I've once again boarded the Ship of Fools

I recently found another avenue for my crave for satire, or perhaps I should say refound.

I've known about Ship of Fools for some time but haven't visited it in years. If you want straight up Christian satire (yes there is such a thing) then Wittenburg Door is probably more your bag but Ship of Fools is so much more British in it's approach. It's warm, irreverent, theologically diverse, accommodating and very ... well ... Anglican is probably the best word to describe it. Of course I should say that it's non-denominational.

It was was first launched in 1977 as a student rag mag, but stopped in 1983 after just ten issues - full time work beckoned. It was raised again on April Fool's Day 1998 as a website, and quickly grew into an online community as well as a webzine. The editor Simon Jenkins says, "We're here for people who prefer their religion disorganised. Our aim is to help Christians be self-critical and honest about the failings of Christianity, as we believe honesty can only strengthen faith."

Amen fella!

A recent post of their community forum made very interesting read. The question being, "Where does your theology challenge your morality?"

In other news I still seem pretty set on updating my blog fairly sporadically, it would seem.

Fives - The five metal musts

Later on in the series I'll cover punk, hardcore, emo and purely British bands but for now below are five metal outfits that are definitely worth a punt. With all these bands I may suggest only one album but that's purely a starting place, most releases from all five bands are well worth a punt. So in alphabetical order here are five metal musts:

As I Lay Dying
Some may want to argue that the band are more hardcore than metal, as that's clearly where their roots are, but no metal-head will be disappointed by their soaring riffs and their destructive breakdowns. Their pure musicality will impress any serious music fan and even the scene kids who prefer their metalcore a little more emo. Tim Lambesis is one of the greatest lyricists of our generation and more so than almost any other band out there these guys really know how gorge in big, BIG breakdowns.
Where to start: An Ocean Between Us (2007)

Becoming The Archetype
Few bands come close to the technically ability and crushing brutality of Solid State Records most on form current band. A wondrous mix of death growls, progressive experimental riffage and gorgeous synth-laden textures. Their name comes from Genesis 1:26: "God said, 'Let us make man in our image.'" Jesus was the only person to ever be sinless, ergo He was the archetype of humanity. If you wished that Opeth would deck going soft and had deeper lyrics then look no further.
Where to start: Dichotomy (2008)

Demon Hunter
Out of the ashes of technical hardcore band Traning For Utopia came the much more metallic Demon Hunter. Due to their nu metal beginnings and their hidden identities (thankfully they've binned that now) they were touted by some as Christianities answer to Slipknot. In their more straight up metal moments there are clear nods to Machine Head and Living Sacrifice. They're renowned for a large number of guest vocals and more recently have moved away from their nu-metal roots to a more adventurous sound.
Where to start: Summer of Darkness (2004)

Living Sacrifice
Without doubt the most influential Christian metal band of the 90s and still leaving their stamp in 2009 – when their first album in seven years is due. The band started out with a fairly thrashy sound and quickly developed a more complex sound that became almost metalcore by the end of their 15 year life. They took over the mantle that earlier metal pioneers had inspired them to usurp, bands such as Stryper, Believer and Seventh Angel.
The band formed in 1989 and split in 2005, after releasing a greatest hits, but recently reformed to tour and record a new album.
Where to start: In Memoriam (2005)

Virgin Black
An Australian band that combines gothic doom and symphonic metal influences. There are a lot of classical influences too that merge with the grandiose dark gothic drone. They've clearly overtaken the ambitious Saviour Machine and clearly take a huge inspiration from My Dying Bride – who also inspire Rock and Hard Place favourites My Silent Wake. The dark sound and haunting lyrics match their name, which they explain as "the juxtaposition of purity and humanity's darkness". Perhaps the least overtly Christian of the five choices but they're clearly dealing with spiritual matters and the Requiem series speaks for itself.
Where to start: Requiem Trilogy – Mezzo Forte (2007), Fortissimo (2008), Pianissimo (2009)

Previous fives: The five records labels that'll keep your ears happy

Fives - The five records labels that'll keep your ears happy

Fives is a feature I’ve been meaning to start on my show for a while now. It’s basically a way for relative newcomers to the Rock and Hard Place to get properly stuck into their scene. In future weeks I’ll list 5 must metal bands, 5 hardcore bands that truly get you pumped, 5 British acts that really should be bigger, 5 emo outfits that actually bring something new to the table, 5 zines and forums that’ll keep you up to speed etc…

This week it’s five music labels that’ll give you a bountiful supply of great faith-inspired bands:

Tooth and Nail / Solid State Records
Easily the largest label in terms of bands played on my show and in the Christian alternative scene. However they wouldn’t call themselves a Christian label but to a label who "allow artists who are Christians to create their art.” One day I’ll explain the ‘Christian band v Christians in a band’ debate but now’s not the time. They started in 1993 and quickly developed a number of sub-labels as their commercial success grew; the one of most note to me is Solid State as that’s where the heavier bands reside.
Notable Solid State alumni: Becoming the Archetype, Demon Hunter, Living Sacrifice, Norma Jean, Soul Embraced, Trenches, Underoath.
Former notables: Blindside, Extol, Life in Your Way, Figure Four
Notable Tooth and Nail alumni: Children 18:3, The Classic Crime, Emery, Hawk Nelson, MewithoutYou, Project 86, Showbread, Spoken, Thousand Foot Krutch.
Former notables: Anberlin, Beloved, Brave Saint Saturn, Dead Poetic, The Juliana Theory, The O.C. Supertones, P.O.D.

