Hetfield almost assumes the role of a preacher in the song, though his words take the perspective of Death as he sings, “ So let it be written / So let it be done / I'm sent here by the chosen one / So let it be written / So let it be done / To kill the first-born Pharaoh son / I'm Creeping Death." Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. The NIV translation of these verses reads:Īt midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well.
Perhaps the most obvious song in Metallica’s catalog, though, comes from Ride the Lightning - and it might be one of the band’s most popular: “ Creeping Death.” Hetfield's lyrics for "Creeping Death" are influenced by the Old Testament book of Exodus, specifically Exodus 12:29-30. Another example from Kill ‘Em All is “Jump In the Fire,” a song that is, simply put, all about Hell. For example, when Dave Mustaine was kicked out of the band, Hetfield re-wrote the lyrics for “The Mechanix” and changed the title of the song to “The Four Horsemen,” an illustration found in the book of Revelation. You can also go all the way back to Metallica’s debut full-length, Kill ‘Em All, to get a sense of the young thrashers pulling out ideas from the seasons that came before. Songs such as “ Lux Æterna” - which means “eternal light” - and “ 72 Seasons” - the lyric “ wrath of man” might be inspired by writings found in the New Testament book of James - highlight themes that, while not exclusively rooted in faith, have significant connections to varied belief systems. You can start with Metallica’s most recent album, 72 Seasons, as a clear sign of Hetfield being influenced by belief in a higher power. It isn’t difficult to dive into Metallica’s lyrics and start to see some of this interest and influence come out in their songs. Who could imagine Metallica’s angry cries resonating with God’s? Maybe God could. Rarely, if ever, does anyone draw a positive faith connection to their lyrics. Since when has a Christian church received that kind of reaction from a heavy metal rocker? Over the past two decades, this band has received more than its fair share of condemnation from the Christian church. When I heard his response, I couldn’t help but smile. The drummer told the DJ about Van Sloten's sermon, “That is so cool.” Later on, he detailed the story of hearing Ulrich talk about the church service during a radio interview. The band left town this morning, and they’re already setting up for their next concert, so they obviously can’t be there personally.” Van Sloten recalled that the representative for the band told him, “ Lars heard about your church service this week, and all they want is to see it for themselves. Rather than try and squash his use of the music, Metallica actually sent a camera crew to the church to tape the event. As Pastor John Van Sloten detailed in his book, The Day Metallica Came to Church, Metallica found out that Van Sloten was going to focus on their lyrics in a sermon and play clips of their music during the church service. Hetfield isn’t alone in his interest in religion. I have a faith in mankind that we will get through this.” Humanity has experienced this since day one.
So, we’re not uniquely special that this has just happened to us. And I’m in Bible groups and this stuff has happened since day one. His comment was in response to a question about his lyrics on 72 Seasons and the apocalyptic themes and feelings found in the songs.Īs he continued to think about it, he told Fricke he didn’t want to bring religious stuff into his remarks, but he did say, “I study the Bible somewhat. In conversation with David Fricke for a radio special that celebrated the release of 72 Seasons, Hetfield told the music journalist, “Being a human is not easy. James Hetfield and Metallica's Current Interest in Religion
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