Christian music - cloning?

[audiologic]

I'm an avid fan of (some) metal music. However, most in this genre is concerned with mediocrity, materialism, or downright self-loathing and hatred. However, I am also highly particular when it comes to the arts. I look for originality, innovation, progression. Something fresh, something no one's done before. It also has to sound good, obviously (anyways can squawk like a chicken and play a saxophone through some guitar pedals to techno music and say it's original, but it doesn't make it good).

However, despite all my efforts, I can't find any Christian metal I like. If the Bible says we aren't to follow the ways of the world, why have Christian bands essentially cloned the sound of the mainstream? I understand wanting accessibility and reaching out to people by providing what they like, but shouldn't the band be "set apart" in more ways than one?

I love the band Tool, for instance. They have very complex rhythms which are often superimposed, and each member has a very unique sound. No one sounds like them. Danny Carey is one of the most skilled drummers I've ever heard. When they come on, you can tell it's them, whether the vocalist is singing or not.

I also really like the bands Opeth, A Perfect Circle, and Alice in Chains - basically for the same reasons, but to a lesser extent. But when a lead singer dies of an overdose and has songs about their "drug of choice", it kinda says something.

Do you know of any really original, unique Christian bands (metal or not)? I've listened to P.O.D., Chevelle, Anberlin, blindside, Project 86, etc...don't like any of them. And it doesn't make sense to copy the sound of the world if being set apart is the goal in the first place.

 

[iluvatar5150]

"Christian music" is first and foremost a business. They make the records they make and promote the artists they promote, because that's what'll sell the most product. The people who make up the audience for "Christian music" are (based on my personal experiences) mostly white, lower & middle class, and not avid connoisseurs of the arts. IOW - they're mostly boring people with boring taste, who can't tell the difference between good music and a cheap knock off. They hear something on the radio that they like, but want a safer, sanitized version of it, and that's what the Christian music industry provides them.

My advice is to just look for good music. There are more Christians out there than you might think; they just don't market themselves as "Christian musicians."

-Dan.

 

[audiologic]

"Christian music" is first and foremost a business. They make the records they make and promote the artists they promote, because that's what'll sell the most product. The people who make up the audience for "Christian music" are (based on my personal experiences) mostly white, lower & middle class, and not avid connoisseurs of the arts. IOW - they're mostly boring people with boring taste, who can't tell the difference between good music and a cheap knock off. They hear something on the radio that they like, but want a safer, sanitized version of it, and that's what the Christian music industry provides them.

My advice is to just look for good music. There are more Christians out there than you might think; they just don't market themselves as "Christian musicians."

-Dan.

Agreed. Dave Mustaine, for instance, declared himself a Christian; of course, I disagree with a number of his responses to ethical questions, but I greatly respect him as a musician. At the same time, he doesn't state that Megadeth is a "Christian" band, and not all (if any) of the revolving musicians claim the same title.

I know there are plenty of good Christian musicians out there. You can't judge what someone is like based on what affiliation they hold. However, the attributes of the music deemed acceptable by Christian bookstores and churches in general is less than impressive.

 

[2bituser]

I'm an avid fan of (some) metal music. However, most in this genre is concerned with mediocrity, materialism, or downright self-loathing and hatred.

Or dragon slaying by hot barbarian women in leather bikinis wielding massive, magical swords.

However, despite all my efforts, I can't find any Christian metal I like. If the Bible says we aren't to follow the ways of the world, why have Christian bands essentially cloned the sound of the mainstream?

For the same reason they also drive cars with four wheels as opposed to five, like anybody else.

"Way of the world" isn't talking about sound. It's talking about sin, and sin is violation of God's law which in principle is love for God and neighbor as oneself; sin is falling short of perfection in that. Hence "Thou shalt not murder", "Thou shalt not commit adultery", etc.

I don't see what's unloving about making music with blastbeats and downtuned and distorted guitars or whatever. I might be unloving if I play it loudly around other people who hate metal and have to endure my behaviour if I play it loudly in my apartment - in which case they may alert the landlord who would take appropriate action - but beyond that, who cares?

I understand wanting accessibility and reaching out to people by providing what they like, but shouldn't the band be "set apart" in more ways than one?

"Should" depends on what you're trying to achieve.

I suppose if you want to be unique in your sound, then yes.

