For this post, I want to share with you a unique part of Christian rock. Every year, many Christian bands and artists put out various Christmas albums and songs. But, these songs are not your normal everyday Christmas carols; these songs are Christmas classics with a rock and roll twist.
The first video is by Relient K. This animated video features the song Sleigh Ride. In Relient K’s career, they have released two very popular Christmas albums: Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand, and Let it Snow Baby…Let it Reindeer. This music video features the story of one rabbit’s love. To impress his love for a female rabbit, he and his friends decide to borrow Santa’s sleigh for the night.
The next song is Christmas, Baby Please Come Home, by Anberlin. This song was first recorded by Darlene Love in 1963. The cover version by Anberlin has been featured on 3 cds: Lost Songs, X Christmas, and Happy Christmas Volume 4. This song is about one person missing their significant other on Christmas, after their relationship went sour.
Third, is a music video by The Almost. Little Drummer Boy was featured on their No Gift to Bring Holiday EP. In this video, Aaron Gillespie and The Almost bring a modern flare to the classic story of the Little Drummer Boy.
Next, is Christmas Shoes by FM Static. This song was originally recorded by NewSong in 2000. This powerful Christmas song features one boy attempting to buy a gift for his mother. She is on her deathbed, and the little boy wants her to look good when she meets Jesus. This heart-wrenching song is what Christmas is all about.
The final video is a podcast from Hawk Nelson. Jason Dunn and Daniel Biro attempt to spread Christmas cheer to a neighborhood.
I hope you have enjoyed this first look at a rock and roll Christmas.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Christian Metal and Screamo Part 2
This is part 2 of my look at Christian screamo and heavy metal. For this post, I simply want to share with you more bands, songs, and lyrics from these genres. If you want to see me describe and go into detail about the history and questions surrounding these types of music, or if you want to hear music by Demon Hunter, Underoath, Becoming the Archetype, or August Burns Red, click here for Part 1.
The first band I want to share with you is I Am Terrified. This is a Christian screamo group from Birmingham, Alabama. They have released only one album to date, a self-titled EP in 2008. This band is driven, “by the desire to give God straight-up worship, and to show the love of Christ to every kid we can possibly reach,” said guitarist Jeremy Folse.
The song I want to share with you is called Heaven Knocking Hell Rising. This powerful song is all about the return of Christ and Jesus saying to his people, “You’re Welcome.” To view the lyrics, click here.
Next is the Christian metalcore group For Today. They have released three full-length albums since 2005 on Facedown Records. According to their lead singer, Mattie Montgomery, the band’s ministry and mission statement is rooted in the belief in Jesus Christ. “This has nothing to do with music and everything to do with our faith in Christ,” said Montgomery.
The next song is entitled Saul of Tarsus (The Messenger) off their second album Portraits. This song is all about standing up for Jesus Christ and preaching His name to the world. To view the lyrics, click here.
The third band is another Christian metalcore group called Haste the Day. The name of the group is derived from the old hymn It is Well. The band has released six albums, with over 250,000 albums sold to date.
The third song is off the title track of Haste the Day’s third album entitled When Everything Falls. This song features the former vocalist of the band, Jimmy Ryan. This powerful song is all about standing firm in Jesus Christ when the threat of temptation arises. To view the lyrics, click here.
The next group is a legend in Christian heavy metal. Living Sacrifice formed in 1989 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since 1989, they have released seven full length albums and one greatest hits record. Here is what a few other Christian metal and screamo musicians had to say about this group.
“Living Sacrifice has been a huge influence on me, musically and spiritually. From very early in my youth, when I first started taking an interest in heavy music, Living Sacrifice stood out as a band that displayed a greater level of skill, songwriting ability and professionalism. They are one of those bands that you can count on to continually release amazing material,” said Ryan Clark, lead singer of Demon Hunter.
“Living Sacrifice was one of the first Christian heavy bands to be respected outside of the Christian scene. They definitely helped pave the way for our band's crossover,” said Tim McTague, guitarist of Underoath.
