins	Jesus music, Christian rock, heavy metal, psychedelic rock, blues rock, hard rock
Cultural origins	Late 1970s United States and Sweden in Jesus movement
Typical instruments	Electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, vocals
Mainstream popularity	Some in the 1980s and 2000s.
Fusion genres
Unblack metal
Regional scenes
United States, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland[1]
Other topics
Bands

Christian metal, also known as white metal,^[2] is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity. Christian metal is typically performed by professed Christians sometimes principally for Christians who listen to heavy metal music and many times produced and distributed through various Christian networks.^[1]

Christian metal bands exist in all the subgenres of heavy metal music, and the only common link among most Christian metal bands are the lyrics. The Christian themes are often melded with the subjects of the genre the band is rooted in, regularly providing a Christian take on the subject matter. It has been argued that the marginal yet transnational Christian metal subculture provides its core members an alternative religious expression and Christian identity, and that the music serves the purpose of offering a positive alternative or counterbalance to secular metal music which is known for its generally dark and negative message.^[1]

Christian metal emerged in the late 1970s as a means of evangelism to the wider heavy metal music scene, and was pioneered by the American Resurrection Band and Swedish Jerusalem. Los Angeles' Stryper achieved wide success in the 1980s, otherwise the genre was mostly ignored by the mainstream. California's Tourniquet and Australia's Mortification led the movement in the 1990s. The metalcore groups Underoath, Demon Hunter, As I Lay Dying, and Norma Jean (dubbed by Revolver Magazine as "The Holy Alliance") brought some mainstream attention to the movement in the first decade of the 21st century, achieving ranks in the Billboard 200.^[3]

Characteristics

Christian metal is not a solitary style of music, but rather an ideological umbrella term that comprises almost every subgenre of heavy metal music. The musicians within Christian metal bands typically base their lyrics on Judeo-Christian traditions. The lyrical approach of Christian metal bands is somewhat varied, as some emphasize the positive aspects of faith matters while others iterate the teachings of Christ. Some bands keep their message hidden in metaphors. Only a minority take an aggressive attitude towards those who speak against Christianity, "preaching full-on fire and brimstone and Old Testament style God's wrath back at extreme satanists".^[4] References to eschatology and apocalyptic themes, particularly the ongoing spiritual warfare between good and evil as well as the Last Judgment and fall from grace are typical.^[1]

The lyrical style varies depending on culture, denomination, and country. For example, in Northern Europe the bands with Lutheran members usually prefer a personal lyrical approach, which is seldom meant to "convert" in an aggressive manner, since evangelism has been more typical among American bands. Christian bands never deny their conviction but typically avoid preaching, and sometimes the matter is left unexpressed, leaving religion as a private issue of the listener.^[4] Certain bands choose to deal with every day life experiences from a Christian perspective in order to draw both Christian and non-Christian listeners. In such cases, identifying a "Christian band" can be difficult. Secular bands that occasionally deal with Christian topics are a different matter altogether. Defining a Christian band is a much debated issue on Christian metal forums. A Christian band is expected to have either professed Christian members or a Christian message, preferably both.^[1]

History

Background: Heavy metal music and Christianity

When heavy metal music popularized in the late 1960s it became associated with negative, rebellious themes. Heavy metal lyrics and themes often challenged Christian values. Among the early bands to add negative connotations to the term was Black Sabbath, combining heavy metal music with "occult symbols and odes to the Devil". The early bands' use of tritonus, a "dissonant sound of the medieval ‘Devil’s chord’", led to heavy metal being "cast as dumb, crass, and, on occasions, satanic; music hardly fit for intelligent debate, let alone theological reflection."^[5]

Bands such as Mötley Crüe, Ratt, and Twisted Sister took "themes of generalized rage, sexual abandon, drug abuse, violence, and despair into the homes of millions of young record buyers." In 1980s, with the growing appeal of metal, the National Coalition on Television Violence "called attention to the destructive potential of music videos, many of which graphically depict violence and rebellion."^[5] A British cleric and metal fan analysed that because of distorted guitar sounds, “intense” beats and “muscular” vocals, heavy metal music songs are “unafraid to deal with death, violence and destruction” and that “much of metal’s fascination with Satan or evil is play-acting, driven by a desire to shock."^[6] The Italian Capuchin friar and former metal vocalist Cesare Bonizzi ("Fratello Metallo") stated that there are "maybe" some satanic metal bands "but I think it's an act so that they sell more," and went to add that "metal is the most energetic, vital, deep and true musical language that I know."^[7]

Origins

Christian metal has its origins in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the Jesus movement, a hippie movement with Christian ideology consisting of hippies that converted to Christianity. The Christian hippies within this movement, known as "Jesus People", developed a musical movement called Jesus music, which primarily began in southern California when hippie street musicians converted to Christianity. These musicians continued playing the same styles of music they had played before converting, among them heavy metal music, though they infused their lyrics with a Christian message. Larry Norman was one of the earliest Christian rock musicians who released his first album titled Upon This Rock in 1969 which is arguably the first Christian rock album produced.^[8] Norman's song "Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?" summarised the ideas of these musicians.

The first Christian hard rock group was possibly the California based band Agape, formed in the late 1960s. Known for their psychedelic rock and blues influences, the band released an album titled Gospel Hard Rock in 1971, followed by Victims of Tradition in 1972.^[10] After Agape, the Resurrection Band was formed in 1972 in Milwaukee's Jesus People community and released the hard rock album Music to Raise the Dead in 1974. The Swedish group Jerusalem was formed in 1975 and is cited as another early Christian hard rock group.^[8] In 1978 Resurrection Band Released its album Awaiting Your Reply and Jerusalem released Jerusalem (Volume 1). Both albums had a notable impact on Christian music culture.^[11] During that time, heavy metal was a new style of music for the Christian music industry, and many Christian labels did not expect it to sell well. However, Awaiting Your Reply hit big in the Christian market, and reached No. 6 on the Gospel album sales charts. Jerusalem also became an instant hit among listeners, and within the first six months the record sold 20,000 copies, unheard of within the genre of Christian rock in Europe.^[12] The Canadian Daniel Band is cited among the first bands,^[8][11] as is Barnabas.^[13]

1980s

Stryper's stage set during To Hell with the Devil tour, 1986

In the early 1980s there were four notable Christian heavy metal groups: Messiah Prophet, Leviticus, Saint, and Stryper.^[8] Although it is debatable as to which band was formed first, the Orange County native glam metal group Stryper was the most popular one. Stryper was also the first band to identify as Christian metal. Stryper gained attention with their way of throwing Bibles to the audience at their concerts.^[8] In the beginning mostly Christians went to Stryper's concerts but soon they reached secular audience.^[14] In the 1980s, Christian metal bands closely followed the trends of mainstream metal bands.^[8]

