Christian rock is one of the varieties of rock music, the main distinguishing feature of which is the Christian orientation of the texts. Musically, this genre does not stand out against the background of others: rock, metal, hardcore, metalcore bands. The only difference is that they all sing songs about God, humility, religion and other themes within the framework of Christianity.
History of the genre
Even during the development of such genres of music as rock and roll and rhythm and blues, many clergymen spoke negatively both about the musical direction in general and about the people who performed this music in particular. Later, rock musicians began to resort to more and more defiant images, often associated their music with mysticism, occultism and devil worship. Many metallers and rockers often behaved scandalously, used drugs and alcohol in excessive quantities, thereby exacerbating the situation and the negative attitude towards rock music.
The situation began to change with the advent of rock bands and musicians performing the so-called Christian rock. The pioneers in the genre were the groups Mind Garage and Petra. Over time, this direction only developed, a festival appeared in which only Christian rock groups took part. Similar progress in the world of music did not go around Russia, where new groups began to appear, writing texts related to Christian subjects.
Christian rock bands: foreign
The list of groups preaching Christianity in their work is not small and continues to grow every year. Among the popular groups worth highlighting:
- Skillet, formed in the city of Memphis back in 1996. The team has been nominated for the Best Rock Gospel Album Award (Best Christian Rock Album) more than once during its long career.
- Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian music band created in 1997. One of the most successful VIAs performing rock music in general and Christian rock in particular. Over the course of history, more than one and a half million copies of their discs have been sold.
- Red is a relatively young (formed in 2004) American rock band that has become one of the leading Christian rock bands. Interestingly, the guys began their careers, chanting Christian hymns.
- POD is one of the few bands performing Christian rap-corps, preferring recitative, mixing it with heavy riffs and blast beats of drums. The team has been nominated for a Grammy Award many times. The name of the group comes from the Payable on Death metaphor, which in their understanding is associated with Jesus, who atoned for the sins of all mankind.
Also in this genre are Starfield, FM Static, Antestor, Pillar, War of Ages and many other, less well-known bands.
Christian post hardcore
Despite the aggressive sound, punk, hardcore and metalcore also became part of Christian culture. Musicians focus not only on Christian themes, but also urge them to lead a right lifestyle, not to abuse alcohol and tobacco, to be choosy and moderate in their relationships with people. Among the popular groups it is worth highlighting:
- As I Lay Dying is one of the most powerful and influential bands in the metalcore genre, which has become a kind of cult in musical terms. Despite the overly heavy sounding and application of techniques such as “growling” and “screaming” in vocals, in their texts the members of the group often turn to Christian images and religion in general.
- The Devil Wears Prada is a popular post-hardcore band from Ohio. One of the most popular bands in the genre, still gathering crowds of fans. The name of the group is taken from the novel of the same name and metaphorically adapted to their religion and commitment to Christianity.
- Underoath is one of the few groups that managed, despite restrictions on radio rotation, to receive gold status for one of its albums. The group was formed in 1998 in Florida and immediately attracted attention with its atypical aggressive sound and Christian lyrics.
Also in this genre play: Soul Embraced, August Burns Red, Norma Jean and other, less popular bands.
Christian metal
Often this musical direction is opposed to “black metal” and is called “white metal”. Groups that play music in this genre try to inspire and inspire the listening audience and, unlike their colleagues, completely ignore the topic of cruelty and murder. Among the popular representatives it is worth highlighting:
- Stryper is an interesting group that performs music in the style of glam metal. The group was formed in 1983, but survived the collapse and did not exist between 1993 and 2003. The group members use verses from the book of Isaiah in the design of their CDs.
- Petra is perhaps the first musical group to officially call its work Christian rock. It is symbolic that the group was formed by students of the Christian Training Center, right during the training in it. The sound of the group is reminiscent of a mixture of country music and hard rock. In 2006, the group broke up.
Domestic Christian rock bands: list
Russian groups, like foreign ones, quickly picked up such a practice and began to fill their music with religious texts and references. Among the musicians from the domestic scene, there were many deeply religious people who founded entire collectives with a Christian direction. Among the most famous are groups:
- "Alice" - Soviet VIA, which originated in 1983 in the city of Leningrad. One of the most famous and popular bands in the history of Russian rock music. One of the first that she began to write texts related to religion. The group exists to this day.
- Black Coffee is a Soviet rock project by Dmitry Varshavsky, performing heavy rock and Christian metal with a heavy sound. The collective was formed in 1979 and is still active, performing and recording new songs in Russian and English.
Among the domestic performers of the genre, Christian rock bands such as Augustus, Legion, Voice of the Prophet and Trumpet Call are also worth mentioning.