Hello

Hi I'm FrozenFire. I grew up in church, went to church my whole life and lived as a hypocrite until I was 30 when I came to know Christ. I've been listening to hard rock and metal since I was 7-8yrs old and got into death metal in 96 and black metal as a late teen in 98-99'. I listened to 95% secular metal so I started with Emperor, Dawn, Borknagar, Cradle of Filth, Enslaved, Immortal, and had a fairly large collection of secular black metal that I'd built over the next 12yrs. I listened to all types of metal and hard rock back then and nothing outside those two styles. I did have and enjoy Crimson Moonlight back then but they were the only Christian band I'd found that I enjoyed in the style. I could never find Antestor's stuff and didn't care the Slechtvalk album, The War That Plagues The Land I had years ago. Now I wish I hadn't sold that off.

When I became a Christian in Jan 2010 metal and music in general had become such an idol in my life it was consuming my life and helping destroy my marriage (I had more problems than that). I know some people don't get called away from secular music but I did. I threw away over 1,600 CDs (I'd owned over 2400 in my life which I know because I had a spreadsheet cataloging everything I had since 1994. Idolatry? and started again with 100% Christian music. I still listen to extreme forms of metal, black and death along with my preChristian favorite style power metal. Loved secular thrash but that's a poor man's game in the Christian realm and loved progressive rock as well which is also fairly limited. With black metal I've been pleased with what's out their in the faith! Awesome lyrics, some amazing talent and some excellent albums in general. I always loved Borknagar and Immortal and have found bands that I like in a pretty similar level. Harsh black metal is enjoyable (Elgibbor, Katamus) but if I'm honest not my number one thing. Never was a Darkthrone fan and though my favorite Immortal was Pure Holocaust and favorite Enslaved album was Frost, those albums were something special to me. I generally like something a little more crisp.

One more honest statement is that though I despised anything outside of metal and hard rock back in the day, especially rap, hip-hop and metalcore you'll find me listening to anything but country music these days. I love extreme metal but I've never been exclusive there and now cross genres for the sake of great lyrics. Lyrics are critical for me. I'm a God-fearing, loving man first, then a metal fan and a music fan in general after that.

In any case, I was super happy to find this forum! Been lurking for a month or two. I thought I'd start posting here and there. After 6yrs of avoiding forums, I thought maybe I could step back in a bit.

Thanks for making this place a cool place to hang out!

Welcome to the site! You're not alone in a lot of what you're saying! Yeah, there's definitely a difference between going to church and knowing Jesus! And I'm really glad to know there's someone else here who got rid of their old CDs. And definitely, there's a lot of awesome music in other styles, too! Took me awhile to realize that, too.

Oh, 100% agreed. I didn't really know I didn't know God till I actually knew Him. There is a Disciple song on their latest album with the line "God comes crashing in." That was the deal. When I knew, I KNEW and for 6 yrs He's been my pursuit. Best 6yrs of my life! I find it scary I lived so long in the dark without getting it. That's grace to be pulled out!

On the dumping of old CD's thing: it's interesting, it took me awhile to not be a butt about giving up secular music. I know I was 100% called to that. Best decision of my life after coming to Christ. Never regretted it once. Even in being curious and going back to listen to some of my favorites, Blind Guardian was my favorite band, I didn't even enjoy it anymore beyond a temporary satisfaction. When the lyrics had nothing to say I couldn't sing with or enjoy it in any real way. God took that away and I'm fine with that. As much as I think love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul means 100% (movies, music, books, my daily activities) it took me awhile to understand not everyone is called or lives that out the same and it's not my job to be a butt about it in any area but rather to encourage. I strive, not out of legalism but out of love, to live my life in the love and pursuit of God but in that I always say I was called to give it up. God comes personally. I'm just glad He called me the way He did. I'm the better for it, freed from the chains.

Amen to the last line as well.

Made a return of sorts here. Just had to step away. Sometimes music runs back toward idolatry for me. Kind of stinks honestly. I need some balance and have been finding that again in the last year. Good to be back and a bit more active.

Will do!

Hi everyone. I think this is the introduction thread.
I've been listening to metal since my early college days when I got into the more progressive/technical side of metal, starting with Coheed and Cambria (not technically metal) and The Devil Wears Prada. Going to hard rock and metal shows with my friends was a fun experience that I've always enjoyed. Recently, I developed an obsession with finding all the most obscure Christian rock and metal bands that I could, which led me to discover Christian black metal. At first I absolutely hated black metal, only listening to it to discover new Christian bands but I eventually came around to liking some of the more ambient styles. My favorite metal bands are probably Between the Buried and Me and Torche, but I'm more of a singles guy than an album guy when it comes to metal. My favorite Christian black metal bands are Epta Astera, Reverorum ib Malacht, Hesychast, Drottnar, and Slechtvalk. My favorite secular black metal band is Wolves in the Throne Room. I listen to both Christian and mainstream bands, but not to bands with Satanic/occultic lyrics, as I find these to be offensive, stupid, or uninteresting. I prefer bands that deal with deeper "philosophical" themes.
I listen to a lot of other bands that are not metal and write and record my own music (also not metal). Also, I play on the worship team at my church, lift weights, and read a lot.
Excited to be here.

Welcome, julienbakerfan! ........ You emailed me back in July about Unblack Archives! Hey, nice to see you around!

Seems pretty easy to do. Seek refuge in music w/o any thought or prayer to God > appreciating peace music can give while acknowledge that all comes from God.

Guess who's back

Hey everyone! It's been a while. A LOT has happened in my life since the last time I posted. I'm a sophomore in college now and having a great time. For a while I wasn't really into black metal anymore but my tastes are starting to take me back towards it again. I hope to find the time to be active here like I once was. Hope you all have been well.

Really glad to have you back, dude!