How do you feel about the band's "spiritual" side?

[rumborak]

I don't really listen to DT's lyrics all that much. To me their lyrical output is far below their musical output.

rumborak

[Ruba]

As a Christian myself, I still feel uncomfortable listening to ITPOE part 2 when James is singing Dark Master - Now My Soul Is Yours.

I'm a Christian also, and I don't have problem with that part. It's so evil.

And hey, later there is "My soul is my own now. I do not fight for you, dark master."

As you probably know, Slaughter of the Damned has clear references to Psalm 23.

[Kotowboy]

Yeah I know .

I'm not a big fan of that song in general really. 

[ZirconBlue]

Lines in the sand:
Crown of thorns at my side
Holes in my hands
Drawing lines in the sand
Virgin weeping

Supper with the aliens.


Wait. . . what?

[VioletS16]

When I first listened to ITPOE pt2 when I was like 11-ish I found the Dark Master part insanely cool, and I enjoyed my father's reaction of, "What is this devil music?". Now I just find it kinda cheesy tbh. If I am in an audacious mood I just tell my mom how cute Varg Vikernes's little smile was when he got his 21 year prison sentence for arson and murder. 

[theseoafs]

As a Christian myself, I still feel uncomfortable listening to ITPOE part 2 when James is singing Dark Master - Now My Soul Is Yours.

I'm a Christian also, and I don't have problem with that part. It's so evil.

And hey, later there is "My soul is my own now. I do not fight for you, dark master."

As you probably know, Slaughter of the Damned has clear references to Psalm 23.

I find that part hard to listen to as well, but that's only because it's so silly.

[TheSilentHam]

I do find some DT lyrics to be spiritual...but in a very exploratory manner.  Not religious, not preachy and not specific....but just questioning and exploring a few spiritual themes...ya I think so.

[Podaar]

I'm a huge fan of DT and until reading this thread I have never thought of their lyrics as "spiritual" at all. But then again--as someone else pointed out earlier--we all bring our own cups to the tea party. In my case, I view the word spiritual with disdain as it brings to mind radio-dispatched, crystal-sniffing, navel-gazing, pachouli-reeking, homeopathic remedy advocates in sandals and I have a real problem with willful ignorance.

Anyway, creative people tend to reflect on their emotional connections with life, loved ones, band-mates, cosmos, politics, religion, etc., and since all the members of DT (past and present) are creative humans, I expect to hear about these reflections. If that makes them 'spiritual' then I don't understand the meaning of the word. Certainly, equating 'spirituality' with religion is inaccurate at best.

This is all opinion of course... and not a very good one at that.

The best thing about DT is they rock!

[mallorier]

Since day one, I have always appreciated the spiritual side of DT's music, and by spirituality I'm not referring to organized religion, but to the relationship one's own soul has with the world around it.  Being currently in a process that is helping me develop my long neglected spiritual side, I find many aspects of their music very fulfilling, and not just the lyrics.  I rely on music a lot for refuelling my spiritual side, Yes being my main source, and can always count on DT for a good dose too.  But then again, spiritality of music is only what you make of it, how you relate to it, and what you are REALLY willing to let that deep into you.

This!!! A million times over...this!!! Couldn't agree more, friend...beautifully put :3

[Tomislav95]

When I first listened to ITPOE pt2 when I was like 11-ish I found the Dark Master part insanely cool, and I enjoyed my father's reaction of, "What is this devil music?". Now I just find it kinda cheesy tbh. If I am in an audacious mood I just tell my mom how cute Varg Vikernes's little smile was when he got his 21 year prison sentence for arson and murder. 

Totally 

[Lowdz]

DT's lyrics spiritual side has as much effect on me as Stryper's, Black Sabbath's (ok, so they were only playing at it) and ManOwar's; that is none. It's usually done in a subtle way anyway so it's not preachy and definitely not Stryperish.

DT won't make me Catholic, Sabbath won't make me a Satanist and ManOwar won't make me worship the Allfather (Marvel Comics did that! lol).

[Dellers]

I couldn't care less, to be honest. Religion is the single most stupid thing I can imagine, yet my favorite Norwegian artist is a Christian whose lyrics reflect that. Their problem, not mine.

[Vivace]

Justifying violence
Citing from the Holy Book
Teaching hatred
In the name of God

This sounds pretty anti-religious

That's about people who do bad things, like kill, and use their religion as an excuse to justify it.

Which has happened enough times throughout history that its not altogether unlikely that they aren't just bashing organized religion in general. Without organized religion those 'bad things' wouldn't happen the way they do.

I suppose based on this then without politics, life would be without greed and malice. Bad things happen because human beings can do bad things not because religion or politics made them do it.

[robwebster]

I'm with Vivace on this one. Given that John is a practicing Christian, a fact that his wife has confirmed in this very thread, I don't think you can argue with much conviction that In the Name of God is an assassination of organised religion itself. The clue's in the title. It's about the evil things people do in God's name.

EDIT: Though I have just realised the assertion was made before Rena posted! Thought it was a more recent strand. Soz, seneca! But the point stands.

[Kotowboy]

^ I've always thought it was about that.

I also hate that devout Christians get lumped in with the lot that just use Religion as an excuse to do whatever they want and just brush it off with " God told me to ".

There are extremes in all walks of life and they don't represent the majority.