hahaha this cracks me up, an excerpt from @altpress on yesterday’s email blast.
but on some serious notes, i am every day more and more inspired by my brothers and sisters fueling modern metal. while so much of christian culture seems like a half-hearted, watery version of mainstream culture, christians make up some of the most well-respected and well-loved acts in metal and its subgenres.
there are some amazing up-and-comers putting out the uplifting music we NEED, combating the alcoholic, drug-induced, party powered, loose nonsense put on the radio.
some of them DO actually need help in the graphics department though. hire me?
blergh,
]]>
somebody has got to appreciate my phone background.
i know the devil wears prada is a band that strives to not be in the way of their message, but mikey hranica is definitely someone i truly look up to. from the way he writes and sings to the way he and the rest of the prada boys are certain, confident, even, in what they believe in every way they believe it, they are some real heroes of mine.
they also write sick music. it is my firm belief that for most genres, especially those dependent on lyrics, christians should be at the forefront of the respective style. it’s pretty true for metal, post-hardcore, screamo, rock, and pop rock/pop punk. fellas like prada aren’t the only ones. demon hunter, underoath, august burns red, switchfoot, and relientk are all bands that are almost undeniably at the front lines of their genres. these are truly talented brothers with truly divine gifts. maybe one day i’ll join the ranks.
i say this all the time. kids need more role models. we need more role models. i need more role models.
cheers,
edit: this smile he’s cheesin out with is definitely my signature smile. and i’m missing part of the same tooth. coincidence?
]]>just so it’s clear, wolves at the gate will probably be my breakout heavy band of 2011 AND 2012. there’s very little like what they’re doing at the caliber they’re doing it. this video is beautiful.
cheers.
]]>@wolvesatthegate | oh the depths.
WATG has been an up-and-comer to watch since i first saw the music video for “heralds” [link below], blending razor sharp musicianship with VERY well executed post-hardcore screaming/singing. add poignant, worshipful lyrics, and immediately this ohio based 4ish-piece becomes something christian music has really been lacking: heavy worship.
the production and tones are undeniably hard rock influenced, but comfortably balanced with thoughtful lyrics and excellent sharing of vocals between screamer colin jones and vocalist/rhythm guitarist steve cobucci. WATG also features something uncommon in the genre: a thoroughly rock-voiced clean vocalist. no anthony green, no cove reber, no brandon bolmer, no craig owens, no austin carlile. cobucci’s voice forms a rugged and rock-solid vocal foundation, allowing jones to throw out anything in his remarkable range of growl to raging high scream. the pair of vocalists effortlessly trade the primary vocalist duty without estranging the rest of the extremely talented musicians, allowing each member to shine and bring their instrument to the fore. my one complaint is that some of their tracks are a little longwinded, but for the most part the content is so rich that it’s an easy thing to overlook.
it’s been a busy end of the 2011 for WATG, signing with solid state [!] and releasing their first EP, We Are the Ones. I absolutely look forward to what 2012 holds for them. and if you’re reading this, please, please come to seattle.
pick up their first EP on amazon mp3 for $5.99, or in person at hot topic!
wolves at the gate | heralds – http://bit.ly/AcmPvv
honestly, for anyone who ever thought worship can’t sound like anything but hymns or what we hear on sunday, i hope you’ll reconsider. look at the crowd in ‘oh the depths’ anywhere from 4:08 to the end. you can’t say they’re not worshiping together. the reason i look up to people who push christian and worship to new genres is because the next generation needs positive role models, and many of these musicians are in a position to really share Hope with people who desperately need it.
cheers,
anthony
]]>underoath | desolate earth… the End is here.
i have an experiment for you, but let me set it up first.
i’ve always loved this song, and underoath in general. in my mind, they have been and will continue to be the premier christian screamo band. the things they’ve been through individually and together while proclaiming their faith throughout is just inspiring. truth be told i’ve kind of not been following them since drummer/vocalist aaron gillespie left to start his worship project, but i have a healthy respect for them and almost all of their past albums are still on heavy rotation on my ipod.
anyways. i did this when i was at uni [what they say in HK for college..], and i tried it today in the business district of hong kong. i listen to this song as loud as i can, and just immerse myself in the crowds. invariably i get a sense of how lost and hopeless people look, myself included. i look at faces, at posture, and how people carry themselves and i realize how burdened people are. of course, the song ends on a positive note, closing the track and the album with the only lines in the entire song:
“you said there’s nothing left down here.
i roamed around the wasteland.
i swear i found something.
i found hope.
i found God.
i found the dreams of the believers.
oh God, save us all.”
i’d encourage you to try the same thing. if you are a person i can easily get in contact with, i’ll gladly pay you the $1.20 it costs to buy a legitimate version. it’s an encouraging experience for me, and maybe it will be for you too. if you’re worried about it being screamo, don’t worry. it’s extremely, extremely mild, and honestly i often have a hard time keeping tears out of my eyes with it.
cheers.
]]>steady my heart, from kari jobe’s brand new album, where i find You.
i’ve loved kari jobe for a long time. revelation song? come on. this new track is strangely taylor swift-esque with a touch of Jesus take the wheel, i think. i also think it’s awesome that there is a rise in well-known, strong female worship leaders like her and kim walker-smith. the gals need role models too.
she’s got a great voice and personality, a decent stage presence [i saw her at creation 2010. excellent] and is just generally adorable. num.
cheers.
]]>my brother’s church [ironically also called ecc] led this at youth group on friday. couldn’t have asked for a more relevant or timely new song to hear. david crowder band has been pushing the limits of modern worship styles since day 1, and it’s amazing to see how far they’ve come. for anyone fortunate enough to have been to one of their live concerts…you know how energetic and fun they are. i’m bummed i missed the 7 tour, but their last album, the 34 track monstrosity that is Give Us Rest or [a Requiem Mass in C (the Happiest of All Keys)], is STUNNING. i picked it up for $12 at best buy. i would also HIGHLY recommend this year’s passion cd, which is where you can find the track “sometimes”, about $12 on amazon as well. always buy!
cheers.
***an amendment: after looking at Give Us Rest more closely, sometimes is actually on that CD as well, with a 100% less audience-y/clappy studio version than the passion 2012 one! both are great though.
]]>