“You can hear Living Sacrifice's legacy in the entire generation of bands who've come after them. And those bands still haven't caught up,” said Tim Lambesis, lead singer of As I Lay Dying.
The song that I want to share with you is In Christ off their album In Memoriam. This simple song speaks about our lives, as Christians, in Christ. To view the lyrics, click here.
The final band I want to share with you is the Devil Wears Prada. This group originated in Dayton, Ohio in 2005. Since their formation, they have released 3 albums, and their latest album, With Roots Above and Branches Below, peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top 200. Guitarist/vocalist Jeremy DePoyster believes the mission of the band is to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. “Every effort we make is for one reason, and one reason alone: our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We support many bands with many different goals, but we feel that this is what God has called each of us to do. I don't expect everyone to agree with that, and that's fine, but I like to think of 1 Corinthians 10:31, ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,’ ” said DePoyster.
The final song I want to share with you is called Hey John What’s Your Name Again? This song is about someone who is obsessed with their image, fashion, and popularity. In the song, the band is telling this person that they will hope and pray for them. To view the lyrics, click here.
I hope you have enjoyed this look at Christian metal and Christian screamo music. This last video is a fun video featuring the lead singer of Living Sacrifice with his daughter. It shows that even a little girl can sing with the best of them.
The first band I want to share with you is I Am Terrified. This is a Christian screamo group from Birmingham, Alabama. They have released only one album to date, a self-titled EP in 2008. This band is driven, “by the desire to give God straight-up worship, and to show the love of Christ to every kid we can possibly reach,” said guitarist Jeremy Folse.
The song I want to share with you is called Heaven Knocking Hell Rising. This powerful song is all about the return of Christ and Jesus saying to his people, “You’re Welcome.” To view the lyrics, click here.
Next is the Christian metalcore group For Today. They have released three full-length albums since 2005 on Facedown Records. According to their lead singer, Mattie Montgomery, the band’s ministry and mission statement is rooted in the belief in Jesus Christ. “This has nothing to do with music and everything to do with our faith in Christ,” said Montgomery.
The next song is entitled Saul of Tarsus (The Messenger) off their second album Portraits. This song is all about standing up for Jesus Christ and preaching His name to the world. To view the lyrics, click here.
The third band is another Christian metalcore group called Haste the Day. The name of the group is derived from the old hymn It is Well. The band has released six albums, with over 250,000 albums sold to date.
The third song is off the title track of Haste the Day’s third album entitled When Everything Falls. This song features the former vocalist of the band, Jimmy Ryan. This powerful song is all about standing firm in Jesus Christ when the threat of temptation arises. To view the lyrics, click here.
The next group is a legend in Christian heavy metal. Living Sacrifice formed in 1989 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since 1989, they have released seven full length albums and one greatest hits record. Here is what a few other Christian metal and screamo musicians had to say about this group.
“Living Sacrifice has been a huge influence on me, musically and spiritually. From very early in my youth, when I first started taking an interest in heavy music, Living Sacrifice stood out as a band that displayed a greater level of skill, songwriting ability and professionalism. They are one of those bands that you can count on to continually release amazing material,” said Ryan Clark, lead singer of Demon Hunter.
“Living Sacrifice was one of the first Christian heavy bands to be respected outside of the Christian scene. They definitely helped pave the way for our band's crossover,” said Tim McTague, guitarist of Underoath.
“You can hear Living Sacrifice's legacy in the entire generation of bands who've come after them. And those bands still haven't caught up,” said Tim Lambesis, lead singer of As I Lay Dying.
The song that I want to share with you is In Christ off their album In Memoriam. This simple song speaks about our lives, as Christians, in Christ. To view the lyrics, click here.
The final band I want to share with you is the Devil Wears Prada. This group originated in Dayton, Ohio in 2005. Since their formation, they have released 3 albums, and their latest album, With Roots Above and Branches Below, peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top 200. Guitarist/vocalist Jeremy DePoyster believes the mission of the band is to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. “Every effort we make is for one reason, and one reason alone: our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We support many bands with many different goals, but we feel that this is what God has called each of us to do. I don't expect everyone to agree with that, and that's fine, but I like to think of 1 Corinthians 10:31, ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,’ ” said DePoyster.
