Abrahamic / Middle Eastern Christianity The World's Best Christian Hard Rock Bands Print Jena Ardell / Getty Images Christianity Christian Entertainment Christianity Origins The Bible The New Testament The Old Testament Practical Tools for Christians Christian Life For Teens Christian Prayers Weddings Inspirational Bible Devotions Denominations of Christianity Christian Holidays Key Terms in Christianity Catholicism Latter Day Saints View More By Kim Jones Kim Jones Christian Music Expert Kim Jones is an ordained pastor and a co-founder of Road to Revelation, a Christian rock band. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on May 23, 2019 From the late 1970s and the underground days of the Resurrection Band to the 21st century, Christian hard rock has twisted, turned and grown. However, one thing has remained the same—the reason they sing and play. All the bands in this list make music for the Lord. P.O.D. Razor & Tie P.O.D. (Payable on Death) was formed in 1992 in San Ysidro, California by Marcos Curiel, Noah Bernardo (Wuv) and Wuv's cousin, Sonny Sandoval. Mark Daniels (Traa) joined in 1993. Throughout the 90s, P.O.D. sold more than 40,000 copies of their three homemade EPs. Atlantic Records signed the band in 1998. Marcos left in 2003 and was replaced with Jason Truby. In 2006, Marcos rejoined the band. Later, Jason left and P.O.D. left Atlantic. Discography Murdered Love, 2012 When Angels And Serpents Dance, 2008 Greatest Hits: The Atlantic Years, 2006 Testify, 2006 The Warriors EP, Vol. 2, 2005 Payable On Death, 2003 Satellite, 2001 The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, 1999 The Warriors EP, 1998 Brown, 1996 Snuff the Punk, 1994 Essential Songs "Breathe Babylon" "Let the Music Do the Talking" "Youth of the Nation" Band Members Sonny Sandoval: VocalsMarcos Curiel: GuitarWuv Bernardo: DrumsTraa Daniels: Bass 12 Stones Executive Music Group 12 Stones was formed in 2000 in Mandeville, Louisiana (a small suburb North of New Orleans). They were signed to Wind-Up Records in 2002 and have released three albums since then. In 2003 Paul McCoy was featured on the Evanescence song "Bring Me To Life" and won a GRAMMY for Best Hard Rock Performance. Discography Beneath the Scars, 2012 The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday, 2010 Anthem For The Underdog, 2007 Potter's Field, 2004 12 Stones, 2002 Essential Songs "World's Collide" "Fade Away" "We Are One" Band Members Paul McCoy: VocalsEric Weaver: GuitarAaron Gainer: DrumsWill Reed: Bass Decyfer Down Provident Originally known as Allysonhymn (pronounced "all-eyes-on-him), Decyfer Down formed in 1999 as an acoustic group with two members—drummer Josh Oliver and guitarist Brandon Mills. 2002 brought a lot of changes to the band. They added members, changed their name to Decyfer Down and switched to a rock sound. SRE Recordings signed the group in 2006 and their debut came out that summer. Discography Scarecrow, 2013 Crash, 2009 End Of Grey, 2006 Essential Songs "I'll Breathe For You" "The Life" "Fight Like This" Band Members TJ Harris: Vocals, GuitarBrandon Mills: GuitarJosh Oliver: DrumsChris Clonts: Guitar Flyleaf Loud & Proud Records Flyleaf was formed in Texas in 2000. In 2004, the band released their debut EP on Octone Records. The full-length CD, titled, released that one year later with Howard Benson at the helm as producer. Discography Between the Stars, 2014 New Horizons, 2012 (last album with Lacey) Remember To Live EP, 2010 Memento Mori, 2009 Much Like Falling EP, 2007 Music As A Weapon EP, 2007 Connect Sets EP, 2006 Flyleaf, 2005 Flyleaf EP, 2010 Essential Songs "Again" "Breathe Today" "I'm So Sick" Band Members Kristen May: VocalsSameer Bhattacharya: GuitarJared Hartmann: GuitarPat Seals: BassJames Culpepper: Drums Fireflight Eric Brown / Flicker Records Fireflight hit the Christian music scene in 2006 after getting signed by Flicker Records. Led by Dawn Michele, who has been compared to Joan Jett and The Pretenders’ Chrissy Hynde, the band has proven that they definitely have what it takes to be one of the best. In 2015, the release of Innova revealed a new side of the band. While fans will still hear the rock they've come to know and love, there are now elements of pop and electronic thrown in, giving Fireflight an updated sound. Discography Innova, 2015 NOW, 2012 For Those Who Wait, 2010 Unbreakable, 2008 The Healing Of Harms, 2006 Essential Songs "Brand New Day" "Core Of My Addiction" "Fire in My Eyes" Band Members Dawn Michele: VocalsGlenn Drennen: GuitarAdam McMillion: DrumsWendy Drennen: Bass RED Provident RED was formed in 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee, when Michael Barnes met brothers Anthony and Randy Armstrong. The addition of drummer Andrew Hendrix and second guitarist Jasen Rauchy officially made a band, and RED was born. After the group signed with Essential Records, Hendrix left and Hayden Lamb was picked as the replacement drummer. Lamb was injured in a serious wreck in 2007 and officially left the band in 2008. Discography Of Beauty and Rage, 2015 Until We Have Faces, 2011 Innocence & Instinct Deluxe, 2009 Innocence & Instinct, 2009 End of Silence Live, 2007 End of Silence, 2006 