The band works over familiar ground- Armageddon, the end times, etc- while wrapping the "hero" up in the mantel of a savior figure- someone who has a very important role to play when the time comes. Here an angel is corrupted in the continuing struggle between Heaven and Hell, with some notion of an earthly "Chosen One" involved as well. There's a whole lot of devils and angels to choose from in the music of Iron Maiden, but instead of going for the expected (666- Number of the Beast), or the inane (Angel and the Gambler), I'll go with a more. Other songs from Judas Priest that draw on the angel/devil/demon themes- "Deal With The Devil," "Green Manalishi," and "Demonizer," among others. Essentially, these are relationship songs, but with a veneer of religious symbolism. Oh no, gotcha claws stuck in me, you never let me go!" Sounds bad. Rob sings of "her"- "Oh no, you're so damn wicked, you got me by the throat. This could, however, simply fall into the relationship gone bad trope and this devil's progeny is merely human, but oh so evil. With "Devil's Child," Priest sticks to the devil = bad script. The lyrics ask for the "angel" to return, to offer succor, to "put sad wings around me now" (a reference to their early album, Sad Wings of Destiny, which places a fallen angel in Hell), and to "Hold me inside your wings and stay." It's a softer side of Judas Priest, to say the least, even though the image seen in the video is their interpretation of what an “angel” is- metallic, with sharp, razor edges, and on menacing. However, the first song, "Angel," evokes the image of an angel as compassionate and personal.
Yeah, with band names like that, you can just count on their inclusion in this blog entry. evil themes, then move further afield as we go.īlack Sabbath, Priest were pioneers in heavy metal and also established the use of religion/the demonic as a theme in Heavy Metal. Where to start? Let's start with those bands/musicians we would expect to play on the good vs. Who- don't blink!), or perhaps a sexy, loving' lil devil. Or, musicians could do a complete role reversal- a very bad, deadly angel (think of a Weeping Angel from Dr. The middle ground is the fallen angel or sympathetic devil- both good and bad. evil- and use them as they stand, or shape them into something new and different, even less threatening or less goody-goody.
Angel demons song license#
Creative license being what it is, music is able to take those binary representations- angel vs. Conversely, say "devil" and the wrinkled nose or furrowed brow denote negative connotations and an automatic dour response. Say the word "angel" and invariably we think of something good or benevolent. The images and artifacts of the personification of "good" and "evil" are reflective of our own, ingrained religiosity whether we are believers or not. For instance, pop singers have called the object of their desire "Angel" (usually denoting a female, but not always), or, if jilted, they might refer to them as "Devils." I'll touch on a few of the ways music has co-opted these terms for their own use and what cultural significance they impart.Īs integral to Western culture as religion is/was, it's no surprise that it winds up in our pop culture. evil religious context (Angels- flowing white robes, wings, halos, etc., Devils/Demons- cloven hooves, pointy tails, dark or red, horns, etc.), but the terms can also be used much more figuratively and whimsically. This iconography can be taken quite literally, in a good vs. I know, *serious* stuff, right? Ok, sarcasm off, it does seem that the use of the words (or embodiment) of Angel, Devil, and Demon show up quite a bit in, ahem, certain genre of music (looks at the long-haired, grubby metal dudes in the corner). Angels, Devils, and Demons in rock music. Today, we'll discuss the important topic of.
Alright, nerds, put away your D&D dice and your Magic cards, it's time to get serious.