Christian music is a ministry. The Christian music industry, on the other hand, is a business. Record labels, even “Christian” ones, aren’t interested in hiring skilled musicians with deep lyrics. They only want what they know will sell. Sadly, what sells is often flat, uninspired music with cut-and-paste messages void of spiritual substance. As a result, a lot of the best Christian musicians go undiscovered, leaving Christian music in general with a reputation for being unoriginal and bland.
But just below the surface, there are wonderful Christian artists who don’t get the credit they deserve. This list is dedicated to them. These are ten artists with brilliant music and bold messages of faith.
1. The Echoing Green (Electronic/Synthpop/Futurepop)
The Echoing Green is all about hope. Their music features colorful electronics, occasional guitar and the male/female vocal trade-offs of Joey Belville and Chrissy Jeter. Their lyrics cover topics like pain, friendship and love, but with a firm focus on the hope they’ve found in Christ.
Recommended songs: “Suffer,” “Oxygen” and “Winter”
2. My Epic (Post-Hardcore/Alternative Rock)
Epic in name, epic in nature. Their mid-tempo brand of heavy rock is always intense, and their lyrics are descriptive yet intimately personal. Every facet of their life and faith is poured into what they write, and they deserve a listen from anyone even remotely interested in their genre.
Recommended songs: “Curse,” “Lower Still” and “Lashes”
3. Mortal/Fold Zandura (Industrial/Alternative Rock)
These are two separate projects from the same creative team. The duo of Jerome Fontamillas (who you may know as the keyboardist from Switchfoot) and Jyro Xhan was one of the most creative forces in Christian music during the 90s and early 2000s. Mortal was a harsh, intense industrial project, while Fold Zandura played more accessible Alternative Rock.
Recommended Mortal songs: “Enfleshed” and “Mr. Arochet”
Recommended Fold Zandura songs: “Dark Divine” and “King Planet”
4. Cool Hand Luke (Indie Rock/Coffeehouse Rock)
This group is responsible for some of the most beautiful, spiritually uplifting songs I’ve ever heard in my life. I could go on and on about them, but I’ll let their music speak for itself.
Recommended songs: “Goodbye, For Now,” “Friendly Jas” and “This is Love”
5. Theocracy (Power Metal/Progressive Metal)
Skillful musicianship is in short supply in today’s Christian music scene, but these guys have plenty to spare. Their albums feature powerful vocals, complex song-structures, some shred-tastic guitar and high-concept lyrics. Any metal fan can appreciate this, and even people who aren’t fond of metal should give it a shot.
Recommended songs: “Wages of Sin,” “Hide in the Fairytale” and “As the World Bleeds”
6. Stavesacre (Alternative Rock/Hard Rock)
The bass-guitar is impressive. The songs are great. In one moment they can make you rock out; in the next they can make you cry. But the real highlight of this band is Mark Solomon, who belts out their songs with one of the most unique voices you’ll hear in rock.
Recommended songs: “Gold and Silver,” “At the Moment” and “It’s Beautiful”
7. Joy Electric (Synthpop)
His cold, robotic voice may not be technically impressive, but Ronnie Martin’s work as Joy Electric boasts genuine creativity and beautiful songwriting. He’s released over a dozen albums in his career, each one featuring its own unique sound. But all of them feature his distinctive vintage electronic sound and nostalgic lyrics.
Recommended songs: “The Singing Arc,” “Wireless from London” and “Singing in Gee”
8. Steve Taylor (Satire/Pop Rock/Classic Rock)
Steve Taylor has spent most of his career working in the background for popular groups like Newsboys. His own work, however, needs more attention than it gets. His sharp wit and keen cultural observation make him one of the best lyricists in Christian music, and possibly one of the best lyricists ever. The fact that his music is mad fun helps.
Recommended songs: “Meltdown at Madame Tussaud’s” “Am I in Sync?” and “I Want to Be a Clone”
9. The Violet Burning (Alternative Rock/Pop Rock/Hard Rock)
The Violet Burning’s sound is equal parts U2, The Cure and The Smashing Pumpkins, and ranks among all of those artists in terms of quality. Michael Pritzl writes some of the most passionate music out there, and everything from love ballads to straight-up worship songs graces his band’s discography.
Recommended songs: “Where it All Begins,” “Gorgeous” and “As I Am”
10. Neal Morse (Progressive Rock)
For some reason, I rarely see any Christian music websites mention this man. Neal Morse started his career fronting secular prog-rock band Spock’s Beard. After being born again as a believer, he started his own solo career and produced some of the most intricate, beautiful music in Christian rock history. His work includes a two-album recounting of his spiritual testimony and a concept CD based around the life of Martin Luther. The drummer on his albums? Oh, just a little guy named Mike Portnoy. (Seriously, if you don’t know who Mike Portnoy is, look him up now. He’s one of the most prolific drummers ever.)
Recommended songs: “Time Changer,” “The Temple of the Living God” and “Weathering Sky”
This is the end of my list, but it is certainly not the end of the great Christian musicians I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. If you look a little deeper, you may find some amazing things.
