Christian screamo bands???

[acrotinger]

A pastor's son introduced my 19 year old son to some music bands claiming to be christian. Demon Hunter and August Burns Red are to name a couple, but I don't know. I looked up some of their lyrics, and they don't talk about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, etc. directly. Actually it's very hard to understand what they're talking about. Demon Hunters cover art and logos are horrendous. Not to mention the screaming in demonic sounding voices. I am all for different types of christian music to appeal to different groups, but this is not Godly in any way. It instills fear and makes me uncomfortable when I hear it. I tried expressing my concerns to my son but he accuses me of being old fashioned. I really could use some feedback on this. If I'm looking at this all wrong, please show me. Thanks.

[Nate928]

I'm 20 years old and I love screamo music. Some bands have undesirable lyrics, but they don't affect me spiritually in my opinion especially not when I wear the armor of Christ. But some bands are Christian bands. They are a younger generation style of music, so the lyrics are hard to understand. Teenagers relate to personal experiences so sometimes songs seem dark because it is portraying a person who is suffering but they are seeking hope and strength in the Lord. But often times their songs are just songs that don't have to do with God. They want to capture all audiences and they cant do that if they only focus on God.

I don't know if this link will work but check out this song. It's clearly about Jesus, its beautiful and there is only screaming in like the last 30 seconds. Really, listen to it

http://m.youtube.com/results?q=some%...scape%20lyrics

[acrotinger]

I'm 20 years old and I love screamo music. Some bands have undesirable lyrics, but they don't affect me spiritually in my opinion especially not when I wear the armor of Christ. But some bands are Christian bands. They are a younger generation style of music, so the lyrics are hard to understand. Teenagers relate to personal experiences so sometimes songs seem dark because it is portraying a person who is suffering but they are seeking hope and strength in the Lord. But often times their songs are just songs that don't have to do with God. They want to capture all audiences and they cant do that if they only focus on God.

I don't know if this link will work but check out this song. It's clearly about Jesus, its beautiful and there is only screaming in like the last 30 seconds. Really, listen to it

http://m.youtube.com/results?q=some%...scape%20lyrics

That was a lot different than the ones I am talking about. I cannot post a link since I am using my phone, but look up Demon Hunter False Kingdom and let me know what you think about that.

[Nate928]

Yeah that song was toned down, but all their others songs are heavier. I don't like the "death metal" kind of bands, but if they are truly expressing their faith in Jesus in a kind of roundabout way, then the sound if their voice shouldn't matter. But I will check out that song when I can. For now, I gotta go to work!

[Acts5:41]

Try Theocracy.

It's metal, intense, but very spiritually grounded. Lots of videos on youtube with lyrics.

I don't know if they qualify as "scream-o" but if, by that, you mean metal they're it.

[Rebecki]

My 18 year old listens to Demon Hunter and August Burns Red. His favorite "screamo" is As I Lay Dying. It's all listed as Christian music. Their videos are on GodTube. I can't tolerate the screaming, but I like the metal music. It's a different generation. My parents didn't like the stuff I listened to either.

Personally, if this is the only thing you have to worry about with your son, you've done good!

[kylek16]

In my opinion I think this type of music is exactly what the Devil wants us to think is acceptable to listen to. I'm 19 and when I was first saved I listened to a band called Skillet, and my first impression was "alright cool I can praise Jesus and rock out at the same time". After awhile I think God opened my eyes and made me realize that if Jesus were here on earth today, this wouldn't be the music he would be listening to. From what videos I watched of Demon Hunters I saw no praise towards Christ, and I'm not saying these guys aren't saved and don't have intentions of praising Christ, but it just seems like this music is more towards pleasing the audience with sound rather than with the message. To me it seems like secular music with a sprinkle of "Christianity" just to make it seem like its okay to listen to. So overall I agree with you, and maybe ask your son if he think that if Jesus was here on earth today, would Jesus be wearing headphones rocking out to this type of music...

Praying for your son that God may open his eyes like he did with mine, and praying that you may get through to him.

God Bless!

[acrotinger]

In my opinion I think this type of music is exactly what the Devil wants us to think is acceptable to listen to. I'm 19 and when I was first saved I listened to a band called Skillet, and my first impression was "alright cool I can praise Jesus and rock out at the same time". After awhile I think God opened my eyes and made me realize that if Jesus were here on earth today, this wouldn't be the music he would be listening to. From what videos I watched of Demon Hunters I saw no praise towards Christ, and I'm not saying these guys aren't saved and don't have intentions of praising Christ, but it just seems like this music is more towards pleasing the audience with sound rather than with the message. To me it seems like secular music with a sprinkle of "Christianity" just to make it seem like its okay to listen to. So overall I agree with you, and maybe ask your son if he think that if Jesus was here on earth today, would Jesus be wearing headphones rocking out to this type of music...

Praying for your son that God may open his eyes like he did with mine, and praying that you may get through to him.

God Bless!

Like I said before, to me this doesn't glorify God in any way. I agree with you, the devil will use anything he can to mislead us. If bands like this add just a hint of something that sounds Christian, people believe it must be good. In my opinion, a lot of times it opens up doors to the darker stuff. Thank you for your prayers.

[Buzzardhut]

A pastor's son introduced my 19 year old son to some music bands claiming to be christian. Demon Hunter and August Burns Red are to name a couple, but I don't know. I looked up some of their lyrics, and they don't talk about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, etc. directly. Actually it's very hard to understand what they're talking about. Demon Hunters cover art and logos are horrendous. Not to mention the screaming in demonic sounding voices. I am all for different types of christian music to appeal to different groups, but this is not Godly in any way. It instills fear and makes me uncomfortable when I hear it. I tried expressing my concerns to my son but he accuses me of being old fashioned. I really could use some feedback on this. If I'm looking at this all wrong, please show me. Thanks.