During the mid 1980s, heavy metal music divided into autonomous subgenres. Weinstein (2000) described the thematic diversity that cross-cuts musical styles: "In the 1980s, white metal and black metal emerged. Their lyrical themes are at polar opposites to each other, one of them bringing the 'good news' and the other the 'bad news.' Both include bands whose sounds span the full spectrum of metal. White metal is commonly called Christian metal. In part a response to the popularity of the heavy metal genre, it transforms the code of heavy metal to serve purposes of Evangelical Christian sects and other denominations. In part, also, Christian metal is a well-crafted missionary effort to recruit members and save souls. [...] Black metal stands in the thematic opposition to Christianity, not looking upward to heaven but setting its sights on the underworld. Satanic symbols and imagery have been a staple of heavy metal since its beginnings with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. In the West there is no better symbol for rebellion. But groups such as Mercyful Fate claimed that they were not playing. Their claims to be true believers, followers of the lord of the underworld, were seen by many to be a commercial ploy."^[15] Chicago doom metal group Trouble was known to be the first band that was publicly marketed as "white metal" since their early albums Psalm 9 and The Skull feature Biblical references.^[16] The origin of the "white metal" term remains unclear; it is merely known that the secular label Metal Blade Records used "white metal" as a marketing term, in contrast to black metal.^[17]

Soon the Christian metal bands became controversial for their beliefs and often evangelistic goals in the metal music scene, which typically holds individualism in particularly high esteem.^[1] Stryper, for instance, although a commercial success at that time, received a hostile reception when they played at a Dutch metal festival in 1985.^[18] Regardless of this, Stryper helped to popularize the genre.^[19] They were the first Christian band to reach platinum status on an album. The 1986 album To Hell with the Devil sold 2 million copies and achieved a Grammy nomination. The music videos for "Free", "Calling on You", and the power ballad "Honestly" all spent many weeks on Music Television's Top 10, and "Free" was in the No. 1 position for 12 weeks (60 days), May 4-July 24, 1987.^[19][20]

Not only was Christian metal criticized by secular metal fans, but soon the movement was also criticized by fundamentalists; Allmusic wrote that "when church leaders were accusing heavy metal of encouraging Satanism, Stryper set out to prove that metal and hard rock could be used to promote Christianity. The southern California band was viewed with suspicion by both ministers (who refused to believe that Christianity and metal were compatible) and fellow headbangers—and yet, Stryper managed to sell millions of albums to both Christian and secular audiences."^[21] For example, the televangelist Jimmy Swaggart wrote a book titled Religious Rock n' Roll – A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing in 1987 and criticized the scene, particularly Stryper, for using heavy metal music to preach the gospel of Christianity. Many new bands began to arise, eventually drawing the attention of record labels that specialized in Christian music.

Emergence of fanzines, record labels, and Sanctuary International

Christian metal soon developed into its own independent record labels and networks. The first Christian metal label was Pure Metal Records, a sublabel of Refuge Records. Soon there appeared other labels such as R.E.X. Records and Intense Records.

The regular music magazines did not cover the phenomena of Christian metal music industry very often. Fanzines were published in several countries, with Heaven's Metal as the first one in the US in 1985. During that time almost every Christian record label became interested in Christian metal, and they advertised the newly signed metal bands on their roster on Heaven's Metal since it was the only publication exclusively covering the movement. Soon Heaven's Metal achieved more popularity and became an official, professional publication. Heaven's Metal achieved a dedicated flock of 15,000 readers. Bands' sales usually rose when the ensembles were covered on the magazine.^[11][22] During the 1980s and early 1990s, the more underground Christian metal releases were typically distributed in Christian bookstores, and those as well as the fanzines also traded Christian metal cassette copies with the music fans.

Many rock and metal fans that became Christians through the ministry of Christian metal bands were rejected from churches in the 1980s. In 1984, California, pastor Bob Beeman saw this problem and soon started the ministry called Sanctuary - The Rock and Roll Refuge. This fellowship brought many musicians together and formed groups such as Tourniquet, Deliverance, Vengeance and Mortal that would soon become ground breaking acts in Christian music culture. Sanctuary's first worship leader was Stryper's vocalist Michael Sweet and later Barren Cross' bass player Jim LaVerde. Sanctuary sponsored the first Christian metal festival, The Metal Mardi Gras, held in 1987 in Los Angeles. This proved influential and soon Christian metal festivals were organized elsewhere as well. Sanctuary's activities began spreading, and it had 36 parishes all over the United States at its peak by 1990s. The Sanctuary parishes had a significant impact on the Christian metal movement: groups that would later become notable such as P.O.D. performed their first concerts in Sanctuary.^[23]

By late 1990s, the parish's workers felt that regular churches' attitudes towards metalheads, rockers and punks had become more permissive, and therefore did not feel the need to keep Sanctuary going on any longer, hence, most of the parishes of Sanctuary were closed. Sanctuary became Sanctuary International, and it currently gives international studies and lessons on Christianity. Sanctuary also runs an internet radio station called "Intense Radio" which, in 2003, reached approximately 150,000 listeners.^[23]

Late 1980s and 1990s

Doug Van Pelt of HM Magazine stated that Christian metal had its "heyday" in the late 1980s and early 1990s.^[24] By 1987 there were more than a hundred Christian metal bands, and their records were sold at both Christian bookstores and secular retails.^[15] By 1988 the four largest Christian metal bands (excluding the mainstream success Stryper) were Bloodgood, Barren Cross, Whitecross, and Leviticus.^[25] The Kentucky based band Bride initially played speed metal, particularly on Live to Die, and reached wider audience on when they released Snakes in the Playground (1992). Despite being criticized for their abrupt changes in style in favor of what's "hot",^[26] are still considered "a primeval force at the centre of Christian heavy metal."^[27]

In 1989, the Orange County group X-Sinner released its debut album Get It, and was one of the most talked about bands within the white metal scene at the time.^[28] Noted for a classic metal sound similar to AC/DC,^[28][29][30] X-Sinner has managed to stay at the head of the Christian classic metal scene.^[30]

