Feature: Christian War/Bestial Unblack Metal – The Essentials

Christian War/Bestial Unblack Metal – The Essentials

Yep, it exists. Hate it or love it, a handful of Christian artists have gone behind enemy lines, as it were, and taken up playing in the style of black metal’s most controversial and musically ferocious subgenre, bestial black metal, most commonly known as war metal (the terms are interchangeable).

The foundations having been laid in South America in the 80’s by bands like Sarcofago, Vulcano and Sepultura (their earliest material, that is), war metal saw its true birth in Canada with Blasphemy. Bands from Finland, Australia and the United States soon following. Satanic imagery combined with militant images rife with weapons of war, and a sound was born that combined the chaos of grindcore, the brutality and low-end heaviness of death metal, and the rawness of black metal into one horrific sonic beast.

As it always seems to, the Christian metal scene took a long time to follow suit with its own artists playing this kind of style. This is understandable, considering the subgenre; even by black metal standards, war metal is over the top on every level. But emerge they did. Initial rumblings were arguably heard once again from South America, this time from Chile rather than Brazil, in the form of Diamoth’s Apocalyptic Anthems. Around five years later, further sonic assaults were conducted by Satan Destroyer, followed by Nuclear Blaze, Lucifer Impaled, and others. Though it’s not necessarily a prolific subgenre, and is a very acquired taste, if you’re looking to get into it, your faithful journalist has done the work for you, exploring and mining the depths of the underground to bring you what I think are the essentials of the Christian take on the style. There are more out there, and not all made the cut, but here’s what I think are the best.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention that the lyrics of even some Christian bands on here are pretty controversial (graphic depictions of demons being disembowelled, brutal war imagery, strong language even). Though I am not a fan of the swearing that occasionally rears its head in the occasional song by some of these bands (to me, it cheapens the effect, among other things), I understand the lyrical approach of speaking on themes of spiritual warfare, apocalypse, and the like in the language associated with this particular genre. Nothing would probably come off cornier to a fan of secular war metal than a band adopting the style but growling about being kind to others (that said, I’m sure Christians playing this kind of music at all comes off as ridiculous anyway). In other words, I get the evangelistic concept. Though I feel that certain bands go too far at times with certain elements of their content, as a metal journalist, I’m here to report on it and let you, the reader, decide. In short, this article is not an endorsement on my part of everything a particular band is screaming about, but an overview of what I think are the most important and best releases in a rapidly growing style in the Christian metal underground. 

Lucifer Impaled – Blood. War. Supremacy.

I would argue it was Canada’s Lucifer Impaled that took Christian war metal and raised it to new heights in terms of extremity and stylistic conformity ever since the act formed in 2018. Sole member Goat Desecrator unleashes an absolute onslaught of apocalyptic carnage on his first EP, Blood. War. Supremacy (those already acquainted with the subgenre will no doubt see the nod to secular acts like Conqueror and Revenge here). Beginning with a short intro of machine-gun fire and battle noise, BWS pounds, grinds and crushes in the best way possible, leaving zero room for nuance or subtlety. Others were definitely listening, and it gave birth to further acts that followed in the same footsteps.

Check it out HERE.

Nuclear Blaze – The Time of Sodom and Gomorrah

Is there anything that Fire (aka Jaroslaw Pozarycki) does that doesn’t rule? The man behind Elgibbor, Fire Throne, Katumus, Tertullian, and other acts decided to try his hand at the war metal style under the name of Nuclear Blaze. The Time of Sodom and Gomorrah combines the ferocity of Fire Throne and the chaos of No Return to My Vomit with a low-end bestial heaviness. From what I can see, it was one of the first releases in the Christian metal scene in the style, and remains as yet another proof of Fire’s enduring legacy in the extreme metal world.

Check it out HERE.

Goatscorge – Wrath of Heaven

Marching in lockstep just behind the initial releases of Lucifer Impaled, Goatscorge is arguably the most well-known of all the Christian bestial black/war metal acts out there, and deservedly so. A solo project of Nocturnal Servant aka Eternal Servant (also of What Brings Ruin, Proven Existence and a host of other acts), Goatscorge skips the more death metal-leaning sounds of Cataclysmic Warfare and Lucifer Impaled, and opts for an ultra-raw, noisy approach similar to Bestial Warlust and Beherit. Wrath of Heaven is arguably their most cohesive release, a solid wall of abrasive black metal hammering that will leave you stunned once its barrage has ended. Superb.

