This short-lived band was compiled by members of Sleeping Giant, Impending Doom, and other Christian hardcore acts. We Are The Threat is fairly uninteresting as far as musical proficiency goes, but that's not why it made my list. Though it's quite unpolished, the intensity and raw energy is palpable and rivals any other album in my list. The band employed a unique vocal strategy with three separate vocalists trading shouts between songs, and coming together for gang vocal choruses. See the title track for an example of this. This album was also one of my first introductions to breakdowns in metal, with "The Wake" and "Decline of Western Civilization" atop that field. This album also features some very intelligent, well-thought out lyrics, such as this line from "Decline:" "What are the fundamentals / this is the end of the line / what will we turn to when the state we have formed deludes us / this state is no solution / no moral law exists without a giver / to rebuild they must destroy the God of whom we owe our freedom."
I could have chosen any of War of Ages' many albums on Facedown, as they've been the poster child for the record label pretty much since their inception in 2006. I chose Arise & Conquer mostly because of its nostalgic value. Obviously "All Consuming Fire" became a big hit for the band, and is an excellent song in its own right, but the whole album is excellent. WOA just brings really solid, consistent metal. Melodic riffs, double bass drums, breakdowns, solos, and "army of God"-type lyrics. "Through The Flames" has a catchy chorus, "Sleep of Prisoners" has an epic opening, and "Generational Curse" has many twists and turns though it's a brisk runtime. I'd say my favorite lyric comes from the provocative "Yet Another Fallen Eve:" "Blind to the reality of the lasting impression / Oh God I need You now / Lord we surrender / God You are my shelter / Lord I want to burn with passion / Father You are the Prince of Peace / God You are my shelter." If you're looking for a nuts-and-bolts metal album with Biblical lyrics, and above-average guitar work, pick this one up. I should note, the band has greatly increased in talent since 2008, so check out their recent stuff too, especially 2019's Void.
After Impending Doom's debut album garnered mixed reviews, noting its sloppy play and hard-to-follow vocal delivery, the band decided to go in a more traditional deathcore direction, which they've continued till this day. I immediately connected with Serpent, it being the heaviest thing I'd ever heard at the time (it stills holds up pretty well). Every song has either a nasty riff, breakdown, or eerie lead guitar part. I love the "boots on the ground"-type message, like every believer is a member of a worldwide army ready to take on whatever comes our way, like this from "Storming The Gates of Hell:" "So here we come, we were withered and drowned out / but raised up in Son-soaked brilliance / raised up, come forth, arise / overcome, return from exile." Also of note, "More Than Conquerors" has one of my favorite riffs in all of Christian metal, and the transition from it to the ending breakdown is something you need to check out. Like many bands in my list, the band has greatly improved in many areas since this album, with Death Will Reign being my favorite overall album from ID, but this is where it all began for me, and it remains a solid listen.
Torn between this album and follow-up Sons of Thunder, but took Dread due to its more cohesive flow as an album, and more variety between songs. Tommy Green starts his revival crusade with a powerful message at the forefront. Never the most technical band, these songs were a rallying cry for a generation of teens who were angry at the world, and wanted change found in Christ. "Whoremonger" details Tommy's experience with adultery and pleads for those caught in similar situations to "Give your heart to one love, Jesus Christ". I also love the interplay between Tommy and Impending Doom's Brooke Reeves in "Blame It on the Holy Rollers," as well as the worshipful moments in "O Praise Him" and "The Power of Prayer."
Rhythmically keeping you on your toes and time changes by the bucketload, Depravity's harmonic lead guitars bring a unique neo-classical feel to its otherwise angry metalcore. Some of my favorite breakdowns are from "Misanthropy," "Motives," and "Malevolence," though the entire album is laden with syncopated rhythms dancing around the main beat, making it more engaging than other bands of the same type. This vengeful album is at times tough to stomach, with "Holocausts" being the most grim. Depravity takes turns chronicling the lost state of man in various outlets, mostly staying cynical even while noting God as the solution. A Plea For Purging is an apt name for the band and its message.
