Rock and Metal Bands with Christian Roots
Skillet – Author Anne Erickson, Photo via Anne Erickson
There’s no denying that there are some great rock and metal bands with Christian roots. But, the term “Christian rock band” can be very overused and raise some eyebrows. There are plenty of great bands out there who have band members who are Christian, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a Christian band. I fall into that category with my band, Upon Wings, since I’m Christian but don’t consider Upon Wings a Christian band, in the full sense. But, then, there are other bands who consist of Christian band members who identify as a Christian band and mainly sing songs with Christian themes. In either case, I’m going to get into some rock and metal bands with Christian roots that rock, in no particular order.
Rock and Metal Bands with Christian Roots
Who can forget one of the original Christian metal bands? Michael Sweet and Stryper are known for their guitar-heavy metal music and Christian themes. They have some incredible releases in “To Hell with the Devil” and “Soldiers Under Command,” which are among the most legendary in the Christian metal genre.
Like with Stryper, King’s X is another longstanding Christian metal band and one of the first in the genre. Some of their most memorable releases include “Faith Hope Love” and “Dogman,” and they’re still making music today.
When it comes to modern rock and metal music, Skillet is one of the biggest names in the Christian genre. They’ve managed to cross over to the mainstream on the radio, and their shows are packed with fans of all beliefs.
In the late-1990s and early-2000s, one Christian rock band broke out and crossed over to the mainstream, and that band was Switchfoot. Their song “Meant to Live” became one of the most played rock songs on the radio in the early-to-mid 2000s. These surfer guys are still making music and touring.
San Diego rap-rockers P.O.D. have some songs about faith, but more often, you’ll find them singing inspirational tracks about overcoming adversity and fighting to the end. P.O.D. has ruled the scene for decades now, and they’re still out there playing shows and releasing new music. They’re one of the greatest rock and metal bands with Christian roots. Speaking with Audio Ink Radio this year, frontman Sonny Sandoval talking about being pigeonholed in the Christian genre. “We never wanted to be put in a box because of our faith, because that’s not fair, and we’ve earned it,” he said. “But, I think we still, even today, 32 years later, I still feel like I have a chip on my shoulder. I still feel like we’re always trying to prove ourselves.”
He added that, “When we started in the underground and the hardcore scene, everybody was about something. We weren’t categorized or we weren’t even made to feel looked down upon because of (our) belief. That’s just what you did. You grabbed the mic, and you screamed what you believed. I think once we got into the mainstream and then even the metal scene, it’s more like, everyone wants to keep it rock and roll. They want to keep it sex, drugs and rock and roll and a certain lyrical concept, all these different things. But, if we were in a reggae band or a hip-hop band or R&B, no one would say, ‘Hey. That’s that Christian band.’ But for some reason, because we’re in metal, it’s like, ‘Oh. I’m not quite sure about that.”
I hope you dug this tally of rock and metal bands with Christian roots, and feel free to contact me with your picks at anne@audioinkradio.com.
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