The song “Walk With Me in Hell” by Lamb of God was written by the band’s guitarist Mark Morton for his wife, and is actually a love song about being with someone through thick and thin. This meaning of the song seems very far-fetched from the title “Walk With Me in Hell” and lyrics such as “Pray for blood, pray for the cleansing,” but it is indeed about love and is confirmed by Mark. I learned of this when I personally saw Lamb of God, as Mark told the story of the song’s writing and explained some of the lyrics for the crowd before Lamb of God played it. The most obvious implications that the song is indeed a love song come from the chorus when the vocalist Randy Blythe says, “Take hold of my hand, for you are no longer alone. Walk with me in hell.” When solely analyzing this line in comparison to the rest of the song, it can be seen that there is definitely something more to this song than what is on the surface. From what Mark described at the show, he said the chorus is a direct reference to the true meaning, and that the verses represent how he would feel every day if he didn’t have the love and friendship he shares with his wife. Now when thinking about lines like “Pray for blood, pray for the cleansing,” it makes sense that without his wife, Mark would feel like he wanted to be through with his life, and want some form of end to the loneliness he would feel. I personally love the music and the meaning behind the song. I do think that Mark goes over the top with how he describes he would feel without his wife, but then again what’s a metal song without blood, destruction, and other radical masculine themes. In the end I think it’s very nice he feels so strongly for his wife and is so devoted to her. I personally follow a style of life called straight edge, meaning I refrain from drugs, alcohol, and any promiscuous activity with the opposite sex. For this reason I find it refreshing to hear about how people cherish love and the idea of being that devoted to someone versus going out to party to meet women and take advantage of them. Musically Lamb of God is incredible and I really enjoy the song. Instrumentally the band is very virtuosic in their playing and is often critically acclaimed to have been at their peek when “Walk With Me in Hell” first came out.

This song is very unusual in a few major ways, and I believe that’s what makes it so misleading and great. First off, it’s a metal song, and rarely are the topics of love or devotion covered in metal lyrics. For Lamb of God, who commonly writes about being strong and standing independently, the song theme is very different from anything else they’ve released. It is also very unusual because fast, distorted guitar and bass don’t typically drive love songs, and there is never lighting fast double bass drums and screaming vocals. Screaming vocals are definitely an acquired taste, and it is not common to hear any screaming in a typical Top 40 love songs. Along with the confusing lyrics, it is this contrast between instrumentals/vocal style and song meaning that make “Walk With Me in Hell” so misleading. Instrumentally the song foils from the meaning of the lyrics, but compared to the rest of Lamb of God’s discography, the song is very normal. Lamb of God commonly combines very heavy grooving metal riffs with fast paced technical riffs, and then accompanies them with a powerful bass and incredibly complex drum beats featuring exceptional double kick drum patterns.

As I previously explained in the first paragraph, the band’s guitarist Mark wrote this as a love song for his wife. For this reason I can imagine it is a very special song to him and something he cherishes above other songs he has written for Lamb of God. As a band Lamb of God also had their first taste of commercial success from the album this song was on, which is titled Sacrament. Due to this song and another song called “Redneck,” Sacrament became their most critically acclaimed album and the album that landed them headlining spots at various metal festivals. From this point on Lamb of God began headlining their own tours instead of opening for other bands, therefore I can imagine this song and Sacrament are special to them. As a listener I really enjoy how the song discuses love and devotion for one person, as even though I’m 18 I consider myself old fashioned. As I mentioned previously I am straight edge, and I also side with many old fashioned beliefs such as staying humble, having respect for the body/sexuality, and being appropriate when dealing with attraction for the opposite sex. For these reasons I think it is very refreshing and nice to hear an artist discuss such devotion for one person. The song is unusual for Lamb of God only because they don’t have any other lyric themes about love, but other than that it is like the rest of their discography.