Check it out HERE. The official Goatscorge page is HERE. A fantastic interview with the artist himself can be watched HERE.

Diamoth – Apocalyptic Anthems

In my view, Diamoth’s Apocalyptic Anthems makes a strong case for being the first Christian artist’s attempt at a war metal style. The main project of Zvi Tacussis (the main guy behind Anima Mortuum, Black Leather and others), Diamoth’s third album is less experimental and punk-influenced than other works in the band’s discography. Instead, it focuses in on a raw yet hefty black metal sound, with its heaviness bringing it quite close to the level of bestial black metal. Its lurching, primal sound and confrontational vocals functioned as a signpost for other bands, pointing to heavier things to come.

Check it out HERE.

Satan Destroyer – Ov Damnation

Satan Destroyer, like a couple of other bands on this list, aren’t simply content to follow subgenre definitions to the letter. Certainly, Satan Destroyer bears much in common with the standard conventions of most bestial black metal bands – merciless drumming, deeper roared vocals, and a complete lack of concern for subtlety. What’s interesting with Satan Destroyer, however, is their infusion of more traditional raw black metal riffing and production into the mix, instead of the low-end death metal sounds more commonly associated with the style. Though they are probably better known for their full-length The Whore of Babylon, I feel that their first album, Ov Damnation has a slight edge. The drum work is on a level of such speed that it almost makes a lot of war metal sound relatively slow, and Lord Enochiam’s vocal work combines the low-end roar typical to the style with an absolutely terrifying snarl that almost takes your first layer of skin off to listen to. Even more unique is the haunting interlude, “Evangelist,” that offers a brief bit of funereal respite before the carnage begins again. Awesome stuff.

Check it out HERE.

Cataclysmic Warfare – Blood Presidium

Cataclysmic Warfare’s first full-length release is something I’ve reviewed in-depth here on Heaven’s Metal. In short, it’s a bit of an all-star project featuring Nocturnal Servant of Goatscorge and Gunner of fellow war metal act Embestida, lead by Exterminator of Serpents (the main guy behind the new unblack metal band Marble Tomb). Expect nothing short of a pure assault on the sense in the vein of Black Witchery and Lucifer Impaled. Arguably the most promising and frankly fantastic new music in the unblack vein of war metal to come out since Goatscorge and Leprous Hand, Cataclysmic Warfare are a band to be watched.

Check it out HERE.

Dawnbreaker – Deus Vult

A bit of an odd one here, but not all war metal has to sound and look identical, even if the genre’s boundaries are fairly limited in terms of sound and visuals. Dawnbreaker’s first album of what sole member Cullen Toner calls “crusader metal” is not simply a war cry; it’s the musical equivalent of a relentless artillery barrage. Deus Vult is Dawnbreaker before the symphonic influences began to creep in, Dawnbreaker in its purest form, manifesting its assault with all the subtlety of a howitzer blast. War metal with an epic scope.

Check it out HERE.

Embestida – Embestida

I have a sneaking suspicion that Zvi Tacussis is the dude behind this act for several reasons (same country of origin, a similar vocal style to his other projects, similar emphasis on a punkish vibe, same Headlight Productions label), but in terms of concrete information, all I can see is this is the project of a mysterious “Gunner.” Whoever’s behind it, Embestida takes the war metal sound and infuses it with a crust/punk element. The result? This, their only full-length record of galloping war metal. If you’re looking for a crustier side to the genre, you’re going to dig this. 

Check it out HERE.

Leprous Hand – Promo MMXXIII

Two tracks. That’s all we have of this project from Texas. And yet, what a two tracks. Feedback-soaked carnage injected with atmospheric black metal riffs straight out of a Paysage d’Hiver release. If these two tracks are any indication of what’s to come from this act, keep your eyes peeled. This is high-calibre.

Check it out HERE.

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