Glam metal band Holy Soldier, another group hailing from California, released its self-titled debut on Word and A&M Records (Myrrh imprint) in 1990 to critical and commercial acclaim. Two years later, the band followed up their debut with Last Train, another critical success, leading to 60 city world tour. The band Guardian achieved some mainstream attention for its album Fire and Love, and one of the videos was included in the MTV's Headbangers Ball rotation.^[31] The heavy metal band Angelica introduced vocalist Rob Rock, who also achieved initial fame as the vocalist for guitar virtuoso Chris Impellitteri's band Impellitteri during the 1980s and 1990s and then went solo with his Rage of Creation album.^[32]

In the early 1990s, the rising musical styles, especially grunge, began to take their places as the dominant styles in the mainstream, which resulted in heavy metal music losing popularity and going underground for a decade.^[33] Heavy metal musicians began to seek musical limits, therefore Christian metal musicians began to play extreme metal as well. Soon death metal replaced thrash metal in popularity. Audiences in many underground metal scenes began favoring more extreme sounds and disparaging the popular styles.^[34] As with other glam metal acts of the time, Stryper lost popularity and split up in 1993.^[35]

Bruce Moore writes in the e-book Metal Missionaries that during mid-1990s Christian metal "ceased to play catch up (replicating secular bands) and began to assimilate into its rightful place in the Extreme music scene and the artists who played became influential in helping to define this relatively new, but growing genre."^[36] With risen musical quality and more street-credibility, Christian metal and hardcore bands were signed to record labels such as Tooth and Nail, Solid State, Facedown Records as well as secular labels Metal Blade and Victory Records. Christian metal was available through secular outlets; "For the first time Extreme Christian music moved from the dusty back bin of the Christian book stores to the front racks at super retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City, FYE and even giant retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Hot Topic."^[37] The German secular metal label Nuclear Blast Records also released Christian metal. Torodd Fuglesteg of Norway's Arctic Serenades Records has claimed: "The owner of Nuclear Blast was a committed Christian and he was pushing everything with that religious agenda through Nuclear Blast. Mortification and Horde were pushed like mad by Nuclear Blast when other labels were pushing pure satanic stuff."^[38]

2000s

As I Lay Dying has been at the forefront of metalcore along with Underoath since 2002.^[39]

In the first decade of the 21st century some groups reached mainstream popularity. There are Christian metal bands that perform virtually every sub-genre of metal. The Christian metal movement has spread worldwide since it emerged in the early 1980s, and there are now hundreds of active Christian metal bands. Inspired by the metal revival, many 1980s bands have made comebacks including Saint, Bloodgood and Stryper.^[40] In October 2004, Doug Van Pelt brought Heaven's Metal back as its own fanzine.^[41] The Internet has had a significant role on the revival of Christian metal as well. Many websites and online communities are dedicated to discussions about Christian metal's music, events, and bands.

Underoath, one of the more prominent metalcore groups.

For the first time since Stryper's success in the 1980s, certain Christian metal artists found mainstream acceptance selling millions of albums to both Christian and non-Christian fans, including Underoath and P.O.D. The latter became the most successful Christian metal band when their 2001 album Satellite went multi-platinum.^[42] Metalcore's popularity is especially based on Christian bands, including such crossover band such as Underoath, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Norma Jean, Haste the Day, The Devil Wears Prada, Disciple, and Demon Hunter. As I Lay Dying have entered the Billboard 200 charts (No. 8) for its record sales and were nominated for the "Best Metal Performance" Grammy for the single "Nothing Left" from the 2007 album An Ocean Between Us.^[43] The album made its debut on Metal Blade Records,' charting at No. 19 in Canada. In the United States, nearly 40,000 units were sold in its first week. The second week after it was released, it charted at No. 39 in both the United States and Canada. Other Top 200 debuts around the world include a No. 117 in the United Kingdom and No. 154 in Japan.^[44]

In its 2006 In Review issue (February 2007), Revolver Magazine dubbed Christian metal the phenomenon of the year.^[45] Editor in Chief Tom Beaujour interviewed the lead vocalists of As I Lay Dying, Demon Hunter, Norma Jean, and Underoath (Tim Lambesis, Ryan Clark, Cory Brandan Putman, and Spencer Chamberlain, respectively) as the front-page article for the issue. Tooth and Nail Records, P.O.D., Zao, War of Ages, Still Remains, and He Is Legend were also mentioned.^[3]

Christian bands in metal subgenres

Thrash metal

Drummer Ted Kirkpatrick of the American thrash metal band Tourniquet live in 2005.

Some notable American Christian thrash metal groups include Deliverance, Believer, Vengeance and Tourniquet.^[47] Allmusic states that Vengeance Rising's first two albums "were huge successes in the world of Christian music, making them one of the few bands in the genre to cross over into the secular music scene."^[48] Tourniquet was called "arguably the greatest Christian metal band in history" by Cross Rhythms in 1996.^[49] Tourniquet's Psycho Surgery was ranked as the second most influential Christian metal album of all time by the HM Magazine. Deliverance's 1990 music video for the title track of Weapons of Our Warfare album received some airplay on MTV. Allmusic wrote about Believer's Sanity Obscure album: "Before 1990, the Christian heavy metal genre rarely strayed from generic riffing and poor lyrics. Bands like Petra and Sacred Warrior never broke through to the mainstream for this very reason. With low expectations, Believer released this massive slab of molten metal. Although it never really became popular, several mainstream magazines praised the album."^[50]

The British bands Seventh Angel and Detritus introduced Christian thrash metal to Europe. Seventh Angel were considered to be thrash metal pioneers,^[51] and their albums achieved mainstream distribution through Music for Nations label.^[52] Cross Rhythms states that for a long time Seventh Angel were considered to be the best metal act in the UK.^[51][53][54] In 1990s, New Mexico based Ultimatum and Oklahoman group called Eternal Decision gained some attention, the latter with its thrash and groove metal style. The 1997 album Eternal Decision hit the record stores in the U.S. and 16 other countries, achieving considerable acclaim and providing the band with even more notice.^[55]

Death metal

German death metal group Sacrificium live at Elements of Rock 2008, Switzerland.

In 1990, the Australian group Mortification became the first widely recognized Christian death metal band. Their 1992 album Scrolls of the Megilloth garnered the band some attention from the heavy metal underground, according to Allmusic.^[56]

At roughly the same time the band Living Sacrifice was creating thrash and death metal, particularly on the albums Nonexistent (1992) and Inhabit (1994), with Allmusic commenting that "the term Christian death metal seems like one of music's most comical oxymorons."^[57] Later they "evolved from their early death metal-inspired rumblings into a crushing, staccato-driven, heavily percussive metallic behemoth that pummels listeners with intense riffage and a decidedly personal, though nevertheless, often evangelical lyrical viewpoint."^[58] The Minneapolis based Crimson Thorn is described by Allmusic as "one of the world's most extreme-sounding Christian metal bands."^[59] Norwegian band Extol's 1998 album Burial was called "Revolutionary. This release may have single-handedly been responsible for the revival of the Christ-centered extreme metal."^[60] The band was popular among both Christian and general metal fans, mostly touring with well-known secular bands.^[61][62]

Unblack metal

Main article: Unblack metal

Norwegian black metal band Antestor in 2011.

