Skillet and Decypher Down in Endicott, NY: A Concert Review/interview

Talking about Christian Contemporary music - especially the hard rock scene - is a tempestuous thing. It's often a didactic struggle, ardent supporters on either arguing righteously and indignantly, battle lines based on personal preference, tastes, and opinions, not always Biblical guidance and a Spirit-led heart. Those who protest the advent of Christian Hard Rock do so zealously, concerned about separation from the world, feeling many popular "Christian" bands water down their message to garner mainstream appeal.

In some cases, there are truths to their claims - for example, I love P.O.D.'s hard-edged sound, combined with positive, upbeat lyrics - but sometimes I wonder how much of a 'ministry' they really have; I consider them to be "positive rock", rather than "Christian Rock".

When evaluating the quality of a "Christian rock band", throw tastes, preferences, and likes/dislikes out the window, and keep the bottom line in mind: what's being done to advance the cause of Christ? How are souls being touched by this music? Can someone pick a CD, pop it into their 5-Disc CD changer in their car, and notice the difference between them and any other rock band out there spewing lyrics full of hate, avarice, racism, lust and wordliness?

At the recent Skillet & Decyfer Down concert at Union Center Christian Church in Endicott, New York; I allowed these thoughts to run through my head as I looked around at the fans milling through the worship hall prior to the show. I mulled over the relevance issue: can musical styles and tastes change to fit the generation, remaining relevant while the message stays the same? Is Christian rock needlessly walking too fine a line between going where hurting people are and becoming too much like the world? Are they being relevant and creative, or merely copying the rock star lifestyle to try and "lure kids into Christianity"?

With these thoughts bouncing around my head, here's what I saw before these two bands hit the stage Friday night:

1. I saw people of all walks and stations of life, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, gathered in one place at one time.

2. I saw parents and adult chaperones milling amongst college students, teens, and adolescents - parents of kids at the concert enjoying the pre-concert music, volunteering at the band's booths out in the foyer area.

3. I saw young people interacting, enjoying each other's presence and camaraderie in a smoke, drug, and alcohol free environment, in a controlled, positive setting.

4. I saw church administrative personnel and members of the congregation on hand to help run the show - and I'm sure - ready to minister to those in need should the opportunity arise.

Of course, that's when the show started, and Decyfer Down and Skillet graced the stage with their powerful, resonating sounds that were distinctly, vibrantly Christian, and at the same time thundering, gut-shaking, good old rock music.

Decyfer Down, a band hailing from North Carolina, rocked the crowd with hard driving vocals and growling guitar riffs reminiscent of Disturbed and Korn, but while passionate about their music and performance, they were even more passionate about sharing their faith and personal relationship with Christ in-between sets. Decyfer Down, led by lead vocalist Caleb Oliver, (right in photo), ripped through tracks off their current album, End of Gray - "I Breathe for You", "Burn Back the Sun", "No Longer", and "Walking Dead".

Oliver, a true performer, rocked the stage like a lead vocalist should - but every two or three songs, the band cooled it down and took time to share with the 900 plus crowd the importance of a Spirit-led walk and giving their lives over to Christ. Decyfer didn't let the pace fall off too long, however, and as far as an opening number goes - this band was by no means inferior to Skillet or secondary in any way.

After their show, the band members graciously took time to sign autographs and "hang out" with fans at their booth, instead of sitting down behind a table where they couldn't interact with concert attendees. It was during this moment that I was able to get a chance to talk to lead vocal Caleb Oliver, as he kindly took the time to answer a few of my questions, which are at the end of this article.

And then it was time for Skillet - and for those eighties babies out there, lead singer John Copper taking the stage was like Rocky Balboa stepping into the ring to a throng of screaming, loyal fans - many of whom drove over three hours to attend the concert.

Skillet and Cooper commanded the stage with an iconic presence usually thought of for Metallica and James Hetfield or Aerosmith and Stephen Tyler, and their extra touches - erupting smoke volcanoes to boot - truly sealed this as a rock and roll concert. They opened with past favorites; "Forsaken", "Best Kept Secret", "My Obsession", and "Collide", but also unveiled selected tracks from their upcoming album, Comatose, which will hit stores October 3rd. Among the tracks - "The Rebirthing", "Can't Escape", and "You Are My Hope", just to name a few.

Perhaps the most moving performance all night was a song from the new album entitled "Whispers In the Dark", a song Cooper said he was motivated to write after encountering so many stories of teens struggling with thoughts of suicide. During the song, he and keyboardist wife Korey, enact a dialogue between a young girl about to commit suicide and God, who points her towards a different way through trusting Him.

Skillet, just like Decyfer Down, took time to exhort and share with the crowd matters of faith and living a Godly life. Cooper even took the time to share the meaning of the album's title, Comatose - "Many Christians today are walking around in comfortable little lives: going to church on Sunday, doing things they think makes them Christian, while they are surrounded daily by hundreds of hurting souls in need of Christ. Christians need to wake up; they need to take hold of the radical lives that Christ would have them live". - John Cooper

Before Skillet took the stage, I was able to get a chance to speak with Decyfer front man Caleb Oliver:

Q: Caleb, thanks for taking a few minutes to talk to me. You guys were great tonight; by the way, you absolutely rocked. Caleb - one of the first things I'd like to ask - what it is that drives you the most in your music ministry?

CO: It's the kids, man - it's all about impacting these kids that come to our concerts. I grew up as a 'PK' - pastor's kid - and I've seen all the sides of Christianity, both good and bad, and what happens when you burn out and fall away. I know what happens to a lot of these kids when they get led off in places they shouldn't go, and that's the thing that drives me when we're up on the stage is the kids in the audience, and what they need to hear.

Q: Separation is so key in any Christian's life, and your lyrics and message are certainly separated from secular rock, but how hard is it for you guys to lead separated lives? You're up there on the stage in front of screaming fans, doing the 'rock star' thing, on the road for untold days and weeks - what's the greatest obstacle you guys have faced in keeping separate from the world?

CO: Accountability is the toughest thing; but we've stayed true by surrounding ourselves with the right people; faithful people who won't let us slide. We have a road pastor who either travels with us or holds conference calls so we can have prayer time or Bible study, and we just pray for each other continually.

Q: Why do you think music has such a universal appeal, making it such an effective ministry tool?

CA: Well - look at the power it has, the common thread everyone shares to music. When you think about it, music is heaven-sent from God. Before the fall, Lucifer was the ministry of music, and I think with his fall and this fallen world, music has become something that can lead someone astray so easily; it got taken to a place it shouldn't have. I think with bands like Skillet and others, God is making a move to take back music, make it His own again.

Q: What bands would you consider to be your inspirations musically?

CO: Well, of course - Skillet, because we grew up on them, man. But a lot of us come from unsaved backgrounds, or had periods when we wandered, so of course we spent a lot of time playing at secular events, doing cover tunes for bands like Korn and others.

Q: I thought I recognized that 'growling guitar' sound that's reminiscent of Korn. You guys have a different message though; and that's what's important. Thanks for taking a moment to speak with me, Caleb.

CO: Thanks man, you too.

Check out Decyfer Down and Skillet at the following internet locations:

Skillet: www.skillet.com & www.myspace.com/skilletmusic
Decyfer Down: www.decyferdown.com & www.myspace.com/decyferdown