Songs about hell and Devil? Hell’s bells! Ever since the specter of everlasting damnation has crossed the thoughts of people, it’s been a subject for songs. In spite of everything, what’s extra compelling than the anticipation of distress? There have been, after all, loads of nice songs written about Heaven through the years like Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” and Weapons N’ Roses’ “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” However we are likely to suppose that songs about hell and satan songs are extra quite a few… and extra thrilling. So, obtained your tickets for the River Styx prepared? Listed below are our picks for one of the best songs about hell ever written.
The Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Satan
The story of “Sympathy For The Devil” by The Rolling Stones is instructed via the firsthand perspective of the satan. Apparently sufficient, Mick Jagger took inspiration from the French poet Baudelaire, in addition to a novel by Mikhail Bulgakov.
AC/DC – Freeway To Hell
The opening observe of AC/DC’s basic album of the identical identify, “Highway To Hell” was written in regards to the band’s expertise of extreme touring. “There were hundreds of riffs going down every day,” band member Malcolm Younger mentioned. “But this one, we thought, ‘That’s good.’ It just stuck out like a dog’s balls.”
Black Sabbath – Heaven and Hell
Ronnie James Dio wrote the lyrics for Black Sabbath’s title observe to Heaven and Hell. Throughout a VH1 interview, he described the tune’s inspiration as being about an individual’s alternative between good and evil, with many being able to carry each inside themselves.
Slayer – Hell Awaits
Recorded as a part of their second studio album in 1985, Slayer’s “Hell Awaits” lyrically particulars Devil, and different demonic imagery. The tune’s intro additionally options the phrase “join us” repeated because it performs in reverse.
Beck – Devils Haircut
Beck launched “Devils Haircut” in 1996, because the second single from his fifth album, Odelay. The tune is in regards to the singer’s relationship with touring, in addition to the folks tune “Stagger Lee.” It samples each Fairly Purdie’s “Soul Drums” and two songs by the band Them. As well as, the tune has a number of remixes, together with one by Oasis’ Noel Gallagher.
Nick Cave with the Cavemen – Mutiny In Heaven
This tune was recorded throughout London periods that Nick Cave would later describe as tense. A lot in order that guitarist Blixa Bargeld completed the instrumental for Rowland Howard. “It was manifestly obvious that Rowland and Nick didn’t get on any more. Nick just wanted me to play guitar on Rowland’s guitar and amp set up. That’s what I remember. I didn’t delve into the psychological situation,” Bargeld shared in a biography.
Iron Maiden – Quantity Of The Beast
Iron Maiden’s 1982 tune “Number Of The Beast” was deemed controversial on the time of its launch, because of its depiction of spiritual subject material. Nevertheless, the tune nonetheless managed to peak at No.3 within the UK. It was impressed by a nightmare that band member Steve Harris had after watching the horror movie, Damien: Omen II.
Gravediggaz – Diary of a Madman
“Diary of a Madman” by Gravediggaz was the 1994 lead single from the band’s debut album, 6 Ft Deep. It was produced by members RZA and Prince Paul, and tells a courtroom story of a possessed man confessing to a homicide. The tune was Gravediggaz’ just one to chart on the Billboard Scorching 100, and in addition reached No.8 on the Scorching Rap Singles chart.
Pat Benatar – Hell Is for Youngsters
“Hell Is for Children” is a rock tune that Pat Benatar recorded in 1980 for her second studio album, Crimes of Ardour. Written by guitarist Neil Giraldo, Roger Capps, and Benatar, the tune offers with themes of kid abuse, after Benatar learn articles about it within the New York Occasions.
Pink Floyd – Run Like Hell
Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell” is a tune from their critically-acclaimed album, The Wall. Written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters, it depicts the story from the angle of a rock star who hallucinates about turning his live performance viewers right into a mob.
Venom – Welcome to Hell
From heavy metallic band Venom’s debut studio album, the tune “Welcome to Hell” was composed by the group’s bassist, Conrad Lant. Lant, together with the remainder of the band, would undertake names of demonic alter egos that higher matched the music they performed.
Billie Eilish – all the nice ladies go to hell
Billie Eilish launched “all the good girls go to hell” as a single from her debut album in 2019. Co-written along with her brother Finneas, the duo supposed the tune to inform a narrative from the angle of each the satan and god. Eilish’s vocals additionally deal with the consequences of local weather change, as it’s supposed to be about people being punished for ruining Earth.