Horde is widely considered to be the first Christian black metal band. As a one man band with only one release (in 1994), Horde initiated controversy within the extreme metal community, opposing the more common lyrical themes of Satanism and evil.^[63] The title of Horde's only release — Hellig Usvart — means "Holy Unblack", which is now often used by Christians to refer to Christian black metal, in order to avoid the negative connotations of the term "black metal".

Antestor (then called Crush Evil) existed prior to the release of Hellig Usvart but their music was a death/doom style, and was not yet musically considered black metal. During the early 1990s when the band was known as Crush Evil, Euronymous, guitarist for the seminal black metal band Mayhem, was planning to stop Crush Evil from continuing.^{[64][dead link]} However, this never took place.

The release of Antestor's The Return of the Black Death on the British secular black metal label Cacophonous Records in 1998 "set the standard for Christian black metal."^[60] Swedish Crimson Moonlight's The Covenant Progress, HM magazine stated, "rivals the best any other band (Christian or secular) in this subgenre can offer."^[60] While the unblack scene is not part of the secular black metal scene, several musicians from both have co-operated: Stian Aarstad of Dimmu Borgir produced Vaakevandring's eponymous EP,^[65] and Jan Axel Blomberg of Mayhem played drums for Antestor's The Forsaken (2005) album.^[66]

Power metal and progressive metal

German power metal group Seventh Avenue.

Sacred Warrior preceded Christian power metal in the United States. The German group Seventh Avenue, formed in 1989, was one of more notable Christian power metal bands in the 1990s. They released Rainbowland in 1995, and after that the band was signed to Treasure Hunt Records. Their first release on this label, Tales of Tales, topped at 18 on the Japanese Heavy Metal Charts.^[67]

Later in the 1990s, the Swedish group Narnia made contributions to Christian power metal history, having signed with Nuclear Blast Records, Germany, and Pony Canyon Records, Japan.^[68] Later there appeared more notable European groups such as the German bands Chrystyne and Lightmare, and the Swedish groups XT, Divinefire, Harmony, and Heartcry.^[11]

Among the progressive metal representatives were Balance of Power, whose album When the World Falls Down was picked by Japanese label Pony Canyon. Jacobs Dream was signed to Metal Blade Records.^[69] HM wrote of the Athens, Georgia based Theocracy's self-titled debut album that "Not only did this release gain [the then-sole member] Matt a lot of notoriety in the small Christian power/prog scene but the much larger secular power/prog secene embraced this as well."^[60] Later turned to a full band, their sophomore 2008 album Mirror of Souls, "defines excellence in current Christian metal."^[60]

Other

Dutch symphonic death/doom metal group Morphia.

In 1987, the Swedish group Veni Domine started playing progressive and symphonic doom metal and released its first album Fall Babylon Fall in 1992, ranked as the 38th most influential Christian metal album of all time by HM.^[70] HM magazine wrote that Paramaecium, with its 1993 album Exhumed of the Earth, "essentially delivered the most powerful and moving death/doom recording in the history of Christian metal."^[60] Saviour Machine's Saviour Machine I was called "amazing accomplishment" by HM and that "Their gothic-tinged, progressive metal was quite unique to the scene when it was released in 1993."^[60]

Zao and Dan Weyandt live in Karlsruhe, Germany, September 10, 2004.

The alternative metal style's leading groups included the nu metal bands P.O.D., Thousand Foot Krutch, Disciple, and Pillar. Zao was a pioneer of metalcore, paving way for bands such as Underoath and Norma Jean. The California based group Mortal is cited as one of the first Christian bands that represented the industrial metal style.^[4] Cross Rhythms wrote that when Mortal's second album Fathom hit the scene in 1993 "there was nothing else quite like it" and that it is "truly a musical milestone."^[71]

Another 1990s reputive Christian industrial metal band was Circle of Dust.^[72] The band received MTV exposure with music video for ”Telltale Crime”, and a part of the song ”Deviate” was used as the intro-song for a long time in the now defunct MTV Sports show.

Argyle Park, an underground supergroup of Christian industrial metal, received some success with the album Misguided (1995) as did, to some extent, LVL and Klank with Still Suffering in 1997. Klank's second album Numb was somewhat successful because the song ”Blind” became a hit single.^[73][74] The Australian industrial metal band called Screams of Chaos was known for its bizarre style that combined several extreme metal influences with industrial.^[75] The late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century popular American shock rock group Rackets & Drapes was known to have elements of industrial metal, and received a following.^[76]

Christianity in mainstream metal

There are notable mainstream acts that feature or have featured Christian members. While these bands may or may not have had lyrics using Christian themes or symbolism, some have caused controversy in their claims to Christianity, such as Tom Araya of Slayer.^[77] Others, such as Killswitch Engage and Linkin Park also have members who are Christian and frequently use spiritual themes.^[78][79]

Evangelistic goals, sociology and subculture

The Devil Wears Prada performing at Cornerstone Festival, a world famous Christian music event.

While not uncommon in predominantly Catholic countries, Christian metal is firmly rooted in evangelical Protestantism (evangelicalism), hence, beginning as a means of evangelism among secular metal scene. Over the years the focus changed because of the increased secularization of Christianity in the West during 1990s. Moberg (2008) notes that the current scene seems to have very little interest in evangelism, especially in Northern Europe.^[1] Instead, it is argued that the current Christian metal music scene ultimately provides its core members with important resources for the shaping of an alternative and complementary form of religious expression and practice and an alternative Christian identity.^[80] Thus, Moberg states that Christian metal serves four main purposes: an alternative form of religious expression and identity; as a legitimate form of religious expression; as an effective means of evangelism and fighting and standing up for the Christian faith; as a positive alternative to secular metal.^[81]

In a 2006 interview with HM Magazine Steve Rowe of Mortification, one of the best known figures in the scene, implies that evangelism is of secondary importance and that Christian metal should first and foremost bring "spiritual encouragement" for its Christian listeners.^[1] Moberg (2006) suspects that Christian metal music may suggest dissatisfaction with traditional forms of worship among today's young Christians: "They may not feel comfortable with just going to church and singing hymns, they need an alternative means to express the same faith."^[82] Apart from evangelism, Christian metal may also provide a means "to get away from the image of Christianity as something rigid and boring".^[82]

