Positive/Christian Hardcore

I recently made a compilation for a good friend of mine, of heavy/metal/punk/hardcore music created by positive bands. I feel like there is this perception out there that if the music sounds angry, it is angry, and wrong.

This compilation goes to prove that theory wrong.

I'm going to try and summarize what i know about each of these bands, and the way they've put the positive/christian spin on the music they play. I'll hit the bands in order that they appear on the compilation.

for more news about bands visit BMer's Music Blog.


Underoath - These guys hail from Florida, and they've set the Post Hardcore scene on fire. Very outspoken believers and almost always take a few moments in their live performances to thank God for their blessings.

Chasing Victory - a new band on the scene, Chasing Victory is on a lable known to promote Christian bands.

Comeback Kid - CBK is a hardcore band with a defining positive message. Although not a "Christian Band", CBK has members from Figure Four who is an outspoken christian band. CBK's message is geared more towards unity, and fighting through hardship along with being aware of the battles around us.

Emery - Outspoken Christians in a band that fights the label of Christian Band

Stretch Arm Strong - These punk rockers from the east coast have put out numerous records on christian label Tooth & Nail. Their songs preach their beliefs in the open and they continue to tour with some of the most proven bands out there.

Dead Poetic - Another Post-Hardcore band that doesn't hide their beliefs in the lyrics. Dead Poetic are outspoken believers.

Thrice - Thrice is a tough one, continuing to dodge questions about whether or not they are a Christian band. Either way you can read the uplifting message in their songs.

Destroy the Runner - New metal/hardcore band that is on a label known to promote Christian bands.

Haste the Day - These guys have a unique sound, and are very outspoken about their beliefs in interviews and in concerts.

Means - Great new hardcore band with a blatant message off their debut album titled "Sending you Strength". These guys probably have the most powerful sound combined with lyrics that show the love of Christ.

No Innocent Victim Their band acronymn is NIV, and these veterans have been around forever.

The Showdown - New straight metal band with a christian twist, give it a shot, its fun.

Here's two quotes from the lead singer of Emery, trying to explain the Christian Band label and playing with secular bands:

All of the members in Emery are Christian, but the band is reluctant to be labelled a Christian rock band. Although the band has a Christian outlook and mission, their concern is that being labeled as "Christian" will hinder their ability to reach their audience. In an interview with now defunct HardcoreChristian.com, Devin Shelton stated,

I know for a while it was a big fad to like have a lot of Christian bands were just Christian guys in a band so I mean first and foremost we’re Christians above anything else ... obviously ... the band is going to come and go and it will be over one day and that’s just the way it goes. It’s just like any other occupation. We are Christians first and foremost and therefore it has to impact what we do everyday as our job and in our lives so I mean… everyday we’ve got tons of Christian fans that their like, "Hey you guys are the best Christian band blah blah blah or one of the best or whatever," and that is fine, but we gave up on trying to draw that line because it’s pretty much you have to get out of the stigma of being labeled a Christian band where non-Christian people will listen to you because if you play in only Christian venues or you play with all Christian bands all the time you’re kind of shooting yourself in the foot for as far as having a career goes and even as ministry speaking ...

... I mean there is a place for that. There are bands out there like worship bands and stuff that are great at that and I think they are called to do that but we definitely are not called to do that. We tried it, we played in churches before and we have played with a lot of Christian bands several times and we felt really really out of place, we kind of felt like, it was almost like God was saying this isn’t what you guys are supposed to be doing. Not that it was anything bad or anything like that but we just didn’t have that spirit of fulfillment that we feel like we do have now because we relate so much better to people, to crowds like this than we do youth group crowds.[2]

In an interview with SuburbanHorror.com, David Powell stated in response to a question about playing with secular bands:

DP: Yes, we’ve played with several. We prefer it. For the purpose of our band and the motives behind it, playing with only Christians and to only Christian fans is pretty pointless. I don’t treat people differently if they are Christian or not. We do what we can - You know, they had me do the interview because I am the worst talker and they thought it would be funny- We do whatever we feel lead to. With words, we can say anything and the crowd will get excited. Living it is different. I’d much rather people SEE that I am a Christian than HEAR