Music Born from Darkness, Redeemed by Light

[Renewedstrength316]

Hello friends,

I’m Shane—Christian composer, poet, and survivor of some very dark beginnings.

I don’t write typical worship songs. My music was born out of brokenness, shaped by a deep hunger for healing, and refined by my journey back to Christ. I grew up in an abusive, addiction-ridden home. My stepfather was a chief of police by title, but inside our house, he was an alcoholic who exposed me to pornography at a young age—something that shaped a decades-long struggle. I’m sharing that not for sympathy, but because it’s the soil from which my testimony and art have grown.

God met me there—in the pain, in the silence, in the wrestling—and slowly, through grace, He began to rebuild me. Music became part of that healing. What I create now is raw, emotional, cinematic, and spiritual. My songs aren’t always pretty or polished—they’re honest. And they’re meant to stir something deeper in the soul: conviction, hope, sorrow, and redemption.

I don’t use social media, so I’m grateful for spaces like this where real people share real things. I’d love to connect with others who make music out of truth, struggle, and faith. If you’re curious about my work, my new song Awakening is up now—rooted in yearning for God, with lyrics that trace the journey from emptiness to spiritual rebirth.

Thanks for having me here. I look forward to supporting your music too.

In Christ,
Shane

 

[notmywillbuthine]

Wow. That was really good. If you have more songs that you have composed, then I would like to hear them. As I was listening to that song, I was thinking that it could be part of some sort of Christian opera. I really liked it a lot.

 

[notmywillbuthine]

Just a few days ago, one of my Christian friends asked me if I could recommend any Christian music to her. I just sent her a link to this post. She's a tough critic, but I think that she will like it. Thank you for sharing your song, btw. I have always liked that type of cinematic/operatic music, and it's not something that is easy to find in relation to Christ.

 

[Renewedstrength316]

Wow. That was really good. If you have more songs that you have composed, then I would like to hear them. As I was listening to that song, I was thinking that it could be part of some sort of Christian opera. I really liked it a lot.

Thank you so much—that really means a lot to me.
This song, Awakening, came from a place of deep spiritual searching and emotional pain. To hear that it resonated with you and even evoked something like a Christian opera... that's incredibly humbling.

Yes, there’s more to come. I’m actually working on an entire symphonic concept series called “Ascension Symphony”—each piece tells a part of a larger spiritual journey, through orchestration and honest emotion. I’d love to share more with you as I release it.

Thanks again for listening. You made my day.

 

[Renewedstrength316]

Just a few days ago, one of my Christian friends asked me if I could recommend any Christian music to her. I just sent her a link to this post. She's a tough critic, but I think that she will like it. Thank you for sharing your song, btw. I have always liked that type of cinematic/operatic music, and it's not something that is easy to find in relation to Christ.

Wow, thank you so much for this.
It honestly means more than I can put into words. Awakening was born from a place of brokenness, healing, and a longing to feel God’s presence again. So to hear that it resonated with you—and that you’d even consider it part of a Christian opera or cinematic worship—is deeply encouraging.

The fact that you shared it with your friend truly humbles me. Whether she loves it or not, the idea that something I created might reach someone else’s heart... that’s everything I’m trying to do with this music.

There’s a whole series in progress called Ascension Symphony—all original compositions that weave together faith, struggle, and redemption in a symphonic, emotional way. I’d be honored to share more with you both as they release.

Thank you again for taking the time to listen and respond. You’ve really blessed me today.

 

[notmywillbuthine]

Yes, there’s more to come. I’m actually working on an entire symphonic concept series called “Ascension Symphony”—each piece tells a part of a larger spiritual journey, through orchestration and honest emotion. I’d love to share more with you as I release it.

I would definitely be interested in hearing it. There are hardly any Christian songs that I listen to because so many of them are irreverent and sensual, and they also seem to draw more attention to the "performer" than they do to the one who is being sung about. I found your song to be refreshingly reverent, and full of humility and genuine gratitude. My focus was definitely upward during the entirety of the song. God bless you as you continue down this path. God knows we could use more music like this.

 

[Lynx]

Hello friends,

I’m Shane—Christian composer, poet, and survivor of some very dark beginnings.

I don’t write typical worship songs. My music was born out of brokenness, shaped by a deep hunger for healing, and refined by my journey back to Christ. I grew up in an abusive, addiction-ridden home. My stepfather was a chief of police by title, but inside our house, he was an alcoholic who exposed me to pornography at a young age—something that shaped a decades-long struggle. I’m sharing that not for sympathy, but because it’s the soil from which my testimony and art have grown.

God met me there—in the pain, in the silence, in the wrestling—and slowly, through grace, He began to rebuild me. Music became part of that healing. What I create now is raw, emotional, cinematic, and spiritual. My songs aren’t always pretty or polished—they’re honest. And they’re meant to stir something deeper in the soul: conviction, hope, sorrow, and redemption.

