This document discusses the origins and evolution of Christian metal(core) music. It notes that while traditionally metal was either religious or anti-religious, a middle ground has emerged of bands with positive but non-religious affiliated messages. Christian metal originated in the 1970s-80s with underground bands incorporating Christian lyrics. It grew more mainstream through bands like Black Sabbath and Stryper. In the 2000s, metalcore incorporating breakdowns became popular among Christian bands like Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, and The Devil Wears Prada who use biblical references and promote Christian values through upbeat, technical music that includes clean vocals and complex instrumentation.

1. Christian Metal(core)
Before we can begin, it would be good to note that
traditionally, all metal is either religious or anti-religious.
That is not to say certain bands whose members had a
religious background did not effect their music.
However, the classification comes down to their
collective stance on the matter.
Today, this is still generally the case but a middle
ground has emerged. Sometimes, non-religious bands
will make the distinction that they are not affiliated with
a particular religion, but that they are “positive
message”.

2. Christian Metal
● Origins date back to the early heavy metal period
mid to late 1970's through the 1980's.
● Bands such as Jerusalem and Leviticus (both
Swedish bands), for example, used heavy metal but
incorporated Christian lyrics. But these early bands
were largely “underground” so to speak and not in
the mainstream.
● Later, Christian themes and lyrics would enter into
the mainstream with Black Sabbath. But it is
debatable whether or not they were “pro-Christian” or
not. Ozzy Osbourne is an Anglican (Church of
England) but his replacement, Ronnie James Dio
was known to be sort of anti-religious. Either way, the
Christian themes remained.
● As popularity increased, so did acceptance in the
mainstream metal scene. Bands like Stryper were
very popular in the 1980's and they made
comebacks in the late 1990's and early 2000's. The
magazine Heaven's metal also was revived. Soon, a
plethora of other bands began to emerge: Killswitch
Engage, P.O.D, Underoath, As I lay Dying just to
name a few.

3. Christian Metal(core) in the
mainstream
● Killswitch Engage (1999) had a strong Catholic influence.
Songs titled “This is Absolution,” “Self Revolution,” “Rose of
Shayrn” all had Christian lyrics and themes. Killswitch was
and still is very popular with many millions of fans.
● Closer to present day, metal has moved away from the 80's
“hair band” style and has now often become less “heavy” in
a way. The use of distorted guitar is less prominent while
use of “clean,” easily understandable vocals combined with
scream vocals became dominate. Sometimes, the band's
frontman does not have the vocal capabilities to switch
between scream and clean vocals like Killswitch Engage's
Howard Jones or Jesse Leach did. If that is the case, often
the band will utilize another member for the clean vocals or
have an emphasis on clean-vocal choruses.
● In the 2000's metalcore became increasingly became the
main style of metal. That is the emphasis on break-downs
(slow but intense breaks in the music that allow for
moshing).
Above, Killswitch Engage
vocalist Howard Jones. Below,
with Jesse Leach.

4. Today
● Many of the Christian Metalcore bands today are devout believers. They use
Biblical references in their lyrics, go to church-sponsored concerts (such as iMatter
Fest in our own area – Elmira, NY), promote Christian values and sometimes even
act as motivational speakers at venues. So naturally, swearing tends to be a big
no-no in Christian Metalcore.
Some examples of bands that are very devout and also very popular in the
metalcore scene are:
– August Burns Red
– Oh, Sleeper
– The Devil Wears Prada
– Texas in July
– Demon Hunter
– Haste the Day (now disbanded)
– Several more

5. Opinion and Audio Samples
Audio Sample #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMM0RDGP2Lo
● This band is called August Burns Red. This song is from their latest album "Rescue &
Restore" (2013) which reached #9 on the Billboard 200 list when it debuted. I really enjoy this
band; they are one of my all time favorites in this genre. This song I've chosen, I think,
demonstrates the intricacy and diversity of Christian Metal. It includes all sorts of instruments
- strings (violin) and brass (trumpet) in addition to the regular metal instruments (guitar, bass,
drums, etc.). This piece, as well as many others from this band includes "clean" vocals and/or
choruses which allows for a break from just full-on scream vocals. And I must add, perhaps
most importantly, the lyrics are all clean, no profanity - and they are always positive-message.
Often times scripture and other Biblical themes are incorporated into the music. I find this
music to be very uplifting, positive, and just plain awesome.
Stage Presence is a big underlining factor in Metalcore. That
is, how the vocalist presents himself, what he does on
stage, etc. Here, Jake Luhrs of August Burns Red is known
to have a strong stage presence, often walking back and
forth on stage, swinging the microphone around, and
dancing.

6. Bonus Samples
Sample #2 Killswitch Engage (for reference). Vocalist at this time: Howard Jones (very wide
vocal range). This is more “traditional” sort of metal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8gy3CJU1Y
And another with Original vocalist, Jesse Leach:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoQrwKJtv_c
Sample #3 (In case you are not bored yet!) Haste the Day, a very devout Christian band who
recently broke-up. I saw them on their farewell tour in Syracuse, NY. Here is a sample:
Chorus of Angels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlUDSiHm8lg

7. Sources
● http://www.metalforjesus.org/history2.html
● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_metal
● Personal knowledge on the topic