The Gospel : According to Metallica

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Tom Weschler allegedly helped inspire Reed to create the opening melody. During recording, Weschler told Reed: You're in New York City , on the Bowery. You're under a streetlamp. There's a light mist coming down. You're all by yourself. Show me what that sounds like. Australian singer Jon English released a version of the song in as the lead single from his second studio album, It's All a Game. The song peaked at number 20 on the Kent Music Report. Of the many cover versions that have been recorded, the most popular might be that of Metallica who released it as the first single from their Garage Inc.

The accompanying music video explores a day in the life not of musicians, but a mother played by Ginger Lynn who is a sex worker ; that is, she works as a stripper by day, and a prostitute by night. MTV refused to air the video due to nudity and a scene depicting sexual assault between the mother and a client. Jon Bon Jovi has claimed that the song was a big influence on him and Richie Sambora when they were writing their song " Wanted Dead or Alive. The Bruce Springsteen song " Youngstown " uses a very similar tune.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Punch Andrews Bob Seger. Wayne State University Press, Australian Chart Book — St Ives , NSW: Retrieved December 14, Ramblin' Gamblin' Man Noah Mongrel. Brand New Morning Smokin' O. Live Bullet Nine Tonight.

Rock and Roll Never Forgets. Beating the Boards The Rock Show English History Modern English: Anger Death Magnetic Hardwired When it was suggested to him that filling his mind while he slept was opening him up to spiritual warfare he literally got a hammer out and crushed his iTouch. They prayed once more and the nightmares ceased. So your question can not have a black and white yes or no answer. What follows will hopefully lead you to a place where you can decide for yourself:.

This verse shows the freedom we have in Christ and how we have been liberated from the Law. It also, however, states that we are found in Christ. The answer you are looking for depends entirely whether or not you feel the Spirit convicting you while you listen to this music. The closer we get to the Light Jesus the more we are able to see how dirty we are. God may not see that as an issue in your life right now. He may have bigger things to work on with you than that. If you feel that in the slightest I would say God is asking you to lay it down before him, to no longer listen to it.

My blunt answer would state I do not suggest listening to this music because of how the enemy uses it to fill our minds with garbage. Ask God to reveal the answer to you through your own heart and convictions. I think based on my knowledge of their work and not any direct knowledge that they write lyrics on concepts that they think would be interesting to convey in a song. Now music, of course, has an emotional component. How one reacts emotionally to music is something that only each individual knows.

However, if you like being a Christian, and you like Metallica at the same time, you might also ask yourself why those things appear to be opposed to each other? It validates your feelings at the time and helps you to express and process your negative feelings in a safe way.

Is that a bad thing?

Turn the Page (Bob Seger song)

Is that something that God would not like you to do? If so, why, exactly? But it would stand to reason in any case that you should examine to yourself why the need for this question in the first place …. One simply needs to come away understanding what it means. Did you freely chose this belief system or were you born into it? Are you finding cracks in your dogma? Because really, Metallica are not known because they write great lyrics.

But I still tend to doubt it. This image was not taken from the house of Lars Ulrich, or even Alice Cooper. Music is an art and despite their aggressive sound, Metallica is a contemporary musical expression. Christianity understood very well that humans are not transparent, crystal clear souls. Christian art is not that simple. As christianity evolved, it developed an art which goes from the sublime, to the aggressive and sometimes even grotesque. As you can see, christianity actually incorporated this aesthetic and there are a lot of examples to prove it.

These days I am an atheist, but when I was in my teens and started to broaden my horizon in terms of music and literature, those collided, not with my faith itself, but with those who considered themselves religious authorities. Now, to be clear, there are bands which are obviously anti-christian, like most black metal bands, and it would b probably be weird if you listen to those.

But most bands like Metallica and other metal bands who actually make good music are not generally anti-christian, and most deal a wide variety of subjects, though in heavy metal they tend to cover the darker side of emotions than other types of music. But in the end, music for me has two components:. Neither of these is incompatible with your faith, in fact music is an important part of the christian faith. The fact that musical styles have evolved into something using electric guitars and drums does not diminish this fact. In the end, the only thing I can recommend you is not to let anyone tell you what you should listen to or not.

It is your own faith, and it is you who decides what helps you express your feelings, whether that feeling is joy or sorrow. And if that music is Metallica, I may question your musical taste, but not your faith: When my dad was in his late teens to early twenties he was a huge fan of the Beatles, in fact, he owned every single record of theirs. He met a man who told him that the Beatles were music of the Devil—my dad threw all of his Beatles records into a fire.

I have several religious friends who listen to any bands they like, some even just like to listen solely to Christian music.

Creeping Death

Throughout their canon, there are countless songs addressing issues that I would hope all Christians are struggling to comprehend in their lives; war, injustice, manipulation, suffering, greed, inhumanity. James Hetfield is a deeply spiritual man and an extremely talented lyricist and I think that can speak to anyone of any faith or none. As for the wider question.

There are undoubtedly bands who openly express their motivation as a desire to serve and worship Satan. On the whole, I think this is merely a marketing stance, a way to get young people to buy their records so they can feel they are flirting with danger. I have seen a couple of interviews with people who appear to genuinely believe the Satanic thing. They also exhibit obvious and worrying symptoms of severe mental health problems. I think your question really displays a concern about the vulnerability of your faith and a lot of related soul searching.