I don’t use social media, so I’m grateful for spaces like this where real people share real things. I’d love to connect with others who make music out of truth, struggle, and faith. If you’re curious about my work, my new song Awakening is up now—rooted in yearning for God, with lyrics that trace the journey from emptiness to spiritual rebirth.

Thanks for having me here. I look forward to supporting your music too.

In Christ,
Shane

Howdy and welcome to the forum.

Who did the lead vocal on that recording?

 

[Renewedstrength316]

I would definitely be interested in hearing it. There are hardly any Christian songs that I listen to because so many of them are irreverent and sensual, and they also seem to draw more attention to the "performer" than they do to the one who is being sung about. I found your song to be refreshingly reverent, and full of humility and genuine gratitude. My focus was definitely upward during the entirety of the song. God bless you as you continue down this path. God knows we could use more music like this.

Thank you. I have alot of songs I'll be sharing. Including 2 enormous projects I'll be revealing soon

 

[Renewedstrength316]

Howdy and welcome to the forum.

Who did the lead vocal on that recording?

Howdy! Thanks for the welcome.
The lead vocals on that recording were created using AI technology. I wanted to explore new ways to bring my music to life, and the AI helped me achieve the sound I was looking for.
If you want to know more about the process or the project, I’m happy to share!

 

[notmywillbuthine]

This song, Awakening, came from a place of deep spiritual searching and emotional pain.

That definitely comes across throughout the song.

The lead vocals on that recording were created using AI technology. I wanted to explore new ways to bring my music to life, and the AI helped me achieve the sound I was looking for.
If you want to know more about the process or the project, I’m happy to share!

I had no idea that AI could be used to produce vocals that sound like that. I have watched teaching videos on YouTube that were probably narrated by AI, but those all sounded robotic. If you wouldn't mind, I would be interested in knowing something about the process. Is there a tutorial or something on the topic that you could recommend? My brother has recorded several music CD's over the years. Although his lyrics are generally very good, he goes to a recording studio and hires some vocalists there. Not to sound mean, but they are terrible vocalists, and they make his songs sound worse than bad karaoke. I thought that I would never hear myself say this, but, apparently, AI can be used in a way that is glorifying to God. The AI aside, I can tell that your lyrics came from a grateful heart, and I believe that your song is a sweet savor unto God.

Btw, my friend emailed me back, and she said that she loved the sound of your song. That makes two of us. I listened to your song a good 8 or 9 times throughout the day. Keep them coming.

 

[notmywillbuthine]

I just checked out your YouTube channel, and I watched your "My Story" video there. I noticed that you wrote the lyrics to "Awaken" on your YouTube page, and I am wondering if it would be easy to add them to the video as well. If you could, then I believe that it might make the video an even more powerful testimony of God's mercy and grace. Either way, thank you again for sharing your song here. It truly did bless me.

 

[Lynx]

Howdy! Thanks for the welcome.
The lead vocals on that recording were created using AI technology. I wanted to explore new ways to bring my music to life, and the AI helped me achieve the sound I was looking for.
If you want to know more about the process or the project, I’m happy to share!

I thought so.

 

[Renewedstrength316]

That definitely comes across throughout the song.
I had no idea that AI could be used to produce vocals that sound like that. I have watched teaching videos on YouTube that were probably narrated by AI, but those all sounded robotic. If you wouldn't mind, I would be interested in knowing something about the process. Is there a tutorial or something on the topic that you could recommend? My brother has recorded several music CD's over the years. Although his lyrics are generally very good, he goes to a recording studio and hires some vocalists there. Not to sound mean, but they are terrible vocalists, and they make his songs sound worse than bad karaoke. I thought that I would never hear myself say this, but, apparently, AI can be used in a way that is glorifying to God. The AI aside, I can tell that your lyrics came from a grateful heart, and I believe that your song is a sweet savor unto God.

Btw, my friend emailed me back, and she said that she loved the sound of your song. That makes two of us. I listened to your song a good 8 or 9 times throughout the day. Keep them coming.

Wow, thank you so much—that means more than I can say. 🙏

You're right—AI vocals often do sound robotic, but there's been a huge leap in what’s possible lately. What you heard in my song was the result of hours of testing different vocal models, adjusting phrasing and pitch to make sure it still felt human, and most importantly—heartfelt. I try to guide the AI with as much emotional intention as I would if I could sing it myself.

I totally understand your concern about vocalists—I've been there too. For me, using AI wasn't about cutting corners; it was a way to bring the lyrics and spirit of the song to life when I didn’t have the voice or resources to record it traditionally. I pray over every part of the process—even when using tools like AI—because at the end of the day, it’s all meant to glorify God.

