Here is a band that is far-removed from the Christian metal scene. For whatever reason, they just never continued after releasing one EP titled "Realm Of The Dead". Purgation can be described as a mixture of Soundgarden and Black Sabbath... Maybe a little Tool here and there. Interesting band. I wish they had made more stuff because I really like it. I will be honest though. After initially going to their website and seeing how influenced by Sabbath they were, I was a little hesitant about promoting them in any way. I don't know; Sabbath was one of those bands that you should definitely steer clear from as a Christian (coming from a long-time previous fan). With that said, I uncovered an interview somewhere on the internet by the lead singer Ronnie Griffin. Pretty convincing where he stands... The album is also full of great lyrics—mostly doom-type, end of the world, repent stuff, but great nonetheless. If anyone reading this knows what happened to these guys, let me know. I would like to know what they're up to.
INTERVIEW with Ronnie (singer) that I found on the internet:
Conducted via email in March of 2001. Thunderline - How would you describe the sound of
Purgation to someone who has never heard you? (and what does the name Purgation
mean)? Ronnie - The music would be described as heavy doom with a dark feel
to it that sets the mood for the world we live in today which is pretty dark.
The word Purgation means the act of purging which means to cleanse which we
know God is going to do to this world sooner or later. Thunderline - You have a new cd out called "Realm
of the Dead" can you tell us a little about that? Ronnie - I was listening to David Barton who is a Christian historian
and he was talking about our country's founding fathers and he was giving
some quotes from one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas
McCain, who was talking about hell and he called it "The Regions of Sorrow"
and I thought that would be an interesting title for a song and song subject
and I got to thinking about all of the people I've talked to over the years
about Christianity and being saved and the Bible says that people who aren't
saved are spiritually dead and that's what this world is like. It's spiritually
dead. In the song I say "and as I look on I begin to see, the despondence
hints reality" and what I mean is the lack of response to the Christian message
shows that this world is non-acceptant of the message. I decided to give it
the title Realm of the Dead to fit what the Bible says about people who don't
accept Christ and that is spiritually dead. Thunderline - What sort of lyrical topics do you cover? Ronnie - I like to counter-act what some of the secular bands are saying
in their songs which is a total anti-Christ message. It used to be that the
earlier metal bands would have topics in their songs about Satan or Satan
worship but now it's pure blasphemy towards Christianity and Jesus. That's
what the song Eulogy ( part 2 ) is about. It's a counter action towards a
secular band's song which is really blasphemous towards Jesus. I don't think
it's right that these guys can put down my beliefs and then expect not to
get a response to it. I'm not saying that they can't say what they want or
say something that might offend someone else's beliefs but they should respect
my right to say something about what they say if it offends me. Thunderline - Do you consider Purgation a "ministry"
band? Ronnie - Yeah. I'd like to change the world and the only real way to
change the world is through Jesus. Music is a good way to get to people. I
remember hearing a quote from a musician who said to a law maker, and I quote,
" You make the laws and I'll write the songs and I'll rule the world". Not
that I want to rule the world but it just shows you how powerful a tool music
is. When I first got into music I wanted to be just like the bands I was getting
into. So I know music can change people. I know it's not as easy as it sounds
but it can be done. Thunderline - How important do you feel it is to deliver
a message within your lyrics? Ronnie - It's very important but there are right ways to deliver a
message and wrong ways as I've come to find out in the past year. The message
is the most important thing in this music. It should be for all Christian
bands. I was looking at a secular band's website and it seemed that the most
important thing for them to get out was their message. It's a message of new
ageism and I think we need to counter-act this kind of thing and I think that
our message should be just as important. The music has to be there too though. Thunderline - Who is the lineup of Purgation? Ronnie - Ronnie Griffin - Vocals, Guitar and Bass, Jerry Allnet - Guitar,
Peppy Ruiz - Drums Thunderline - Do you get to play many live shows? Ronnie - We're only a studio band at the moment. Thunderline - If you could go out on our with any
band in the world (Christian or secular) who would it be and why? Ronnie - I've never really thought about that but it would be great
to play with anybody. Thunderline - What does the future hold for Purgation? Ronnie - We hope that this will take off and we can do this full time.
There's definitely another CD in the future. Thunderline - What are you guys' jobs, hobbies, interests
outside the band? Ronnie - We all work full time day jobs. Thunderline - Who are some of your influences (or
bands you just enjoy listening to)? Ronnie - I respect bands like Tool, Black Sabbath and Solace for their
musicianship but not for their message. These are the bands that influence
me musically but it's hard to enjoy them because of their lyrics. Thunderline - Final comments? Ronnie - Thanks for the interview Norm. It's greatly appreciated and
we'd like to invite people to visit our website at www.purgation.com
My son brought these guys to my attention a while back, and after listening, I could tell they were different. They definitely bring it metal-wise, but they have a nice alternative feel as well. Here is their latest video called "The Greater Hands Of Lesser Sons" off their album Make Amends. Enjoy!
I was given an album a while back of a band called "The Old-timers". I went through a punk-period back when I was a skater (in the 80's) which consisted of bands like: G.B.H., Subhumans, Vandals, Minor Threat, Hard Ons and so many others. Listening to this album took me back in a totally positive way. It's filled with all of the same energy and sound that all those older bands had, but with the love of Jesus Christ throughout. Getting this album has really taken me back to a special place in time, only now it's something I can totally get in to. They are signed to a label called Thumper Punk Records. They have many other bands that are signed that I plan on checking out.
For now, if you ever liked real punk, drop what you're doing and check out The Old-timers. You won't be disappointed. God bless!
I would like to call attention to a band called The Overseer. I remember long ago when they had their equipment stolen and thinking to myself, "How are they going to continue?" True enough, they have proven that they have perseverance and God on their side. The Bible says that with God ALL things are possible and this is a good example. Here is a cool video of "Absolve" that comes off their release "We Search, We Dig".
Sinner's Creed, a memoir by Scott Stapp of Creed, is due to come out October 2, of this year. I strongly encourage you to get it, if not to encourage him, to deepen your walk with the Lord by hearing someone else's testimony. I personally am curious to know what he went through as a Christian, rising to great heights as a world renowned rocker to the Creed breakup and then to now. Until now, it was always really blurry to me, where he stood as a Christian. I follow him on Twitter and I realize that he has always been a Christian, but like me, went astray and returned like the prodigal son.