Atheist music, or spiritual rock that isn't Christian

[ModusPwnens]

Christian rock, particularly Christian metalcore, has been vogue for a while now, but despite the fact that a lot of people maintain very spiritual lives outside of Christian traditions, we haven't seen a lot of bands singing to this audience. I, for one, would like to see more of it (and hope to be such a voice with my own band), but I was wondering if people knew of some bands already in this vein.

I don't agree with their creed, but I've found that the spiritual urgency in bands like Underoath, Mewithoutyou, and even We Came As Romans is really poignant and moving. I think we can capture the same spirit on the other side. I think there could be a bit of a movement in this.

[guitarpickheart]

I don't, but I'd love to hear some.

[Pat k]

I think you'll find what you're looking for in metal and hardcore. Although most good metal bands talk about Satan, no one really believes in Satan because that's just as insane as believing in God. Here's "Heretic" by Pulling Teeth.

9inzBm9Y-z0

I'll breathe every breath as a free man, and I'll curse your fucking name as often as I can.

[oddwithoutend]

You want spiritual music about not believing in God?

[Pat k]

+ the term you might be looking for is "secular."

[oddwithoutend]

Secular implies not spiritual, though.

[ModusPwnens]

You want spiritual music about not believing in God?

+ the term you might be looking for is "secular."

Theism by no means monopolizes spirituality. We're a big species with many diverse philosophies. There's way more going on under that umbrella.

[oddwithoutend]

Theism by no means monopolizes spirituality. We're a big species with many diverse philosophies. There's way more going on under that umbrella.
I didn't say otherwise, I was just hoping for a better explanation.

[ModusPwnens]

I didn't say otherwise, I was just hoping for a better explanation.

Sure. Let's define spirituality as a meaningful appreciation of one's place in the universe in a reverent or awe-filled context.

Let's take Tool's Parabola as an example. This is an extremely spiritual song from an emphatically non-Christian band:


We barely remember, who or what came before this precious moment.
We are choosing to be here, right now. Hold on, stay inside...
This holy reality, this holy experience. Choosing to be here in...

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal all this pain is an illusion.

Alive....

In this holy reality, in this holy experience. Choosing to be here in...

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal all this pain is an illusion.

Twirling 'round with this familiar parable.
Spinning, weaving 'round each new experience.
Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this
chance to be alive and breathing,
a chance to be alive and breathing.

This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality.
Embrace this moment. Remember; we are eternal,
all this pain is an illusion.

[guitarpickheart]

You want spiritual music about not believing in God?
I think what's being asked about is spiritual music that isn't explicitly Christian.

[Pat k]

Spirituality, whether you like it or not, carries religious connotation.

By the way, that song has got to be about Tool's rock-hard orgasms.

[ModusPwnens]

Spirituality, whether you like it or not, carries religious connotation.

That's fine, though religion is something else entirely. I would argue that religion is a social phenomena that develops from the primary spiritual impulse inherent in all humans.

By the way, that song has got to be about Tool's rock-hard orgasms.

It is not.

[Pat k]

That's fine, though religion is something else entirely. I would argue that religion is a social phenomena that develops from the primary spiritual impulse inherent in all humans.



It is not.

I don't know man, when he says that his body reminds him of his mortality, he could be referring to "little death" - that is- an orgasm.

I'd have to know what you think spirituality is in order to agree that it's found in all humans. When I hear the word "spiritual" I think of either fence-walking atheists or Christians. Most atheists I know would say they aren't spiritual because of the confusing connotations and because they simple aren't. I know I'm not spiritual.