The final song I want to share with you is called Hey John What’s Your Name Again? This song is about someone who is obsessed with their image, fashion, and popularity. In the song, the band is telling this person that they will hope and pray for them. To view the lyrics, click here.
I hope you have enjoyed this look at Christian metal and Christian screamo music. This last video is a fun video featuring the lead singer of Living Sacrifice with his daughter. It shows that even a little girl can sing with the best of them.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Testimonies
For this post, I want to share with you four different testimonies from people involved in Christian rock.
First, is Toby McKeehan. He is known for his stage name TobyMac. Mckeehan was in the popular Christian group DC Talk for 11 years from 1989 to 2000. After the group announced a hiatus, TobyMac began his solo career. Since 2000, Toby has released 4 albums. Between his solo career and DC Talk, Toby McKeehan has sold over 10 million records.
When Toby was 12, his mom faithfully brought him to church every Sunday morning. One Sunday was especially important because the youth pastor invited McKeehan to a church camp. While at the camp, Toby accepted Jesus Christ.
Second is Jeffrey Gilbert. Gilbert is the current drummer for the Christian hard rock band Kutless, and he is the former drummer of Seven Places. Gilbert was raised in a Christian home. His parents came to know Christ shortly before he was born. Gilbert is very thankful for his parents’ testimony and raising him in a loving, Christian home.
Next is Jeremy Camp. Camp fell in love with a young woman named Melissa Henning. Soon after Camp discovered his newfound love, Melissa was diagnosed with cancer. After temporarily beating her battle with the disease, the couple got married. While on their honeymoon, the newly weds learned that the cancer had returned and she only had weeks to live. After five months of marriage, Melissa Henning lost her battle with cancer. Through these tough times, Camp learned about the true meaning of worship.
This next video also features Jeremy Camp speaking to a crowd. This video is about his life after Melissa and her battle with cancer. He remarried with the former lead singer of the group the Benjamin Gate, Adrienne Liesching. Camp has also been blessed with two daughters. In this video, Camp looks back at his experiences.
This final video features lead singer Peter Furler speaking to a stadium full of people. Furler shares his powerful testimony and leads an altar call for people to accept Jesus Christ.
Once again, I hope you have enjoyed these powerful and moving testimonies.
First, is Toby McKeehan. He is known for his stage name TobyMac. Mckeehan was in the popular Christian group DC Talk for 11 years from 1989 to 2000. After the group announced a hiatus, TobyMac began his solo career. Since 2000, Toby has released 4 albums. Between his solo career and DC Talk, Toby McKeehan has sold over 10 million records.
When Toby was 12, his mom faithfully brought him to church every Sunday morning. One Sunday was especially important because the youth pastor invited McKeehan to a church camp. While at the camp, Toby accepted Jesus Christ.
Second is Jeffrey Gilbert. Gilbert is the current drummer for the Christian hard rock band Kutless, and he is the former drummer of Seven Places. Gilbert was raised in a Christian home. His parents came to know Christ shortly before he was born. Gilbert is very thankful for his parents’ testimony and raising him in a loving, Christian home.
Next is Jeremy Camp. Camp fell in love with a young woman named Melissa Henning. Soon after Camp discovered his newfound love, Melissa was diagnosed with cancer. After temporarily beating her battle with the disease, the couple got married. While on their honeymoon, the newly weds learned that the cancer had returned and she only had weeks to live. After five months of marriage, Melissa Henning lost her battle with cancer. Through these tough times, Camp learned about the true meaning of worship.
This next video also features Jeremy Camp speaking to a crowd. This video is about his life after Melissa and her battle with cancer. He remarried with the former lead singer of the group the Benjamin Gate, Adrienne Liesching. Camp has also been blessed with two daughters. In this video, Camp looks back at his experiences.
This final video features lead singer Peter Furler speaking to a stadium full of people. Furler shares his powerful testimony and leads an altar call for people to accept Jesus Christ.
Once again, I hope you have enjoyed these powerful and moving testimonies.
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