Luhr (2009) states that Christian metal expresses feeling of isolation and rebellion just like secular metal - but in a completely different way. Christian metal's rebellion is about "Christian opposition to the perceived sinfulness and immorality of a late modern society and culture in which traditional family values have been eroded through such things as the legalization and increasing acceptability of abortion and pornography and the rise of gay rights and feminist movements." Causes for the feeling of isolation can be explained with the fundamental Christian struggle of being in the world but not of it. Bloodgood and Barren Cross inverted the meaning of rebellion by declaring that in western society and culture the Christian faith is true rebellion.^[83] As in secular metal, fans are encouraged to stand up for their faith, think for themselves and not blindly follow authorities, including religious ones.^[81]

According to Moberg (2008), Christian metal has developed scenes in countries with long-standing metal subcultures: United States, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Despite its seemingly marginal niche audience, as Christian metal fans are counted in the thousands and the secular metal fans in the millions,^[84] the Christian metal scene is one of the few transnational Christian communities that do not have any leaders or creed - only music connects its attendees. Just like secular metal, the Christian metal scene has developed its own infrastructure of record labels, promotion and distribution channels, specialized media, discussion forums, attitude, rhetorics, slogans such as "Turn or Burn!", "Faster for the Master!" and "Support the War against Satan!", webstores and festivals. Brazil and Mexico have tiny parishes of Christian metal fans. Finland in particular, with metal being more mainstream there than anywhere in the world, has held popular Metal Masses picked up by the Lutheran former state church since 2006.^[81]

Most Christian metalheads also listen to secular metal; Christian metal merely offers counterbalance for the dark message of secular metal, and most Christian metalheads only avoid the most satanic bands if even them since some ignore the issue altogether.^[1] Some differences in concert gestures have been noticed: Los Angeles Times reported in 1985 that in Stryper shows the audience were seen "poking stubby 'one way' fingers heavenward—a refutation of the double-fingered 'devil horns' salute of many metal groups".^[5]

Controversies

Australian gothic metal band Virgin Black attempts to highlight the difference between the Church and the spiritual aspects of Christianity.^[85]

Certain Christian groups, most notably those in some King James Only denominations,^[86] consider all types of rock and metal music to be opposition to their faith, regardless of lyrical content or the lifestyles of the band members. However, fans and artists see metal as another genre of music, parallel to such genres as blues, classical, jazz, punk, and hip-hop. Bands such as Showbread and Antestor believe that the instrumentation of the music is simply a medium of art, while the person creating the music as well as the lyrics being presented provide the message. Therefore, Christian metal is created when Christians compose metal music in a way that reflects their faith in Christ.^[8]

Keith Kahn-Harris states in the book Extreme Metal that sometimes fans of metal consider Christian faith and adherence in Church a membership of an established authority, and therefore Christian metal bands are seen as "posers" and the use of Christian lyrics to be opposed to the "true" purpose of metal.^[87] If any ideology can be linked to metal music, it is individualism.^[1] Their attitudes range from ignoring the opinions or rejection of religion, though some will admit that Christian metal can contain enjoyable bands like secular metal.^[88] Kerry King of Slayer was asked in New York magazine, March 2009, "What’s popular in metal right now that you wish would die?" and King replied Christian metal: "There seems to be a plentiful amount of metal bands that are like, religious, so to speak. Personally, for me, it’s an odd thing … bands that are doing metal, but they’re singing, like, Jesus metal. And I don’t mean Stryper. When I hear them I’m like, “Oh they’re one of them Jesus bands.” It’s enough of a distaste to me that I don’t even want to hear it." King thinks God is "force-fed upon people, especially in America and especially in certain parts of America, where it’s just a way of life. People just accept it without questioning it. I think anybody’s entitled to whatever opinion on anything, but I also think you need to suss out these opinions and why you believe what you believe. Just don’t believe blindly."^[89]

During the 1980s and 1990s, the Christian metal movement was criticized for lack of originality by both Christian and secular groups. In an interview with Mean Magazine, Kris Klingesmith of Barnabas stated that "If you want to know what Christian music will be doing tomorrow, all you need to do is see what the secular guys are doing today."^[8] Michael Sweet of Stryper discussed in Christianity Today magazine in 1985 why the band succeeded to sell albums to the unchurched unlike previous Christian rock and metal bands, and he implied that Christian rock and metal musicians' problem is that their theology is stronger than their music: "If you're out there in the secular world and you don't have Christ, you're not going to see a group because they talk about Christ. You're going to go hear a band because they're good, and because they have a good stage show."^[5] Pastor Bob Beeman of Sanctuary International stated in a 2000 interview that while the issue of Christian bands copying mainstream bands may be seen as ripping off, it can also be seen as a compliment for the secular bands: "This allowed the Christian bands to cross over. People would be able to listen to the Christian bands and not feel like they were giving up the style of music they loved. Then after you listen to the Christian bands more closely, you realize they are not just alike. But I think it is ultimately a good thing."^[23] Secular audiences tend to accept Christian bands that are particularly musically creative, in spite of being widely known as Christian bands.^[90]

Some groups within the Christian metal movement have criticized bands within the industry for isolating the genre from general industry too avidly. For example, Christer Espevoll of Extol stated in 2003: "I wish the scenes were more together. For a long time there has been a huge — and still growing — distance between Christian and secular music industries. This is the situation peculiarly in the US but also in Scandinavia. In my opinion this kind of polarization is not a good thing. Music is first and foremost about music so why should every band or artist that represents a religion or lack of it have its own industry? Music has no religious borders."^[91] However, most Christian bands today oppose to being isolated in the Christian music industry and have become mainstream successes, such as Virgin Black.^[92]

