Hard Rock: P.O.D. & 38th Parallel

“Angry Christian music? Isn’t that an oxymoron?” my friend, David, asked. On the surface, I suppose it does seem that way. Christ is peace; Christ is love; Christ is hope—so why would a Christian band take on the angry music of heavy metal to proclaim this Good News of Jesus?

P.O.D. launched their brand of rap-metal into the mainstream, while still holding onto to their faith in Christ. Some would label it as “angry Christian music” and have trouble seeing how it is that P.O.D. puts their faith into charged guitars, screaming vocals, shouted raps, and massive drums. Yet, for today’s generation of youth, for Gen-X and Gen-Y who are seeking something REAL, this is real music, talking about real life, with real pounding bass and guitar solos. This is music about faith in Christ that has real passion.

Poke your head into my professional life as a pastor in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and you would quickly learn that I put my entire trust in Jesus based on Scripture not based on my experiences. So sometimes I fear that this desire for something REAL may lead people away from trusting in Jesus alone. That said, I find that what P.O.D. does in their music is what I want to do in my preaching, my teaching, and anytime I tell someone about my faith.

P.O.D. gives a very direct glimpse into what it means to be a Christian in the alleys, in the school halls, in the ghetto, in the REAL world. Let’s just take a look at the opening track “Set It Off” from Satellite (2001). Sure, it comes with chip-on-shoulder, somethin’-to-prove, don’t-ignore-me attitude. But take a look at what they’re singing about—keeping their faith despite what others are saying, being true to themselves when others are fake, realizing that the hope is to rise with Christ—stand up for the faith, be confident and don’t quit.

So sure it’s angry music. The Christians sent to face the lions in the Roman Coliseum could’ve probably used such a song to propel them forward in the face of adversity. Today’s youth who want to remain faithful to Jesus want some gut-wrenching, powerful songs to move them forward too.


Not as popular outside the Christian music scene, 38th Parallel also tap into the rap-metal sound in order to convey their thoughts and feelings about Christ. Turn the Tides (2002) inserts melodic breaks into the metal. The twin vocals of Mark Jennings and Nathan Rippke present a frontal attack, a tag team between raps and sung sections. Tony McAnay’s production at times cleans up the sound too much, making it palatable to the Christian music scene, which takes away the full force of 38th Parallel’s sound. (See them live!). Despite this, though, they join P.O.D. in presenting that REAL sound, that when coupled with their faith in Christ, finds them speaking to a generation that never realized that Jesus meant to speak to our daily lives in the mess of life.

Jesus isn’t just sing-songy, happy-go-lucky, close-your-eyes-to-all-the-nasty-"stuff." Jesus is here to walk with us even on the days when we want to crank the stereo, bang our heads, pound a fist, and rap with our brothers in Christ—P.O.D. and 38th Parallel.

Many of the psalms in the Bible have been set to music over the years, but many times they have not tapped into the full emotional spectrum found in these great hymn-poems of Scripture. Read Psalm 13 with its straight-forward questions to God, and you realize that a Christian can have hope and peace and love in Jesus but still feel the greater range of emotions. This life is difficult; God knows that; let’s not deny it. P.O.D., 38th Parallel, and other heavy metal/rap-metal groups aren’t afraid to blaze their way through their own Psalm 13’s.

Bonus CD Giveaway: Christian Heavy Metal
Brian the Tire Guy receives a copy of another heavy metal Christian band As I Lay Dying’s album, frail words collapse. Thanks to As I Lay Dying and Michelle & Kelli at Metal Blade Records.