With a unique, progressive sound, Christian metal band Nodes of Ranvier has carved out a space for itself in the metal scene. With intelligent lyrics that delve deep into the matters of the soul and spiritual doubts, many Christian metal fans are flocking to the band to find musical inspiration. The band's growling vocals and frightening sound may be scary on first listen, but their fans have found a band whose work continues to impress with each listen.

For your information, a node of Ranvier is a gap that appears on the outer surface of human nerve endings. Forming in 2000 in Sioux Falls, SD, the band was founded by guitarist Jon Parker. A split EP with Iowa's Innocence Broken was recorded as their debut in 2002. Lost Senses, More Innocence, the band's first full-length album, was released that same year.

The band has gone through several extensive lineup changes, but the songs they've released have always maintained the same quality. A self-titled release in 2003 and 2004's Years to Come expanded their listening base and deepened the passion of their fans. 2007's Defined By Struggle, though, would really bring the band's songwriting quality into full relief.

Songs like "Endless Faith" describe the feeling of being lost and trying to maintain one's faith. "Gone, everything I loved, just a memory/Stripped of every ounce of self-respect, fall to my knees/Cover me in ash, curse the day that I was born/Release me from this living death, welcome oblivion," the song's lyrics go.

On another track, "Wrathbearer," the lyrics extol the power of God, rediscovered by a doubter. "I wanted nothing more than to destroy your bloody cross/But redemption found a son of hell in a world completely lost/Now I've come to understand. I had betrayed salvation's hand/Love and fear divine. I have come to realize/Fools that laugh and mock beware, most will surely weep in hell."