In the early years of Christianity, hymns and spiritual songs played a significant role in worship and evangelism, and Christian music has a rich history that dates back to those times. Contemporary worship, gospel, and Christian rock are just a few of the genres that fall under the umbrella of “Christian music” today.
It is not unusual to have most of us wondering if a popular band or artiste, with uplifting songs, is a Christian band. Thousands of people all over the country and around the world regularly ask the very same question, and this article, in fact, is dedicated to answering one of those…
Is Starset a Religious Band?
American rock band Starset was founded in 2013 in Columbus, Ohio. The band’s music is marked by a blend of hard rock and electronic elements, along with deep lyrics that frequently have science fiction themes.
Starset has put out three full-length albums as well as a number of well-liked singles over the years, such as “My Demons,” “Carnivore,” “Monster,” and “Rise and Fall.” The band has a significant following and has performed extensively both domestically and abroad.
Given the band’s distinctive fusion of musical styles and themes, some fans and reviewers have questioned if Starset is a Christian band or if their lyrics represent Christian values. In this article, we will investigate this assertion by examining the band’s history, songs, and public remarks on the subject.
History & Background of Starset
Lead singer and songwriter Dustin Bates, a qualified scientist with a PhD in electrical engineering, founded the band Starset. Bates created Starset after giving up his academic career to pursue music with the intention of using the band as a vehicle to further advocacy and education in science and technology.
Starset’s debut album, “Transmissions,” which included popular songs like “My Demons” and “Carnivore,” was released in 2014. The band’s music and stage act had aspects of science fiction and technology, while the lyrics on the album addressed issues like the risks of technology and the power of the human mind.
The second album, “Vessels,” was released in 2017, and it featured the hit singles “Monster” and “Rise and Fall.” The album was well-received by critics and contributed to the band’s growing reputation as an original and progressive force in the rock world.
The third album by Starset, “Divisions,” with the number-one single “Telepathic,” was released in 2020. The band’s habit of fusing hard rock and electronic elements with thought-provoking themes in their songs was taken a notch higher. Their fourth studio album, “Horizons” was released in 2021 to much critical acclaim.
Overall, Starset is the story of musicians who use cutting-edge technology and storytelling to produce a captivating, immersive, and all-encompassing shared experience for their intended audience. a prime example of creating brand resonance.
Religious Beliefs & Inclinations of Starset
Trying to understand Starset is like attempting to understand space and time itself. Dustin Bates, the band’s leader, is unquestionably one of the smartest men in the music business, and he has a PhD in electrical engineering to prove it.
The band’s fictional narrative, which Bates created, serves as the foundational framework for all of their music and multimedia. According to the narrative, the Starset Society created Starset as a part of a public outreach program. The Society’s objectives were to inform the public of “the Message,” which it had learned about via a mysterious space signal. In order to accomplish this mission, they use Bates and his band among other means.
Starset does not identify as a Christian band and would rather be called a science band. According to Bates, “It’s a science and sci-fi band. On one side of the coin, we use sci-fi narratives to show various dystopias. On the other side, we represent science. I like the way we speak to science in a similar way that a Christian band speaks to Christianity.”
Additionally, according to Bates, the band’s lyrics and music are influenced by a variety of authors, films, and other media, including real-world scientific theories and notions.
Analysis of Lyrics & Themes in Starset’s Music
In spite of the fact that some of Starset’s songs may contain Christian overtones or references, the band’s general message, and themes are more centered on science and technology, and the lyrics are left free to interpretation. Here are a few songs from Starset along with the themes they touch on.
“My Demons”
“My Demons,” which was released on the band’s debut album, “Transmissions,” in 2014, deals with the struggle to overcome inner demons and self-doubt.
“Take me over the walls below
Fly forever, don’t let me go
I need a savior to heal my pain
When I become my worst enemy
Take me high and I’ll sing
You make everything okay
We are one and the same
You take all of the pain away”
The lyrics could be read as reflecting Christian themes of redemption and overcoming trouble, but these themes are not specific to Christianity and could be seen in a more general sense as well.
“Monster”
“Monster,” which was released on the album “Vessels” in 2017, deals with the struggle to overcome personal demons and the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
“This is the world you’ve created
The product of what I’ve become
My soul and my youth
Seems it’s all for you to use
If I could take back the moment
I’d let you get under my skin
Relent or resist
Seems the monster always wins
You’re the pulse in my veins
You’re the war that I wage
Can you change me?
Can you change me?”
From the context, you start to realise the narrator fell for some trap or temptation and is rather taunting who they consider the cause of the problems. The lyrics could be interpreted as reflecting themes of overcoming temptation and the dangers of conformity, but these themes could also be seen in a more general sense.
“Manifest”
“Manifest” is a song by American rock band Starset, released on their third album “Divisions” in 2020. The song deals with the theme of love and relationships and the struggles that can arise within them.
“Gravity
I pull on you
Close enough to rendezvous
You come to me and then you slip right through
I’m in the solitude
Starlight, star bright
You’ve got your missiles flying through the air tonight
And it’s alright, alright
I think I’m getting used to the firefight
‘Cause you fall in and fall away
This love is in retrograde
Fall in and fall away
I kinda think you like this
Regress!”
The song’s lyrics discuss “retrograde” love, which could be read figuratively as a relationship that is regressing or deteriorating. In their relationship, the narrator sings of feeling lonely and alone and describes how the other person is “slipping through” and is unable to connect.
In general, the messages in Starset’s music are universally appealing and relatable to listeners of all ages and worldviews. They do not really discuss religion, and they also do not have explicitly Christian themes.
Is Starset a Christian Band?
After considering all the factors and evidence highlighted above, we cannot call Starset a Christian band.
None of their songs makes a clear and explicit reference to Christianity. Most of the songs in their discography are about nonreligious subjects. The band describes itself as a science band, and its entire discography and backstory make that even more clear.
Is Starset a Satanic Band?
Due to the nature of their backstory, the name, and their value proposition, some have linked Starset to Illuminati, believing them to be self-appointed agents of scientific change.
Well, looking at their music, there is no clear intention for their music to be demonic or to further satanic doctrines. There is actually no direct link to the Illuminati or to satanism. They are just a group of science enthusiasts who love making good music and choose to share their views on that.
It wouldn’t be right to label them a satanic band.
Wrapping Up
Whatever one’s opinion of Starset’s music may be, it is obvious that they have created a significant and influential body of work that has appealed to listeners from a variety of backgrounds.
We would like to know your opinion on the subject. Is Starset a Christian band? Do you agree with our submission or do you have any further reasons that make you believe otherwise?
Let us know in the comments!