Is Demon Hunter a Christian band? : A final answer (or not)

The following words are wroted by Ryan J. Downey, DH's manager, in a Facebook group after someone asking (again) If Demon Hunter is a real christian Band ..

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11 Albums and every single time someone says they aren’t Christian enough anymore and someone else says they are too Christian. Every. Time. No offense, but it’s so tiresome. The band is called Demon Hunter and the symbol is a dead demon with a bullet hole in its head and yet “are they REALLY a Christian band?” gets asked constantly. 20 years in. They’ve done nothing to make anyone doubt. “On My Side” is the most popular song from War and it’s so blatant in its message. They even put Jesus in a song title (after years of “why don’t they ever say Jesus in their lyrics?”) on their EIGHTH album and people are still like

For the record the name “demon hunter” came up in a conversation about COMICALLY ON THE NOSE Christian band names. And when that was suggested, after the laughter died down, someone went, “hmm, that’s actually pretty cool.” And they made an intentionally blatant Christian metal band. And yet this comes up, 20 years later, 11 albums in, non stop.

Take one look at any of the secular Metal news sites covering the band on Facebook. 90% of the comments are attacking them for being Christians. Then look at the band’s own pages and someone is always questioning if they are/still are believers.

Last thing I gotta get off my chest: there are metalcore bands accepted as Christian RIGHT NOW who have only a single Christian member and the rest of the band either aren’t any more or never were. I can think of THREE. And they don’t seem to get these questions. But somebody always wants to know why someone in DH wore this T-shirt or whatever.

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Thoughts?

Just proves you can never win without being ultra-blatant with your lyrics forever. If you ever let up or change anything, people will notice and ask "the question." The more popular the band the more fans there are to ask.

Bottom line, fans need to understand they don't know the people in their favorite bands personally, their faith, their doubts, their theology, their lifestyle choices, entertainment choices, etc. Everything the fan thinks is their imagination, a fantasy perception and those bubbles are easily popped. The problem is treating your fantasy perception as being the way it is and needs to be in order for the band to retain you as a fan. When the bubble bursts they walk away.

I know an immensely popular band with in the Christian market, and probably one member I would call a Christian (or at least acts like it). Maybe another. But most people would uphold them as the ultimate Christian band.

I not understand why people doubt of DH christianity, Ryan is very outspoken about his faith and if you search on internet, you will find most of the meaning of their songs.  I think Dh could not be my fav band but they are doing a good work sharing the gospel.

I think I 100% understand the timesome element there. Particularly with the variance in what people think of or expect from a band that takes on any element of a "Christian" label I'm sure any who have been around for a while (most all of us here on this board) have seen plenty of junk. The first line about "Christian enough" or "too Christian" is relatable to 1,000 different elements of following Jesus and managing or living with the expectations of others. Anybody who's ever preached in a church has likely been told that their same message was watered down or lukewarm and then also too fundamentalist anti-intellectual by another.

I've also become cynical about whining and complaining over the years. (This is where I hypocritically whine and complain about it.) Things like this, I remember watching the Zao dvd back a few years ago, and they were complaining that they weren't seen as Christian enough for the Christians but too Christian for the non-Christians. So I'm like "wow, that sounds hard, I guess you just had no fans then. . . but somehow I'm watching your dvd?" I'm sure they got criticism from extremes on both sides, but they clearly also attracted a ton of fans from both "scenes." And the line at the end about the three metalcore bands that have only a single Christian but are so accepted as "Christian" -- I feel like I can 100% guarentee that either A) the bands are 2% as popular as Demon Hunter; or b) they 100% get the same questions. I don't know which bands he means, but I see plenty of questions/discussion about August Burns Red, As I Lay Dying, Fit for a King, Wage War, honestly WAY more than Demon Hunter. Holy cow, I still see people question/bash Stryper. So I'm sympathetic, I really, really am. I would hate to be really in the "Christian music" world and deal with all the junk that comes with it, it would wear on me and probably anybody. But it's not exactly exclusive to any one band, it's not like DH's is getting singled out, and if it feels that way, it's just a testament to how well known they've become.

I have never doubted DH as a Christian band EVER!

I do wish when someone says they know a band in Christian music that is far from it that they would call them out. It would be nice as a consumer to know who to support and who not to.

mothy wrote:I have never doubted DH as a Christian band EVER!

I do wish when someone says they know a band in Christian music that is far from it that they would call them out. It would be nice as a consumer to know who to support and who not to.

I think that's a dangerous policy.

According to some here, I have been told that Temple of Blood is not a Christian band.  That's a total lie.

That judgement has to be based on something more than one guy's statement on the internet.

Christian bands in 2022 can't really afford to be boycotted based on rumors or internet Pharisees.

I get what your saying but if there is proof there is proof. I get why people font though.

Certainly understand where he’s coming from.  
The Christian Army - the only army that shoots its own wounded.

Having watched the latest interview with Ryan Clark on the Jamey Jasta show. I no doubt in my mind that demon hunter still is a Christian metal band. There true to themselves and never apologized for it. They broke through where other bands didn't and still remained relevant. I find there lyrics bold and uplifting. I enjoy there slower more than there heavier ones.God bless DH