Closing Remarks To Christian Metal Debate

Below are my closing remarks to the debate I had concerning Christian Metal. Please keep in mind that these are nothing more than my words, opinions, and views. This is not taken out of the Holy Text even though my feelings are shaped as a result of the words of the Bible. But still, even though they are my words, please just read this with an open heart.

The arena was tightly packed. Assembled before the stage was an audience like no other. On one side stood annointed men of God. Most of which were clean cut and dressed as if they were ready for a Sunday morning service. A good many of them had been pastors for over 20 years.

On the other side was what could be considered the exact opposite. Young men and women in torn up jeans, leather jackets, bandanas, leather boots, and some of the longest hair you've ever seen (on both the guys and the girls). Many of them were smoking cigarettes. A lot of them smelled like they had stopped at the bar on the way.

There was a lot of tension between the two crowds. The hardcore headbangers were mocking the pastors and yelling obscene comments at them. And God's annointed stood there in confusion wondering what they were there for.

Soon the lights went out and a hush fell over the crowd. There attention was drawn to the stage as the curtain had been lifted and the stage was lighted with the flames of dozens of candles. But the candles cast shadow's on the lone figure standing in the center of the stage. One thing was evident... he was holding a guitar.

As a result of the invitations sent out, understanding began to take shape. But, there were two different invitations sent out. The pastors recieved one that said, "Your help would be greatly appreciated in a night of worship. We expect a large turnout and need pastors to help with the alter call."

On the other hand, the wild youth on the other side of the arena had recieved an invitation that said, "Free concert. Come and join us for some extreme metal music."

The lone figure on stage began playing a song that the ministers immediately recognized. It was the hymn, Amazing Grace. They would have recognized that anywhere. They started to praise God ignoring the shouts and the taunts from the other side of the arena. But then as the beautiful acoustic intro came to a close, there came three other figures onto the stage.

The person who had played the introduction to that classic hymn took a step forward and pressed down on a pedal before him. Feedback filled the air as one of the 3 new people started tapping on the kick drum and high-hat of a large drum set.

On the fourth beat, loud extremely distorted guitars and a pounding bass guitar pulsated through the PA system, acompanying the drum beat. The crowd of long haired youth let out a heartfelt cry as they simultaneously started swinging their heads in an up and down motion.

Then one of the guitarists on stage played one of the most soulful guitar solo's ever heard. During this solo, many of the pastors realized that this was still Amazing Grace. But it was not the old hymn that they knew. Yes, all the notes were the same, the tempo was the same and the lyrics.................... A deep gutteral growl flew from the speakers. The vocalist was singing with all his heart. But the ministers didn't view this as singing. The recognized some of the lyrics and realized that they were the same. The only thing that was truly different, was that is was played at a higher volume and the guitars had some kind of distorted crunching sound. They had no idea what to make of it. They were totally offended.

The hardcore youth took in the entire show dancing and moshing during the music, and listening with interest, especially when the band would speak. Many of them had walked out, appalled that a group of musicians would preach using the heavy metal that they loved and had devoted their lives to. But most of them remained, watching a Christian band, be Christian.

The music had come to an end. On one side of the arena you could hear some of the ministers expressing their distaste for what they just witnessed. Then, their talk and complaining was cut off by the same voice that had been growling and screaming through the mic for the past 75 minutes. Surprisingly his voice was very quiet. You could tell that he was a humble man just from the way he spoke. But, he spoke with authority.

The man on stage opened up the Bible and spoke a message completely annointed of God. Even the men who viewed this music as a sin and an abomination, knew that the message delivered was of God. And then, the speaker simply said, "If there is anyone here, that wants to know and feel the love I spoke about, for the rest of their lives, please come to the front." A wave of people filled the front of the arena. Hundreds of leather clad children of the night walked forward with tears in their eyes. With open hearts they made the most important decision of their life. Many of them talked afterwards with the remaining pastors there. A lot of them got directions and phone numbers for churches in their area. It was a glorious day for the Kingdom of God.

I hope through this illustration, you were able to see what God can do through Christian Rock and Christian Metal. But still there are many who view this as an abomination. So, in this conclusion, I will take the time to show you what makes Christian Metal different but yet remains to be a valid tool for ministry. There are 2 defining factors in metal/rock;

1st, it is generally played at a higher volume than most music.