They may actually strengthen your resolve when you hear how childish their position is. Similarly, I love classical music: Examine your faith; challenge it.

The Gospel: According to Metallica: Kelly Montgomery: www.farmersmarketmusic.com: Books

The world does not need any more dogmatically certain people, of any faith. Ultimately, have faith in yourself. Do not deny yourself new experiences, one of them may be your defining moment, when you realise how best to serve your faith. You know if something makes you feel conflicted. In which case, challenge it or stop doing it.

If Jesus was here now, he wouldn't be talking to Donald or Wall Street. He'd be in the underpass talking to drug addicts and the homeless. He'd be making music with hippies and rockers, for the sheer joy of expression. He'd be getting tattooed and riding with the Angels.

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Jesus was the ultimate rebel. Christianity says God is in everything. Rather, ask him John If you can't hear him speak to you, answer you directly, then consider what he is recorded to have said again, rather than look to others to give THEIR personal opinions - I mean, HE is [supposedly] a "christian's" leader, right, and not other humans? Of course, he did not mean waste, as he addressed that. If listening to Metallica's music is going to cause YOU to become hateful, vengeful, adulterous, muderous, theiving, deceitful, etc.

By the same token, if music by Pat Boone What will YOU do Metallica music may have [some] lyrics that some feel reflect darkness, is even "demonic. Still darkness, "demonic," so long as she is still another man's wife. Don't let the hypocrisy fool ya. And don't look to man for answers as to Christ. Do you feel convicted to turn from that type of music? Are you actively seeking to further your relationship with Christ in the way of fellowship, prayer, and bible reading?

I ask these questions because if you are truly seeking Christ, you will be convicted of the things that you need to turn from. To me, concern over it, may be the beginnings of conviction. I've been a Christian for 25 years, and have always listened to secular music along with all types of Christian music.

There are many mainstream things that I don't, or at least know I shouldn't listen to. I am not fan of telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do as a Christian because ultimately we need to be led by the Holy Spirit. I will say this, I know what to watch and listen too- and if I question it I know it's best to just turn it off. If I feel a need to justify it, I try to set it aside. I would encourage you to spend time in prayer about it and respond however you feel led from that point.

I will personally share that for about 6 years, I felt conviction over watching a certain television show. The moment o finally set my mind to giving it up for good- I felt a real freedom in my relationship with Christ. We take small steps and giant leaps to grow as Christians. Clearly there is some excellent musicianship in certain hardcore metal bands, and appreciation of that excellence is part of common grace. However, the subject matter of the lyrics might be unworthy of your meditation. The full banquet is the Word of God, sound teaching, sacraments faithfully administered, the fellowship of believers, etc.

Remember what Paul says in Philippians 4: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Is listening to Metallica going to bring you closer to a fuller understanding of God as manifested in Jesus? The way others are to view your liberty is not the same way that you should view your liberty.

Other Christians should let you do what you want unless the Bible forbids it. But you should use your liberty differently—you should be asking what the reasons are for doing it, and not what the reasons are for prohibiting it. Liberty is intended by God for you to use as an instrument for loving others Gal. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. There is certainly a category for Christians to consider what things to give up and put away in order to grow in Christ. Saw this satirical post this morning and I thought it was more than appropriate. As a Christian, it is up to you to decide things like this.

Some preachers might try to make you believe so, but what they are really doing is trying to control you and prevent you from thinking for yourself. All you are required to do as a Christian is accept Jesus as your savior and try to follow his example in your everyday life. You have to make that decision, but try to make it an educated decision. You can look to the Bible.

You can look beyond the Bible and see what religious scholars have to say. Look at how Jesus lived his life and ask if you think Jesus would have listened to Metallica or if he would have a problem with his followers listening to Metallica. Then examine what Metallica means to you in your life. Is listening to Metallica an activity that enhances your life or does it detract from your life? Does their music make you feel positive or does it cause you to have negative thoughts?

Does listening to Metallica keep you from doing productive things to help people or does it enhance your ability to do so? This is something you are only able to answer for yourself. Music has different meanings to different people.

I always try to use a couple of simple guidlines. What do I believe about the world and about my god, and how does this song portray that worldview? If a person notices me listening to this music, and hears the lyrics, will it be consistent with the beliefs that I have? Remember, people listen to songs they can truly relate to, and if you are listening to a particular song simply for the style, there are other similar songs out there with a message more relevant to your beliefs.

Does the song offend my god, or would it be so offensive to those around me that it would hinder me from being able to be respected when I tell people about my beliefs? It is also wise to consider your surroundings, if someone in the Bible Belt hears you listening to Metallica, will you lose respect? While it is not necessarily wrong to be listening to them, we are to be viewed as respectable by all men, according to Paul.

If listening to these bands would hinder your good standing within the community, it may be best to hold off on it for now.

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Finally, why am I listening to what I am listening to? This is a hard question to answer, as there are so many ways of justifying everything. It is a perfect question to ask whenever you are doubtful of what you are doing. If you love your god, then the first thing you should ask is if you are doing this for his glory, or for yours. So many times in the Bible people fall because they follow their own intuition anf desires before God's. It does not mean it has to mention him or anything, but does the theme line up with what your beliefs are?

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