Not very.

The occult comes up sometimes in heavy metal.I think it was more of an image or gimmick that the bands were trying to portray.

Not at all. In the 1970's there were bands like Black Sabbath that would pretend to use occult concepts just to freak people out, but it was all for show. Believing that Rock music is occult is like believing that Sarah Michelle Geller hunts vampires or that Daniel Radcliffe can cast spells.

About as much as Lounge Music. And about as much as Country Western. I wonder about Christian Rock though. (Not really, but get real! Why would Rock music be rooted in the occult?) And even if any of it were, would it affect you? Would it affect me? Nope. It is music. Not a magic spell. Music. A collection of tones and melody and rythym. Sometimes words, which mean all sorts of things to the myriad of people who hear them. Heck, most of us cannot understand the words despite trying very hard. If you are afraid of this type of thing happening, relax. Your fear will do more harm than any amount of art produced out of occult belief.

It's an advertising, marketing gimmick..Nothing more.

As much as any style of music. No music is perfect. But it is a useful tool to spread the gospel. To do so, you use the style of music that will reach your target audience, making sure that your words are clear and distinct, and the message strong. There may be some styles of music that are easier to use than others, but most are fair game to be taken back for Christ. I sing rock music as well as gospel, mix the two. As a performer, I have, in fact, performed music written as long ago as the 1600s and as recently as now. I have come to the conclusion that there is good and bad in all styles. Look at the words of songs from a number of genres. Look at the lifestyles of the singers. Is there anything better about the music or life of Frank Sinatra, than that of a rockstar? Not at all. Frank's stuff started off talking about airy fairy romances and ended up with "My Way". He was as much a gangsta as any of the rap stars. He just covered it up with a suit and tie. A lot of rock music may be self-centred, narcissistic, mysogynistic and violent, but so is country music, rap music etc They may not glorify God in their present forms, but that doesn't mean they are rooted in the occult. What they need is to be taken back and turned into evangelistic tools. I am not saying that there are not artists in the industry, who have not dabbled in the occult (even more eg the lead singer of Soft Cell, an 80s British band, is now head of the Church of Satan in part of England) but not all artists are into it. Most are just unrepentant sinners, rebelling against God and living "my way" (with all the collateral damage that goes with such a lifestyle). As are most artists across most genres.

Suggesting that bands like Black Sabbath would 'pretend' to use occult practices to freak people out is incorrect. Indeed, there are numerous bands (including Black Sabbath) which were heavily involved in black-magic and the occult both on and off-stage. Another obvious group is Led Zeppelin and the Beatles; (check out the interviews they gave). Whether people invoke evil (through jest or direct intention) the end result is the same; there is a price to pay for knocking on satan's door. There are no excuses for ignorance and no let-offs when it comes to the occult. Sadly, many people play the most dangerous game of their life and the rules are beyond their understanding too late. Mark

Well if you grew up in the late 70's and early 80's in the US you would know that ALL rock music comes from the Devil!! Rock On!!

"Rock music" is such a broad category. You can say that a particular song is rooted in the Occult, but I think is is unfair to say that about a, entire genre of music. There are rock songs with religious themes that are actually the opposite of Occult-ish. I don't even listen to rock, but I can see how this may offend many people who do and who have nothing to do with the Occult.

Just to clarify on the article (above), you need to do your history/homework regarding certain groups. Not all rock groups are linked to the occult but certain groups are - that's an historical fact. The "show" on stage is usually a reflection of life off-stage. I guess for a non-christian it's difficult to grasp the reality and the serious nature of such practice but if you don't believe in the spiritual world and the concept of good and evil as a spiritual reality which can manifest in different ways then it becomes extremely difficult to understand the consequences and no further explanation is possible.

I do not believe that Rock Music is rooted in the Occult at all.

i wouldn't trust jesus christ with anything. the amount of wars his little book has created is physically sickening.

Not much.