2nd, it has an added effect that adds fullness and a deep crunch to the music. That effect is common referred to as distortion.

If you take a Christian Metal Band, and take those two factors away, more than likely you will have what you hear on Sunday morning. So how can using these 2 additional elements be a sin??? I honestly don't see how they could. (There is one other factor but I feel it is irrelevant. And that is Tempo changes but I've been to churches that play the same songs only at different tempos.)

I know a pastor and a wonderful man of God, who feels that Christian Metal is unacceptable because of many different reasons. But yet, I've heard him listen to gospel hymns, presented in a Celtic fasion. Do you know what the Celts did? They were warring tribes of Great Britain (also descendents of the Galatians), who were practitioners of the Wiccan Earth religions. They followed Druids and Priestesses. I'm not going to go into further detail but do you see my point. He went to his local Christian music store and purchased this tape, but yet he refuses to accept Christian Metal.

I honestly don't see how individuals and denounce Christian Metal for the simple fact that they view it as a form of music borrowed from the world. Here's why I find that hard to believe: A well educated friend of mine, informed me that a few of the songs we find in our hymnal or sing in our churches, evolved out of bar tunes. Lyrically they were heartfelt and annointed. But they were put to music heard in the local pubs, to draw the bar crowd. If it is truly wrong to listen to a style because it was borrow from the world, we better start singing our hymns acapella, or write some new music to them.

And the same goes for people who listen to classical but feel that metal is unacceptable. (For more information, check out the debate.)

As the lead vocalist of Day Of Wrath, I find that I write most of our material. I love God with all of my heart and would never try to draw people in to the evil and dangerous world of Satanism. In the song THE DRAGON'S MINSTREL (a song about my calling), there's a verse that goes like this: "Gabriel stands at my side, On a white horse the High King rides, Recieve blessings as I take my leave, Victory is the goal I will achieve." The song was created with a servant's heart. It totally praises God. But, when you play this part backwards, this is what you have: "Let Satan in! Open up the door." Was this something I intentionally did as a lyricist. Of course not! I guarantee you, that if you play the most beautiful hymn backwards you're going to have something that doesn't sound right coming out of your speakers. It's sad and humorous at the same time, that there are preachers out there, who spend hundreds of dollars on Christian Metal albums, ruin them by playing them backwards, look for something they feel is unholy, and then tell the world that the artist(s) is speading Satan's unholy gospel. It almost makes me ashamed to be a Christian. The reason it makes me ashamed is because I am then grouped with stupid (yes, I said stupid) people like them. But, we can only pray for such ignorance (pray that it ceases that is).

Those of you who know me, probably know that I have worked security, and worked backstage for bands such as Living Sacrifice, P.O.D., and Mortification. I remember one moment in particular at a Mortification concert. I was taking my job as security very serious. I was making sure that nobody was getting hurt and just keeping a general eye on things. I remember looking up at the stage and seeing Steve, Lincoln, and Keith, playing their heart out for the Lord. I watched for awhile and realized that there was less activity behind me than before. At the moment, Mortification was playing the song, Distarnish Priest. When I turned around, my eyes met the most wonderful site. Before me (because I was right up front), I saw 95% of the audience, with their hands lifted, praising the Lord. The sight truly touched me.

I have a picture of me and Lincoln backstage. I recently saw it in my photo collection. I looked at it and saw the joy of the Lord on his face. That there is enough for me to accept Christian Metal.

There's 2 more things I would like to say before I close this:

1st, I am saved by the Grace of God. No music or musician could ever save me or do for me what Jesus Christ did for more 2,000 years ago. For that, I am thankful to my All-Loving and All-Knowing father. Music cannot save you. But don't doubt that the Lord made music a powerful tool. When David played his harp before Saul, demon's fled from him. Now that's not something to be taken lightly. Just please remember to respect music and musicians. NEVER worship them.

2nd, I would like to take the time to thank Guardian, Tourniquet, Bride, and Petra. This debate with Mr. Fisher reminded me of those individuals and bands made the sacrifice to live life on the road, to minister to the lost. They reached me and I'm grateful that they did. If God would not have used them, God may have used other means to get me back on track. Thank you and God Bless,

With the Love of Christ, Tempest