As for tutorials, I'd be happy to point you toward some helpful resources if you or your friend ever want to explore it. I believe God can use any tool, including technology, when the heart behind it is right.

And hearing that your friend enjoyed it too—that really touched me. Thank you for sharing it, and thank you for listening multiple times. That kind of encouragement is fuel to keep going. More songs are coming soon, and I’d be honored to share the journey with you both.

Grace and peace to you,
—Shane

 

[Renewedstrength316]

I just checked out your YouTube channel, and I watched your "My Story" video there. I noticed that you wrote the lyrics to "Awaken" on your YouTube page, and I am wondering if it would be easy to add them to the video as well. If you could, then I believe that it might make the video an even more powerful testimony of God's mercy and grace. Either way, thank you again for sharing your song here. It truly did bless me.

It's funny you mentioned it. It's something I'm working on.

 

[notmywillbuthine]

As for tutorials, I'd be happy to point you toward some helpful resources if you or your friend ever want to explore it. I believe God can use any tool, including technology, when the heart behind it is right.

If you could point me towards some resources, then I would be very grateful. Thank you.

 

[Renewedstrength316]

If you could point me towards some resources, then I would be very grateful. Thank you.

Thanks so much for your kind words! It means a lot to hear the music is resonating with you.

About the process — I combine traditional songwriting with some modern tech tools to help bring the songs to life. AI-based vocal synthesis and music production software have come a long way, and there are several programs out there that can create realistic vocals or assist with composing and mixing.

If you’re curious, some popular AI and music production tools include software like Vocaloid, Synthesizer V, and DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) like FL Studio, Ableton Live, or Logic Pro. There are also AI tools that help with composing melodies and harmonies.

I recommend checking out tutorials on YouTube or music production communities online if you want to dive deeper into how technology can blend with creativity.

Ultimately, the heart behind the music — the faith and story — is what gives it meaning and purpose.

Thanks again for your support and thoughtful questions. I’m grateful you’re listening!

 

[notmywillbuthine]

If you’re curious, some popular AI and music production tools include software like Vocaloid, Synthesizer V, and DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) like FL Studio, Ableton Live, or Logic Pro. There are also AI tools that help with composing melodies and harmonies.

I recommend checking out tutorials on YouTube or music production communities online if you want to dive deeper into how technology can blend with creativity.

Thank you. I will look into those things myself, and I will also pass this information along to my brother because I believe that it could be of great use to him.

Ultimately, the heart behind the music — the faith and story — is what gives it meaning and purpose.

I totally agree with you. When I listen to your song, Isaiah 57:15 comes to my mind. There, God said that he dwells with those who are of a contrite and humble spirit. As long as you keep your heart right, and I am confident that you will, I believe that God will continue inspiring you to compose music that glorifies him.

 

[notmywillbuthine]

If I might put in a personal request, then I would love to hear a direct reference to Jesus or Christ in one of your songs. I know who you are writing about because of some of your lyrics, coupled with my knowledge of scripture, and also by conversing with you, but others might not. The term "God" can be very subjective, so a direct reference could help to point your listeners in the right direction. I hope that I didn't overstep a boundary by requesting that. I just love Jesus, and I love hearing glory and honor being given to his name.

 

[Renewedstrength316]

If I might put in a personal request, then I would love to hear a direct reference to Jesus or Christ in one of your songs. I know who you are writing about because of some of your lyrics, coupled with my knowledge of scripture, and also by conversing with you, but others might not. The term "God" can be very subjective, so a direct reference could help to point your listeners in the right direction. I hope that I didn't overstep a boundary by requesting that. I just love Jesus, and I love hearing glory and honor being given to his name.

Stay tuned, I have multi rock/ metal cinematic albums that are all about Christ, including a theatrical one that goes from his birth to Ascension. I've got almost 20 albums ready for release

 

[notmywillbuthine]

Stay tuned, I have multi rock/ metal cinematic albums that are all about Christ, including a theatrical one that goes from his birth to Ascension. I've got almost 20 albums ready for release

TBH, and not to cause offense, although the words cinematic and theatrical excite me, the words rock and metal cause trepidation, and there is no need for any Stryper fans to sermonize me. I got saved out of a rock background, and it wasn't until God pulled me out of it that I realized how demonic it truly was. I am also somewhat renowned among those who know me as the person who has walked out of church services due to the rock element in their praise and worship. When I think of music and how it pertains to Christ, my mind immediately goes to the psalms and also to the type of reverential worship that I see angels and men giving him throughout scripture, For me, it is hard to envision any sort of rock or metal element attached to it. Therefore, I might not be your target audience in those endeavors, but I will give an initial listen to it simply because of the heart attitude towards Christ that you have already displayed in your other song and your posts here. If you can make a believer out of me, then that would be the equivalent of a modern-day miracle. Who knows? Maybe you can.