How music affects our lives

So, today, I've decided to talk a bit about the music I listen to, Christian Metalcore/Screamo and what it influences. For some reason, people think its ironic but really, I don't understand why. The biggest difference between Christian metalcore and secular (non-Christian) metalcore is in the lyrics and the message they give out. Let's compare the lyrics of the Christian metalcore band As I Lay Dying with a secular one, Converge.

As I Lay Dying- The Sound of Truth


We have all heard what we wanted to hear
truth that sounds right to our ears
but what wisdom is there within us
to live based on the feeling of our hearts
how many times has instinct let us down
never to be thought through
never to be questioned
say what you really mean when your ambition calls you
for what use is there in praying if you will only hear what you want to hear?
we have all heard what we wanted to hear truth that sounds right to our ears
we speak of fighting to resist this world but what about the battle within us?
if we have chosen to live against the grain then why are we all facing the same way?
there is no difference between us and them if we all blindly seek truth from sentiments
we have all heard what we wanted to heartruth that sounds right to our ears

Converge- The Great Devastator


No, I'll lay half empty half finished, half written, until my end
I'll leave the lights on just in case you want to be found again
To the dead, I wrote you countless lettersdear only some I sent
How easy it was for silence to saysome of the loudest of things
To speak so effortlessly the words and syllables that can crush in an instant
To our end, to the dear departed
are you my last chance or the first chapter in the greatest fable ever told
For the rope is getting shorter and these days
they are getting longer with every ghosts I find
They leave no heart unbroken, my great devestator
To our end, to the dear departed
are you my last chance or the first chapter in the greatest fable ever told
I'll leave the lights on just in case you want to be found again
My great devestator

Alright, I hope you read both lyrics. Which one seemed darker to you? As I Lay Dying or Converge? Well, if you chose Converge, you are quite right. There is almost a feeling of oppression when you read the lyrics, even greater when you hear the song. On the other hand, when you read As I Lay Dying's lyrics, you don't feel that. Maybe you think I'm crazy, and say "I didn't fell anything" or something like that. But, it's easy for a Christian to decern these things because of the light of Jesus Christ in us. Yea, it might sound preachy, but it's true. When we ask Jesus in our hearts, it's not to be taken literally; it's not like some spirit is possessing us. No, it's more like we are asking God to forgive us of the way we have lived our lives and ask him to open up our eyes and set us free from things that weigh us down, aka: sin. That sin can easily affect how we talk, react, and behave. It's a powerful thing.
When reading the lyrics of As I Lay Dying, you can sense truth. "We speak of fighting to resist this world but what about the battle within us?" That phrase is so powerful. Even at college I hear people taking about fighting to save the people of Darfur, bringing the troops back from Iraq, saving the children in Africa from AIDS, and finding a cure for cancer but what good is that when we fight with our brothers and sisters, disrespect our parents, lie, cheat, steal, do drugs, get drunk, sleep around, and backstab the people closest to us? In the end, it proves nothing. Even if we do find a cure for cancer, would that empower change in your life? No. It's probably going to feel great when they do but by the next day, you'll forget about it.
"No, I'll lay half empty half finished, half written, until my end, I'll leave the lights on just in case you want to be found again." What do these lyrics say to you? When you feel half empty, half finished...it's like you have no life left in you and you just want to die. How is that suppossed to make anyone feel good?I'm not going to say that Converge is a bad band. In fact, they are very musically talented but all I'm trying to show you is how strong lyrics can be.
I'll share my depression testimony with you. I first began listening to heavy music last summer. I was mostly listening to Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Atreyu, Lamb of God, and Converge. By the time I was listening to their music everyday, there was oppression in my life. I started isolating myself from my family and friends, hating everything around me, contemplating on suicide, and cutting myself (and remember, I was a "Christian" then also). I eventually attempted suicide twice and cutting got bad, to the point where the school wanted me to leave until I seeked help. But no one could help me. It was a battle withing me, something that only God and myself could fight for. It was then when I gave God an ultimatum and I told him: either you kill me now and end my misery or you change my life ina way that the only thing I'll be able to do is live my life for you. The later choice was his will. I decided to give up all my music and everything that I thought was ok and let God direct me and not too long after did I find Christian Metalcore and it really changed my life, aside from the fact that God help me out first.
Now, I have realized that music is a big factor in how our generation lives. Look at the people around you? Aren't they influenced by what they listen to in the way they dress, speak, and act?

That's pretty much it for my "how music affects our lives" rant. I thought it was something I needed to get out of my chest. I don't think there's anything wrong with heavy music (actually, I love it). But to seperate myself from music that I know won't make me think positively, I try my best to only listen to Christian metalcore. There is a HUGE variety out there of Christian artists who are not ashamed of being what they believe in and it filters through their music.

So, if you take anything from my little rant is, God loves music and it doesn't matter if it's metalcore, the message is what matters. I love God with my life and listen to harcore music and that hasn't changed my walk on the Christian path.

Take Care and God Bless You!!

For more info on this topic, visit the following links:

Secular Perspective
http://ezinearticles.com/?Music-And-Its-Influence-On-Behavior&id=733185

Christian Perspective
http://www.touchet1611.org/MusicPersonalTestimony.html
(when he says KJB churches, it's just a denomination, but we all serve the same God so it can apply to any church, person, and denomination)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKXnHvSWz1M
This guy sums up everything I said perfectly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmjgXPxyIF0&feature=related
This dude talks about how music and dancing is from God, no matter what type, of course, as long as the message glorifies God, it's worship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGgVFc1JSWw
Interview with Demon Hunter, amazing, what it's like being in a Christian metal band

And, finally, here is a list of super awesome Christian metalcore/screamo heavy bands:
***= my favorites but really, all these bands are awesome

Advent
As I Lay Dying***
A Plea for Purging
August Burns Red***

Becoming the Archetype
Blindside
Chasing Victory***
The Chariot
The Devil Wears Prada***

Demon Hunter***
Flyleaf
Haste the Day
JesusWept
Norma Jean

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE
Oh Sleeper
Showbread

Sleeping Giant***
Soul Embraced
This Runs Through
With Blood Comes Cleansing
xDEATHSTARx***