What is metal music? Sure, most of us have heard it referenced a handful of times (black metal, death metal, thrash metal, heavy metal) but the general media has had seemingly little coverage on this complex and diverse musical culture. Metal thrives from a deeply devoted subculture where metal music defines listeners, provoking question and inquiry regarding social “normality”. The fact of the matter is that metal music far extends the perceived notion of your typical music fan and sub-genres include thousands of different bands with different messages all around the world. In other words, metal might not just be for your creepy cousin who wears makeup…
In my recent studies of metal culture one statement has really resonated with me in regard to the true underlying meaning and causality of metal music. As Keith Kahn-Harris suggests in his novel, Extreme Metal, “In the same way as metal guitar solos transcend the narrow confines of their musical backing, metal fans escape the oppressive confines of deindustrialized capitalism through participation in metal culture”(Kahn-Harris 10). It’s this shared identity and disgust with the disenchanted world that gives metal music that “die for” attitude and aggression. “Empowerment is a key theme in studies of metal”(Kahn-Harris 10) funny thing is, every genre of metal has it’s own way of preaching.
I have always been fascinated with the subgenre Christian Metal. At first glance this seems like it must be some sort of oxymoron. Bound by the same disenchanted rationality, Christian metal simply takes the hurt and violence in the world and offers solution and salvation through Christian teachings (and a lot of screaming). Hands down my favorite Christian Metal band has got to be a band from Birmingham, Alabama by the name of Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster. Their genre is Christian Southern Metalcore (to be exact). Upon first listening when I was just 16yrs old, there is NO WAY anyone would have been able to convince me that this seemingly angry and aggressive music chalk full of distorted guitar riffs, mesmerizing drum beats, and tribal screams professing that “I want to be the bullet that brings you to your knees”, was preaching for Jesus. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
When confronted about the Christian origins of Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, front man Dallas Taylor admits, "For us our faith is what makes us. We believe in showing our fans respect and kindness. I love it when bands minister, as long as their lifestyle off the stage lives up to their life on stage. Nowadays it is kinda cliche in some markets to be a Christian band but being that in itself is hard and sometimes can put a bull's eye on your back. It is not an easy thing sometimes, but no one is perfect. But living to the standards of what you preach and talk about is a big deal and something we chose to do everyday."
The next time you hear the term metal music, dig deeper and know that there is all types of metal for all types of people. Below is a song entitled “Caution: Dangerous Curves Ahead”, from Maylene’s debut self titled album. Whether you’re an active Christian, Muslum, Atheist, or whatever, just give it a try…and turn it up to 11!
