Some Christian bands feel 'Christian' that isn't a fitting description for music. That metal is metal. Even some well known and established Christian artists have adapted this mindset, such as Stryper. Personally, i don't care for that type of thinking. But that doesn't mean they are not sincere Christians. They will sometimes say they are 'Christians in a band' instead of being labeled as a 'Christian band'. And sometimes they do so because it closes doors for the band.
The band you are probably referring to is As I Lay Dying. They were genuinely Christian when they started. But the vocalist got hooked on steroids.
One of the former members of Becoming The Archetype (a legitimately Christian band) worked for a ministry for a while that helped out Christian bands on tour. He was in the position, as a touring band member himself, to see the issues that members of Christian bands go through on tour. The biggest problem, as his experience showed him, is not a lack of sincerity in Christian bands, but a lack of spiritual support. Most of these bands are broke on tour, relying on others kindness to give them places to sleep, food, showers, etc... Venues are known for ripping off smaller bands by not paying them in full. On tour they are inundated with people challenging their beliefs, women tempting them, drugs, alcohol, exposure to other beliefs, etc.. and they don't have anyone with them to help them with the questions others present them.
Also being cramped for a month or more at a time in a van or, if lucky, a small bus, with at least 5 people, sometimes more, wears on your nerves.
It's just that there are 1,000 things working against a small band on tour. And not a lot of spiritual or personal support. Or time alone. So these guys are always having people question their faith, which, over time and frequency, causes them to consider the options they're given.
So many bands start sincere, just that they are trying to take on the world, or worldliness, and it sometimes overcomes them, at least for a time.
And as stated above, we do have a thread full of Christian metal.
