Is Periphery a Christian Band?

Periphery was established in Washington, D.C. in 2005 by guitarist Misha Mansoor. The American metal band started with Mishar handling drums and guitar before he recruited drummer Jason Berlins to the band who later switched permanently to guitars.

In their early years, the band experienced a lot of lineup changes. However, the band is currently made up of; guitarist Mansoor, guitarist Jake Bowen, drummer Matt Halpern, vocalist Spencer Sotelo, and guitarist Mark Holcomb.

For the past 17 years, Periphery has been at the forefront of the “djent” movement. The band has been considered one of the pioneers of the movement. Periphery was formed by guitarist Mansoor as an evolution of his earlier music work. When the band was created, it immediately became popular among fans of Mansoor. Many have raised the question of Periphery being a Christian band. This article will provide answers to the question: Is Periphery a Christian band?

Is Periphery a Religious Band?

Before discussing Periphery’s stance as a religious band, it is important to give a little detail on what it means to be a religious band. A religious is a band whose members are somewhat religious and they produce songs that are influenced by the beliefs and practices of a particular religious group.

Periphery has stated that the band is a Jewish band. The founder of the band clearly stated on his Twitter handle that he and drummer Matt are Jews and because he started the band, the band is religious.

Apart from the two members of the band mentioned above, other members have not been so expressive of their religious beliefs. However, we’ve noticed some religious elements in songs by the band. Though these songs are not necessarily appraising or supporting a particular religious figure or group, the band has used religious symbolism to make sense of their songs. Some of such songs are:

Blood Eagle by Periphery

“We come for war

King of the north and norse

With drums, beating screams repeating, and the hammer force of Thor

Surrender not enough

The Christian seed will sing amongst the soil of trees

From the sea is the destroyer

From the sea is an eagle drenched in blood

Blood eagle

Blood eagle is the destroyer

Blood eagle will set the wicked free

Rip the body from the bone now

Spread the heavens wings

Show Valhalla glory and memory

Let ’em

Let the Christians sing”

Church Burner 

“A loving priest, a lonely town

Everybody wants a piece of it now

There’s a static, it’s alive in the battleground

Blow the horn and then we wait for the sound

Step back on the stair to black

They all need a piece of it

Oh, they all want something 

God

For the one god

Everywhere there’s one god

For the one god

Everywhere the burning of our gods

Everywhere the burning of our gods

Open up the heart or die

We’ll burn them ’til the end”

One 

“Now that the war is through with me

I’m waking up, I cannot see

That there’s not much left of me

Nothing is real but pain now

Hold my breath as I wish for death

Oh please God, wake me “

What kind of Music Band is Periphery?

Periphery has been described as a progressive metal band, djent, and progressive metalcore band. Progressive metal is a very broad fusion music genre that blends heavy metal with progressive rock and mixes loud aggression with amplified guitar sounds, emphatic beats, distorted guitars, very technical lead guitars, death growls, and complex instrumentation.

Djent was also introduced under the progressive metal genre and Periphery is one of the pioneers of this music movement. Djent portrays the technical proficiency of the band and is usually characterized by complex rhythms and intense syncopation. Progressive metal bands are known for their eclecticism and progressive metal bands are inspired by classical, jazz, and middle eastern music.

Periphery employs diverse themes in its songs. Such themes range from anger to love, relationships, courage, hope, death, science, spirituality, politics, environmental and societal issues amongst others.

Periphery has released six studio albums, Periphery in 2010, Periphery Il:This time it’s personal in 2012, Juggernaut Alpha in 2015, Juggernaut Omega in 2015, Periphery Ill: Select Difficulty in 2016, and Periphery IV: Hail Stan in 2019. The band has also released 2 extended plays, some singles, and music videos. The band is also notable for its extensive music tours.

Periphery received a Grammy nomination at the 59th Grammy event in 2017 as the Best Metal Performance for their song “The Price is Wrong” which the band lost to Megadeth’s “Dystopia.” Some of the band’s albums have topped billboard charts and earned positive reviews from the audience. The band’s double album Juggernaut Alpha and Juggernaut Omega released in 2015 appeared at number 22 on the American Billboard Chart.

Is Periphery a Christian Band?