"Urgent" is a fitting way to describe New Zealand's Christian hardcore staple. Take one listen to The Urgency's opener "+0" to see what I mean. Rapid-fire riffing, thrash-metal beats, and screams that pull no punches; this is a band that has a bee in its bonnet, in a good way. The pace is quick and unrelenting, and the message is just as harsh. "Like a Trainwreck" exclaims at how desensitized to personal pleasure we've become, while "Ceremony" and "Temple of the Snake" paint a bleak existence for those caught in addiction, while showing there is hope and strength in crying out to God and killing our sin. I'd also like to point out the song "The Man Who Painted The Pavement," which is a true story about a band member who walked by someone bleeding on the side of the road, and neglected to help or share the love of Jesus. The lyrics are blotted out of the liner notes except for the last line, because that's all that really mattered: "And I walked by with love in my heart."
Like a group of scientists in the corner of a cafeteria, Fleshkiller bring genius chord structures and detailed instrumentation to Facedown's rather sludgy, breakdown-laden lineup. They, along with Extol (the bands share many of the same members), are easily the most technically proficient of my list. I caught onto Awaken late, but once I did, it hasn't left my regular rotation. It's one of those albums that you can't appreciate just one time around. At times, brutally heavy with its growling vocals and detuned riffs, yet equal parts melodic featuring layered, harmonic choruses throughout. Exquisite major chords sprinkled into the Frankenstein-esque mayhem balances the sound and helps keep it grounded. Also appreciate the down-to-earth, almost parabolic lyrical bent working from Jesus' teachings most of the time.
The only repeat band on the list (though many of these artists came close), Marriage makes the list because of how it's grown on me over time. I originally didn't give this album much of a chance for some reason, but now can't stay away from it. The inclusion of clean choruses provide much needed depth to Plea's sound, and takes Depravity's strengths up to a whole new level. Like Depravity, this album is angry, almost to a breaking point, this time speaking out against false teachers in the church, even sparsely adding clips from prosperity gospel preachers. Some favorites include the brutal opener "The Eternal Female," lead single "Shiver," which includes the chilling line "If I were God, we'd all be dead," and "Trembling Hands," which offers multiple vicious breakdowns and excellent advice for those caught in the cycle of false Christianity: "Follow no man's words, because I know what man holds / follow the path of God, because I know what man holds."
After an almost ten-year hiatus, the mighty Extol came back onto the scene with a bang. Everything came together for them on this album. The harsh, screeching vocals, aberrant time signatures, and choir-led choruses that they've been known for are matched with modern production and masterful songwriting. "Wastelands" holds the top song on the album for me, with its short, but beautiful chorus: "Lead me to the deepest wells / never poisoned by the world." The combination of minor-scale, down-tuned, tremolo picked riffs transitioning into happier sections, whether vocally or just instrumentally, is genius and rare. Check out the title track for evidence of this. (Side note: it's not everyday you see a song, album, and band all sharing the same name!)
Portraits is one of the most formative albums of my life. For Today was an up-and-coming metalcore band at the time, and now they are well-known for their unashamedly Godly lyrics and breakdowns aplenty. But this album is really what started it all. When I heard the first bass drop to usher in the chaotic-yet-catchy breakdowns, I was hooked. I also love how each song in the album tells a story of a different Bible character, usually tailoring the heaviest sections to the prophets most pressing message (see "Elijah (The Forerunner)" and "Isaiah (The Willing)"). I also love how songs like "Joel (The Watchman)" apply the prophet's story to our present day: "America, you will be judged / but His people will be restored." The clean choruses sprinkled throughout became a staple for the band's career, and I love how it's done in "Ezekiel (The Visionary)," as the metal opening gives way to a desperate cry for the Holy Spirit, showing the band's heart is not just to play metal, but to use it as a tool to worship God. This album works as a whole extremely well, with the worshipful closer "Talmidim (The Servants)" and the peaceful instrumental "Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)" acting as a short respite to help you catch your breath. If you caught on to For Today late or haven't checked out Portraits yet, I highly suggest you do.
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Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)
