Archives December 2025

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, Welcome To The Family Presents delivered a powerful and memorable night of heavy music at Swanson’s Warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina. The event was promoted by Dylan and his company Welcome To The Family, who have been booking shows throughout the Carolinas for more than three years. His consistency and commitment to the heavy music scene were evident in both the lineup and the overall flow of the night, creating an event that felt intentional rather than thrown together.

Welcome To The Family
https://welcometothefamily.net/

The evening was especially meaningful on a personal level, as I attended the show with my 12-year-old son, Max, who had an absolute blast. I also met up with my friend Steve Morse at the concert, founder of Christian Metal Group, which made the night feel like both a show and a reunion. Before the music even started, I had the opportunity to talk with several familiar faces, including members of Cleansing of the Temple and With Blood Comes Cleansing, as well as Trevor Tyson from Heal the Heart and James, formerly of No Treaty. Many of these are people I have previously interviewed on the Christian Metal Group podcast, so finally meeting them in person added another layer of connection to the night.

Christian Metal Group
https://www.christianmetalgroup.com/

Alpha Strain opened the night, marking the first time I had heard the band live. Featuring a three-guitarist lineup, their sound was thick and aggressive, translating well in the room. During their set, the band mentioned that this would be their last show in South Carolina before disbanding. While their performance was straightforward, it served its purpose in warming up the crowd and setting the tone for the night.

Alpha Strain
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ev8lW94aQrJFz7BKk9j0N

Return to Glory stepped things up musically and brought a noticeable shift in momentum. Also featuring three guitarists and made up of members 18 and under, the band delivered an impressive and confident performance that exceeded expectations. What stood out just as much as their musicianship was their humility. The band members were in the pit before and after their set, supporting the other bands, which spoke volumes about their character and understanding of community. The pit itself was relentless all night. A death metal and slam-influenced pit simply hits harder, and the energy never really let up.

Return to Glory
https://www.instagram.com/returntogloryband/

Cleansing of the Temple followed and proved once again why they stand out in the DIY deathcore scene. With two guitarists driving their sound, the band delivered a face-melting set that was as heavy as anything happening in the genre today. Offstage, they are some of the nicest guys you will meet, but once they step on stage, they completely transform. I am genuinely excited to see where their talent and persistence within the DIY environment take them. I had purchased one of their shirts at the last show, and at this show I picked up another one so my son could wear it proudly.

Cleansing of the Temple
https://www.cleansingofthetemple.com/

When With Blood Comes Cleansing took the stage, their experience immediately showed. Anchored by a single guitarist, the band delivered a crushing and precise set that reminded everyone why their name still carries weight. Every transition, breakdown, and movement reflected years of musicianship. I picked up a shirt and their new CD, which is brilliant. Every song on the release focuses on a martyr from the Bible, giving the album both theological weight and artistic focus while remaining unapologetically heavy.

With Blood Comes Cleansing
https://www.withbloodcomescleansing.com/

For most of the night, I found myself standing on the edge of a wild pit, nearly getting slammed a few times. At one point, a guy bumped into me, immediately apologized, and then gave me a hug. Throughout the evening, I witnessed people being helped up and others stopping to make sure everyone was okay. This is the side of the metal community that those outside the scene often do not understand. Beneath the aggression is a culture of respect, kindness, and unity. Seeing people of different ages, hair colors, and skin tones gathered together to enjoy the music they love was a powerful reminder of what brings this community together.

This show was not just heavy. It was human. It was community. And it was exactly why nights like this still matter.

Christian thrash metal started with Deliverance, Vengeance Rising, Believer, Living Sacrifice, Tourniquet, Sacrament, Seventh Angel, Mortification, Detritus, The Crucified, and others who proved that faith and ferocity could exist without compromise. These bands established thrash as a powerful vehicle for truth, conviction, and ministry.

For a time, it seemed as though Christian thrash might remain tied to that original era. Instead, God raised up a new generation. Since 2015, Christian thrash and speed metal have experienced a renewed surge, with new bands stepping into the sound with purpose and clarity. These artists are not reviving a trend. They are continuing a calling, using speed, aggression, and precision to proclaim faith in a modern world.

