2022 In Heavy Music, So Far
Songs you should give a chance if you're a fan of loud electric guitars.
Hi Pal,
Welcome to this edition of List of Ten, a newsletter where I mention ten things from any theme of my choice. The only common denominator is that it is something related to Christian music — which is why you’re here after all
You can check out the albums on all platforms using the embedded links on the titles.
For a little while, I felt like it’s been a slow year in heavy music, but after doing some digging I realized that my bad habit of ignoring singles had gotten the better of me again.
First off, let’s define the boundaries of heavy music, shall we? Heavy music in the context of this post is anything that begins with hard rock and pushes its boundaries. Anything from the chaotic ramblings of hardcore/metalcore, the droning guitars and layers of post-metal and the driving riffs of death metal.
Like I’ve mentioned here in the past, I know a lot of bands that identify as Christian or are considered to be Christian in the metal community but for the sake of this newsletter, I’m extremely picky and pay a lot of attention to the lyrical content, my own research and more importantly how I’m led.
With that out of the way, here are my favourite singles this year so far.
Stigmata — Convictions, Dakota Alvarez [Metalcore]
Lyrics Excerpt
I walked across a desert of strife and despair.
Spent countless years afraid, choking on desperate prayers.
I’m breathing doubt and depression
Exhaling aggression.
I'm starving for salvation for a faithless world.
God, hear these words
Guide me through this wasteland.
Clear the dust from these eyes.
Provide a path.
Give me the strength to survive.
Stigmata!
His scars are the proof.
No matter what you say
His words are the truth
Stigmata!
Push these nails through
I sing for the Son. You're nothing but traitors.
You snakes will try to lock me up, mock these words, and feed the lies of the corrupt
I won't deny my Father’s crown
So you can crucify me upside down
Crucify me upside down
I’ll die for my Father's crown!
Wide Of The Mark — Collapse//Revive [Deathcore]
Remittance — When Forever Ends, Ben S Dixon [Progressive Metalcore]
Lyrics Excerpt
No one seeks God, dead men can't walk He must open the eyes
Only can He revive
Dead in our trespasses, lifeless as Adam before the breath
God breaths inside, suddenly dust comes to life
I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered
Bind up the broken and strengthen the sick
What He started He will bring it to completion
I remember when You came to me
Unfogged my lens , there was clarity
Life's trials seem to have dulled my edge
You are my only hope, You are the breath
Creed (Rev Gang) — HolyName, xDeathstarx [Hardcore]
Lyrics Excerpt
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Lord the giver of all life
Proceeds from the Father, with the father and Son and is worshiped and glorified
I believe in one holy catholic apostolic church of faith
In baptism water, the remission of sins we will rise up from the grave
Be Holy, Holy high and lifted up
Let the nations feel your glory
Reveal yourself to us
Oh Praise Him, Praise Him in mystery and truth
Let your declaration and praise ring through the upper room
True Love — Plead The Widow’s Cause [Post-Hardcore]
The Seventh Seal (feat. Ulf Christiansson) — All For The King [Classic Hard Rock, Modern Metal]
Lyrics Excerpt
Our God and King
The Anointed One
Jesus Christ, The Lamb of God
Makes the heavens fall on knees
With the sound the Father says
Worthy to lift the book of life
And break the seventh seal to read
All the angels praise His name
Are calling us to do the same
Our salvation is due to our God
Who is seated on the throne
And to the lamb that conquered the evil
And rose from the dead
Fear — Divine Martyr [Symphonic Metal, Alternative Metal]
Lyrics Excerpt
Why do you fear those sounds within the night?
Do you have a need to fear them?
Here for a time, but not eternity
to everything has its own season
If He's the one who made up all the ears to hear (all the ears to hear)
Do you think He doesn't listen?
If He's the one who made up all the eyes to see (all the eyes to see)
Do you think he doesn’t see the vision?
Once you see clear the answer lies near
There's nothing to fear with everything clear
What can darkness hold to the light?
When it is day, it's no longer night
What is fear, but things beyond sight?
And desires are made in the absence of light
Walk by faith, walk not by sight
Then you will see in the darkest of nights
Let your soul take in the light
Then fear will run back to hide in the night. NIGHT!
There’s nothing to fear
Embraced — Diatheke [Progressive Death Metal]
Lyrics Excerpt
Hate became real
Partaking in evil ceremonies
Worshipping the beast
Mocking God and His servants
Depression weighs upon me
With its strangling hands
I'm looking for a way out
As suicidal thoughts enter my mind
Surviving in a mysterious way
With demons haunting me
Every time I close my eyes
Embraced by the spirit of life
Accepting the sacrifice
That fills my heart with true love
The only way to be whole
The Creed of Blasphemy — Diamonds To Dust [Melodic Deathcore]
Lyrics Excerpt
Divine intellect
Dimensions unforeseen beckons tribulation
The prophecies been cast asunder
Eternal war
Millenniums of anguish
Internal dichotomy
Consumed for those he vanquish
Microcosmic organisms claim heir to the cosmic throne
Hypocrisy and apathy reign supreme
One chance one way, the systems have been long decayed
Cry for the martyr don't let this struggle be in vein
Don’t be afraid just take his hand he'll lead the way
Unsheathe the blade, the belief remains