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Post by ironguardian on Mar 28, 2008 8:22:17 GMT -5
What do people make of their lyrics? I know we think of them as one of the world's greatest Christian doom/goth bands, but really, what in their lyrics goes to show their beliefs?
Now, I'm not wanting an argument, just a discussion. I'm still digesting a couple of their older albums, and then I'll post my thoughts.
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Post by The Centurion on Mar 28, 2008 10:42:20 GMT -5
Rowland, the older albums especially Sombre Romantic used to disturb me beyond belief. I did not think they were a Christian band because of how severe their lyrics were. Examples being Museum of Iscariot and I Sleep with the Emperor. I was very concerned about them for a very long time. Yet as I read the lyrics and prayed about the whole situation. I began to see the spiritual truths in their music. Really what I think it is, is that the members of Virgin Black must have been severely burned by organized religion. Which is why they dont hold the flag of "Christian metal band" because they dont want to be associated with a group of people who have rejected them. Thats my stab at it anyway.
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Post by zooba on Mar 29, 2008 4:27:41 GMT -5
Did you read the lyrics to 'A Poet's Tears of Porcelain?'. It's actually my favourite worship song.
As tears again bedew my cheek To your knees I cling Oh merciful one Show me your glory Was I not bruised? Have you not healed? They dance to silence But your song I hear Holy lord, fathomless god tears flow But the water is sweet Holy lord, fathomless god I fall as one dead With quivering lips Blessed be, priest and friend All Heavens bow In admiration Fathomless depth Measureless height Great is your holiness
My friends all hate Virgin Black ('This is so depressing! How can you listen to this??') but I really love them. Especially in Sombre Romantic I don't see their lyrics as depressing but as hopeful, with the main theme being 'yes life sucks, but I have hope because I trust in God.' (look also at the lyrics to 'Lamenting Kiss'). They actually cite some Bible verses in the liner notes of that album.
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Post by ironguardian on Mar 31, 2008 7:34:31 GMT -5
I find it odd that London could go from Discarnate to the lyrics in VB.. so different.
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Post by zooba on Apr 2, 2008 5:55:08 GMT -5
Discarnate? That was the death metal band he was in before VB right? Have you heard any of them? If so, are they good and where do I get my hands on it?
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Post by ironguardian on Apr 2, 2008 6:16:07 GMT -5
You get your hands on it by killing one of the people who have it. Wait... I think I've got their album on mp3, and a live audio bootleg... I'll have to look into that Both Rowan and one of the others were in Discarnate. Two of the others who were in Discarnate left to form Embodiment.
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Post by ironguardian on Apr 2, 2008 8:33:55 GMT -5
You get your hands on it by killing one of the people who have it. Wait... I think I've got their album on mp3, and a live audio bootleg... I'll have to look into that Both Rowan and one of the others were in Discarnate. Two of the others who were in Discarnate left to form Embodiment. I'm going to make a thread about Discarnated.
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Sutekh
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Post by Sutekh on Apr 5, 2008 21:03:27 GMT -5
Mike the Disc. guitarist joined Embodiment as they pursued their hardcore direction as Embodiment 12:14. Rowan joined VB. Kelvin, Disc. drummer, did the drum tracks on the VB demo, but did not formally join the band.
Rowan was interviewed by Hot Metal magazine when they did a 'white metal' feature in 1992/3?, where he described himself as an artist, or poet. In his Discarnated lyrics, you see a lot of metaphors, and it developed from there into more poetic language.
A trace of his 'direct' lyrical style is on Anthem, from the demo: "your incarnation compelled me/and threw me to my knees/how could I be anything/but a moth to the flame/your cross compels me/you're the breath that gives me life/you are beauty/you are mystery/you are the risen Christ.
There's not much mistaking that one!
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Post by ironguardian on Apr 5, 2008 21:17:19 GMT -5
*sigh* now Sutekh is here, I have to actually do my research instead of just pretending I know what I'm talking about regarding Aussie metal
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Sutekh
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Post by Sutekh on Apr 5, 2008 21:20:23 GMT -5
Hey -I have found a fanzine I did back in the early 90s with Discarnated on the cover. Anybody want a copy?
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Post by ironguardian on Apr 5, 2008 21:24:42 GMT -5
Hmm, I'll have to think about that one... hard decision...
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Post by zooba on Apr 13, 2008 4:43:03 GMT -5
First thoughts on Fortissimo:
Absolutely fabulous! Virgin Black albums always take a few listens to grow on me so I know a few listens from now I am going to be absolutely enthralled by this album. Usually I hate doom metal (even Paramaecium) so I'm actually not so sure whats different about VB but I just can't get enough of them.
I think maybe they could still have put a few of Rowan's clean vocals in there somewhere though, instead of just growling. Theres no specific point in the album that really stuck out to me as desperately needing clean vocals, but it couldn't have hurt to have experimented. Maybe they did try putting his clean vocals in but they later decided against it? who knows. It doesn't matter to much though as this album is still fabulous.
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Post by ironguardian on Aug 6, 2008 0:59:14 GMT -5
I've got it on good authority that Virgin Black do consider themselves to be a Chrisitan band, but "just careful to not alienate those who are quite understandibly repelled by Christiantity's sadly Jeckyl and Hyde nature".
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