Worship music is defined in Wikipedia as "worship music involves singing, whether by the whole congregation (assembly) or a specialised subgroup—such as a duet, trio, quartet, madrigal, choir, or worship band. It is frequently accompanied by instruments—such as an organ, piano, guitar, or other solo instrument, and occasionally by a band or orchestra—but some denominations or congregations still prefer unaccompanied or a cappella singing".
What artists do you think of when you hear the words "Modern Worship"? Chris Tomlin, Robin Mark, Darlene Zschech, Matt Redman, or Brian Doerksen? "Worship Wars" have somtimes resulted with churches who have included contemporary worship songs in lieu of traditional hymns. Think of the mayhem that would result if your church provided music by metal, punk or heavy rock bands. It could take "Worship Wars" to a nuclear level.
All genres of music can take us to a level of intimate worship with God. The heart of the listener, their preference of musical styles, cultural and church backgound. What follows is a selection of music that you probably wouldn't find in your neighbourhood church, however lyrically they could bring you to the heart of worship.
Becoming the Archetype - Melodic Death Metal/Metalcore
"Self Existent"
Into the darkened tomb
I walked but only found it empty
My mind is tormented
My soul is shaken
As a flame is tormented by the wind and rain
As the earth is shaken by an earthquake
My heart has accepted
What my eyes could never have believed
I watched Him die
I watched Him die
In the silence death is defeated
In my spirit the battle rages on
And then I stepped into the light
I heard His voice, I saw His face
And then He stood there before me
A man buried but never dead
My heart has accepted
What my eyes could never have believed
I saw Him rise
I saw Him rise
HE IS ALIVE! and reigns forever
HE IS ALIVE! He'll reign forever
Five Iron Frenzy - Ska
"Every New Day"
Healing hands of God have mercy on our unclean souls once again.
Jesus Christ, light of the world burning bright within our hearts forever.
Freedom means love without condition,
without a beginning or an end.
Here's my heart, let it be forever Your's,
Only You can make every new day seem so new.
Family Force 5 - Crunk Rock
"Replace Me"
Desperation
Needing U
Every last breath
I scream for you
Shatter me into a million pieces...Make me new
Crush me, tear me, break me, mold me
Make me what U want me to be
I am ur's for U to use
Oh, Take and Replace me with U
August Burns Red - Metalcore
"Redemption"
I trust in you for life to live, and air to breath.
Purity fills my lungs.
I no longer live in solitude.
No longer bound.
My heart beats with great devotion.
This is the start to a new beginning.
On my knees praying for mercy.
Hands raised high, humble and broken. Wanting your grace.
Wanting your security.
Memories of laying facedown, motionless, with such a hollow feeling inside.
Soon I would end this life I was living.
I am just a man with a heart and sinful hands.
I am a fallen victim.
Lord, show me the way. I ask of you Father, let my words be your words.
Let my thoughts be your thoughts.
To you, I give my praise.
Show me the way. Take me in your arms. Never let me go.
Lord, show me the way, as I give myself to you.
Never let me go.
Hold me with your everlasting love.
Be my strength. Be my voice. Be my glory. Set me free
Underoath - Alternative Hardcore
"Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape"
Oh sweet angel of mercy
With your grace like the morning
Wrap your loving arms around me
Oh sweet angel of mercy
With your grace like the morning
Wrap your loving arms around me
Hey unfaithful I will teach you
To be stronger, to be stronger
Hey ungraceful I will teach you
To forgive one another
Hey unfaithful I will teach you
To be stronger, to be stronger
Hey unloving
I will love you
I will love you
I will love you
And Jesus I'm ready to come home
Jesus, I'm ready to come home(home)
home (home)
I'm ready to come (home)
Hey Unfaithful
Hey Ungraceful
Hey Unloving
I will love you
Hey Unloving (Hey Unloving)
I will love you
RED - Hard Rock
"Breathe Into Me"
And this is how it feels when I ignore the words you spoke to me
And this is where I lose myself when I keep running away from you
And this is who I am when, when I don't know myself anymore
And this is what I choose when it's all left up to me
Breathe your life into me
I can feel you
I'm falling, falling faster
Breathe your life into me
I still need you
I'm falling, falling
Breathe into me
Breathe into me
Demon Hunter - Metalcore
"Lead Us Home"
Give myself to compromise
And let the hammer fall
From blackened eyes to broken ties
I’ve bled to know them all
Driven to the brink of death
I heed deceptions call
Through bitter tears, forgotten years
I’ve come to sever all
Lead us home
Lead us home
Our tired hearts are failing now, from the inside out
Lead us home
Blessed hands will tear me off
And break me at the wrist
Drag me back to solid ground
And slay the fate I kiss
Squad Five-O - Punk
"My God, My Life"
A million things in this man's world.
That his life can revolve around.
A million things that'll fill him up.
Only to throw him further down.
I've seen the ways of man.
His best laid plains often go astray.
Not knowing how much time is left until his final day.
I watch him wander around.
Searching for meaning where none can be found.
He wanted a purpose to life.
But on purpose refuses the life.
But I won't trade the truth for a lie.
Or live by a false set of rules.
I'll look to God for what is right.
And fight the ways of this world.
Cause when it all comes down to it.
I'll leave this world to the one who brought me into it.
What power in this world gives you hope in the days to come.
What strength can you derive when it's out of our control.
When the rivers all run dry and every path is a dead end road.
The truth of the matter comes to light.
The truth will shatter the mold
Ryan Clark - Demon Hunter
"As sounds go, I don't think music can be inherently evil. The content and lyrics and what you propose to do with them make music evil. Certain chords on a guitar and the way something sounds do not make it evil. All different styles of music can be worshipful and rooted in Christ, (just as any style can be twisted for evil)" - Christianity Today
These songs may be a radical departure from traditional worship music, but the lyrics impart the lyricists heart towards God.
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