FOR Christ's Sake are a band that are signed to a label, have a global distribution deal and yet they feel that they are frozen out sometimes in Northern Ireland: is it because they are Christians?
Musically For Christs' Sake are on the heavy side of extreme metal: they plough a path that is a contradiction in many ways, but in other ways their message matches perfectly with their personal belief.
To lay our cards on the table here, the owner and editor of this site, as well as two out of the other three contributors/correspondents are either atheists or anti-theists. However, rock, punk and metal in Northern Ireland has always turned a willing blind eye to cross-community differences, so why should that same indifference not be turned to a band who do not share our views?
There should be no intolerant attitudes in rock; apart from when discrimination, homophobia and racism rear their ugly heads. These values must be rejected out-of-hand.
But, For Christ's Sake feel they are at the receiving end of a type of prejudice because their profoundly held beliefs - especially as they prepare for the global release of their latest album, Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror.
"We are looking forward to our plans to promote this heavyweight release locally and internationally," said bassist Mark John Payne, speaking exclusively to Belfastmetalheadreunited and rockradioni.
"But realise that to fulfill all our hope for the release that means we hope to be playing outside Norther Ireland as we get a much better reaction. No disrespect to anyone but the local scene is basically friends looking after friends - a clique if you will."
While given the diversity of the local scene as covered in these pages it is not a feeling that we share, but there is no doubt that it is something that Mark and the rest of For Christ's Sake feel, but which they pledge not to hold them back.
"We're not bitter about this, but we feel the metal scene goes through the same cycle of bands.
"And considering we are a signed band with a worldwide distribution deal in place, we feel we should get more of a look on."
Mark is adamant about the determination the band have for album which will hit the racks before the end of the year.
"The situation will not deter us one iota," he said. "We are bringing a beast of an album which will silence our critics!"
Be that as it may, whether it is the beast that For Christ's Sake promise - and on previous evidence it should be - there is no doubt that all acts, no matter the belief system they carve to, or lack of belief, should be given a chance to prove themselves.
Given the theme of the forthcoming album is loosely based upon the Book of Revelations we thought we'd end on this quotation from that self same book: chapter 14, verse three:
"And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No-one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth."
Who among us will learn the 'songs' that For Christ's Sake bring on their Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror? Or will there be those that show their prejudice?
Musically For Christs' Sake are on the heavy side of extreme metal: they plough a path that is a contradiction in many ways, but in other ways their message matches perfectly with their personal belief.
To lay our cards on the table here, the owner and editor of this site, as well as two out of the other three contributors/correspondents are either atheists or anti-theists. However, rock, punk and metal in Northern Ireland has always turned a willing blind eye to cross-community differences, so why should that same indifference not be turned to a band who do not share our views?
There should be no intolerant attitudes in rock; apart from when discrimination, homophobia and racism rear their ugly heads. These values must be rejected out-of-hand.
But, For Christ's Sake feel they are at the receiving end of a type of prejudice because their profoundly held beliefs - especially as they prepare for the global release of their latest album, Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror.
"We are looking forward to our plans to promote this heavyweight release locally and internationally," said bassist Mark John Payne, speaking exclusively to Belfastmetalheadreunited and rockradioni.
"But realise that to fulfill all our hope for the release that means we hope to be playing outside Norther Ireland as we get a much better reaction. No disrespect to anyone but the local scene is basically friends looking after friends - a clique if you will."
While given the diversity of the local scene as covered in these pages it is not a feeling that we share, but there is no doubt that it is something that Mark and the rest of For Christ's Sake feel, but which they pledge not to hold them back.
"We're not bitter about this, but we feel the metal scene goes through the same cycle of bands.
"And considering we are a signed band with a worldwide distribution deal in place, we feel we should get more of a look on."
Mark is adamant about the determination the band have for album which will hit the racks before the end of the year.
"The situation will not deter us one iota," he said. "We are bringing a beast of an album which will silence our critics!"
Be that as it may, whether it is the beast that For Christ's Sake promise - and on previous evidence it should be - there is no doubt that all acts, no matter the belief system they carve to, or lack of belief, should be given a chance to prove themselves.
Given the theme of the forthcoming album is loosely based upon the Book of Revelations we thought we'd end on this quotation from that self same book: chapter 14, verse three:
"And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No-one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth."
Who among us will learn the 'songs' that For Christ's Sake bring on their Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror? Or will there be those that show their prejudice?
Authors: Jonny
Read More: http://belfastmetalheadsreunited.blogspot.com/2013/10/for-christs-sake-are-band-that-are.html