American heavy metal group Bad Wolves was formed in 2017 by drummer John Boecklin, vocalist Tommy Vext, lead guitarist Doc Coyle, rhythm guitarist Chris Cain, and bassist Kyle Konkiel.
The Los Angeles-based band has been in the American music scene for just 6 years. Though still in its infancy, the band has made waves in the global music industry. A significant number of their songs have topped American and other music charts.
Through their six years of existence, Bad Wolves has witnessed few lineup changes, with just two members leaving the band to pursue other interests. The band currently consists of; John Boecklin, Doc Coyle, Kyle Konkiel, Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz representing Chris Kain, and Max Karon coming in for Tommy Vext.
Bad Wolves are notable for employing religious imagery in their songs, and this has raised questions about the band being a Christian band. Fans are asking questions like; Is Bad Wolves a Christian band? If you’re one of those, you’re in the right place. This article will provide all the necessary answers to this question.
Is Bad Wolves a Religious Band?
Bad Wolves has been identified as an innovative, talented and creative band. They employ a wide range of themes in their songs, one of which is religion.
The band has not been expressive about their religious beliefs or association with any religious group. Almost all band members except ex-member/vocalist Tommy Vext have not revealed any information about their religion.
In a 2019 interview with Kerrang, Vext revealed that he was brought up in a religious home but wasn’t really into it. However, later in his life, he started learning about different religions and developed religious practices. According to him:
“Much of my life I was raised religious, but I didn’t ever drink the punch. Then about 10 years ago, at the start of my recovery from drugs and alcohol, I started to develop spiritual practices like meditation and prayer, and I studied several different religions. I liked the common themes that they all had, but I’m also a big fan of natural law and science.”
Other members of the band might have personal religious beliefs but they are yet to disclose. Collectively, we don’t regard Bad Wolves as a religious band.
The band has songs with religious undertones which we believe were influenced by the songwriter’s personal religious beliefs. Some such songs include:
“Jesus Slaves” by Bad Wolves
“So when the walls are weakened
And the witches burn
Now tell me couldn’t you face it
When you start to turn
Heating up with the coals
Does a dance for the dead
I never wish it cold
When the moon is full again
And live alone with your bones
Another threw me a death
‘Cause even Jesus can’t save us, baby
Even Jesus can’t save
Even Jesus can’t save us, baby’
The lyrics above from Jesus Slaves send an ambiguous message to listeners. The band has effectively used religious imagery to send a debatable message across.
“Sober” and “No Messiah” are other songs by Bad Wolves that use religious imagery to convey messages. Below are the Lyrics:
“Sober” by Bad Wolves
Every moment I’m awake
It’s a fight that you could never know
Every moment I’m awake
I’m clinging to hope
And I feel so low but I’m dealing
The struggle is getting old
Every moment I’m awake
But I’m getting sober
Trying but I can’t get closer
Baby, did you let me go?
On and on we pray
Thinking about time and our mistakes
Thinking about time
‘Cause it’s about time”
“No Messiah” by Bad Wolves
“Baptized, the mire ain’t a miracle
Capsized, a secret’s inconceivable
Shots fired, you did it again
Sold your soul just to get this bread
Broke down, you speaking the unspeakable
Blacked out, it went to your head
Coked out for a little advance
I’m no Me-
I’m no Messiah, one more mile
Marching through the fire killing time
I’m no Messiah, one more mile
Put this life on trial killing pride”
What Kind of Music Band is Bad Wolves
Bad Wolves is an American Heavy Metal band. Heavy metal is a subgenre of rock music and a fusion genre of blues rock, acid rock, psychedelic rock, djent, hard rock, and groove metal.
These music genres are defined by the following elements; emphatic rhythms, loud distorted guitars, vigorous vocals, aggressive, growling, or screaming vocals, use of electric guitars, off-beat, complex rhythm patterns, and down-turned strings.