[oddwithoutend]

Sure. Let's define spirituality as a meaningful appreciation of one's place in the universe in a reverent or awe-filled context.
Like this:

I drove up to the city at night and found the place
Where you grew up and then where you stayed
And we walked around and stayed up late under city lights
I spent the night, next to you in the house where you grew up
Next to you I miraculously woke up
In your parents' house I laid in bed with you

I went back to feel alone there
I went back to wipe it clean

I took the lights and radio towers out of my dreams
And we went all the way up to the small town where I'm from
With foggy air and the wind and the mountain top
And we clung to rocks and looked off and you held my hand
You almost got to start feeling me
I finally felt like I was breathing free
Under swaying trees we fell asleep and we had the same dream
The stars were bright, we dream the same every night
On my island home I spent some time with you

I went back to feel alone there
I went back there by myself
I gave up on everything that we'd felt

We found a precious place in the sand right out in the wind
And we laid under a blanket and heard the furious sound
The roar of waves, the pounding surf, two bodies on the earth
It was intense just getting to be there next to you
And you trying to get me then, and I was happy to let you in

I went back and wished I hadn't
I went back and felt regret
I went to the beach and I stared west

Every night when the sun went down in the town where we lived
The empty streets were lit up by reflected light from a distant sun
Bouncing off a glowing ball of rock and we just laid on the roof
And watched the moon, the moon, the blue light of the moon
We didn't talk and silently we both felt powerful
And, like the moon, my chest was full because we both knew
We're just floating in space over molten rock
And we felt safe and we discovered that our skin is soft
There's nothing left except certain death
And that was comforting at night out under the moon

I went out last night to forget that
I went out and stared it down
But the moon stared back at me
And in it's light I saw my two feet on the ground?

[Pat k]

I think a good term might be humanist.

[DejaNew]

Sure. Let's define spirituality as a meaningful appreciation of one's place in the universe in a reverent or awe-filled context.

Let's take Tool's Parabola as an example. This is an extremely spiritual song from an emphatically non-Christian band:
You were a little shaky off the start, and then you looked like you were going to be able to explain your way out of things, then you used Tool as an example to help argue a point. Ouch.

[ModusPwnens]

You were a little shaky off the start, and then you looked like you were going to be able to explain your way out of things, then you used Tool as an example to help argue a point. Ouch.

On the contrary - many people who deny the existence of a Judeo-Christian god still maintain a "spiritual" attitude towards themselves, the universe, and the relationship between the two. Tool, though famously obnoxious at times, is spot-on with this song.

I think people just aren't in agreement about the word spiritual means. Perhaps I should have more explicit with my definition from the get-go. All in all, I think you'll find quite a few atheists who retain a sense of wonder and awe towards reality as a whole - especially those who were raised in a religious household and then fell away from it as they grew up.

I think a good term might be humanist.

Humanist is an excellent term.

[ace1112]

i'd like to hear more music about hating christianity and all the terrible things it does but hey thats just me

[Pat k]

i'd like to hear more music about hating christianity and all the terrible things it does but hey thats just me

Do you listen to Slayer?

[ace1112]

Do you listen to Slayer?

nope their "music" is garbage we need stuff like that but with better songwriting ability

[Pat k]

nope their "music" is garbage we need stuff like that but with better songwriting ability

Whoa, ace. Get out of the thread, and get out of town. Slayer is awesome.

[UnderMyDreams]

i'd like to hear more music about hating christianity and all the terrible things it does but hey thats just me

Try Anti-Flag?

[iamsoindie]

i'd like to hear more music about hating christianity and all the terrible things it does but hey thats just me

Cursive's Happy Hollow? Excellent album that explores a lot of the negativity inherent in Christianity.
While it's not particularly "anti-Christian," David Bazan's new album offers an interesting look into the mind of a person that recently lost the faith that has essentially defined him for the past 30-odd years.

[Colorblind!]

i'd like to hear more music about hating christianity and all the terrible things it does but hey thats just me

See: EVERY HARDCORE BAND
Example:
www.myspace.com/pullingteethmd (http://www.myspace.com/pullingteeth)

[ace1112]

that exactly why i love hardcore

[Hay]

dredg?

[Regards]

So you mean Agnostic music?

[Pat k]

See: EVERY HARDCORE BAND
Example:
www.myspace.com/pullingteethmd (http://www.myspace.com/pullingteeth)

Yeah, man! I posted Heretic on page 1. Awesome band.

[ModusPwnens]

So you mean Agnostic music?

No. Don't start that shit.

[Pat k]

So you mean Agnostic Front?

