Since the earliest days of heavy metal, when Black Sabbath first played their sinister riffs and sung about evil and darkness, the music's lyrics have dealt heavily with religious topics.
Black Sabbath sung about evil, demons, darkness and Satan, but it didn't mean they were devil worshipers. Guitarist Tony Iommi never performs on stage without wearing a cross and most of the band's props on stage are crosses. "Black Sabbath sung principally about Satan being something to be scared of. Some of this stuff could almost be described as a Christian sentiment." (Gavin Baddeley, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey).
Evil, dark, Satanic themes are a huge part of heavy metal. Of course, most of these bands that sing about this stuff don't truly believe in it. It's an extreme concept to sing about the darker side of things in the world. It shocks people and "extremes always sell." (Monte Conner, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey). Of course, there are the bands that do believe in evil and directly attack religion. These extreme thinkers primarily come from Norway and attack Christianity. Musician Varg Vikernes was implicated in a series of arsons that destroyed some of Norway's most historic churches. On the topic of the attacks on Christianity, Enslaved member Grutle Kjellson believes, historically, "Christianity deserved it...it was not something the Norwegians chose, it was forced upon them." There are also those who believe Satan is the savior. Gorgoroth's singer Gaahl believes that Satan fuels their music and that he represents freedom. Although these bands have serious dedications to their beliefs and music, and commit acts of violence, their following will be small. "It is, in fact, an elitist religion...And so by that virtue alone, it will not have a large following." (Rolf Rasmussen, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey)
Aside from the dark side of heavy metal, there is a lighter side. In Italy, Friar Cesare Bonizzi, a former missionary in Ivory Coast, is the front man of his own heavy metal band. He sings about very Christian topics, but also has no problem singing about sex, alcohol or drugs. He finds heavy metal to be" the most energetic, most alive music." The friar also state that “I am religious and I am a priest but I am not doing this to convert people to Christ, to faith or the Church, but for them to try to understand life, to be able to enjoy it. Nothing more."
Whether religion is mentioned in a good or bad way, it is still a very prominent topic in heavy metal. Religion is primarily used as an extreme, interesting topic to write songs about. Usually the artists do not believe in what they write about, and the same usually goes for the fans. I myself listen to a lot of different artists with a lot of different religious overtones, and they do not affect my beliefs. I listen to the music for its sonic power and feeling and I'm sure the same goes for most of metal fans.
- Gumuchian, Marie-Louise. (July 18th, 2008.) "He ain't heavy...Italy's metal brother" Reuters UK. Retrieved from "http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL1466485620080718"
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- http://musicametal.blogosfere.it/images/god2008/gods4.jpg
