Who said that metalheads do not know from Literature? Probably many and especially those who do not know anything about Metal music!
For years we have been hearing various non-existent rumors about the musicians of this scene.
One of them is that metalheads are nothing more than uneducated… Of course, this is not the truth and already several, ridiculous rumors are collapsing one after the other!
Metalheads have knowledge and even more than the ignorant think. The proof; Their songs!
There are several Metal songs that have been influenced by Literature and below you can see a small sample of them…
Black Sabbath – Behind the Wall of Sleep
“Beyond the Wall of Sleep” is a short story by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written in 1919.
The inspiration for Lovecraft was an article he read on April 27, 1919, in the New York Tribune.
In the article, a psychiatric worker recounts his experience with inmate Joe Slater, who was there as a criminally insane killer.
He describes Slater as a typical Catskill Mountain resident for whom “laws and morals are non-existent”.
Slater’s crime was extremely brutal and unprovoked.
It specifically describes the third night of Slater’s incarceration, during which he broke out in a frenzy that was so violent that it took three workers to contain him.
According to the article, Slater was tormented by visions in which the only common and constant thing was the image of a fiery entity.
Scholars claim that Lovecraft was influenced by Ambrose Bierce’s books “Beyond the Wall” and Jack London’s “Before Adam” to write history.
Iron Maiden – Still Life
“Inhabitant of the Lake and Less Welcome Tenants” is a collection of fantasy and horror short stories by British author J. Ramsey Campbell.
It was published in 1964 by Arkham House in an edition of 2,009 copies and was the author’s first book.
The stories are part of the Cthulhu Myth and use locations such as Brichester, Goatswood, and Clotton.
Inventions of Campbell (and not actual locations) that make up the Severn Valley.
The book introduces us to Campbell’s fantasy world, which is full of occult traditions and the “Revelation of Gla’aki“.
Metallica – For Whom The Bell Tolls
“For Whom The Bell Tolls” is a 1940 novel by American author Ernest Hemingway.
The main theme of the book is the war and death that exist all around us.
The novel, in essence, explores the political ideology and nature of fanaticism.
The protagonist of the book is Robert Jordan, an American volunteer.
Jordan leaves his homeland and goes to Spain to fight for democracy during the Spanish Civil War.
His characters are not invulnerable, but they love life and that is why they fight for it, even though they often wonder if it is worth it.
But, for them, democracy means survival.
The author’s intention was to convey the message that no one can remain indifferent to what is happening around us.
Metallica’s lyrics refer to chapter 27 and the battle that El Sordo fought with his men against the fascists.
Anthrax – Among the Living
“The Stand” is a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy novel written by Stephen King. First published in 1978.
The plot focuses on a deadly flu pandemic and its aftermath.
The few survivors are concentrated in factions that are each guided by a personification of good and evil.
Sooner or later, they will collide with each other with unpredictable consequences.
How topical this is!!!
Manowar – Achilles, Agony, and Ecstasy in Eight Parts
A song influenced by Homer’s Iliad, which refers to Hector’s fierce battle with Achilles.
The lyrics, although adapted, describe some characteristic, Homeric scenes.
Like the raging storm of battle, the rage, the agony of the warrior just before death and grief.
At the same time, the Manowar, present Zeus as a common component of the two warriors.
A presence that determines the human condition and destiny.
The song is a subject of study by universities of the world that deal closely with Homer.
Iced Earth – Dracula
Refers to Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”, published in 1897.
As a letter novel, the narrative relates to letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles.
The novel begins with lawyer Jonathan Harker on a business trip to stay at the castle of a Transylvanian nobleman, Count Dracula.
Harker escapes from the castle after discovering that Dracula is a vampire and the Count moves to England and plagues the seaside town of Whitby.
A small group, led by Abraham Van Helsing, chases Dracula and, in the end, kills him.
The book belongs to the tradition of Gothic literature.
Rammstein – Dalai Lama
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poem “Erlkönig” is the inspiration for this song.
It was written in 1782 and depicts the death of a child by a supernatural being, Erlking, the king of fairies.
The poem is described as Goethe’s “most famous ballad”.
The band’s original idea was to give the title “Erlkönig” before coming up with the “Dalai Lama”.
***
We really like such articles so we will come back with even more songs that were influenced by Literature.