Facedown Records (plus imprint labels Dreamt and Strikefirst)
Possibly my favourite label due to their family feel and their social conscience. Jason Dunn started it out as a hardcore label but it now has a much wider range of bands. Still to this day though (with the exception of Thives and Liars) their best bands would fall into the metal and hardcore categories.
Notable Facedown/Strikefirst/Dreamt alumni:
Hands, Impending Doom, Jesus Wept, No Innocent Victim, Take it Back!, Thieves and Liars, Through Solace.
Former notables: Bloodlined Calligraphy, Comeback Kid, XDEATHSTARX, Immortal Souls, Nodes of Ranvier, Sinai Beach, xDisciplex A.D.

Flicker / Essential Records
Until it was bought by Provident Label Group (one of the big CCM powerhouses) Flicker Records was one of the most exciting independent labels out there. They’d stumbled upon some great fortune by making Pillar one of their first signings. Their commercial success allowed the label to grow to the point that it became an attractive purchase and as a result lost most of it’s alternative credibility. If you want safe but fairly rocking music this is your best bet (you may also wanna try SRE Recordings - home of Disciple, Flyleaf, POD, Skillet etc).
Notable Facedown/Strikefirst/Dreamt alumni: Fireflight, Flatfoot 56, Kids in the Way, Pillar, Red.
Former notables: Mortal Treason, Staple, Subseven.

Metal Blade
If you’re a little more daring and don’t mind bursting your Christian bubble a little you’ll no doubt be aware that there is a whole world of great faith-inspired bands that are signed to mainstream labels. In metal circles there are few labels with the same credibility as Metal Blade. Here’s a list of some of the current and former greats: As I Lay Dying, Aletheian, Austrian Death Machine, Believer, Woe of Tyrants, Winter Solstice.

Ferret
One of the great hardcore labels (a difficult concept as to be truly hardcore how can you be signed to a successful label?) and full of Christian musicians. Currently on their books are: The Devil Wears Prada, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Underneath the Gun and the mighty Zao!

NB: Each label’s notable roster is in alphabetical order rather than in order or preference or notoriety. All bands and labels should be fairly easy to find via myspace or google but feel free to contact me for links or questions.

A day to be thankful and to be in awe

For some reason Christmas has ended up trumping Easter as the big Christian festival, I assume it's due to the present giving nature of it and the way the world of advertising works.

But if you know the basics of how the Christian faith works you'd hopefully realise that it's the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday which more than anything else defines what we believe. Jesus took on all our sins, so that we can go to him for full forgiveness when we recognise our shortcomings, and then took them to the cross as the ultimate sacrifice. Ergo, He died for our sins.

It's because of that event we can be fully restored and be right with God. Jesus' death gives us full freedom from sin – a deeply liberating experience for any Christian who fully realises the consequence of this.

Of course that's only half of the story. Jesus overcoming death gives us the most obvious demonstration that He has power over life and death, and as such has the ability to give people eternal life. Paul goes into more detail on this in Corinthians.

I used to quite regularly visit a social networking site called UK Christians. It was a good way to promote my show on Cross Rhythms as well as to talk about various bits and bobs with other people. I hardly touch it now but I quite liked the below link which went up on Friday and is equally apt for today:

http://www.ukchristians.net/forum/topics/its-friday-but-sundays-a

I think you've missed the point mate

I came across a rather worrying article produced by the BNP the other day. In the story there's a ridiculously (and clearly) doctored photo of their supposed new poster campaign ahead of the European elections. More on the story can be found here amongst other places.
The advert features a picture of Jesus Christ and quotes a part of a verse from John 15:20, which Jesus says: "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you". The verse comes in the context of Jesus' teaching about love. He of course also asks us to love our enemies...
What slightly confuses me is why on earth would a middle eastern Jew who stretched his hand out to the neighbouring races and communities want an 'all-white' Britain? There seems to be no logic in this ... not that there is in any form of racism mind you.
Whilst the Church of England has decided that under the maxim of 'all publicity is good publicity' it's best not to comment on the story, there other Christians that have.
God Bless Jonathan Bartley and his mates at Ekklesia and God Bless the bassist from one of my favourite bands who posted this message on a forum in response to the story,

"And who where some of the most vehement amongst Jesus' persecutors? The nationalistic Pharisee party. They where upset by His whole deal about loving those of other nationalities whom they considered where causing political, economic and spiritual ruin in the country. To say that they 'ran the church' is misleading - the church as we know it was non existent at this time... I am a Christian and I am totally offended by this poster and find that it borders on the blasphemous. If anything it pushes me even further away from your beliefs and makes me want to convince others to do the same. If you care about Christians at all you will get shot of it."

Admittedly Christians would love to see everyone in the UK be Christians too but we'd never want to do it by force or by restricting anyone else's ability to have their own beliefs. Who exactly is it that feels unable to worship God in a church? Who exactly is it that feels we're being forced to go to a Mosque instead? Who exactly is it that has such a fragile identity that they can't stand other people being different in any way, shape or form?