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These two weeks have been a very depressing, conflicted, frustrating, yet interesting. And in my time of struggle, I abode in metal/hard-rock music again. Of course, I haven’t touched really dived into mainstream stuff for a really long time, even if there is a positive message (ie. Killswitch Engage).

I also have not paid any attention to Demon Hunter since they had 2 new CD’s come out and such, especially since I found them very different. But you know what, after what I’ve gone through recently, even if they are softer…I’d appreciate it. I had been focusing a bit more on Haste the Day since one of their front-men and main screaming vocals was leaving the band, and I hadn’t really had the opportunity to check out the material from the new guy.

And so while in my angst, I went to g2p.org and searched for Pressure The Hinge (as opposed to firing them up on BT).

If there’s one thing a band can do to make me fall in love with them, it’s being able to mix screaming and real vocalised singing — Haste the Day is now added to that list of bands which can actually do both. And I could actually understand the lyrics that were sung, and it felt like they hit pretty hard.

The Minor Prophets

Have you seen the sun?
Have you seen the sun?
Or has the darkness dragged you further from your door?

Oh no, this is no time for excuses.
We’ve singled you out and the leaders keep running away.
The sound of trumpets will carry you home.
The sound of trumpets will resound and we all sing.

Take each other’s hands.
Look into the clouds.
Such a beautiful song we sing.
Finally finding our own way back home.
Such a beautiful song we sing.

…

Re-break the bone to assure the healing.
So that we might know you again.
Re-break the bone.
Re-break the bone.
Re-break the bone.

The Oracle

Searching for the sound.
The secret in your eyes.
Is your voice dead to me?
Or just too far away?
Searching for the sound.
I’m listening.
When scenery is taken.

Chorus of Angels

Chorus of angels, destroy my silence,
That haunts me, It claims me,
While darkness walks beside me.

I saw the angels sing along to wake up the beautiful sleeping world.
Their voices will rise to test the strength of man.
Wake up the beautiful sleeping world.

We will see the fire.
The skies will open up.
The clouds will burn red and our sins will forget us.
And time will not shake us.
Our hearts are made of gold.
These walls won’t over-take us.
These walls won’t over-take us.

…

Chorus of angels, lead me in a prayer that will shake the foundations of the earth.
Wake up now.

And it was after this music had began to bring me some calm, I pondered about something…because I ponder many things (I sound like George Carlin now!), “How does a Christian approach the issue of piracy?” You can probably see the whole paradox and dilemma which has been discussed numerous times on this blog and others. And I can totally sense possible comments referring to topics such as Fair-Use and Grey-Area…but I’m hoping that won’t be the case.

What I was specifically pondering about was revolving around Christians pirating “Christian goods”. You know, like downloading all the Chris Tomlin, Hillsongs, the music of other worship bands and artists’ CD’s. Or how about downloading the entire Nooma series, and the future releases as well? OK, how about…buying Passion Of The Christ from P-Mall (or downloading+burning as well)? How about downloading bible study software that usually costs $50 or more?

With this said, if us Christians who choose to be a patriotic buccaneer (before the Canadian DMCA is passed) DO do the listed above (and others), do we draw a line on what to download? In other words, would we find it acceptable to download “secular” stuff, but refuse to download “Christian” stuff (without paying for it)?

Of course…the best thing about this paradoxical thought is the fact that I am Chinese, who are one of the most notorious ethnic groups known to be cheap, and living in a country with copyright laws looser than (ENTER WHATEVER YOU WANT HERE).