Heavy Metal Music

[gringo300]

First of all, the term "Heavy Metal" has fallen out of common use. The commonly used term now is simply "Metal".

"Heavy Metal" was never a TYPE of Metal, like "Hard Rock" was/is a type of Rock. It was simply the older term for what is now commonly called "Metal".

Anyway...

Would lyrics describing something evil make those lyrics evil? Are the lyrics CONDONING what is being described?

[TrustGzus]

First of all, the term "Heavy Metal" has fallen out of common use. The commonly used term now is simply "Metal".

"Heavy Metal" was never a TYPE of Metal, like "Hard Rock" was/is a type of Rock. It was simply the older term for what is now commonly called "Metal".

Anyway...

Would lyrics describing something evil make those lyrics evil? Are the lyrics CONDONING what is being described?

You'd have to look at the context. However, that being said that sounds like a "I never inhaled" excuse more often than not.

[Slug1]

Would lyrics describing something evil make those lyrics evil? Are the lyrics CONDONING what is being described?

Ya know, after reading this statement, I bet if evil came up behind you and bit you on the butt you'd excuse it away because it's not evil to you. Then when it went to the person next to you and began to bite them on the butt, you wouldn't care since it's not biting you anymore.

The point being... what may not "be" evil to you... can still be evil and/or a SEED for evil to begin it's growth in a person.

[Slina]

I'd also say that there's nothing inherently wrong with metal as far as the music itself goes. The Bible never does give us guidelines for analyzing music beyond what the lyrics have to say, and a good Christian metal song can be a wonderful form of worship for some people. That said, metal can also be a legit problem for some people. I've noticed a lot of people who speak out against rock, metal, and other "worldly music" were saved out of a lifestyle where that sort of music played a big part, and for them, that music is too close to their old life. In their case, they're absolutely right to be staying clear of certain genres of music, just like a recovered alcoholic is best off far away from alcohol. However, does this mean that this same restriction should apply to everyone regardless of background? Not necessarily. Metal has no negative connotations to me personally, so I'd have no issue playing it when I'm on my own, but if I'm around people who I know would be bothered by it, I'll stick to listening to other genres out of respect for them.

[Slug1]

I'd also say that there's nothing inherently wrong with metal as far as the music itself goes. The Bible never does give us guidelines for analyzing music beyond what the lyrics have to say, and a good Christian metal song can be a wonderful form of worship for some people. That said, metal can also be a legit problem for some people. I've noticed a lot of people who speak out against rock, metal, and other "worldly music" were saved out of a lifestyle where that sort of music played a big part, and for them, that music is too close to their old life. In their case, they're absolutely right to be staying clear of certain genres of music, just like a recovered alcoholic is best off far away from alcohol. However, does this mean that this same restriction should apply to everyone regardless of background? Not necessarily. Metal has no negative connotations to me personally, so I'd have no issue playing it when I'm on my own, but if I'm around people who I know would be bothered by it, I'll stick to listening to other genres out of respect for them.

Hooah... music of any sort is like a firearm. Completely harmless until it's used in a way that inflicts harm. Lyrics is what makes music, harmful.

[gringo300]

Ya know, after reading this statement, I bet if evil came up behind you and bit you on the butt you'd excuse it away because it's not evil to you. Then when it went to the person next to you and began to bite them on the butt, you wouldn't care since it's not biting you anymore.

The point being... what may not "be" evil to you... can still be evil and/or a SEED for evil to begin it's growth in a person.

Ok, for that, I officially put you on my ignore list. Congratulations.

[Slina]

Hooah... music of any sort is like a firearm. Completely harmless until it's used in a way that inflicts harm. Lyrics is what makes music, harmful.

Totally agreed. I was mostly giving an example of a sort of situation where the music itself can cause a problem for very specific people (and I'm sure it happens with any musical style out there), but I agree the lyrics are what really define a song as good, evil, or pretty much neutral. I once had an unsaved friend recommend a song that literally questioned God's goodness and to a degree his very existence, and though I kinda liked the music itself, I'd never intentionally listen to that song again purely because of the lyrics. Plenty of other songs with the exact same kind of problem, and the style of music has nothing to do with it.

[Slug1]

Totally agreed. I was mostly giving an example of a sort of situation where the music itself can cause a problem for very specific people (and I'm sure it happens with any musical style out there), but I agree the lyrics are what really define a song as good, evil, or pretty much neutral. I once had an unsaved friend recommend a song that literally questioned God's goodness and to a degree his very existence, and though I kinda liked the music itself, I'd never intentionally listen to that song again purely because of the lyrics. Plenty of other songs with the exact same kind of problem, and the style of music has nothing to do with it.

Take the music from any famous heavy metal band, ones that even have names that can be considered harmful.

I will use Black Sabbath as an example... I LOVED THEIR MUSIC way back in the day.

If the music is covered but new lyrics applied, lyrics about the life that God has to offer, about His saving grace, about His Son... is this "music" still have the ability to be harmful to those who listen?

Good topic here... hope we're helping the OP

Another band I'd LOVE to listen to freely but the lyrics are conviction NOT to listen... is from AC/DC. I LOVE that style of rock!!! Specific to AC/DC I have not been able to find any Christian band that will come close to them musically.

[TrustGzus]

Take the music from any famous heavy metal band, ones that even have names that can be considered harmful.

I will use Black Sabbath as an example... I LOVED THEIR MUSIC way back in the day.