[secthagoals626]

nope their "music" is garbage we need stuff like that but with better songwriting ability

:hitself:

[HogarthHughes]

So you mean Agnostic Front?

I see what you did there.

[mht]

yea this fucking style of music is even trendier than Solid State Christcore


but it's called Holy Terror

you can find plenty of bands that play this kind of stuff here:

http://www.myspace.com/holyterrorism

[xJesusFreakx]

It's a difficult and convoluted enough process determining if a band is a "Christian band" or not. Now we have to play this game with other world views, too? Come on. I'm going to be real mad if Angels & Airwaves or 30 Seconds to Mars decide that they want to be a "Scientologist band."

[npmshah]

Try The Rocket Summer. The music is definitely not directly Christian, but alot his lyrics are very spiritual in nature.

[lastxcallforsin]

Dredg (The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion)

[Colorblind!]

Yeah, man! I posted Heretic on page 1. Awesome band.

I know but it seems like it got overlooked, so I thought I'd reinforce the point. ;)

Almost every hardcore band has a strong anti god sentiment somewhere.
Regardless of people's opinion on the band, "I WON'T BE SKULL FUCKED BY FAITH" is the hardest lyric.

[lovdahl]

hes asking for bands as good as those he stated to push across what he believes in.. in a good enough manor to capture the same or better sound those musicians put across. great bands great vocals christian meaning

[walkonpastme]

i'd like to hear more music about hating christianity and all the terrible things it does but hey thats just me


leftover crack is pretty anti religion especially christianity. uh check out athiest anthem, and feed the children (book of lies) .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGBW18g4sOE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0rZp8hqPtg

[walkonpastme]

I know but it seems like it got overlooked, so I thought I'd reinforce the point. ;)

Almost every hardcore band has a strong anti god sentiment somewhere.
Regardless of people's opinion on the band, "I WON'T BE SKULL FUCKED BY FAITH" is the hardest lyric.


pretty sure this lyric from the song Pierce the Gates by No Ca$h is harder...." here is yer church and here is yer steeple
lets set it on fire and kill all the people"

[AbolitionOfMan]

So suggesting Project 86 probably wouldn't go over well in this thread:whistle:




:rotfl:

[xJesusFreakx]

So suggesting Project 86 probably wouldn't go over well in this thread:whistle:




:rotfl:

Ha, definitely not. I love Project 86, though.

[briewer]

No. Don't start that shit.
You've got the best username I've ever seen. Logic humor, I love it.

[zion the lion]

I'm having a problem with this thread, is the mission to find a spiritual but not christian musician? or is it to find an anti-god musician? Because the most that is being suggested is anti religion/anti god/anti any positive vibes that could possibly lead to any spiritual experience whatsoever, like the following with it's lyrics:

I know but it seems like it got overlooked, so I thought I'd reinforce the point. ;)

Almost every hardcore band has a strong anti god sentiment somewhere.
Regardless of people's opinion on the band, "I WON'T BE SKULL FUCKED BY FAITH" is the hardest lyric.

[brothaman]

Like this:

I drove up to the city at night and found the place
Where you grew up and then where you stayed
And we walked around and stayed up late under city lights
I spent the night, next to you in the house where you grew up
Next to you I miraculously woke up
In your parents' house I laid in bed with you

I went back to feel alone there
I went back to wipe it clean

I took the lights and radio towers out of my dreams
And we went all the way up to the small town where I'm from
With foggy air and the wind and the mountain top
And we clung to rocks and looked off and you held my hand
You almost got to start feeling me
I finally felt like I was breathing free
Under swaying trees we fell asleep and we had the same dream
The stars were bright, we dream the same every night
On my island home I spent some time with you

I went back to feel alone there
I went back there by myself
I gave up on everything that we'd felt

We found a precious place in the sand right out in the wind
And we laid under a blanket and heard the furious sound
The roar of waves, the pounding surf, two bodies on the earth
It was intense just getting to be there next to you
And you trying to get me then, and I was happy to let you in

I went back and wished I hadn't
I went back and felt regret
I went to the beach and I stared west

Every night when the sun went down in the town where we lived
The empty streets were lit up by reflected light from a distant sun
Bouncing off a glowing ball of rock and we just laid on the roof
And watched the moon, the moon, the blue light of the moon
We didn't talk and silently we both felt powerful
And, like the moon, my chest was full because we both knew
We're just floating in space over molten rock
And we felt safe and we discovered that our skin is soft
There's nothing left except certain death
And that was comforting at night out under the moon

I went out last night to forget that
I went out and stared it down
But the moon stared back at me
And in it's light I saw my two feet on the ground?

this is really good. who is it by?

