What They Think of Us: Unblack Metal

Advisory: There may be profane and/or disturbing content in this post. 

http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=64176

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110616205051AAMWMWX

“The whole purpose of black metal was to create the most dirty, unclean, antichristian sound possible. The spirit behind black metal will always be antichristian. That's where the sound comes from. You can't have good and evil mixed together and it be Christian” Death Raizer  (Note: Many black metal musicians draw a distinction between black metal music and satanism.) 

Unblack metal is music which sounds identical to black metal but which has lyrics and content which promotes Christianity.

http://christianmetalfellowship.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-with-elgibbor-22208.html

2008, the Polish Christian Unblack musician Fire (Jarek), comments: "God created music and satan distorted it.  I want to bring people to know Christ through music that they enjoy.  My lyrics are always either from the Bible or inspired by my life testimony and experiences.  ... he delivered me from drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and black magic!  We serve an awesome God."

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22fire%22+%26+%22Elgibbor%22&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MjytUP2CFpDk9gTmk4DgCw&ved=0CDcQsAQ&biw=1202&bih=812

http://sonic14va.tripod.com/Christianextrememetal/elgibborinteview1.html

You tube video

A list of Unblack Metal bands.  Several of the bands are European.  A few of the names are based on Hebrew or Greek words.
Admonish
Arch of Thorns
Armageddon Holocaust
Azmaveth
Bedeiah
Beeroth
Bleedience
Borgarzur
Cabalistic
Crimson Moonlight
Dark Endless
Demoniciduth
Diamoth
Dormant
Elgibbor
Exaudi
Fire Throne
Frosthardr
Grim
Horde
Hortor
Keber
Lo-Ruhamah
Phanerosis
Sanctifica
Shadows of Paragon
Slechtvalk
SorrowStorm
Soterion
Stronghold
Syringe
Trastorno
Vaakevandring
VIXIVI

My personal take on this: Unblack metal music is certainly on the far extreme fringes of Christianity.  I believe that the Christian musicians who produce it are sincere in their intent and that God knows men's (and women's) hearts.

Do the form and origins of this type of art make it inherently evil?  Is Christian country music acceptable?  Is Christian rap music acceptable?

A few years ago there was a woman named Kellie Everts who claimed to be a "stripper for Christ."  Could there be Christian pornography?  Where is the line?

They're Not Happy About it!

On Facebook they are buzzing, Stop Unblack Music !  There are calls for Metalheads to unite and fight to the death.  They feel that their musical form is being hijacked by interlopers: Christians!

Black metal, a form of Death metal, is loud, fast, aggressive, hostile, and anti-religious.  Many of the singers actually growl rather than sing.  The music speeds up, then abruptly slows down, then explodes again.  It is obsessed with violence, death, and evil.

The same musical form is used by Unblack metal bands to present Christian messages.  The music sounds the same, but instead of Satan, murder, gore, and sex, the focus is Jesus.  This is apparently greatly resented by Black metal enthusiasts.  The link below is from metalunderground.com.

http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=64240  This is disturbing stuff.

My take on the issue is that Christians have every right to be in every corner of the world.  Jesus is the Lord of the Universe and we are His Ambassadors.  Though I am not personally a follower of the Unblack musical form, I believe that it is pleasing to God because its intent is to praise Him.

Music is a thing, neutral in and of itself.  Whether or not it is evil or holy depends on the message placed into it.

Christian Gothic and Unblack Metal Bands

You will have to decide for yourself what you think of this.  All of these bands self-identify as Christian.  At the very least, they are very controversial.

HB  (from Finland, in English)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1vM-w8z6D0

Christian Goth Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SPFLXvxRcc&playnext=1&list=PL2955AE9040C94B16

Unblack: War Against Satan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf4Wxf6slHQ&feature=related

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unblack_metal

Christian Black Metal: Samples form numerous bands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oG_KGeJr6o&feature=related