While I was procrastinating, I found this thread, and registered. I don't intend to post here often, though.
I love rock/metal, and I figure I'd offer an atheist's perspective, since you mentioned it. I hope I'm not too harsh here. Don't try to please everyone, including those giving you advice. On with the advice:
Only you can decide what name's best for you. People can offer suggestions, but you know your band better than anyone here. I'll try to help you there.
First, I'll point to my name. bearetic. I went to Baylor, a Christian university. I lost my faith there. I am a heretic. Baylor's mascot is the bear. I am a furry. Put 1+1+1 together and I've got a name I often get compliments on, though sometimes people don't get it or pronounce it wrong. Also, it's unique! There were less than five Google results before I claimed this name. It's a keeper, even if I find faith again. If I had a band, I might name it bearetic.
Try not to steal a song name or anything like that. That's lame.
What do YOU want your band name to say?
If there were a word, sentence, paragraph, novel, event, building, ANYTHING that summed up "this is our band," take that and go from there.
Also, allow for room to grow. Musical directions change, opinions change, even faiths change. Everything changes, really. So because of and despite that, commit to something. If "Christian rock" is what you want to say, say it. Start general and get specific.
It doesn't matter how good your name and CD graphics are if the music is lame.
Lyrically, what bugs me is lack of effort, or unoriginal content. When cliches and stolen phrases make up the good portion of a song, it makes me facepalm. Relevant to religion is rehashed Bible verses. Get creative.
Personally, I dislike tired old end-of-the-world scenarios. Bla bla RFID chip, new world order, etc. But that's just me. I'm not the atheist pope or anything. Also, I'm not your primary audience! Write about anything you want, really.
If pop music and the radio has taught us anything, it's that good/catchy/etc music can save bad lyrics. An example of a song like this is Megadeth's "Washington is Next!" Good song, rehashed lyrical garbage (IMHO).
I'll say it again, don't try to please everyone. This is just my advice I'm giving because I wish I had a band. I'm jealous! I'm also a graphic designer if you need a logo... But that's not why I made this post. I made it because I should be looking for a job instead.
Good luck, work hard, and have fun!