[oddwithoutend]

this is really good. who is it by?
'The Moon' - The Microphones

[brothaman]

'The Moon' - The Microphones

cool. thanks.

[Colorblind!]

I'm having a problem with this thread, is the mission to find a spiritual but not christian musician? or is it to find an anti-god musician? Because the most that is being suggested is anti religion/anti god/anti any positive vibes that could possibly lead to any spiritual experience whatsoever, like the following with it's lyrics:

I'm responding to the dude who asked for bands with anti-religious lyrics, not the OP.

Weekend Nachos:
DESTROYING THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY SOLUTION
THE PRIESTS AND THE NUNS WILL BE BURNED AT THE STAKE
IT'S THE END OF RELIGION, THE END OF YOUR FAITH

I dare you to beat that.

[ModusPwnens]

You've got the best username I've ever seen. Logic humor, I love it.

Haha thank man, I love when people get it.

I'm having a problem with this thread, is the mission to find a spiritual but not christian musician? or is it to find an anti-god musician? Because the most that is being suggested is anti religion/anti god/anti any positive vibes that could possibly lead to any spiritual experience whatsoever, like the following with it's lyrics:

Yeah, I was looking for more positive stuff.

Dredg (The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion)

Really? Dredg rules, but I had no idea they sang about this stuff. I guess I should have listened to them more thoroughly.

[Fuckmaxbemis]

Finding "Spiritual" music is easy, just follow the psychedelic drugs.

[love_american_style]

holy fuck, this thread is stupid.

[JordanBuell]

moving mountains.

on the complete atheist side of things there is always weatherbox

[trevorshmevor]

Try listening to Weatherbox. It's not metal by any means, but some of Brian's lyrics are very Atheist (or Humanist, as I saw someone call it earlier in this thread). Look up the lyrics to the songs "Trippin' The Life Fantastic" and "Atom Smash".

[Pat k]

I know but it seems like it got overlooked, so I thought I'd reinforce the point. ;)

Almost every hardcore band has a strong anti god sentiment somewhere.
Regardless of people's opinion on the band, "I WON'T BE SKULL FUCKED BY FAITH" is the hardest lyric.

I'll never hate on Ceremony. Great band.

[zion the lion]

I'm responding to the dude who asked for bands with anti-religious lyrics, not the OP.

Weekend Nachos:
DESTROYING THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY SOLUTION
THE PRIESTS AND THE NUNS WILL BE BURNED AT THE STAKE
IT'S THE END OF RELIGION, THE END OF YOUR FAITH

I dare you to beat that.

I could easily beat that, but everyone thought I was the kid from the omen when I was little, and I blaspheme (jokingly) way too much, so the only thing keeping me from hell at this point is the fact that I'm not anti god.

but just know that I could have kicked those lyric's ass in the anti god department.

Yeah, I was looking for more positive stuff.

If you're just looking for a real spiritual experience you could try other religions and their worship music, I mean, it will give you the positive vibes you're looking for. Other than that, you can try psychedelic, it's usually said as a joke but the people who do it seriously are doing it for what you're looking for.

[TROKyle]

I'm responding to the dude who asked for bands with anti-religious lyrics, not the OP.

Weekend Nachos:
DESTROYING THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY SOLUTION
THE PRIESTS AND THE NUNS WILL BE BURNED AT THE STAKE
IT'S THE END OF RELIGION, THE END OF YOUR FAITH

I dare you to beat that.