This song is not for the faint of heart, as it is very heavy and rough on the ears for a first time metal listener. This is mostly due to the harsh vocals Randy uses, as the average music listener is probably not used to anything similar to it. For fans of heavy and more modern types of metal, this song is perfect and I would highly recommend Lamb of God as a band in general. For any musicians that wish to learn a challenging song, “Walk With Me in Hell” is a very difficult song to play on guitar, bass, and drums and I would recommend it highly. It also has an exceptional guitar solo that is very fun to play. The song fits well in any type of metalcore or groove metal playlist, and can be enjoyed by anyone who likes screaming in his or her music. However, regardless of the listener’s opinion, I don’t recommend playing this for a significant other at a nice, candle-lit dinner.

Works Cited

Blythe, Randy. By Mark Morton. Perf. Mark Morton, Willie Adler, Chris Adler, and John

Campbell. Walk With Me in Hell. Lamb of God. Machine, 2006. CD.

Mark, Morton. “Lamb of God Lyrics – Walk With Me in Hell.” AZLyrics. Musixmatch,

n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2015.

Song Lyrics

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/lambofgod/walkwithmeinhell.html

The song “For the Love of God” by Steve Vai is an instrumental story song that takes the listener on a progressive journey through a symbolized representation of religion. Steve Vai wrote this song in light of the radical attitudes some people devote towards their faith. The song is structured around the guitar as the leading instrument, with the playing becoming technically faster and more advanced as the song continues. The beginning of the song represents a calm, soothing state of mind; the kind Vai says religion is supposed to influence on a person. He then however uses the speed of his guitar playing to represent things getting out of control. This out of control playing represents those who take religion too far by doing things such as harming others and making living sacrifices for their god. The idea of religion being out of control is very ironic, as it is supposed to be peaceful and calming. This is the irony Vai says he wishes to capture with the song. He wrote it to highlight the contrast between what religion is supposed to be versus what radical followers can turn it into. I personally love the song, and I believe the technicality of the guitar playing is absolutely phenomenal. Steve Vai is one of my favorite players ever and is often regarded by critics to be in the top ten to twenty guitarists that have ever lived. I also love how Vai is able to manipulate the guitar in so many different ways over the same exact rhythm section. The bass and drums do not change much, but even so Vai is able to solo melodically, quickly, use his tremolo bar, and tremolo pick through various solo sections. It isn’t often that many different styles of soloing are compatible with one rhythm section, however Vai masters this combination beautifully in my opinion.

In the case of this song, the guitar seems to act as if it were the vocals. It is a prominent instrument and is the driving force behind the story Vai is telling. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I think Vai’s integration of different guitar playing styles in the song is absolutely incredible. Regardless of the style of play Vai is using, he some how incorporates it all wonderfully with the rhythm section. The chord progression the bass guitar is playing is also very catchy and beautiful in my opinion. It allows for the accent of the guitar’s target notes to become much more powerful and makes the listener feel like he or she is hearing something epic. The drum section is very simplistic but it works very well with the guitar and bass. As I previously mentioned it is very impressive that Vai can use such fast guitar playing in such a slow tempo song. When many musicians try to do this it sounds as if they’re forcing fast playing, but Vai makes it feel right within the song. The song is very highly acclaimed by metal and rock critics, and is often called one of the greatest metal instrumental pieces. For this I think the song is very memorable and is a go-to for me when I’m listening to instrumental music.

Many of Steve Vai’s songs are instrumental so there is nothing too unusual about the song. The main component about this song that separates it from other songs by Vai is the use of so many different styles of guitar playing. The song doesn’t have any specific relation theme-wise to the album it is on, although Vai claims that this song is one of the only songs he’s ever written that has its own specific story/theme. Another very special element about this song is the actual theory Vai used while writing it. If proficient in music theory, it can be seen that Vai combines almost all seven scale modes into his playing. Being that three modes are major, three are minor, and one is augmented, this is a very difficult task to do. This is because major, minor, and augmented styled songs usually stand alone, as the use of certain note combinations tend to not sound good over contrasting rhythm sections (ex. major soloing over a rhythm section playing in a minor key). However, Vai still somehow amazes by using all but one of the modes in the song, a feat that is just unimaginable to me.

