Reader: Do Devil Horns Cross the Line at Christian Concerts?

August Burns Red performed at the Summit Music Hall on January 29. Brandon Thirft

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

When Christian metalcore legends August Burns Red came through Denver in January, Westword photographer Brandon Thrift captured images that highlighted why metal and Christianity make for such a, well, unholy alliance.

Many in the crowd were sporting devil horns, that most iconic hand gesture metal-heads use to show their enthusiasm. And, you know, hail Satan and whatnot...

Danny pointed out the irony:

Haha. Love all the Devil horns from the fans at a Christian concert.

click to enlarge

August Burns Red performed at the Summit Music Hall on January 29.

Brandon Thirft

Not that we're judging those devil horns any more than we are the fan whose hand gesture of choice was the middle finger.

Sure, Christians can use lewd hand gestures, too — and as long as their hearts are right with Jesus, does it really matter if their hands are with Satan? We'll leave that theological question up to the experts.

In the meantime, read more of our coverage of August Burns Red and the metalcore scene.

click to enlarge

Miles Chrisinger

"Christian Metalcore Band August Burns Red Keeps On Grinding"

click to enlarge

August Burns Red performed at the Ogden Theatre on January 17, 2017.

Miles Chrisinger

"Christian Metalcore Act August Burns Red Slays for Jesus"

click to enlarge

August Burns Red

Miles Chrisinger

"Five of the Best Christian Metalcore Bands"

So what is metalcore, exactly?

Justin Criado wrote in Westword last year, "The metalcore sound, characterized by rage-filled, hardcore-style vocals and rapid-fire drums, rose on the heels of a new wave of United States heavy metal in the 2000s."

If you want to check out other examples of metalcore, Criado recommends Texas in July, Haste the Day, As I Lay Dying, and The Devil Wears Prada.

Hail Satan, er, Jesus...