Christian Metal of the 80`s, how come its so good?

[PlattitüdenPaule]

Even compared to the majority of other Metal bands from that decade and I dont have to mention the 80`s had a ridiciously high number of top notch bands.
Is it maybe because of a special dedication beyond the music and lifestyle itself, such as seeing it as a form of prayer? Or maybe because Christian bands tend to be more easy on the booze and partying and therefore have had a clearer focus on their work? Discuss and state your opinion.
Some examples that show how much care has been put into arrangements, compositions, musicianship and overall high standard of quality:

[TheForeigner]

Does pseudo-Christian doom metal band Trouble count? I really like them, but they said in an interview that they were not religious at all and it was an act. They said this during this century, but can't remember what year. They were promoted as a 'white metal' and Christian band in the 80s and 90s though.

[CordedWhelp]

Ha, not sure why, but less of a partying lifestyle may contribute via the "clarity" factor that you mentioned. Not fully, fully on topic, but of course I can't leave without making a shoutout to Christian Extreme metal in general:



Antestor is a Christian Blackmetal (or unblack metal!) band from Norway that was a real big thorn in the ass for the rest of Nordic Blackmetal community- they'd apparently receive many death threats and would have shows protested by other blackmetalheads. Here's a video with lyrics shown...as one can see, a regular theme is ponderment of faith and struggles with sin and doubt. A lot of people wouldn't guess it, but there's high quality Christian metal out there.

Nice thread. I only really know Warlord out of these groups, as I'm not a huge Power Metal fan, but I can groove to it. I'll do some digging.

[PlattitüdenPaule]

Does pseudo-Christian doom metal band Trouble count? I really like them, but they said in an interview that they were not religious at all and it was an act. They said this during this century, but can't remember what year. They were promoted as a 'white metal' and Christian band in the 80s and 90s though.

Listened to them occasionally, but havent dug as deep though. I can guess its either they lost their fate for some reason, or, whats even more likely, fiddled with the imagery for added shock value. It`s very common after all.

A lot of people wouldn't guess it, but there's high quality Christian metal out there.

One of the reasons I`ve created this thread, since I`m really impressed by the continuity of high quality output and thought, why not share my experience in the form of promotion. Especially since it seems to be so contradictary at first glance. The church was one of, if not the biggest party to condemn Metal and Rock as the music of the devil himself after all.
Have to definitely give Unblack Metal a good listen, since I completely avoided it in the past. It`s more of a coincidence I discovered Christian Metal at all, since I didnt realize Warlord were Christians at first, but it sucked me into a rabbit hole from there.

[Pascoal]

Warlord isn't considered christian metal tho. These christian inspired themes are pretty common in symphonic/power metal bands, Warlord was kind of a proto-power metal band tho.

[kingmob]

It's better now.