[LeanneW]

I've seen Demon Hunter live. They're very vocal about their love of Jesus. They may not say the name of Jesus in every song, but they are a band made up of Christians, and they won't try to take him away from God, trust me. Skillet, August Burns Red, As I Lay Dying are all Christian too, as well as other bands.

Someone higher up said that you've done well if this is all you've got to worry about, and I think I agree. I'm sure you're happier with him listening to those bands rather than bands like Cradle Of Filth, who my friend likes. They give me absolutely horrible feelings. I really wouldn't reccommend listening to them.....ouch.

Also, to whoever mentioned Theocracy, they are classed as power metal, they don't really scream at all. But they are much more vocal in their lyrics about Jesus. Two other good Theocracy-like bands are Narnia and Seventh Avenue.

[PanheadGirl]

In my opinion I think this type of music is exactly what the Devil wants us to think is acceptable to listen to. I'm 19 and when I was first saved I listened to a band called Skillet, and my first impression was "alright cool I can praise Jesus and rock out at the same time". After awhile I think God opened my eyes and made me realize that if Jesus were here on earth today, this wouldn't be the music he would be listening to. From what videos I watched of Demon Hunters I saw no praise towards Christ, and I'm not saying these guys aren't saved and don't have intentions of praising Christ, but it just seems like this music is more towards pleasing the audience with sound rather than with the message. To me it seems like secular music with a sprinkle of "Christianity" just to make it seem like its okay to listen to. So overall I agree with you, and maybe ask your son if he think that if Jesus was here on earth today, would Jesus be wearing headphones rocking out to this type of music...

Praying for your son that God may open his eyes like he did with mine, and praying that you may get through to him.

God Bless!

Let me explain to you who I am before I move on. I am a 18 year old home schooled girl who's parents are very religious, prayer warriors and Pentecostals. I grew up in a Episcopal church, then I moved and went to a Methodist one. My mom thinks rock music is evil, not because of the lyrics, because of the beat of the drums. But she has let me listen to it because I listen to Christian music. I grew up with this issue all my life, and I to, have prayed to God. I also have to let you know Skillet is my favorite band and I got this account only to reply to your post.

Now, there wasn't any pianos, cellos, violins, etc back in Bible times. Therefore, what's the difference between them and drums/guitars? If your answer is nothing(and if you say there is, explain), then that means it's only having to do with the lyrics, correct? If that's the case then let's talk about something. What does being a Christian mean, exactly? It means to be a Christ-follower, correct? In Jesus day they didn't have music like today, we don't know if Jesus would listen to this or not. So again, it brings us back to the lyrics. Just because we are a Jesus follower, does it mean we don't have trials in our lives? That we don't sin, or feel alone? Of course not, every human being has that. I don't listen to screamo bands, not because I think it's evil, but because I just don't like that type of music. So I don't know about Demon Hunter's lyrics, but I do know about Skillet's. Give me any song of theirs(out of their 8 albums) and I'll explain it. The Last Night is about how someone thinks their life isn't worth living and no one cares and so they are going to take their life, but God is there to say that if you give yourself to me, it will be "the last night" you will spend alone. Awake and Alive is about how this world is trying to tell you what you can and can't believe, how to think, but that they won't sell their souls and that they know what they believe. Then there is their old stuff, like Earth Invasion and Alien Youth.... <3

And I don't mean to say this "at" you, but to everyone. I get tired of Christians judging every little thing, things they haven't really digged deep about. People judge bands and artists, because they are not "regular" Christians, when they are. Do you think Toby Mac is evil too? Cause let me tell you, people do. Just because evil is out there and real, doesn't mean everything and everyone IS. " Don't judge by outward appearance" This is why I'm proud to be a part of "The Whosoevers movement". Do you think that if music I listen to was bad, that so many people would be saved? Take a look at Lacey of Flyleaf. She used to hate Christians and was going to kill herself, but she had a church experience that made her become a Christian instead. Look at Brian Head Welch, who was part of Korn, but became Christian and is in a Christian Metal band. Liking a different style of music than other people, listening to Skillet instead of Casting Crowns(actually I love CC too), doesn't make you or the band bad. If your judging based on the fact that Skillet isn't praising God in every song, do you praise God every second of the day? I know we should, but do we? Skillet is reaching out to a generation that is hurting. Teen suicide is on the rise, just take a look at Amanda Todd. Cutting is on the rise too, in fact I know a couple people who do, and a lot more who used to. Abortions are too. And feeling lost and unworthy. This is the point of their music. To give music that understands this generation, but in a uplifting way. Music is my passion, I started taking up drums and plan to be in a band like Skillet one day. I know how music affects us. How listening to it can tear us down or bring us up. And since Skillet is my favorite band, I know the members as much as a fan can. I know about their Bible study, which is how I started reading the Bible again. I know about the Save Saeed campaign because of them. I read Pursuit of God by A.W Tozer because of them, I have heard their life stories. I have listened to their preaching/teachings. I love their Ardent Worship album. Look deeper at the band before you stop listening to them. I'll stop ranting now lol.

[Tall Timbers]

Until this thread, I'd never heard of screamo. I just watched/listened to "As I lay Dying". What I saw was anger, despair, emptiness, anarchy. I didn't see anything good in that. Nothing Christ-like.