Going Demon Hunter-ing in Detroit

It’s so not every day that you get to go to a concert where you can bang your head, scream, mosh… and also worship Jesus. Tonight was one of those nights and, honestly, I desperately needed it. I went to Detroit for Demon Hunter — a band long loved within the Christian rock arena.

But first up on the There Was a Light Here Tour was Cultist and they did not hold back. I was not expecting the amount of chaos in the way they presented themselves. If you’re a fan of Knocked Loose, then this band will also going to light you up.

The next man onstage was Convictions.

Convictions were the guys I was most excited to see and did not disappoint, either. Their bio says they are “aggressive worship” and they meant it, coming out full swing and full aggression. Frontman Michael Felker was so energetic, it was less than three songs in before I felt beyond hyped; I was ready to go to war for Christ. If these guys were to have kept playing the rest of the night, I would’ve been so fired up running around the streets of Detroit preaching the gospel.

But the headlining spot was given to longtime Christian rock legends, Demon Hunter. In my book, these guys are on par with Skillet: not full-on metalcore, like Cultist or Convictions… more ‘butt rock’. Plus, there’s always something a little theatrical about the way they perform.

There has been a rise in a Christian rock and metalcore and, honestly, it has been one of the best things that has ever happened in Christian music.

People want to say that rock and metal genres are demonic; I say all music was made by God and we take it back from the enemy himself. All three bands managed to convey the struggle of the flesh in a faith so well and inject the fear of God into my veins this night. I love that I was so ready to run out onto the streets and yell “Christ is Lord, get saved!!” everywhere. If Christian metalcore and rock are so demonic, then why does it give so many people hope? Why is it so desperately needed? This show was one of my favorites of the year and I sure hope that I get to see these bands again soon!

Photography by Kayla N. Rising

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