Christian Screamo/Metal Is Still Christian, yes?

[Jon Schellhardt]

I'm just trying to see what everyone else thinks.
I guess maybe it's my unusual perspective and taste.
But still the lyrice aren't bad.
In some cases (i'm very picky) of christian Screamo/Metal the lyrics are actually fantastic it's a win/win for me because it's what i like to hear musically and lyrically

[Armando Heredia]

While I do agree that a lot of the screamo/metal lyrics that I have read do have some pretty deep meanings (not all of them, I've read some that trued to pass off as Christian that were obviously NOT) the key to the lyric is that is should be able to be understood.

I know, I know, if I have the cd cover I can read along. And what if I don't have access to the cd case, hmmm? If I can't understand the lyrics, then that negates them, after that I have to go by the emotion the song evokes either through the music or the vocal style.

Most of the screamo/metal stuff that I have heard (not all of it) has a guttural unnatural vocal style that sounds demonic. When the words are screamed or spoken in this style they convey a feeling of anger and hopelessness. It's a negative that cancels out the possibly positive message.

So, in my own opinion, the music style (instruments) isn't a negative, in fact I've heard some incredible diversity and talent amongst the musicians within this genre (of course I have had a very limited amount of this music because I personally don't prefer it). The lyrics aren't necessarily a negative (I can't say this for all of the bands I've heard, even some of the ones that you listen to) but I still can't recommend the music if the lyrics are unintelligible.

My advice would be for you (since you are a musician and know several other musicians) would be to find the songs that have the most positive lyrics and remake them using a vocalist that can sing the songs in a way that doesn't take away from the style of the music, is understandable and doesn't sound demonic. It's a shame that some of these great lyrics are wasted on a song that evokes a negative and hopeless feeling.

[Jon Schellhardt]

well, i do agree with you on most grounds, except that you can still look at the lyrics on the internet.
and i don't feel that all songs that are screamed convey a feeling of anger.
i see it as a different style of vocal.
not all songs screamed give an emotion of anger.
just like you have to altar your voice into falseto, you alter your voice to scream.
but to each his own.
and my plan is still to have two vocalist, one that screams and one that sings.

[Jami!]

i think screamo/metal is still Christian, considering Devil wears Prada is a christian band!
isnt it?

[luke]

hahaha idk about this stuff but ummm so yea

[Leah Wilson =)]

yea I think so as long as the lyrics are clean and christian

[Jeremy Spiers]

I also find that this sort of music can actually create a sort of "mental" (or "metal"?) euphoria. However, I would also point out that metal, even a bit of screaming, doesn't have to be unintelligible. Forgive the reference to a non-christian band, but consider Dragon Force out of the UK. Strong metal with just enough '80s hair band to make it interesting, incredible tempos, and a borderline screamer for the vocalist, but the lyrics are intelligible, and often uplifting, if in a very revolutionary sort of "after we kill the bad guys we will rule the world" sort of way =:-)

The point I am making may be somewhere between that of Armando and Jon. I think that all types of music are useful and "lawful" if used in the right spirit. I recommend lyrics that are intelligible and represent a Godly message... However, the best indicator can be a look at the life of the musician/singer. Do they represent Christ in their lyrics, their lifestyle, and their looks. I am not expecting every Christian singer to fit into a particular mold, but often, if it looks like a fish, smells like a fish, and swims like a fish, it may very well be a fish, and is unlikely to be a mermaid...

[Jon Schellhardt]

oooOOOOoooo
i like that laast part
it's deep

Jeremy Spiers said:

I also find that this sort of music can actually create a sort of "mental" (or "metal"?) euphoria. However, I would also point out that metal, even a bit of screaming, doesn't have to be unintelligible. Forgive the reference to a non-christian band, but consider Dragon Force out of the UK. Strong metal with just enough '80s hair band to make it interesting, incredible tempos, and a borderline screamer for the vocalist, but the lyrics are intelligible, and often uplifting, if in a very revolutionary sort of "after we kill the bad guys we will rule the world" sort of way =:-)

The point I am making may be somewhere between that of Armando and Jon. I think that all types of music are useful and "lawful" if used in the right spirit. I recommend lyrics that are intelligible and represent a Godly message... However, the best indicator can be a look at the life of the musician/singer. Do they represent Christ in their lyrics, their lifestyle, and their looks. I am not expecting every Christian singer to fit into a particular mold, but often, if it looks like a fish, smells like a fish, and swims like a fish, it may very well be a fish, and is unlikely to be a mermaid...

[Evan]

i think so, devil wears prada is a christian band so yea

[Jon Schellhardt]

yes, its a christian band

[Lauren=)]

I think its still Christian as long as the words to the song is really based on God. Alot of those bands play on both stations and I think it should just be one or the other..we can't serve two masters!

[Logan Schellhardt]

Here is what i think we should be asking ourselves. "would GOD be pleased"? do you really think that those bands are POSITIVELY influencing young men and women towards god when you cant even understand them? Now, i heard of devil wears prada from friends at school, not from friends at church, Anyone could call themselves christians, sometimes its just because they believe in god, and they wont always follow in his footsteps. just remember to think about HIM and what he would think of our ways. He should be top priority in all of our lives.

[Jon Schellhardt]

if you ask me i think that they are POSITIVELY influencing youth.
would you rather them listen to metal that tell about god. or them listen to Dimmu Borgir???


*Dimmu Borgir is a demonic metal band