Metalcore supergroup Light the Torch was established as Devil you Know in 2012 by guitarist Francesco Artusato, drummer John Sankey and vocalist Howard Jones. All pioneer members of the band already belonged to other American music bands before coming together to operate as Devil You Know, which is why the band has been labeled a supergroup.
The band got signed in 2013 by Nuclear Blast and in 2017, they changed their name to the current name. Light the Torch has witnessed several lineup changes with the present lineup consisting of guitarist Artusato, vocalist Jones, bassist Ryan Wombacher, and drummer Alex Rüdinger.
The band’s debut album Light the Torch and its third album generally, sparked controversy and debates among the audience. With the prevalent use of Christian symbolism in the album, listeners have asked questions like: Is Light the Torch a Christian band? An analysis of the band’s songs, comments by band members, and other musical elements in this article will provide answers to the question raised above.
Is Light the Torch a Religious Band?
A religious band is defined as one whose songs are largely influenced by the religious beliefs and practices of a particular religious group. The songs by the band are centered on the principles and laws of such religion.
Members of Light the Torch have not been expressive of their religious beliefs. Most members of the band have not publicly affirmed their faith in any religious organization or collectively identified as a religious band.
In a review by Music and Comics, it was mentioned that some members of the band had religious backgrounds. The band’s frontman, Hower mentioned that he was trained as a singer in a church choir, though he did not reveal the church’s name or location. He also disclosed that he fell in love with and was greatly inspired by 1980s Christian metal bands like “Stryper.”
These few links to religion could be the reason songs by the band contain deep religious influences. They employ religious elements in their songs, videos, graphics, and cover art.
Light the Torch has creatively employed religious elements in some of its songs. We’ll be presenting some of those songs below:
The Great Divide
“There’s a silence that we can’t deny
And it’s stealing all the air we breathe
I often pray to gods I never served
But now I know that this could be the end of us
Don’t follow, I leave a wake rust
When everything inside my hands returns to dust”
Judas Convention
“This is now the end of the story
You’re gone, we’re here, the lines blur
I hope you find a life filled with glory
Buried in the grave of your words
These are the same hands
Rebuilding a kingdom
But you are not the prodigal son
These are the same hands
That cures the infection
For we are not the only ones “
Lost in the Fire
“Beg for mercy but we know
That my every prayer was born to fail
Whatever it takes, whatever it costs
This can’t be the life that I’ve lost
(This can’t be the life that I’ve lost)
Forever lost in the fire
It burns as far as the eye can see
One chance, my only desire
I won’t be bound to misery
I’m losing the battle but we know
That it was over when the war began
Whatever it takes, whatever it costs
I will claim the life that I’ve lost
(Until my dying day)”
The Safety of Disbelief
“I can never be all that you want from me
And I am broken
I will fail you constantly
There’s nothing left that we can say
Nothing gold can ever stay
It’s easier to run away
It’s easier to curse than pray
No sacrifice
Now burn it at the altar
I can never be all that you want from me
And I am broken
I will fail you constantly
Return to the safety of disbelief “
The songs above are from different albums by Light the Torch. The songs explore religious themes and other imagery to pass vital messages to listeners.
What kind of Music band is Light the Torch?
Light the Torch is an American metalcore supergroup. Metalcore is a popular music genre that fuses elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The Metalcore genre was pioneered by bands like; Agnostic Front, Killing Time, Cro-Mags, and Discharge in the 1980s. In the mid-1990s, bands like Hatebreed, Earth Crisis, Integrity, Disembodied, etc incorporated the genre and earned success in the music scene.
Metalcore music is notable for the use of slow and intense passages, breakdowns, stop-start guitar playing, double bass drumming, occasional blast beats, a blend of thrash and scream vocals, mid-paced guitar riffs, death growls, and clean choruses.
Light the Torch is one of the best metalcore bands that explore a wide range of themes in their songs. Some themes in their songs are; love and relationships, religion and spirituality, anger and detest, fear and death, pain and anxiety, depression, and mistakes, and self-sabotage amongst others.
Light the Torch has made waves in the American metal scene with its melodic metal sounds, catchy lyrics, and uplifting songs. The band won the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award as the Best new band in 2014. The band has released a total of 4 studio albums, two as Devil You Know and the remaining two as Light the Torch. Their most recent album “You Will Be the Death of Me” was released in 2021.
Band members have revealed that their recent album is an evolution of their music style and was a great journey, as the album was written before and during the pandemic and at a time when different band members were going through challenging phases of their lives. Guitarist Artusato at this period was nursing an injury he sustained from an accident.
Is Light the Torch a Christian Band?
Before commenting on Light the Torch’s status as a Christian band, it is important to discuss what Christianity entails. Christianity is a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ who is considered the founder of the religion. True Christians believe in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and other structures of the religion.
Similarly, a Christian band portrays the teachings and practices of Christianity in their songs and other musical elements. Their lyrical composition is made of Christian themes, terms, and biblical references. Songs by a Christian band are used to share communal beliefs in the Christian faith. They are also used to share the gospel and positive Christian messages with diverse audiences.
To be labeled a Christian band, such a band must have publicly declared their faith in the religion through their songs, public comments, or lifestyle. Members should be Christians or people who have deep faith in the religion.
Light the torch has not publicly labeled itself a Christian band, neither have its members made public comments about their religious beliefs. Songs by the band are also not explicitly Christian songs.
Though some Christian influences in their songs must have been learned, adopted, or as a result of having some associations with the religion in the past, we don’t categorize Light the Torch as a Christian band, because their songs are not explicitly Christian and the band has not labeled itself as one.
Light the Torch Christian Songs
Christian songs are an expression of beliefs in Christianity. The songs are embedded with Christian terms, themes, and biblical messages and are usually used to share positive Christian messages of love, faith, hope, perseverance, salvation, and redemption to Christians.
A few songs by Light the Torch portray positive Christian messages and an example is the song below:
The God I Deserve by Light the Torch
“We are forsaken
Can you hear me? I’ve been calling
Don’t be mistaken
It’s the way it has to be
Only you can take me back (You won’t feel it)
I’m the fool again
Can you be the God that I deserve?”
Many songs by Light the Torch do not possess the features of a Christian song. Some of the songs appear Christian because of the significant amount of Christian imagery embedded, but a close analysis of these songs reveals something quite different. Some songs by the band rather oppose Christian practices. These songs are criticisms of some Christian beliefs and principles. An example of such a song is “Consume the Damn.” Below are the lyrics:
“Bound to seduction, the bitter God that failed
I gave my hopes and dreams to no avail
Seek and never find, emptiness lies ahead
Fascination upon the other side, so speaks the dead
I’m living on borrowed time and I’ve been left “
Is Light the Torch a Satanic Band?
Though the band employs dark themes and anti-Christian lyrics in some of their songs, we do not consider the band a Satanic band. What makes a Satanic band is the music style and the beliefs and practices of band members. Satanic bands promote demon worship and other Satanic practices with their songs and concepts.
Band members of Light the Torch have not shown affiliations with Satanism, individually or as a band. As such, we opine that Light the Torch is not a Satanic band.
Wrapping Up
Light the Torch has been in the metal music scene for over 10 years. They have been able to evoke listeners’ emotions with their melodic, anthemic, and soul-lifting music. The band is not a Christian band but has been able to creatively infuse elements of Christianity into its songs. Their most recent album “You Will Be the Death of Me” evolved a bit from what the band was known for. The album has a religious undertone and transcends the normal metalcore style to deliver a masterclass piece that resonates with fans from diverse backgrounds.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!