This song is good for both virtuosic listeners as well as the average music listener. I also believe the song can really be incorporated into any type of situation because it is so progressive. The beginning almost makes you feel like you’re on top of mountain with the wind blowing through your hair, staring over a beautiful horizon. The end is much faster paced and could be used for pumping yourself up for an event, or for upbeat music listening. For this reason I can see myself listening to this not only just walking to class but also if I ever decide to climb Mount Everest. This song is also a very challenging guitar song and is good for any guitar players looking to contest themselves and learn a difficult song. Musicians who desire to learn more about advanced music theory can also use the song for examination. Steve Vai is known in the guitar playing world for his advanced knowledge and application of music theory, and it is a common joke that Vai has knowledge of a special section of music theory that is unknown to every other mortal. There is also an awesome version of this piece where Vai performs it live with the Metropole Orchestra of the Netherlands.

Works Cited

Vai, Steven Siro. For the Love of God. Steve Vai. Rec. 1989. Steve Vai, 1990. Cassette.

The song “Lose Yourself” is an anecdote written by Eminem, as it describes his transition from living in a trailer park on 8 Mile in Detroit Michigan to becoming a rap superstar and signing with Dr. Dre. Eminem wrote the song for the motion picture 8 Mile, which is a story based on Eminem’s life before signing with Dre. The movie features a character named Rabbit (played by Eminem) going through the struggles of living in a terrible neighborhood, performing in local rap battles, and dealing with opposition and enemies. The song Lose Yourself starts out with one of the most famous verses in rap music. Eminem is describing the feelings he gets before he takes the stage, and the nervousness that comes with performing in high-pressure situations. Eminem references the feeling you get inside as your knees get weak and the crowd becomes so loud that you can’t hear your own thoughts. He talks about how you must maintain your composure and never miss an opportunity. The second verse focuses more on Eminem’s home life, as he talks about how things at home are only becoming harder. Eminem discusses how he feels like he is distant from everyone, and how he feels that making it in the music business is the only thing he has left to work for. The third verse is somewhat of the final battle cry of the song. In this verse Eminem talks about how he is finally feeling the confidence to take the stage and make a name for himself. He wants to grow up, leave 8 Mile, and he has never felt as ready as he does now. The hook focuses on a theme similar to the first story, as Eminem is describing how you can’t give in when the going gets tough, and how you must “lose yourself” in the moment in order to fully make it meaningful. I personally love the song, and love the rags to riches theme Eminem carries with him. Eminem’s delivery is unlike any other rapper I have ever listened to, and I also find his rhyme schemes to be very original. “Lose Yourself” is no exception to these opinions, as I think this song exemplifies Eminem at his best, performance wise and lyrically. The song is very positive and has a “you can achieve anything” attitude, which I am very fond of.

The lyrics are incorporated into a very original rap beat, as unlike most rap beats the one in “Lose Yourself” contains electric guitar and other samples common to rock music. This gives the song a more rap-rock styled feel, and due to that Eminem is able to build up to the hooks nicely. With all of the instrumentation going on the song sounds much more full, giving listeners a much more atmospheric environment within their headphones. The song is very memorable because it is not only one of Eminem’s most famous, but it is also critically acclaimed as his best. As a listener, I can say that this song is the kind of song that gives me chills, and also the type that inspires me to chase after my dreams. The lyrics overall are very well written, and develop from nervousness to confidence by the end of the song, exemplifying exactly what Eminem is trying to encourage upon the listener with the hook (chorus) of the song.