This movement survives because of community. Independent Christian metal bands operate on tight budgets. Touring is expensive. Recording is expensive. Merch production is expensive. Most bands make very little personal income and reinvest nearly everything back into the band and the ministry. Supporting these artists by attending shows, buying shirts, and purchasing CDs or vinyl is how the scene stays healthy and alive.

Jeremy Sims, guitarist for the deathcore band With Blood Comes Cleansing, explained it plainly:

“God has blessed us when we come back with enough money to kind of, we just roll everything directly back in the band. Every now and then we make a little bit of money ourselves. We may come home from a weekend with a hundred bucks or so. But for the most part, it’s like, buy new t-shirt designs, buy new gear for us, whatever we need. We put the money back into the ministry because that’s what this is for us. If we can get that first and make it bigger, then that’s what we want.”

That same mindset defines the modern Christian thrash scene.

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Hand of Fire (USA, formed 2015)

Hand of Fire emerged in California in 2015 and helped ignite the modern Christian thrash resurgence. Their sound draws from classic Bay Area thrash with tight riffing, aggressive vocals, and spiritually grounded lyrics. Their album Nuclear Sunrise stands as one of the earliest post-2015 statements that Christian thrash was far from finished.

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Brotality (USA, formed 2016)

Formed in 2016, Brotality represents a younger generation carrying thrash forward. Their music blends thrash foundations into groove and progressive elements while keeping their faith front and center. Albums like Worldwide Desolation and The Woods Will End You showcase a band that is technically sharp and spiritually intentional.

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Crushing the Deceiver (USA, formed 2016)

Crushing the Deceiver formed in late 2016 in California and delivers a heavier take on thrash with death metal intensity. Their self-titled release is rooted in fast tempos, sharp riffs, and lyrics focused on spiritual warfare and redemption. They remain one of the most aggressive voices in the modern Christian thrash movement.

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R.A.I.D. (India, formed 2016)

R.A.I.D. formed in June 2016 and brings a crossover thrash sound mixed with hardcore urgency. Based in India, the band represents the expanding global reach of Christian metal. Their music confronts social issues, personal struggle, and faith with conviction, proving that Christian thrash is not limited by geography.

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Ritual Servant (USA, formed 2016)

Ritual Servant formed in South Carolina in 2016 and stands as one of the clearest examples of pure Christian thrash today. Their lyrics often draw directly from Scripture, and their sound reflects classic thrash traditions. Albums like Metallum Evangelii and Albus Mendacium serve as bold declarations of faith through metal.

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Motivik (USA, formed 2019)

Motivik formed in 2019 and brings a melodic thrash and groove-infused sound to the scene. Their albums Death of the Gunman and Renouncement combine modern production with biblical themes, offering a thoughtful and accessible take on Christian thrash metal.

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No More Death (Brazil, formed 2019)

No More Death formed in 2019 following the conclusion of the Brazilian band Mad Dragzter, which ended in 2015 after releasing Master of Space and Time. Drawing from years of saved riffs and ideas, the project took shape with a name inspired by Revelation 21:4.

Their debut album The Death Is Dead, released in 2024, delivers classic thrash aggression rooted in Brazil’s long thrash tradition, paired with lyrics centered on Christ’s victory over death, His triumph, and His glory. No More Death stands firmly within the modern Christian thrash movement.

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Reborn United (South Africa, formed 2020)

Reborn United formed in 2020 and represents the South African Christian thrash and death-thrash movement. Their sound carries urgency and aggression while remaining rooted in faith. They contribute an important international voice to the modern Christian thrash resurgence.

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Shovelhead A.D. (USA, formed 2020)

Shovelhead A.D. formed in 2020 and represents the newest wave of Christian thrash metal. Their EP No Cover Charge delivers fast riffs, gritty vocals, and a no-frills approach to ministry through metal. Their emergence reflects the continued underground strength of the genre.

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Keeping the Scene Alive

Christian thrash and speed metal remain alive because God continues to call musicians into this space and because fans continue to support them. Streaming helps, but real support happens at shows and merch tables. Buying a shirt, a CD, or a vinyl record helps bands afford gas, food, recording time, and future tours.