I love the band Tool, for instance. They have very complex rhythms which are often superimposed, and each member has a very unique sound. No one sounds like them. Danny Carey is one of the most skilled drummers I've ever heard. When they come on, you can tell it's them, whether the vocalist is singing or not.

I find Tool boring and I hate their lyrics, though I will admit they are technically good and Maynard has a fantastic voice.

I also really like the bands Opeth, A Perfect Circle, and Alice in Chains - basically for the same reasons, but to a lesser extent. But when a lead singer dies of an overdose and has songs about their "drug of choice", it kinda says something.

I love the Alice In Chains album Dirt. Their lyrics don't bug me the way Tool's do.

Do you know of any really original, unique Christian bands (metal or not)? I've listened to P.O.D., Chevelle, Anberlin, blindside, Project 86, etc...don't like any of them. And it doesn't make sense to copy the sound of the world if being set apart is the goal in the first place.

Check out Extol.

 

[audiologic]

Or dragon slaying by hot barbarian women in leather bikinis wielding massive, magical swords.




For the same reason they also drive cars with four wheels as opposed to five, like anybody else.

"Way of the world" isn't talking about sound. It's talking about sin, and sin is violation of God's law which in principle is love for God and neighbor as oneself; sin is falling short of perfection in that. Hence "Thou shalt not murder", "Thou shalt not commit adultery", etc.

I don't see what's unloving about making music with blastbeats and downtuned and distorted guitars or whatever. I might be unloving if I play it loudly around other people who hate metal and have to endure my behaviour if I play it loudly in my apartment - in which case they may alert the landlord who would take appropriate action - but beyond that, who cares?




"Should" depends on what you're trying to achieve.

I suppose if you want to be unique in your sound, then yes.




I find Tool boring and I hate their lyrics, though I will admit they are technically good and Maynard has a fantastic voice.



I love the Alice In Chains album Dirt. Their lyrics don't bug me the way Tool's do.



Check out Extol.

LOL @ magical swords. So true. And I actually agree with what you're saying, it makes more sense now.

As for Tool, well...they're certainly not for everyone. I'm pretty sure they're proud of that, too. Maynard's lyrics touch on a lot of the philosophical and spiritual topics that interest me. However, these aren't accessible and applicable to everyone...and their sound is quite noise-driven, which doesn't appeal to many. So I get that. At least you can recognize skill when you see it, though (the same reason I appreciate Soundgarden and Nirvana but don't really like their music).

Dirt's lyrics are great, too. And I will check out Extol.

 

[elisalundstrm]

Do you know of any really original, unique Christian bands (metal or not)?

Virgin black (Doom/symphonic metal) and Tourniquet (Thrash Metal)

I remember enjoying them amongst others back when I listened to a lot of Christian metal. Not sure if your taste is the same as mine, but give em a shot. They're unique and talented imo.

 

[LeoWyatt]

I'm an avid fan of (some) metal music. However, most in this genre is concerned with mediocrity, materialism, or downright self-loathing and hatred.

No.

 

[Sketcher]

I think you're making the same mistake about what the Bible says concerning being separate from the world as the legalists do when they claim that rock music is evil (while they still wear the same clothes, eat the same food, and most of them watch the same sports as those in the world). We are to be seperate from the world in terms of our attitudes, morality, and choices. That is what Scripture teaches.

As to why so much is copied, look no further than the record labels trying to cash in on the latest musical trend. Therefore, they pick and promote bands that fit into that trend. This is an issue with both Christian and secular labels.

I'm not really a musical connosuer, if I like it, I like it. It doesn't have to acheive a certain level of complexity or even originality for me to like it. That said, which P.O.D. and Project 86 have you heard? Both of them changed their sounds quite a bit. Living Sacrifice has too, you may want to check out their Conceived in Fire and Inhabit albums. I second the recommendation for Extol, you want to check out Burial and Undeceived. Oldie-but-goodies.

 

[Thunder Peel]

This has been my biggest issue with Christian music and one major reason why I typically avoid it. Too often it sounds like a watered-down version of another group. What the Christian scene is lacking are true innovators who dare to try new things and honestly want to challenge their audience. Many of them are too busy ripping off U2 or Counting Crows (both of which are great groups and don't need any imitators) instead of honestly challenging us lyrically and musically. I find so much of it derivative and bland.