Essential Songs "Never Be The Same" "Ordinary World" "As You Go" Band Members Michael Barnes: VocalsAnthony Armstrong: GuitarJoe Rickard: DrumsRandy Armstrong: Bass Disciple Disciple Kevin Young was in middle school when the first thoughts of forming a band entered his mind. At 13, he and drummer Tim Barrett formed Disciple, adding guitarist Brad Noah in December 1992. Over the next 8 years, they released 4 more albums, adding bassist Joey Fife in '03 to become a quartet. They went back to the studio in early '04 to record Rise Up and got the attention of A&R men at major labels across the country. They eventually signed with SRE. Since then, the lineup and the record labels have changed, but the great music remains the same! Discography O God Save Us All, 2012 Horseshoes & Handgrenades, 2010 Southern Hospitality, 2008 Scars Remain, 2006 Rise Up, 2005 Back Again, 2003 By God, 2000 This Might Sting A Little, 1999 My Daddy Can Whip Your Daddy, 1997 What Was I Thinking? 1995 Essential Songs "Amazing Grace Blues" "Can't Breathe" "Crawl Away" Band Members Kevin Young: VocalsJosiah Prince: GuitarAndrew Stanton: GuitarJoey West: Drums Sent By Ravens Tooth & Nail Records Hailing from Hartsville, South Carolina, Sent By Ravens is one of those great bands that delivers lyrics that come from their hearts rather than a "success formula." Discography Mean What You Say, 2012 Our Graceful Words, 2010 The Effects Of Fashion And Prayer EP, 2008 Sent By Ravens, 2007 Essential Songs "Philadelphia" "Mean What You Say" "Best in Me" Band Members Zach Riner: VocalsJJ Leonard: GuitarAndy O'Neal: GuitarJon Arena: BassDane Anderson: Drums Skillet Ardent Records Skillet was formed in Memphis, TN, by John Cooper, Ken Steorts, and Trey McClurkin in 1996. John's wife Korey joined in 2001, Ben Kasica replaced Ken, Lori Peters replaced Trey and the band signed with Ardent Records. In 2004, Lava Records picked the band up and released them to the mainstream. Discography Rise, 2013 Awake, August 2009 Comatose Comes Alive, 2008 Comatose, 2006 Collide, 2003 Alien Youth, 2001 Ardent Worship, 2000 Invincible, 2000 Hey You, I Love Your Soul, 1998 Skillet, 1996 Essential Songs "Awake And Alive" "Hero (The Legion Of Doom Remix)" "Lucy" Band Members John Cooper: Vocals, BassKorey Cooper: Keyboard, Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, SynthesizerJen Ledger: Drums, VocalsSeth Morrison: Guitar Stryper Stryper Originally formed in 1982 in Orange County, California as Roxx Regime by brothers Michael and Robert Sweet, Oz Fox and Tim Gaines, Stryper helped put Christian Hard Rock/Metal on the map. A nine-year hiatus (1992-2000) found the band members pursuing music apart, but the Yellow and Black came back and are going as strong as ever. Discography: Live at the Whiskey, 2014 No More Hell to Pay, 2013 The Covering, 2011 Murder By Pride, 2009 The Roxx Regime Demos, 2007 Reborn, 2005 7 Weeks: Live in America 2003, 2004 Seven: The Best of Stryper, 2003 Can't Stop The Rock: The Stryper Collection 1984-1991, 1991 Against The Law, 1990 In God We Trust, 1988 To Hell With The Devil, 1986 Soldiers Under Command, 1985 The Yellow And Black Attack, 1984 Essential Songs "Honestly" "Lady" "You Know What To Do" Band Members Michael Sweet: Vocals, GuitarOz Fox: Lead GuitarRobert Sweet: DrumsTim Gaines: Bass Thousand Foot Krutch Tooth & Nail Originally formed in 1997 in Toronto, Thousand Foot Krutch started out playing parties, proms and any other places they could be heard. After recording a demo that made the rounds, the band signed with Tooth & Nail in 2003. Discography Oxygen: Inhale, 2014 The End Is Where We Begin, 2012 Welcome to the Masquerade: Fan Edition, 2011 Live at the Masquerade, 2011 Welcome to the Masquerade, 2009 The Flame in All of Us, 2007 The Art of Breaking, 2005 Set It Off, 2004 Phenomenon, 2003 Essential Songs "Look Away" "New Drug" "My Own Enemy" Band Members Trevor McNevan: VocalsSteve Augustine: DrumsJoel Bruyere: Bass We As Human Atlantic / Word Records The new kids on the Christian hard rock block have a real Cinderella story. Their road manager met some of Skillet's band members and gave them a CD. Once John Cooper heard it, he knew he had a hit band on his hands. An introduction to Atlantic Records came next and the band was snatched up. After a successful EP release, the band's first full-length album hit stores in June 2013 with guest vocals from John Cooper and Flyleaf's Lacey Sturm. Discography We As Human, June 2013We As Human EP, 2011 Essential Songs "We Fall Apart" "Double Life" "Sever" Band Members Justin Cordle: VocalsAdam Osborne: DrumsJake Jones: GuitarJustin Forshaw: GuitarDave Draggoo: Bass Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Jones, Kim. "The World's Best Christian Hard Rock Bands." Learn Religions, Sep. 20, 2021, learnreligions.com/top-christian-hard-rock-bands-709529. Jones, Kim. (2021, September 20). The World's Best Christian Hard Rock Bands. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/top-christian-hard-rock-bands-709529 Jones, Kim. "The World's Best Christian Hard Rock Bands." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/top-christian-hard-rock-bands-709529 (accessed March 29, 2024). copy citation