This new wave proves the genre is not fading. It is growing. Supporting these bands is not just about music. It is about sustaining a ministry that speaks truth through heavy music and ensuring Christian thrash continues for the next generation.

Mr. Weaverface is the solo alternative rock project of Brandon Weaver, a Pennsylvania-based Christian artist whose music is rooted in testimony, spiritual warfare, and worshipful devotion to Jesus Christ. Rather than operating as a traditional band, Mr. Weaverface functions as an artist-led ministry project, with Weaver serving as the primary songwriter, vocalist, and creative force while collaborating with other musicians for recording and live performance.

The name Mr. Weaverface comes from a nickname given to Weaver by a teammate on his bowling league. What began as a casual and humorous label eventually became the identity of a project that now represents one of the most direct and uncompromising voices in modern Christian rock. The unusual name immediately sets the project apart while underscoring its deeply personal origins.

Weaver’s faith journey is foundational to the music. Although he grew up in the church and professed faith at a young age, his adult life was marked by serious struggles, including anxiety, panic attacks, addiction, and depression. A crisis moment on Christmas Day in 2018 became a turning point that Weaver has described as a spiritual battle leading to repentance, deliverance, and a renewed commitment to Christ. That experience did not simply influence the lyrics. It became the spiritual framework for the entire Mr. Weaverface project.

Musically, Mr. Weaverface operates within the alternative rock and post-grunge space, drawing from the melodic intensity and guitar-driven approach associated with late 1990s and early 2000s rock. Influences such as Foo Fighters, U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Our Lady Peace, Radiohead, and Stone Temple Pilots can be heard in the arrangements. What clearly separates Mr. Weaverface from many artists in the genre is the lyrical direction. The songs are worshipful, explicit in faith, and centered on Jesus Christ without compromise.

The project’s first major body of work was the Jesus Is Alive EP. This release established the foundation for everything that followed, focusing squarely on salvation, victory in Christ, and spiritual authority. The title track, “Jesus Is Alive,” quickly became a defining song for the project. One of its most impactful lines, “It took me half a lifetime / To finally grab the lifeline / And now I’m never letting go,” captures the heart of Weaver’s testimony and the surrender that defines the project as a whole. The song functions as both proclamation and praise, setting a clear spiritual tone from the beginning.

Following Jesus Is Alive, Weaver released the These Lungs EP, which deepened the personal and worshipful direction of the project. The song “These Lungs” was written in response to surviving a severe illness and stands as a declaration of gratitude, acknowledging breath and life as gifts from God. Rather than centering on suffering itself, the song redirects attention to God’s sustaining power and mercy, reinforcing the project’s focus on worship through lived experience.

As the project continued to develop beyond the EP releases, standalone singles expanded both the emotional and theological scope. “O God, Help Me” stands out as one of the most transparent moments in the catalog, presented as a direct prayer that admits weakness while clinging to God’s faithfulness. “Above All Names” followed as a bold declaration of the supremacy of Jesus, emphasizing His authority and sovereignty without lyrical ambiguity. The song resonated strongly within Christian rock circles and further solidified Mr. Weaverface’s identity as worship-driven rock rather than faith-adjacent alternative music.

Across all releases, the defining trait of Mr. Weaverface remains consistency of message. The songs do not dilute doctrine for accessibility. Instead, they present worship, repentance, and dependence on Christ through the language of modern rock. That approach has resonated deeply with listeners seeking Christian rock that prioritizes lyrical substance as much as musical quality.

For many fans, Mr. Weaverface represents the best example of Christian rock today, particularly for those drawn to worshipful lyrics delivered with conviction and without compromise. The project does not attempt to blur lines or soften its message. It embraces clarity, reverence, and praise, using alternative rock as a vehicle to glorify Jesus Christ.

Mr. Weaverface is not merely a stage name or creative concept. It is the ongoing testimony of Brandon Weaver, using rock music to proclaim that redemption is real, spiritual warfare is present, and true hope and identity are found in Christ alone.

For more information, music, and updates, visit
https://mrweaverface.com/