Gwen Stacy Leads Metalcore Bill at Ground Central

While Christian metalcore band Gwen Stacy takes its lyrical work seriously as a means to express its beliefs, the music clearly nods to the more polished version of metal as it conveys elements of hardcore. Posicore? The band named after Peter Parker's girlfriend hails from Indianapolis and is well-versed on the international touring circuit, undeterred by lackluster reviews for 2008 album The Life I Know. Chuck that to critics biased against Christian music. Who cares, as long as the music's good? And 2009 follow-up A Dialogue fares much better in those terms.

Keeping the metal going with another religious angle will be Canton, Ohio,'s Inhale Exhale, also doing the metalcore thing with equal gusto. Expect chug-along riffs, chunky bass lines, and intricate drums under clean vocals. Though a devil-may-care attitude could work, since This or the Apocalypse is billed too, and it's nice to have choices.