If the music is covered but new lyrics applied, lyrics about the life that God has to offer, about His saving grace, about His Son... is this "music" still have the ability to be harmful to those who listen?

Good topic here... hope we're helping the OP

Another band I'd LOVE to listen to freely but the lyrics are conviction NOT to listen... is from AC/DC. I LOVE that style of rock!!! Specific to AC/DC I have not been able to find any Christian band that will come close to them musically.

Slug, you and I evidently have different convictions. Nothing wrong with that. It's biblical to have different convictions. I have no problem listening to Sabbath and AC/DC.

That being said, have you listened to X-Sinner? I can't speak beyond their first album, but if AC/DC wants to sound more like AC/DC they need to listen to X-Sinner.

[Athanasius]

X-Sinner - I still listen to those guys ('Walking Evil'). Ah! There's power in music, but I think it's one of those things that's usually a 'depends on the person' basis.

[Slina]

Take the music from any famous heavy metal band, ones that even have names that can be considered harmful.

I will use Black Sabbath as an example... I LOVED THEIR MUSIC way back in the day.

If the music is covered but new lyrics applied, lyrics about the life that God has to offer, about His saving grace, about His Son... is this "music" still have the ability to be harmful to those who listen?

I remember this exact question coming up in one of my classes (a music in church sort of class). Our consensus was basically that doing that works just fine as long as the song isn't too familiar to the congregation as a whole. If it's too familiar, rather than praising God during the song, they'll be thinking about the original lyrics and whatever negative context they have. Kinda like how I'm pretty familiar with some of Weird Al's songs, so now every time I hear American Pie, I immediately start to think about Star Wars.

Music in other cultures also came up at times while I was at that college. For example, apparently music with certain rhythms (like 3/4 time I think was one?) can be problematic in the church in certain cultures since everyone associates it with getting up and doing the salsa or something... which is generally fine until, you know, the lyrics are more appropriate for a contemplative sort of moment.

I'm only just getting into classic rock and metal, so I don't have a strong opinion either way on the lyrics of those songs yet. So far, I think my main issue with AC/DC is that I can't imagine how their style of singing can be good for the voice.

[Reynolds357]

Take the music from any famous heavy metal band, ones that even have names that can be considered harmful.

I will use Black Sabbath as an example... I LOVED THEIR MUSIC way back in the day.

If the music is covered but new lyrics applied, lyrics about the life that God has to offer, about His saving grace, about His Son... is this "music" still have the ability to be harmful to those who listen?

Good topic here... hope we're helping the OP

Another band I'd LOVE to listen to freely but the lyrics are conviction NOT to listen... is from AC/DC. I LOVE that style of rock!!! Specific to AC/DC I have not been able to find any Christian band that will come close to them musically.

I doubt you will find a Christian band that Sounds like AC. DC. I have never really figured out how much they are really into satanism and how much they just tried to portray the satanic image. I saw an interview with their lead guitarist many years ago. He said he could not even play a guitar. He said he had never learned how. He went on to say that a demon (whose name he gave but I forgot) played the guitar through him when he was on stage. He said he does not even remember the concerts. He kind of blacks out when he walks on stage and wakes up when he is waling off stage.

I do not know how much of that I believe, but if the band is even saying that kind of junk, I have no use for them or any of their music.

[Athanasius]

I doubt you will find a Christian band that Sounds like AC. DC. I have never really figured out how much they are really into satanism and how much they just tried to portray the satanic image. I saw an interview with their lead guitarist many years ago. He said he could not even play a guitar. He said he had never learned how. He went on to say that a demon (whose name he gave but I forgot) played the guitar through him when he was on stage. He said he does not even remember the concerts. He kind of blacks out when he walks on stage and wakes up when he is waling off stage.

I do not know how much of that I believe, but if the band is even saying that kind of junk, I have no use for them or any of their music.

Gzus beat you to it

[tango]

Totally agreed. I was mostly giving an example of a sort of situation where the music itself can cause a problem for very specific people (and I'm sure it happens with any musical style out there), but I agree the lyrics are what really define a song as good, evil, or pretty much neutral. I once had an unsaved friend recommend a song that literally questioned God's goodness and to a degree his very existence, and though I kinda liked the music itself, I'd never intentionally listen to that song again purely because of the lyrics. Plenty of other songs with the exact same kind of problem, and the style of music has nothing to do with it.

One of the bands I listened to before coming back to God was called Morbid Angel. Their name alone probably tells you all you need to know about them, their lyrics were overtly blasphemous and satanic and the music was dark and angry. I won't post their lyrics here because they just aren't appropriate, but suffice to say that after my occult books went through the shredder my Morbid Angel CD met a nasty end somewhere between a sledgehammer and a club hammer.

Some people find that just the music itself makes them feel angry, and people who find that would probably be well advised to steer clear of it. Personally I find a lot of shrill operatic tones make me feel agitated while I can easily relax to the sounds of thrash metal. Describing thrash metal as soothing probably registers as off-the-scale-bizarre to most people but I have no problem lying back and chilling with a beer and a thrash metal album.


BTW Slug - check out a band called X-Sinner....

[Reynolds357]

Gzus beat you to it

They do not sound too much like AC DC to me. AC DC has a unique sound. Kind of like Guns N Roses. No one plays GNR songsl like slash. HE had a unique sound that is impossible to perfectly duplicate.