Tag: Christian metal

April 7, 2023

Song of the Day: Vengeance Rising - Human Sacrifice

The first time I heard this band, I was completely blown away. The year was 1988. I was about 14 years old, and I had just started getting into Christian metal via bands like Jerusalem, Whitecross, and Barren Cross. Sacred Warrior was probably the heaviest I’d heard at the time. Then one night I was listening to KOKF 91FM out of Oklahoma City, a Christian radio station that had a late night metal show. I heard the most intense, loud, gnarly thing I’d ever heard in my life.… Continued →

November 14, 2022

October 18, 2021

Testimony of Apocalypse (Feat. Members of Sacrament) - Redemption (Demo)

Testimony of Apocalypse are an insane new metal band featuring members of classic Thrash Metal band, Sacrament. While members of Sacrament await their potential reunion in the future, a couple members got together and have pursued this really great new project called Testimony of Apocalypse, which is actually named after the Sacrament album of the same name. Check out the DEMO of a new track titled “Redemption”, below. The band plan to release their debut full length in the spring of 2022 via a label on the rise, The Charon Collective.… Continued →

September 10, 2021

Song of the Day: Watchmen - Stand Strong

Hey, I get it. 80s metal is a love or hate thing. Many IVM readers are fans primarily of pop-punk and related genres. The thought of dudes in make-up, hairspray and spandex just seems like a bad joke. But for those of us who were there, it comes with a heap of nostalgia, and occasionally some good tunes too! It’s a shame, but Watchmen never quite got the level of attention that some of their peers received (Whitecross, Guardian, Holy Soldier), perhaps because of the brevity of their career.… Continued →

June 27, 2021

April 27, 2021

Contagion Fest Phase II Full Streams Now Online

The online, quarantine-like “Fest” featuring a ton of great Christian rock, metal, punk, Post Hardcore, Indie, etc. bands, is now archived online via YouTube. You can watch Day 1 and Day 2 right here at IVM, below. This epic event is almost 10 hours total worth of engaging new music. Powerful stuff and unique for this music scene. Check it out below. Oh and our buddy Nate Parrish is one of the performing artists on Day 1. What did you think and did you have any favorite artists who performed?… Continued →

December 12, 2020

June 5, 2020

REVIEW : Shadow Puncher - All Glory to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords Part II

I’ve reviewed 3 different releases from Shadow Puncher (for 2 different publications), and one of the things I’ve noticed is the diversity of sounds and influences on each project. While the one-man band from Norway functions within the death metal genre, each release has a different feel. The earliest material had a strong thrash influence, then moved into a djent-heavy sound. This EP is the first to utilise keyboards in a prominent way, thus adding a progressive element. After a 1-minute ambient keyboard intro, “One End of Heaven” rips into the speakers with brutal rhythms, blastbeats and plenty of time changes.… Continued →

March 2, 2020

July 12, 2019

Song of the Day: Saint - Steel Killer

I woke up this morning with this song in my head, so it clearly has the be the Song of the Day. Classic metal. You either love it, or just don’t really get the appeal. It’s 1986, and the only Christian metal that most people are aware of is Stryper. But hairspray and over-the-top production was not all that Christian metal had to offer in ’86. The same year the glam kings released To Hell with the Devil, Saint was dishing out their best album, Time’s End (in fact, it’s in the top 5 Christian metal albums of all time, IMO).… Continued →

November 14, 2018

REVIEW : Shadow Puncher - Shadow Puncher EP

While this is being described by the label as “Norwegian death metal”, honestly that is a bit misleading.  To my ears, what we have here is a hybrid form of extreme metal.  For instance, you have some down-tuned nu metal rhythms, but they’re heavier than most.  The drum machine lends itself to an almost industrial-meets-groove-metal feel.  Think somewhere between Lucid and Malformed Earthborn, but lighter on the glitches and samples.  Genre-wise this is either really heavy nu-metal or generically “extreme metal.” The first song (if we don’t include the spoken opening track) has a really annoying “bree bree bree” section that I really hope is a poor attempt at humor, as it really seems to serve no other purpose. … Continued →

November 11, 2018

Proven Existence signs to Bearded Dragon

Black metal band Proven Existence have just issued the following press statement: The new black metal project Proven Existence has inked a deal with the up and coming label, The Bearded Dragon Productions. Proven Existence released their track, “No Light, No Compassion”, and immediately received feedback. The project’s founder, Nocturnal Servant, has been a prominent supporter in the underground unblack metal scene, citing himself as a fan of Symphony of Heaven, Children of Wrath, Frost Like Ashes, and many more. “I’ve been friends with the brainchild behind Proven Existence and really hoped he would do something, eventually.… Continued →

October 28, 2018

Lament Announce New Album, Release Lyric Videos

Mexican melodic death metal band Lament have been churning out metal for the masses since the 1990s. They have recently announced the issuing of a new album, The Ancient Battle of the Saints, to be released sometime this year. They are also featuring a lyric video from the album’s lead single, Apostle of Hypocrisy. So far, it sounds like a foray into straight-forward old school death metal, having played with some more melodic and slower styles across their existence.… Continued →

November 28, 2017

Support BrokenFM GoFundMe to Repair and Replace Burnt Equipment from the Nor Cal Fires

