There’s a deep history of Christian metal, and one of the leading torchbearers over the past 15 years is the metalcore band Phinehas. While the band’s early lyrics were loaded with clear Christian themes, vocalist Sean McCulloch has evolved into a much more complex songwriter. Throughout the band’s new album, titled “The Fire Itself,” McCulloch wrestles with depression, isolation and other personal battles that mask any overt nods to the Christian bible. McCulloch talks here about his introduction to metal outside the bounds of his faith, his creative path behind the new album and his distaste for how Christianity plays out in modern politics.