well, as an orthodox christian and metal/prog/rock fan, i am all for real metal that's by other Christians, but I agree with others in that what I care most about is the quality of the music, vocals and lyrics.
However, there are bands that i will not listen to because of overtly satanic messages/imagery, but I am more bothered by any group that advocates hate or violence of any kindthat shit I really avoid.
but i am pretty tolerant of the satanism thing. usually, it's just silly anyway. the really "satanic" lyrics in metal are just as cliché, pointless and dumb as the "praise jesus" lyrics in some Christian music (i definately don't like bands that write songs like that!). i mean, such lyrics lack imagination just like the top 40 crap.
shit, i throw horns and wear devil horns at haloween, too.
what would my priest think! (actually, he couldnt care less
)
for the rest of the arguments here, christianity is actually about the dark side of things as much as the light.
please, don't let the fundaMENTAList, or just plain mental, bozos in the usa give christianity or christians a bad rap. some do want to shove their beliefs on you and pretend that the world is black and white. but most of us are interesting people with our own tastes, morals and ideas that are influenced by our religion, but not dictated by it.
Christianity, at its best, does not pretend that the world is without its problems or that people are capable of being good all the time. We cant bethats why I like opeth lyricsthey deal with the reality of fallen creation, they deal with the pain, desperation and evil which all people confront. Theres no such thing as a sin-free person, and the Christians who pretend to be perfect are hypocritical, have bad theology, and are actually heretics in as much as only God is above sin.
Christianity is also about individuality and creativity. Jesus didn't get crucified for following the "party-line." he got crucified because he was a bad motherfucker! He went around bashing the people in charge, Jewish leaders, the Romans, etc. and he paid big time. He was not obedient.
He chose what was right over what was acceptable many, many times.
Christianity is actually a bit like Satanism in this regard, despite what some dogmas seem to preach about free will or disobedience. its just that the individual is supposed to think beyond his or her own benefit in making decisions whereas the Satanist only needs to consider his own needs and desires.
moreover, if you do believe in a god, angels, etc, then you also must logically believe in a devil and demons. You cant really be an atheist and a Satanist.
Music for thinking people is generally unconcerned with overt dogma or propaganda anyway.
But it is nice to have music that reflects one's own ideals and world view. we all look for that in one way or another, even if it means looking for a no-message band.
would love some recommendations...
SS? Feel free to post some bands/songs we opethians (and fans of PT, etc.) might like...