Christian metal radio

Since Christian metal is very much a counterculture of the Christian music scene, it has never had any major corporate radio outlets, as opposed to the more accepted CCM-associated Christian music formats. Nevertheless, it has remained culturally significant in the genre, primarily enduring the test of time through word of mouth and through the help of pioneering Christian rock and metal broadcasters. Despite the lack of commercial radio support, Christian metal broadcasters have managed to hit the airwaves on public radio, campus radio, Internet radio, and in recent years through podcasting via the Internet. As digital broadcasting technology becomes more accessible, the number of Christian metal broadcasters has steadily increased. Some of today's largest non-commercial Christian alternative radio stations such as RadioU, Call FM^[93] and Effect Radio have some Christian metal programing late nights and on weekends. However, as a whole these larger stations generally maintain a GMA-prescribed format. Other stations such as Almighty Metal Radio,^[94] Savage Rock Radio,^[95] Reign Radio,^[96] Metal Blessing Radio,^[97] The Cross Stream,^[98] The Refinery Rock Radio^[99] and FuelRadio.fm^[100] have been able to maintain twenty-four-hour Christian metal formats through internet radio. Some notable Christian metal radio DJs, shows and podcasts include: "Jesus Solid Rock" Show^[101] ('74 - '80) hosted by Pastor Bob Beeman, "Intense Radio"^[102] ('95 - present) founded by Pastor Bob Beeman and Sanctuary International, "HM Podcast"^[103] with HM Magazine founder & publisher Doug Van Pelt, "The Full Armor of God Broadcast"^[104] ('97 - present) hosted by Bro Scotland Kubinski (A.K.A. Kuba "The Demon Slayer"), "Radio U Hardcore"^[105] ('02 - present) hosted by Jaddeus Dempsey (A.K.A. "Jad"), and "The Nation of Rockwell"^[106] ('03 - present) hosted by Quenton Rockwell (A.K.A. "Q Rock").

Record labels

• Facedown Records
• Flicker Records
• Intense Records
• Nightmare Records
• R.E.X. Records
• Rivel Records
• Rowe Productions
• Solid State Records
• Tooth & Nail Records

See also

	Christian music portal
	Christian metal portal

• Christian rock
• Heavy metal music
• Jesus Movement
• List of Christian metal bands
• Unblack metal
• Hell's Bells: The Dangers of Rock 'N' Roll

References

Citations and further reading

• Thompson, John J (2000). Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll (First printing ed.). Ottawa, Ontario Canada: ECW Press. ISBN 1550224212. 
• Hale, Mark (1993). Headbangers. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Popular Culture, Ink. ISBN 1-56075-029-4. .
• Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. 
• Moore, Bruce E (2010) (PDF). Metal Missionaries: The Assimilation of Extreme Christian Music into Mainstream Consciousness (e-book). Australia: Undark.net. 
• Luhr, Eileen (2009). Witnessing suburbia: conservatives and Christian youth culture. California: University of California Press. ISBN 0520255941, 9780520255944. 
• Moberg, Marcus (2009). Faster for the master: exploring issues of religious expression and alternative Christian identity within the Finnish Christian metal music scene. Turku: Åbo Akademi University Press, 2009. ISBN 9517654928, 9789517654920.  pdf
• Weinstein, Deena (2000). Heavy metal: the music and its culture. US: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0306809702, 9780306809705. 

