User blog comment:Aravis Tarkheena/We like talking about ourselves so have a game/@comment-5510093-20151202191247/@comment-5671588-20151202231302

I think often people hold the idea that "Christian music" means worship songs. In all honesty, the only reason the "Christian band" label exists is because it's music companies want to sell to Christians. As a rule the music lacks offensive material and often contains Christian themes, but aside from that it's just music made by people who are Christians. I listen to practically only "Christian" music (because it doesn't contain material or viewpoints I disagree with) and I don't consider much of it worship music. I see Christian metal as metal songs with lyrics reflecting Christian beliefs, and the lyrical themes often complement the intensity of the music. Good Christian metal, in my experience, honestly explores the darkness in a Christian's walk, tackling topics like death, suffering, persecution, temptation, and other realities in a manner that feels appropriate musically, emotionally, and theologically. Most other genres fail to address these issues much, maybe glancing over them with a "It's gonna get better." Metal takes these things and works through them emotionally; personally I'm often able to connect with the music and it's a powerful sensation. What makes it "Christian" is not the number of JPMs ("Jesus'" per minute) but that the style of music looks at life with a Christian perspective.

I completely understand many people don't like it. It's serious, dark, and intense and can sound sad, angry, desperate, and chaotic. It takes a special type of appreciation. But I believe creativity and good music can happen in any genre, regardless of how many people appreciate it.

Oh, and btw, "Heavy Metal" is a specific subgenre of metal and is the least heavy of the major metal subgenres.