Bad Wolves has released 3 full-length albums, 3 Eps, a couple of music videos, and singles. The band has been signed to Better Noise and Eleven Seven record labels since its inception, 5 years ago. The band came to the spotlight with the release of a cover of a 1994 hit song “Zombie” by Cranberries. The band has recorded success, with a significant number of their songs topping Billboard charts in the US and Australia.
Songs by Bad Wolves are based on personal experiences and they explore themes like; religion, faith, love and relationships, politics and leadership, crime, racism, brutality, and war amongst others. To date, the “Zombie” cover has remained one of the band’s most successful songs. The song has earned them several award nominations and recognitions.
Is Bad Wolves in a Christian Band?
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus who is regarded as the central figure of the religion. True Christians live by these teachings and principles which are always reflected in their actions and lifestyles.
To be labeled a Christian band, such a band must accept the principles of Christianity and this should be seen in their practices and songs. The members of a Christian band must affirm their faith in the religion. This should not just be said but should be seen in their lifestyles.
To be labeled a Christian band, such a band must publicly identify as such. Some bands have linkages with Christianity but they do not want to be pigeonholed as a Christian based on several reasons.
Christian bands have now adopted different music styles to appeal to a wide audience demographic. Apart from the conventional hymns and praise and worship styles that were mostly used by Christian artists, they have now adopted new styles like Christian metal, contemporary Christian songs, rap, blues, and hardcore.
Even with the diverse styles, their songs still have a similar purpose which is to share the good news of Jesus Christ and promote other Christian practices.
Bad Wolves can not be categorized as a Christian band. Though the lyrical composition of the band contains some Christian symbolism, we don’t regard the band as a Christian band. We attribute these religious influences to the band members’ individual beliefs. Collectively, Bad Wolves is not a Christian band.
The only member of the band that had shown some association with Christianity was the band’s ex-member, Vext who revealed that he grew up in a religious background and he is conversant with different religions including Christianity. He revealed that he started developing religious practices like prayer and meditation which are also Christian.
Bad Wolves Christian Songs
There are certain criteria to be met for a song to be labeled a Christian song. A Christian song is expected to contain biblical references, portray the principles and ideals of the religion, share the gospel, and spread Christian messages of love, faith, hope, salvation, redemption, and perseverance amongst others.
Though few songs by Bad Wolves explore Christian terms. These terms are used in aspects that do not depict a Christian song. Songs by Bad Wolves cannot be categorized as Christian songs.
Is Bad Wolves a Satanic Band?
The choice of the band’s name had raised suspicions of Bad Wolves being a satanic band. As commonly believed, a “Bad Wolf” is an evil fictional wolf used in fairytales. From here, some feel the band is satanic. Could this be true? Let’s see.
A few songs by the band make use of dark and satanic terms, an example is “Better the devil” by Bad wolves:
“Separate me from this loss I’ve known
Tolerate these stitches I have sewn
We bare the scars of our lives
A love affair as sharp as a knife
I only cut myself to feel like I’m alive
To feel like I’m alive
Better than the devil that you said it
But you never want to give credit (Dead it)
Better to the devil you’d forget it
What you didn’t know you going to regret it
Better than the devil that you said it
But you never want to give credit (Dead it)
Better to the devil you’d forget it
What you didn’t know you going to regret it (Regret it)”
The lyrics above reflect anger, pain, and angst, but the songwriter has been able to use a satanic figure and terms to send the message.
Members of the band have not mentioned that the band’s name was coined from any Satanic belief, nor do their songs promote Satan worship and glorification. Band members have not identified with Satanism, as such, we don’t consider Bad Wolves a Satanic band.
Final Thoughts
Although they are still young in the American music scene, Bad Wolves has become a strong force to reckon with. The band has created unique and anthemic songs that appeal to listeners’ diverse moods.
Bad Wolves has not been identified as a Christian band, as such, we do not label them as one.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!