This latter part of 2020 has seen a lot of independent bands releasing great heavy music. Here are some highlights, along with some community pages for anyone interested in getting more connected in the Christian rock and metal scene. I hope your holiday season is great. Rock on.
New Music: Diamonds to Dust
Diamonds to Dust are not your typical praise and worship band, or even a rock band. They play death metal. With those crazy vocals, deep and distorted guitars, and aggressive drumming, fans of the heavy side of metal music should enjoy them. This band's motto is "We are a band dedicated to making music for the Lord Almighty." Now, if that's not a statement I can get behind, nothing is.
Their latest single, "Corpus Christi" is one of the best Christian-based death metal songs I've heard in years. They're releasing their EP, Decisions, in late November 2020.
New Livestream show: August Burns Red's Christmas Burns Red Festival
Are you a fan of both metal and Christmas music? Well, rock band August Burns Red is a beloved contributor of both. They have performed local Christmas metal shows since 2006. In 2019, they hosted the first annual "Christmas Burns Red Festival." This year, they continue their Christmas tradition through a different format: a livestream concert, an event that takes place on December 12, 2020. The band will play songs—and older songs—from their newest album, Guardians. They'll primarily play Christmas songs. By the way, their Christmas album is great. Listen to the album and attend the show.
Memphis May Fire, especially lead singer Matty Mullins, has always been open about their faith in Christ while remaining a strong influence in the mainstream metal scene. Many fans prefer the 2011 album, The Hollow, in terms of lyrics and music. It's, musically, one of the heaviest albums, no doubt. Yet, it contains haunting tones, soaring vocals, and fantastic lyrical messages. Oh, by the way, Memphis May Fire is writing new music. Matty confirmed this fact on social media earlier in 2020. So, stay tuned.
Song Devotional: Unseen Faith's "Hardwired"
Unseen Faith has released their new album, Evoke. The band is deathcore with some metalcore and melodic elements. I love they fuse these genres. Their music is crushing while, lyrically, there is so much depth. The encouraging song, "Hardwired," is one of my favorites. It opens with a relatable situation, "Hardwired, Lost in a haze/Where emptiness and loneliness/Darkens your days." Many of us have been lost in loneliness. It blinds us as we believe more of the devil's lies.
The encouragement comes in with the repeated chorus, "Hardwired/Stand Tall/You're not a failure." No matter what you're feeling, you can believe you're not a failure. This truth echoes what we read in Psalm 139:13-18: we're created with a purpose.
Ryan Adams lives in Ohio but grew up in Boise, Idaho. He graduated Boise Bible College in 2018. He fell in love with the heavy music scene through a best friend and enjoys sharing his love for it through NRT.
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