Some Calm, Some Heavy
A healthy balance of Indie Rock and Metalcore albums over the last decade.
Arguably my two favourite genres of music today, I’m going to attempt to list some of my favourite Christian Indie Rock albums and metalcore albums that have dropped in the last 10 years.
For this list, I’m especially particular about lyrical content and themes. I appreciate that there are some bands or albums that tend to take a reflective or storytelling approach in the expression of their faith. I respect those bands/albums, but this list is not for them.
To make the list as diverse as possible, I have given myself one personal rule — I can only feature one album per artist/group.
Also, this is a ranked list. 5 albums for indie rock and metalcore respectively.
Alright, that’s enough chit-chat; let’s get into it.
5 — Holy Fools by Wild Earth (2017)
On this sophomore album, this indie worship band leaned heavily into synth and electronic sounds creating a level of experimentation that was missing on their debut record.
This resulted in an album that boasted a wide array of sounds ranging from synth-pop and synth-rock to funk and dance-infused indie rock.
Recommended Songs: Clothed; Here & Now; Ways
5 — Kingdom Days In An Evil Age by Sleeping Giant (2012)
When it came to representing Christ in the hardcore scene, not many bands came close to doing it as well as Sleeping Giant did. With five albums to their name, KDIAEA is smack in the middle of a pretty impressive discography.
In some ways, this is a perfect spot for the album as it is both a culmination of the albums that came before it and a glimpse into the final days of a truly iconic band.
Recommended Songs: Throne Room Militance; Jehova Shalom: Enthroned
4 — Emergency by The Ember Days (2011)
The Ember Days did not stay very long on the scene but they certainly left an impression. Emergency is their first album and there are many things to love about this record.
Rooted in near equal parts indie and alternative rock, this is very much a worship album at its heart.
Recommended Songs: Unite Your Bride; Run To You; Adore
4 — For King and Kingdom by Reformers (2013)
There’s something quite “old school metalcore” about this album. Every song on this album follows the well-known patterns that have established the genre for decades.
Still, rather than sounding repetitive and tiresome; there is something quite endearing about this album. One thing that sells it for me is the clear and impactful lyrics. It is essentially a “metalcore praise and worship” album.
Recommended Songs: No Rest, No Sleep; Shake The Earth; No Greater Love
3 — Fractioned Heart by Gable Price And Friends (2020)
I still remember my reaction to hearing this band and album for the first time. I was blown away by how upfront they were about the approach to indie rock.
At the time, I was used to Christian indie albums that tried to balance the indie rock sound with the subtleties of contemporary worship.
The songs on this album do not shy away from pulsating post-punk revival and anthemic indie-rock progressions while managing to stay centred lyrically and thematically on Christ.
Recommended Songs: Awestruck Revival; Ten Percent; Not Safe
3 — VxV by Wolves At The Gate (2014)
Making this list would have been impossible without mentioning this band.
Although, they tend to lean more into post-hardcore and hard rock these days; VxV reminds me of a time when they were at the height of their powers in metalcore. With its melodic riffs and impactful lyrics, this is an album to remember.
Recommended Songs: Return; Dust to Dust; East to West
2 — Sing My Welcome Home by Pacific Gold (2015)
Pacific Gold holds a very special place on this list because of the uniqueness of this album. Drawing influence from sounds of the ’60s and ’70s, this record is a unique blend of psychedelic rock, alternative and worship music.
It also helps that they love to take well-known hymns and reimagine them to create memorable soundscapes that have stayed with me for a while.
Recommended Songs: I Will Know Him; Dear Refuge Of My Weary Soul; The Sands Of Time
2 — Fight The Silence by For Today (2014)
If the term righteous indignation had a sound, it would be the sound of For Today. There is something about this band that makes you want to get up and take the fight to the devil.
It feels quite personal where they are concerned and it is partly because of their lyrics but mostly because of the delivery of unclean vocalist Mattie Montgomery.
It’s certainly an experience worth having if you’re into metalcore.
Recommended Songs: Pariah; One Voice; Hated By The World
1 — The Water & The Blood by The Modern Post (2013)
The Modern Post understand rock music. This is probably because it is the side project of Thrice frontman, Dustin Kensrue. For context, Thrice is a band with one of the most versatile discographies out there. With sounds covering the spectrum of post-hardcore, experimental rock, art rock, alternative rock etc.
On The Modern Post, Dustin may be a bit more subdued but his skill and versatility are still on full display. However, what makes this album special lies in the lyrical themes. It’s one of the best Christian indie rock albums out there.
Recommended Songs: Rock of Ages; My One Comfort; Come Lord Jesus
1 — Give Me Rest by Hands (2011)
It’s still quite difficult for me to search for the appropriate words to properly describe the experience of listening to this album.
With a unique blend of progressive metal, progressive rock, metalcore and post-rock; I can confidently say that this album is not for everyone. At least not in its entirety.
I’m fairly certain that fans of one of the genres mentioned above will have tracks that resonate with them, but I still do not believe it is for everyone. Still, I have not heard anything that has taken me on the journey that this album has in quite some time.
Recommended Songs: Water; The Helix; Jovian
That’s all for today folks.
Until next time.
Keep listening!