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Moberg, Marcus (November 3, 2008). "Turn or Burn? The Peculiar Case of Christian Metal Music". Heavy Fundamentalisms: Music, Metal & Politics. Salzburg, Austria: Inter-Disciplinary.Net. http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/ci/mmp/mmp1/moberg.pdf. 
2. ^ John J. Thompson, Raised by Wolves: the Story of Christian Rock & Roll (Ottawa, Ontario Canada:, Ontario: ECW Press, 2000), ISBN 1550224212, pp. 153-4.
3. ^ ^{a b} Johnson, Wesley. "Revolver on Christian metal". Buzz Grinder. http://www.buzzgrinder.com/2006/revolver-on-christian-metal/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. "The cover of the latest Revolver Magazine features members of As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, Underoath and Demon Hunter. The photo goes along with an extensive write-up on Christian Metal, which they’ve dubbed “phenomenon of the year.”" 
4. ^ ^{a b c} Lahtonen, Jussi (2005-10-25). "White Metal" (in Finnish). Sue Rock Punk Metal Zine. http://www.suezine.fi/haastattelut/white-metal. Retrieved 2007-09-07. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d} "CT Classic: A Christian 'Heavy-Metal' Band Makes Its Mark on the Secular Music Industry". Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/julyweb-only/7-9-42.0.html. Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
6. ^ Beckford, Martin (31). "Christians could learn a lot about life from heavy metal says cleric". The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7971749/Christians-could-learn-a-lot-about-life-from-heavy-metal-says-cleric.html. Retrieved 2010-11-29. 
7. ^ Romagna, Emilia (June 26, 2008). "Friar to open heavy metal concert". Italymag. http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/emilia-romagna/friar-open-heavy-metal-concert. Retrieved 2010-11-29. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Kapelovitz, Dan (February 2001). "Heavy Metal Jesus Freaks - Headbanging for Christ". Mean Magazine. http://www.kapelovitz.com/christianmetal.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-06. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Allender, Mark W. B.. "Resurrection Band - Awaiting Your Reply". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r229955. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
10. ^ Thompson 2000, "Heavenly Metal", p. 154
11. ^ ^{a b c d} Jonsson, Johannes. "Christian Metal History". The Metal For Jesus Page!. MetalForJesus.org. http://www.metalforjesus.org/history.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
12. ^ Powell 2002, "Jerusalem", pp. 448–449
13. ^ Thompson 2000, "Heavenly Metal", p. 155
14. ^ Christe, Ian (2003). Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal. Pages 196. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-380-81127-8
15. ^ ^{a b} Weinstein 2000, "Heavenly Metal: The beast that refuses to die", p. 53-54
16. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Trouble". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5703. Retrieved 2007-11-29. 
17. ^ Lahtonen, Luxi. "Interview with Trouble". Metal-rules.com. http://metal-rules.com/interviews/trouble-jan2004.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-06. 
18. ^ Christe, Ian (2003). Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal. Pages 204. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-380-81127-8
19. ^ ^{a b} Hale 1993, "2869 Stryper", p. 336
20. ^ Thompson 2000, "Heavenly Metal", p. 152-156
21. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Stryper - The Yellow and Black Attack!". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r91256. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
22. ^ Langer, Andy (2000-08-07). "Heaven's Metal". Weekwire. http://weeklywire.com/ww/08-07-00/austin_music_feature2.html. Retrieved 2007-12-11. 
23. ^ ^{a b c} "Interview with Pastor Bob Beeman". RadioJC.net. Metal Service II. 2000-08-07. http://users.swing.be/vx7jdp/christian_news.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-11. 
24. ^ Sciarretto, Amy. "HM Magazine Chooses Top Christian Metal Albums of All Time". Noise Creep. http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/09/06/hm-magazine-top-christian-metal-albums/. Retrieved 2010-07-17. 
25. ^ Van Pelt, Doug; Dugo, G; Salvo, F; Cicero, L; Ansanelli, G; Calcagni, C; Segre, A (August 1989). "Why Are All The Children Headbanging". CCM Magazine 12 (2): 14–15, 32. doi:10.1021/jf025656l. ISSN 1524-7848. PMID 12502395. 
26. ^ Long, Andy (2000-12-01). "Bride - The Best of Bride". Cross Rhythms (60). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Bride/The_Best_Of_Bride/2947/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
27. ^ Spenceley, Haydon (2007-02-18). "Bride - Skin for Skin". Cross Rhythms. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Bride/Skin_For_Skin/22297/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
28. ^ ^{a b} Williams, Dave (1990-06-01). "X-Sinner - Get It". Cross Rhythms Magazine #1. Cross Rhythms. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/XSinner/Get_It/11348/. Retrieved 2011-01-19. 
29. ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 1060. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. 
30. ^ ^{a b} Martin, Ben (2009-01-11). "X-Sinner - World Covered In Blood". Cross Rhythms. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/XSinner/World_Covered_In_Blood/54572/. Retrieved 2011-01-19. 
31. ^ Powell 2002, "Guardian", p. 393–395
32. ^ Figgis, Alex (2000-08-01). "Impellitteri - Impellitteri". Cross Rhythms (58). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Impellitteri/Impellitteri/2173/. Retrieved 2007-12-21. 
33. ^ Christe (2003), pp. 304–6; Weinstein (1991), p. 278
34. ^ Walser, Robert (1993). Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2, p. 14; Christe (2003), p. 170
35. ^ Christe (2003) The Change in the 1990s: Black Album and Beyond. Page 230.
36. ^ Moore 2010, "Chapter Three: Genres Defined", pp. 45
37. ^ Moore 2010, "Chapter Three: Genres Defined", pp. 46
38. ^ Fuglesteg, Torodd. "Arctic Serenades". Toroddfuglesteg.com. http://www.toroddfuglesteg.com/arcticserenades1.html. Retrieved 2007-12-11. 
39. ^ Harris, Chris and Wiederhorn, Jon (2007-06-01). "As I Lay Dying Get Sick of Metalcore". Mtv.com. MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1560941/20070531/as_i_lay_dying.jhtml. Retrieved 2007-09-08. 
40. ^ "Stryper's Tim Gaines: 'God is doing great things in these last days'". Blabbermouth. 2002-12-08. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8085. Retrieved 2007-12-21. 
41. ^ "Heaven's Metal Re-launches As A Fanzine". Phantom Tollbooth. 2004-10-04. http://www.tollbooth.org/news/oct4.html. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
42. ^ MacKenzie, Wilson. "P.O.D. Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p296044. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
43. ^ "As I Lay Dying Receives Grammy Nomination". Punk TV. 2007-12-06. http://www.punktv.ca/?c=131&a=2963. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
44. ^ Caustic (2007-12-06). "As I Lay Dying album chart international!". Heavy Metal Music Dot Biz. http://heavymetalmusic.biz/2007/09/13/as-i-lay-dying-album-chart-international/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
45. ^ "Christian Metal receives Recognition". Indie Vision Music. http://www.indievisionmusic.com/wordpress/2006/12/28/christian-metal-receives-recognition/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
46. ^ Walker, Todd (2007-04-10). "Heaven's Metal Exclusive: Guy Ritter Interview". HM Magazine. http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/heavens_metal_exclusive_guy_ritter_interview200708/index.php. Retrieved 2007-09-20. 
47. ^ Powell (2002). "Vengeance Rising". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. pp. 993–994. ISBN 1565636791. 
48. ^ Torreano, Bradley. "Vengeance Rising". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p14626. Retrieved 2007-12-12. 
49. ^ Smit, Bas (1996). "Tourniquet - Collected Works". Cross Rhythms. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Tourniquet/The_Collected_Works/4207/. Retrieved 2007-09-20. 
50. ^ Torreano, Bradley. "Believer - Sanity Obscure". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1639. Retrieved 2007-12-12. 
51. ^ ^{a b} Sammons, Greg (2006-07-31). "Seventh Angel - Heed the Warning Demo Recordings". Cross Rhythms. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Seventh_Angel/Heed_The_Warning_Live__Demo_Recordings/18334/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
52. ^ Hoff, Brian (1990-07-01). "Seventh Angel - The Torment". Cross Rhythms (3). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Seventh_Angel/The_Torment/10905/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
53. ^ Cummings, Tony (1991-06-01). "Detritus - Perpetual Defiance". Cross Rhythms (6). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Detritus/Perpetual_Defiance/6347/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