It is vital to describe what Christianity entails before delving into the status of Periphery as a Christian band. Many assume that simply going to church frequently makes them Christians, which is important that we clear the air on this. Going to church to worship God in unity and truth is a Christian attribute but this only does not make one a true Christian.

A Christian is a person whose behavior and other attributes reflect the teaching of Christianity. True Christians believe in Jesus Christ the founder of Christianity, God the father, the Holy Spirit, and other structures of Christianity. Christians portray their beliefs and one can easily notice them from the way they live and the things they do.

In the same vein, a Christian band portrays the principles and teachings of Christianity. Their songs are expressions of personal or communal beliefs in Christianity. Scrutiny of songs by a Christian band will reveal that these songs contain biblical references, positive Christian messages, and faith-based expressions and will reflect the laws, principles, and teachings of Christianity.

Many Christian bands have drifted away from the conventional Christian music styles that usually created a sober feeling in listeners and appealed to just Christians or maybe religious fanatics. To reach out to a larger audience with the gospel and positive Christian messages, some Christian bands have adopted styles that appeal even to secular audiences.

Many Christian bands have incorporated elements of metalcore, hard rock, rap, pop, punk, folk, Christian rock, and contemporary Christian music. These styles of music possess an infectious rhythm that can get people moving their bodies, though it doesn’t shift from its original intent of sharing Christian messages and teachings.

Periphery has not been identified as a Christian band. The band clearly stated on its social media handle that they are Jews not Christians and has addressed the issue in Q&A sessions with fans. They stated that some members are Jews and since the founding member is a Jew as well, the band is a Jewish band.

Generally, many Jews regard Christianity as being Antisemitic. Antisemitism is a form of hostility some Christian groups, churches, or Christians have towards the Jews. The antisemitic rhetoric sprang up in early days of Christianity where Christians believed that the Jews had killed Christ. 

Christian antisemitism has been fueled by factors like; theological differences, competition between churches, the drive for converts, and lots more. From our analysis of some Periphery songs, it seems that the band holds these views against Christians. Many songs by the band are anti-christian and some of such songs even call for Christian genocide. An example of such songs are;

Blood Eagle 

“We come for war

King of the north and norse

With drums, beating screams repeating, and the hammer force of Thor

Surrender not enough

The Christian seed will sing amongst the soil of trees ……….

Rip the body from the bone now

Spread the heavens wings

Show Valhalla glory and memory

Let ’em…….

Let the Christians sing

Let out the roar

Barbaric to the core

A storm brewing, all our doing for Odin’s at the door

The spoils are not enough

We’ll let ’em bleed

The moon takes everyone tonight

The Christians sing

How they sing amongst the broken wings

From the sea is the eagle drenched in blood

The Christians sing

How they sing amongst the broken wings”

The lyrics above from “Blood Eagle” in Periphery’s sixth album, “Periphery IV: Hail Stan” called for the torture and genocide of Christians. This clearly shows that the band is anti-christian.

Periphery Christian Songs 

As an anti-christian band, most songs by Periphery are anti-christian. They do not promote or support Christian beliefs and practices rather they condemn these beliefs. On this note, Periphery has no Christian songs.

Is Periphery a Satanic Band?

A satanic band is one whose songs promote Satanic practices and beliefs. These songs are usually characterized by dark lyrics and themes, demonic concepts, graphics and videos. Band members also portray Satanism in their lifestyles. A satanic band believes in Satan who is the central body of the religion and they uphold his principles and commandments.

Periphery has employed some satanic imagery in their songs which have made some fans consider them Satanic. Their anti-christian lyrics and Satanic concepts have led some listeners to tag the band as a “Satanic” band. However, since the band has not publicly labeled itself a Satanic band, we do not consider them as such. The issue of Periphery being a Satanic band is still open to public debate 

Conclusion 

The notion of Periphery being a Christian band is fallacious. The band has been expressive of their Jewish beliefs. They condemn and criticize Christians in some of their songs. This Christian apathy was very evident in their sixth album “Periphery IV: Hail Stan.” The album raised mixed feelings amongst the audience, especially those who were Christians. Periphery is in no way a Christian band, but we can’t deny the fact that the band has produced creative pieces that push the boundaries of progressive metal and have earned them global recognition.

Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!