Rocketown controversy: hardcore satanic metal at Christian teen venue Rocketown Halloween week

October 22, 6:35 PMNashville Gospel Music & Entertainment ExaminerKathryn Darden

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Michael W. Smith photo from Wikipedia

Tonight Channel 2 WKRN reported on a story concerning Nashville's Christian teen hangout, Rocketown, which is presenting a show of hardcore satanic metal music the week of Halloween (see video below). Keith Mohr, the founder and president of gospel music's Indieheaven.com, was briefly interviewed regarding his recent experience with the teen ministry. I contacted Keith Mohr, and he graciously agreed to share some of the details about the Rocketown controversy with Examiner readers. 

Rocketown's Controversial October 27 Line-Up

"My wife and myself are concerned parents," Keith explained, saying they have a 16-year-old son who wanted to attend a pre-Halloween-themed concert at Rocketown coming up on October 27 after a friend shared songs by The Black Dahlia Murder with him. "My son liked the way their music sounded," Mohr said, stating he and his wife listened to the songs, and although the lyrics were hard to understand, they found the music to be "very dark sounding."

The Black Dahlia Murder

Mohr and his wife did some research on The Black Dahlia Murder, Toxic Holocaust, Skeletonwitch and Trap Them and found the bands to be "hardcore satanic bands" and overtly anti-Christian. Mohr points out, "Their lyrics are anti-christian and very graphic." One example is the The Black Dahlia Murder song "Black Valor" which proclaims:

Join us! Black valor's on our side / Striking with satanic force we'll crush their fabled Christ  www.lyricsmania.com

Mohr also visited The Black Dahlia Murder's MySpace where he watched a promotional video about the band. "They were doing drugs and drinking on their tour bus. I am sure other impressionable youth have seen this video and been impacted by their activities."  

Rocketown Sending Mixed Signals?

After Mohr found out more about the bands and what they are saying in their songs, he posted about the upcoming Rocketown show on his Facebook page. "I raised the question - was it wise for Rocketown to have a concert with satanic bands performing, and how does that mesh with their mission?" And Mohr points out that while the satanic line-up is showcasing at Rocketown the week of Halloween, "Rocketown has had bands like these in for at least the last few years quite often."

Mixed Reactions to Rocketown Controversy

Mohr admits that while response on his Facebook network was strongly against Rocketown's night of satanic music, there has been a mixed reaction to the Rocketown controversy elsewhere. "Some see no issue. Others like me, take offense that an establishment that calls itself Christian and tells parents it is a safe haven for their kids, are bringing in hardcore satanic bands with the hopes that some may think Rocketown is a cool place and come back for something a bit more wholesome and enriching."

Michael W. Smith Introduces Rocketown in 1994

Rocketown was launched by Michael W. Smith in the Cool Springs Mall area in Williamson County in 1994. "It is well known that there is a great need for weekend/night time entertainment for teens and young people in this area, not to mention entertainment that is Christian quality controlled," Michael W. Smith stated when he introduced Rocketown. "'Rocketown' is a place where teens can go to socialize, play games, dance or listen to music without being bombarded by drugs, alcohol and sexual temptations."

Rocketown a Non-Traditional Ministry

However, Rocketown, which is now located in downtown Nashville, pointed out on the WKRN segment that they are a non-traditional ministry that wants to pull in unchurched kids, providing Christian and non-Christian teens alike a venue to see concerts in a safe environment.

Rocketown Mission Statement

The Rocketown mission statement reads:

Rocketown shares Christ's love with youth through creative programs and mentoring relationships that are culturally relevant and eternally significant.

Find out more about Rocketown's Halloween week schedule at the Rocketown calendar.