I've been listening to the Christian hard rock band Skillet since their debut cd was released. Their newest release came out a week or two ago and I thought it sounded pretty good also so I bought it and am liking it also. Now I've come across the band Decypher Down and found them to be a really good Christian rock band. I am not trying to either seek out or to avoid Christian rock but I am now kind of curious. Does anyone know of any "Christian" bands that are in the same vein as Skillet and Decypher Down? I am thinking that maybe I've been underestimating this group of bands! Any suggestions/help would be appreciated!

Christian hard rock was all I listened to from the time I was 9 to the time I was 16, so I'd like to think I know something about it.

I recently saw Skillet and Decyfer Down in concert with Disciple. If you haven't heard Disciple yet, you need to. I'd think that you'd really like them. Southern Hospitality is their latest CD, and as the title suggests, it's hard rock with a touch of Southern-ness. Scars Remain is more straight ahead hard rock and their self titled album is a little softer, but it's definately still hard rock. If you get into their older stuff from the 90's and early 00's, they have a more metal sound. You've got to check out Disciple.

Some other bands worth looking into would be Day of Fire, Kutless, Project 86, Dizmas, Demon Hunter, Emery, Haste the Day, Falling Up, House of Heroes, Inhabited, Neon Horse (you either love them or hate them), Pillar, Relient K, Showbread, The Showdown, Red, Spoken, subseven, Switchfoot, Staple, Thousand Foot Krutch, Toby Mac, Wavorly and 12 Stones... I think my fingers are out of breath from typing all that.

Look up Tooth and Nail records, and Solid State records. Those are two of the big name Christian record labels that sign hard rock artists. If you like screamo, hardcore or metal than I can give you yet another list that long or longer of artists if you'd like. Also, I have more recommendations for you if you like Indie Rock.

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First off RED - AMAZING BAND-, Switchfoot, Thousand Foot Krutch, Since October, Anberlin, Manic Drive, Kutless, seen all these bands live and i highly recommend them. oh and Flyleaf if you like Girl singers, and Demon Hunter if you like REALLY HARD stuff.

Forgot Falling up, 12 Stones (awesome live), and Dizmas (great guys), Pillar. Good choices texasguitarslinger. and Pineknot14 first look at Red you won't regret it! Good luck.

Thanks for the input! I actually do have Red and Kutless and like both bands. I think the line between mainstream and Christian rock is definitely becoming blurred. The messages in Christian rock are still there if you are looking for them, but it isn't as blatant as in was back in the day with bands like Stryper. I'll check out the bands you all mentioned. I am just looking for good hard rock that hasn't been played to death on the radio. Its also cool to play it for my 12 yr old son. He loves Metallica, Slipknot etc and so do I. But its cool to give him some other alternatives and after he says "These guys I rock!", I tell him its Christian and he is thoroughly blown away! Thanks again!

Oh trust me, there are much harder bands than Demon Hunter.

Mortal Treason, Impending Doom, War of Ages...

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I was talking "really hard" compared to skillet, which is the kinda band he wanted to know about. And wow I've never heard of those bands before.

Oh, yeah I see what you mean. I used to be really into those bands and that kind of music. So when I wanted to play blues all of a sudden my parents and friends thought that I must have hit my head too hard on something.

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I have been listeneing to tooth and nail, and solidstate for years. Like my friend a few posts before said, you can't really go wrong with those labels. I'm currently obbsessed with August Burns Red and Oh, Sleeper. They're not really like Skillet or RED, but my tastes have changed over the past cpl years. I used to listen to RED and Skillet quite a bit, along with Anberlin, Underoath, Further Seems Forever, Secret and Whisper, and the Classic Crime. Like I said, Oh, Sleeper has got my total attention right now. They just released a concept album with an AWESOME story! Check it out, if you don't mind metalcore.

You can't leave out Audio Adrenaline, Third Day, White Cross, Todd Agnew, Jeremy Camp, Jars Of Clay, Scott Stapp from Creed his solo release is concidered Christian Rock, Rush of Fools, Bread, Seventh Day Slumber is really good, The Golden State, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Needtobreathe, Tenth Avenue North, Petra, Sonic Flood and a good parody band called Apologetix does some good parodies of all of the secular rock groups hit songs. Some of these are kind of popish but are really good bands.

FINALLY!! Some bands I have heard of!

I band I liked that was considered "heavy" at the time was Blood Good.

I think they were from the north western part of the country.

They had a "wall of sound" and from videos I saw, put on a great show.