Please support my friends Tim Hopkins and Chris Kuhner in getting the incredible independent Christian alt-rock station BrokenFM back up on the air. I absolutely love this station and support their efforts at putting positive, hopeful music out there in the world. BrokenFM lost their transmitting towers/equipment. BrokenFM has been kind to IVM recently in playing tracks from some of our artists both on air and through internet streaming. It’s a tragedy what happened back a month or two ago with those fires up North.… Continued →

November 21, 2017

The Worshiper Signs to Raging Storm Records

The metalcore band The Worshiper joined the indie/alternative label Raging Storm Records. Combining influences of past heavy hitters like As I Lay Dying and For Today, with their own powerful breakdowns and sing-along choruses; The Worshiper creates relatable anthems for everyday life. Their faith is forefront in their music as they spread a message of hope and love. Bassist Chris Mersch, shares the bands excitement to be joining the label, stating: “In the short time we’ve been with them we’ve seen nothing but hard work and dedication towards making dreams a reality.… Continued →

September 15, 2017

July 18, 2017

Times of Grace start Recording for Sophomore album

Times of Grace, the metalcore side project of Killswitch Engage, have begun working on their sophomore album. Jesse Leach, the vocalist of the project, has begun demoing vocals out for their next endeavor. Many people thought of Killswitch Engage as a Christian act, which it is not, but if fans of that band are looking for a more faith centered project, Times of Grace is your band. Go check out “Strength In Numbers” and the rest of the previous album, released through Roadrunner Records. https://www.instagram.com/p/BWs1HoTADAQ/… Continued →

June 6, 2017

May 16, 2017

May 2, 2017

Symphony of Heaven releases "Stratagem" Lyric Video

Symphony of Heaven, the symphonic death metal project from Owensville, IN, has a new lyric video up for their song “Stratagem”. The project started earlier this year, and has released two songs, with an EP coming soon. I recently did an interview with the brainchild of the project, Logan Thompson. The EP will be titled Of Scar and Soil, and if you want some details behind it, go read the interview. He released “Stratagem” a few months ago, but recently released the lyrics for it.… Continued →

May 1, 2017

INTERVIEW : Symphony of Heaven

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Logan Thompson, also known as Symphony of Heaven. I posted an article about him awhile ago here on Indie Vision Music about his release of “Stratagem”. Check that song out. We talk about upcoming music, gear, and lyrical backgrounds. Enjoy! Also, go check this article out on my blog, as well as other cool Christian metal and hardcore news! How are ya man? I’m good. How are you doing? I’m doing well. I’ve got a few questions for you.Continued →

April 24, 2017

Gideon - Cursed

Hardcore band, Gideon has a new album coming soon. It’s called Cold and it will be out on May 12th via Equal Vision Records. Gideon brings a heavy new approach to the album from what I’ve heard, and this song brings in Knocked Loose vocalist Bryan Garris. Check out this video below. Enjoy!
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April 17, 2017

10 Heavy Bands You Should Listen To

Well it’s been awhile since I’ve wrote one of these. So I hope you all enjoy and I hope you check these amazing bands out! Go headbang! 10. Every Knee Shall Bow Every Knee Shall Bow is a death metal band that started in 2002, with brothers Drew and DJ Wibblesman, but didn’t get going until 2008, when their two younger brothers came of age: Cole and Shane. Two years later, the band hired their friend Chris Hull and recorded an EP titled Weary Warriors.… Continued →

April 12, 2017

April 7, 2017

March 29, 2017

August Burns Red begins Vocal work for new album

Fearless metalcore act August Burns Red has begun tracking vocals for their new and upcoming album, which is yet to be named. August Burns Red have been around since 2003 and have released 7 studio albums, 2 EPs as well as several 7″s. This would mark their 8th album and their sophomore release through Fearless Records. In case you missed it, (who am I kidding, you didn’t miss this, but in case you did:) the band was Grammy nominated for “Best Metal Performance” for their song “Identity” off of Found in Far Away Places, their Fearless debut.… Continued →

March 7, 2017

March 2, 2017

Heliocentric releases "Moonshine"

A great independent Ambient metalcore act known as Heliocentric has released their debut song, titled “Moonshine”. The song is musically amazing and brings me to think of bands like What We Do in Secret and Wage War. The uncleans are very hardcore style, while the cleans seem like a power metal vocalist. The band is a one man project run by Jared Smith. This song is great, check it out below and go follow Heliocentric, or go buy it at Bandcamp! Continued →

February 19, 2017

REVIEW : Taking the Head of Goliath - Beyond Brutal Live

How many live EPs do you have? Cause you’ll want this one. Undead Metal (for those who don’t know what that means, it’s my play on Christian death metal) band, Taking the Head of Goliath has released a great live recording of their first show; the first show of one band and one of the last for the band For Today. “The Expulsion of Putrid Illusion” reminded me of Abated Mass of Flesh, with brutal-ness of the guitars, the speed of the drums and the guttural vocals.… Continued →

February 18, 2017

Rottweiler Records Announces 3rd New Band: Taking the Head of Goliath

Yes, the final band has been announced! Taking the Head of Goliath is the new band signed to Rottweiler Records. The band started in 2015 and has hit some popularity recently. The band played their first show on one of For Today’s final shows. The band has a new Live EP titled Beyond Brutal Live. The band is also best known for, or how most heard about them, was Luke Renno joining the band. Luke Renno is the founding member of Crimson Thorn. The Rottweiler releases this year are ones to pay attention to.… Continued →