Judas Priest – Hell Bent For Leather-based
Launched in 1978 from their album, Killing Machine, Judas Priest’s “Hell Bent For Leather” is definitely believed to be about using a bike. Throughout this period, the band additionally had a powerful penchant for leather-based trend, particularly lead singer Rob Halford.
Spinal Faucet – Christmas With The Satan
Spinal Faucet’s “Christmas With The Devil” is a bonus tune from the 2000 re-release of their album, This Is Spinal Faucet. The tune serves as a parody of heavy metallic vacation songs, with traces similar to, “There’s someone in the chimney hole / And Satan is his name.”
ZZ Prime – Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
ZZ Prime’s “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” is a tune in regards to the band’s redneck nature, which was written after visiting a honky tonk. As lead singer Billy Gibbons instructed Songfacts: “On to a gig in Phoenix, we were driving through a West Texas windstorm. We, the band, were waiting to discover a place with some safe ground cover when the late-night lights of a roadside joint appeared. It was just across the line outside El Paso into New Mexico.”
James Brown – Hell
“Hell” by James Brown shares the identical identify as his thirty eighth studio album, which was launched in 1974. The funk tune is much less about precise hell, and extra about detailing the struggles of monotonous day-to-day life. “It’s Hell payin taxes / When there’s no money left,” Brown sings on the observe.
Stryper – To Hell With The Satan
The title observe of Stryper’s third studio album, “To Hell with the Devil” is about rejecting sin, because the group believes the satan is “no friend of mine.” Launched in 1986, the album marked the primary Christian metallic album to go platinum. The unique cowl artwork additionally featured angels throwing the satan again into hell, however was finally modified to the band’s brand.
Rob Zombie – Lucifer Rising
“Lucifer Rising” seems as observe ten on Rob Zombie’s 2013 album, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor. The album peaked at No.7 on Billboard’s 200 albums chart. As for the tune itself, it seemingly alludes to individuals (notably, ladies) loving the satan.
Pantera – Cowboys from Hell
Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell” was the band’s first single, initially showing on their 1989 demo album. Ultimately, the tune doubled because the title observe for his or her main label debut album. In response to an look from lead singer Phil Anselmo on That Metallic Present, the tune got here to fruition after guitarist Dimebag Darrell confirmed as much as a Texas home social gathering with a brand new guitar riff to play: “That was actually the first song we wrote for the record. Basically, it was about us coming out of Texas and being out of place. People don’t think of Texas as being a hot spot for heavy metal, they think of New York or L.A. or something like that, so it just seemed like an obvious concept for us,” drummer Vinnie Paul mentioned.
Kanye West – Heaven and Hell
Kanye West’s “Heaven and Hell” seems on his 2021 album, DONDA. The tune samples twentieth Century Metal Band’s “Heaven and Hell Is on Earth” and West invokes biblical imagery all through the tune, as he celebrates the blessings of life. A video for the observe was premiered in January 2022, through the Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship.
Low cost Trick – Gonna Increase Hell
Low cost Trick’s “Gonna Raise Hell” was written by the band’s lead guitarist Rick Nielsen, for his or her 1979 album, Dream Police. The tune is believed to include a hidden message, stating “You know Satan holds the key to the lock” when performed in reverse.
Ozzy Osbourne – Hellraiser
Ozzy Osbourne joined forces with lead guitarist Zakk Wylde and Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister to jot down “Hellraiser.” Osbourne recorded and launched his model in 1991, for his album, No Extra Tears. The subsequent yr, Kilmister launched Motörhead’s tackle the tune as a single. Osbourne’s model went on to look within the trailer for the 2004 online game, Painkiller.
Megadeth – Go to Hell
Megadeth’s “Go to Hell” was first written in 1991 for the movie Invoice & Ted’s Bogus Journey. Nevertheless, it additionally finally appeared on the band’s Hidden Treasures album. Lyrically, the tune particulars a sinner experiencing his personal funeral earlier than he goes to hell. “We did this for Interscope and they said that the first version of the lyrics were too tame, so I got very pagan for this one,” mentioned lead vocalist Dave Mustaine.
Mephiskapheles – Doomsday
A New York-based ska band who leaned into satanic imagery, Mephiskapheles launched “Doomsday” in 1994. “It’s not to be taken seriously. That whole Satanic thing is just rock and roll,” mentioned singer Andre Worrell in Skaboom! An American Ska And Reggae Oral Historical past. “No one is murdering anyone. People were really superstitious, and some people definitely had a negative reaction, and probably will continue to do so. But I really don’t care. It was a really smart, original idea.”
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