54. ^ Raybold, Marc (1993-08-01). "Detritus - If But for One". Cross Rhythms (16). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Detritus/If_But_For_One/6346/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
55. ^ Mesquita Borges, Mario (2005-04-30). "Eternal Decision". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p509600. Retrieved 2007-09-09. 
56. ^ ^{a b} Dombek, Kirk (2007-04-10). "Mortification". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p32348. Retrieved 2007-09-20. 
57. ^ Anderson, Jason. "Living Sacrifice - Nonexistent". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/nonexistent-r425334. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
58. ^ Downey, Ryan J.. "Living Sacrifice". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p210594. Retrieved 2007-12-11. 
59. ^ Rivadavia, Eduard. "Crimson Thorn". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p211730. Retrieved 2007-12-11. 
60. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Van Pelt, Doug (2010). "Top 100 Christian metal albums of all time". HM Magazine / Heaven's Metal August: 6–14. http://www.hmmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/booklet.pdf. 
61. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Extol - The Blueprint Dives". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r739905. Retrieved 2007-12-21. 
62. ^ Thorkildsen, Joakim (2006-01-03). "Her er 2005s beste plater". Dagbladet. http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2006/01/02/453621.html. Retrieved 2007-12-21. 
63. ^ "MusikkOpp-ned oppnedkors!" (in Norwegian). Morgenbladet. Oslonett. 1995-02-06. http://www.oslo.net/historie/MB/utg/9521/kultur/13.html. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
64. ^ Eithun, Bård G. "Faust" (1990–1993, correct date unknown). "Mayhem Interview". Orcustus zine. Blackmetal.nu. http://www.www.blackmetal.nu/~ubc/files/euroint.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-29. 
65. ^ Hottenbacher, Dirk (2005-05-26). "Vaakevandring" (in German). CrossOver. http://www.crossover-agm.de/intVaakevandring01.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 
66. ^ Kemman, Max (2004-04-1010). "Antestor". Jesus Metal. http://members.ziggo.nl/kemman/interview16.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 
67. ^ "Seventh Avenue Biography". Vampire Magazine. http://www.archaic-magazine.com/showband.php?bid=3742. Retrieved 2007-12-19. ; Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Seventh Avenue Biography". MusicMight. http://www.musicmight.com/linkto/artist/{5C143914-338D-4A50-8B9E-40FB672. Retrieved 2007-12-19. ; Album Review - Seventh Avenue - Eternals - RevelationZ Magazine
68. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Seventh Avenue Biography". MusicMight. http://www.musicmight.com/linkto/artist/{5C143914-338D-4A50-8B9E-40FB672. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
69. ^ Christian (2005-09-05). "Jacobs Dream "Emotions and Dreams Set to Music"". http://www.metalglory.de/interviews.php?nr=261. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
70. ^ "Veni Domine". MusicMight. 2009. http://www.musicmight.com/artist/sweden/stockholm/veni+domine. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
71. ^ Figgis, Alex (October 1999). "Mortal - Lusis/Fathom". Cross Rhythms (53). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Mortal/LusisFathom/519/. Retrieved 2007-05-14. "Nothing rivals such true genre classics as 'Neplusultra", 'Rift' or the phenomenal 'Bright Wings'. Truly a musical milestone any industrial dance/rock/metal fan would appreciate." 
72. ^ Torreano, Bradley (2007). "Circle of Dust - Circle of Dust". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r239502. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
73. ^ "Klank Biography". Automatapedia webzine. 2007. http://www.automatapedia.com/index.php?title=Klank. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
74. ^ Morrow, Matt. "Klayton: Circle of Dust on leaving R.E.X. Records". HM Magazine webzine. http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/circle_of_dust_on_leaving_rex_records200306/index.php?page=all. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
75. ^ Johnson, Neil (2007). "Scream of Chaos exclusive Youtube documentary (official)" (video). Morphius Film, Australia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqMs6eQ33Z4&mode=related&search=. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
76. ^ Olson, Chad (2003). "Rackets & Drapes)". HM Magazine. http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/rackets_and_drapes_candyland200306/index.php?page=1. Retrieved 2007-10-13. 
77. ^ Feniak, Jenny. "Slayer likes bad-boy image". Jam.com. http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/07/09/1675185.html. Retrieved 2007-01-26. 
78. ^ Holtz, Adam R.. "Lights in a Loud Place". Plugged in Online. Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. http://web.archive.org/web/20071024194916/http://www.pluggedinonline.com/thisweekonly/a0002895.cfm. 
79. ^ McKeon, Therese. "Linkin Park: One Step Closer". ShoutWeb.com. http://www.shoutweb.com/interviews/linkinpark1000.phtml. 
80. ^ Moberg, Marcus (2009). Faster for the Master! Exploring Issues of Religious Expression and Alternative Christian Identity within the Finnish Christian Metal Music Scene. (PhD thesis). Åbo Akademi University. 
81. ^ ^{a b c} Moberg, Marcus (2007). "The Transnational Christian Metal Scene Expressing Alternative Christian Identity through a Form of Popular Music". INTER: A European Cultural Studies Conference in Sweden. Linköping, Sweden: Inter-Disciplinary.Net. http://www.ep.liu.se/ecp/025/045/ecp072545.pdf. 
82. ^ ^{a b} Aschan, Nadine. "Kristen metallmusik fascinerar" (in swedish). Meddelanden från Åbo Akademi. http://web.abo.fi/meddelanden/forskning/2006_17_folkloristik.sht. Retrieved 2007-10-21. 
83. ^ Luhr, Eileen (March 2005). "Metal Missionaries to the Nation: Christian Heavy Metal Music, 'Family Values,' and Youth Culture, 1984-1994". American Quarterly (57): 103–128. 
84. ^ Moberg (2009), page 109.
85. ^ "Violent Solutions Magazine interview with Rowan London from the band's official website". Virginblack.com. http://www.virginblack.com/interview.html#violentsolutions. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
86. ^ Yusko, Alan and Prior, Ed. "The Music of Devils in the CHURCH!!!". Bible Believers. http://www.biblebelievers.com/Rock1.html. Retrieved 2007-10-21. 
87. ^ Kahn-Harris, Keith. Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge. Oxford: Berg, 2006. ISBN 9781845203993
88. ^ Van Pelt, Doug. "What Cannibal Corpse says, Interview with George Corpsegrinder Fisher". HM Magazine. http://www.hmmagazine.com/says/archive/what_cannibal_corpse_says200404.php?page=3. Retrieved 2007-10-21. 
89. ^ Fury, Jeanne (MARCH 11, 2009). "Slayer's Tom Araya and Kerry King on How Much It Rules to Be in Slayer". new York magazine. http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/11/slayers_tom_araya_and_kerry_ki.html. Retrieved 2010-10-17. 
90. ^ Moberg (2009), page 228
91. ^ Ryhänen, Pekka (2003). "Extol Interview" (in Finnish). Imperiumi.net. http://www.imperiumi.net/index.php?act=interviews&id=263. Retrieved 2010-09-17. 
92. ^ Morrow, Matt (HM Magazine journalist) (2001-08-27). "Virgin Black". The Whipping Post. http://thewhippingpost.tripod.com/virginblackinterview.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-27. 
93. ^ "Call FM". http://callfm.com/. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
94. ^ "Almighty Metal Radio". http://www.almightymetalradio.com. Retrieved Jan 2, 2010. 
95. ^ "Savage Rock Radio". http://www.savagerock.com. Retrieved Jan 2, 2010. 
96. ^ "Reign Radio". http://www.reignradio.com. Retrieved Jan 2, 2010. 
97. ^ "Metal Blessing Radio". http://metalblessingradio.com/. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
98. ^ "The Cross Stream". http://www.thecrossstream.com/. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
99. ^ "The refinery Rock Radio". http://www.therefineryrock.com. Retrieved Jan 2, 2010. 
100. ^ "Fuel Radio FM". http://www.fuelradio.fm. Retrieved Jan 2, 2010. 
101. ^ "Pastor Bob Beeman's Website". http://www.pastorbobbeeman.com. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
102. ^ "Sanctuary International / Intense Radio Website". http://www.sanctuaryinternational.com/. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
103. ^ "HM Podcast Homepage". http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/subscribe_to_the_hm_podcast200606/index.php. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
104. ^ "Full Armor of God Broadcast Website". http://www.fullarmorradio.com. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
105. ^ "HXC on Radio U". http://tvulive.com/radiou/hxc.htm. Retrieved December 27, 2009. 
106. ^ "Nation of Rockwell Website". http://thenationofrockwell.com. Retrieved December 27, 2009.