Here is something along the same lines that maybe has a little more thought and meaning, in my opinion.

Preacher, Preacher, on the black box upon this stage,
Before these misguided kids, filling up their heads with nonsense,
Of something greater after all of this.
How much more bullshit must we be fed?
Hands up, reach for your money-made god, and let the money rain down upon your pretty little head.
We're all laughing at you, we're all laughing at you.
I may be a fool, but I'm well aware I am meant more for this world than you,
I don't wear a cross,
I sin and I'm lost in denial.
But what is faith, if we don't lose it once in a while?
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
I've fallen in love with harlots, I've danced before the devil and dined with wolves.
If cleanliness, and godliness be the case, you haven't looked at the world lately.
I may be a fool, but I'm well aware I am meant more for this world than you,
I don't wear a cross,
I sin and I'm lost in denial.
But what is faith, if we don't lose it once in a while?
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
Preacher, Preacher.

[love_american_style]

my band wrote a song called Sky Cake.

It's not pro-religous, however it isn't anti-religous either.

it's about the absence of religeon.

[ModusPwnens]

If you're just looking for a real spiritual experience you could try other religions and their worship music, I mean, it will give you the positive vibes you're looking for. Other than that, you can try psychedelic, it's usually said as a joke but the people who do it seriously are doing it for what you're looking for.

Except I like to listen to rock and I'm on the absolute punk forums soooo

[Pat k]

I'm responding to the dude who asked for bands with anti-religious lyrics, not the OP.

Weekend Nachos:
DESTROYING THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY SOLUTION
THE PRIESTS AND THE NUNS WILL BE BURNED AT THE STAKE
IT'S THE END OF RELIGION, THE END OF YOUR FAITH

I dare you to beat that.

Best band in Chicago- good dudes, backed hard.

[cshadows2887]

Whoa, ace. Get out of the thread, and get out of town. Slayer is awesome.

If by "Slayer" you mean "the first thirty second of "Reign in Blood" before he opens his mouth" then by all means, yes.

It's a difficult and convoluted enough process determining if a band is a "Christian band" or not. Now we have to play this game with other world views, too? Come on. I'm going to be real mad if Angels & Airwaves or 30 Seconds to Mars decide that they want to be a "Scientologist band."

That's a shame. We need more songs about aliens.

[Pat k]

Go Home And Pray

[Pat k]

If by "Slayer" you mean "the first thirty second of "Reign in Blood" before he opens his mouth" then by all means, yes.


Nothing's wrong with Araya's voice. The burden's on you to adjust your wacky opinion!

[Colorblind!]

Here is something along the same lines that maybe has a little more thought and meaning, in my opinion.

Preacher, Preacher, on the black box upon this stage,
Before these misguided kids, filling up their heads with nonsense,
Of something greater after all of this.
How much more bullshit must we be fed?
Hands up, reach for your money-made god, and let the money rain down upon your pretty little head.
We're all laughing at you, we're all laughing at you.
I may be a fool, but I'm well aware I am meant more for this world than you,
I don't wear a cross,
I sin and I'm lost in denial.
But what is faith, if we don't lose it once in a while?
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
I've fallen in love with harlots, I've danced before the devil and dined with wolves.
If cleanliness, and godliness be the case, you haven't looked at the world lately.
I may be a fool, but I'm well aware I am meant more for this world than you,
I don't wear a cross,
I sin and I'm lost in denial.
But what is faith, if we don't lose it once in a while?
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
Oh what a blessing naivety is.
Preacher, Preacher.

why would you be thoughtful when you can be PUNK RAWK

you should have stayed dead like that zombie fuck Christ.
you think youre welcome here? you better think twice.
we dont like your bullshit and we dont like your lies.
ill say it more than once, it's your kind i despise.
keep your god away from me. dont you fucking pray for me.
as much as i hate to admit it, i know you have the right to be here.
but i hope as long as im breathing,
ill have the strength to fucking scream this-
keep your god away from me.
dont you fucking pray for me.