You could actually understand the lyrics, and what they said. (now there's a novel idea!)

Some of the "Christian" music my daughter listens to, even she can not tell what they are saying. (and she's a teenager ) I don't know how many times we have had to search for the lyrics of one song or the other just to find out what their message was.

Just IMHO - if you can't hear and understand the lyrics of Christian music - or, as in the case of Christian music, the message - what's the point? It's just another song trying to "wear" the Christian label for some reason I can't comprehend. (the Christian market isn't that big)

Um... no. Its all a matter of taste. Even though some music can be hard to understand at times, does not make them a label poser. A lot of bands put the lyrics in the insert of the CD, or you can look them up online. A prime example of a pure Christian band is Oh, Sleeper. You will not be able to understand a single word they say, but if you look up the lyrics to one of their songs, such as The Finisher, you will read...

Do you mean to challenge me?
Because your speech is threatening to the writer of your history,
Through a future perverted by envy.
Your whisper may sway the weak, but when I speak it roars the sea.
Your challenge has been met, because with a breath I could snap your neck.
This wont be like the first time you tried,
Because my patience and mercy for you has run dry.
You've watered among my bride and started seeds to feed your throning flight.
I will sing to the world your storm is capturing
And the angles will join me...
We will sing to a world reborn from suffering.
But mark my words,
Because if that tree keeps them from seeing me
I will burn off your limbs and you will never shade again.
You will bow at my feet or I'll rip out your knees
And make of your face all the carnage you crave.
I am the Finisher and I am Forever.
I will sing to the world your storm is capturing
And the angels will join me...
We will sing to a world reborn from suffering.
From the armories the angels sing. You will see them end this suffering.
From the armories the angels sing. You will fear them when they lift their wings.
They will sing to a world reborn.
They will sing as I cut off your horns.
I'll cut off your horns.

C'MON! Does that sound like a band trying to ride a label? This is the final chaptar in the battle between God and Lucifer! Even the cover of the album is a broken pentagram signifying the last phrase of THIS song. These guys have actually jump-started my faith, after a long dry spell. Don't be so quick to judge a band because of their sound... Or should I say, Don't judge a book by its cover?

I know people want to defend what they like - but hopefully the message of "put the 'message' out front - in an understandable manner" will get through to some. I hope.

Most Christian bands, and musicians, that I know, all say that they started playing Christian music to reach the lost.

So ... My question is ... how can you reach them, if they - "will not be able to understand a single word they say"?

The "message" about the Lord is conveyed in "the lyrics" - while other things are conveyed by "the music" used. The music, in a Christian song, should compliment, and help carry and deliver the message.

It is hoped that the listener will take the time to look up the lyrics. But will they? A lot of people want "instant gratification" in todays world.

Yes ... my daughter and I did look up the lyrics for several of the songs. (mostly I wanted to know what she was listening to - and if it would lead her the wrong way - and with some of it, I'm still concerned) But she has already accepted the Lord years ago, and tries to live a Christian life. I just want her to stay focused.

Also - please note the IMHO at the start of my quote below;



I added the bold to "what's the point" because I still think - "what's the point". Not judging, just saying.

I've heard others say about these bands - if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it's a duck.

But, again IMHO, - only God can see the heart of an individual. And, at least the people in the band are trying, in their own way, to reach other people. Still - the world NEEDS to SEE a difference in us. Just my opinion , of course.

If there isn't a difference - is it just another duck?

As for;


Do we have a sheep in wolves clothing - or a wolf in wolves clothing trying to slaughter unwary sheep? You say the lyrics, that you have to search for, loosely convey a Christian message - a little bit - maybe.

In any case - we still have something that very much resembles a wolf among us. What would you do if it was your flock?

I definately think there's a crowd being reached by the "I can't understand what they're saying" music... It's just not the parent crowd.

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In my opinion on this the lyrics are the only thing that separates Christian music from secular music. Why would any Christian band or singer want to testify their love for God in a way that it can't be understood? The word says to make a joyfull noise before the Lord. If it is only getting the attention of those that are lost could it it possibly be not that joyfull at all? It's all in a matter of taste. When i was lost i couldn't stand the christian music until i found some that had the same sound of the world but was positivly reinforced with praises to the God that saved me. The word MUST NOT be covered if it is to be seen or heard because if it is it will be ignored. That's just my thoughts on the whole thing. The funny thing is as i got closer to God the more i wanted to hear softer more worship style music instead of the loud hardcore metal stuff that i was used to. I still like it evry now and then but it's always good to have a variety for each mood you're in.