[cshadows2887]

As for my actual contribution to this thread, Cat Stevens's stuff before he found Islam (i.e. Teaser and the Firecat, Tea for the Tillerman) was often very concerned with spiritual searching. Not even remotely rock, but the best I can do.

[cshadows2887]

Nothing's wrong with Araya's voice. The burden's on you to adjust your wacky opinion!

Considering I hated them back when I was way more into metal than I am now, I doubt it will change much. I also think his lyrics are atrocious. It's a lost cause.

[Pat k]

Considering I hated them back when I was way more into metal than I am now, I doubt it will change much. I also think his lyrics are atrocious. It's a lost cause.

So long as you've thought long and hard about what you said. His lyrics can be silly, but I can't help but get pumped when he screams

ENTER TO THE REALM OF SATAN

[cshadows2887]

So long as you've thought long and hard about what you said. His lyrics can be silly, but I can't help but get pumped when he screams

ENTER TO THE REALM OF SATAN

Really? Aren't you the guy who recc'd me a bunch of jazz records?

[Pat k]

Really? Aren't you the guy who recc'd me a bunch of jazz records?

Awhile back? Probably. I'm a fan of jazz and also Slayer. I believe we're talking about Prince in another thread.

[cshadows2887]

Awhile back? Probably. I'm a fan of jazz and also Slayer. I believe we're talking about Prince in another thread.

True. I just am a bit surprised. Kind of whiplash-inducing ends of the spectrum.

[Short Fuse]

christian music has been popular for a while. here are some popular artist of the past: dc talk, switchfoot, supertones, audio adrenaline, petra...

[MattArkin]

http://www.allinmerch.com/product/TAS-DEVIL

[AbolitionOfMan]

christian music has been popular for a while. here are some popular artist of the past: dc talk, switchfoot, supertones, audio adrenaline, petra...
I don't think you understand.

[anthonydarko]

i'd like to hear more music about hating christianity and all the terrible things it does but hey thats just me
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Gp5g_1tmyS8/SkNvpaphs7I/AAAAAAAAA7A/bji3Z8FUW6Y/s400/kult+ov+azazel+destroying.jpg
This or any other Satanic black/death metal record should cover that.
nope their "music" is garbage we need stuff like that but with better songwriting ability
Slayer is a rad band. Your loss I guess.

[frasercoker]

Rose Funeral, Suicide Silence, The Red Shore and Dimmu Borgir are all great Atheist death metal bands.

[DogSizedBird]

Christian rock, particularly Christian metalcore, has been vogue for a while now, but despite the fact that a lot of people maintain very spiritual lives outside of Christian traditions, we haven't seen a lot of bands singing to this audience. I, for one, would like to see more of it (and hope to be such a voice with my own band), but I was wondering if people knew of some bands already in this vein.

I don't agree with their creed, but I've found that the spiritual urgency in bands like Underoath, Mewithoutyou, and even We Came As Romans is really poignant and moving. I think we can capture the same spirit on the other side. I think there could be a bit of a movement in this.

I totally understand what you're looking for, but I just can't see how you could maintain self decency whilst listing Mewithoutyou and We Came As Bromans in the same sentence. Tsk tsk.

[ModusPwnens]

I totally understand what you're looking for, but I just can't see how you could maintain self decency whilst listing Mewithoutyou and We Came As Bromans in the same sentence. Tsk tsk.

That is actually really reprehensible of me. They were a guilty-pleasure of mine until I realized that their singer is a robo-hoax and thus not really part of the band.

[DogSizedBird]

That is actually really reprehensible of me. They were a guilty-pleasure of mine until I realized that their singer is a robo-hoax and thus not really part of the band.


I forgive you =]

[Short Fuse]

I don't think you understand.

I probably dont.. hey i just moved from hillsboro OR. You need a drummer? Im looking to join additional bands. let me know k

[NattyKatts]

envy on the coast:

look at the lyrics to "(x) amount of truth" off of lucy gray

pretty much all of therefore i am's the sound of human lives is vividly humanist. i think they hit the nail on the head when swinging the hammer towards a personal spiritual self-reliance, which i would hope people would look for before falling back on religion. oh well...

oh hey jim nice thread dood