As I had previously mentioned in the first paragraph, the song is autobiographical of Eminem’s actual rise to fame, and is part of the soundtrack to the movie 8 Mile. It carries the theme of “rags to riches,” which some of Eminem’s other songs exemplify as well. Other rappers who had hit their peak in years previous to Eminem such as the Notorious B.I.G. have also rapped about similar themes and stories. Eminem is a very versatile rapper, as some of his songs can be incredibly serious and hard hitting (like “Lose Yourself”), and others can be very funny and comical. The song is not unusual for Eminem as he is extremely talented and has other very serious songs, but it is also not the average run-of-the-mill song. I can imagine the song is very special to Eminem himself, as it is an anecdote from his life. It seems to describe some very important views he has about rising to an occasion and making the most out of life. I too find the song very inspiring, as the song conveys a theme I believe in and also shows that you can achieve anything that you work for. Since I played in a band I have also experienced the nervousness Eminem wrote about in the song, and found it to be true that you must rise to the occasion and capture the moment, as some of the best moments of my life were on stage.

I believe this song is perfect for any type of playlist. It is extremely adaptable, as it can match up to rock songs due to the instrumentals, match up to rap songs due to the lyricism and vocal style, and provide inspiration in daily tasks. The song could help a person get into working out or help pump them up for a big game. It can also do as little as prepare a person for the work or school day by inspiring them to be the best they can. The only type of playlist I can’t see this song in is a relaxing music playlist, as the song is very upbeat and moving. Anyone who appreciates a good story or poem could also get hooked on this song, as it displays exceptional lyricism.

Works Cited

Mathers, Marshall. “Eminem – Lose Yourself.” Rap Genius. Genius Media, n.d. Web. 06

Feb. 2015.

Mathers, Marshall. Lose Yourself. Eminem. Eminem, 2002. CD.

Lyrics

http://genius.com/Eminem-lose-yourself-lyrics

The song “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by 1980s British heavy metal band Iron Maiden is based on the poem written by Samuel Coleridge, and re-tells the legendary poem with the use of metal music and frightening soundscapes as a foundation for the tale. The tale begins with a Mariner narrating a story of a voyage to wedding guests that are about to enter into a wedding celebration. The Mariner speaks about the bad winds and fog he and his crew they experienced at the beginning of the voyage, and how an albatross came to the ship to help guide it. Out of ignorance and overconfidence the Mariner shoots the albatross dead, and because of that there is a price to pay. After shooting it, snake like creatures begin to arise from the water and the ocean becomes violent. As the trip goes on the crew begins dying of thirst, and decide to hang the dead albatross around the Mariners neck to mark him as a sinner, hoping that they will be spared. A ghost ship then appears captained by a ghost named Death and another named Life-In-Death. Death kills the crew of the ship, leaving the Mariner alone, starving, and dehydrated. As the snakes begin to near his ship, the Mariner prays and blesses the snakes, causing the albatross to drop from his neck. Angels have filled his crew mates, and the crew, along with the ocean, push the ship towards a far off port. Once closer to the port the Mariner hears two voices tell him he must continue his penance, and a man in a rescue boat brings him to land. Immediately after touching the earth the Mariner feels a sharp pain inside of him and has the urge to tell his story to the man who brought him home. The pain subsides after the Mariner tells the story but it later returns, and the Mariner must tell his story for it to subside again. He then tells the wedding guests that the reason for telling them the story is to subside the pain, and that he is cursed to wander the earth to tell his tale. I personally love the song and how the story is told. I find that when artists use music to either reimagine or tell a story it provides a whole new atmosphere, and the creepy, metal styled structure this song presents is perfect for the tale.

The song doesn’t stick to typical song structure, as it is almost fifteen minutes long and contains many different sections. Throughout the beginning and end of the song, various fast paced song sections are used, characterized by distorted guitar and strong drum hits. A galloping bass thunders throughout these particular sections, seeming to move the listener through the story. The vocalist Bruce Dickinson makes use of his high octave range to deliver the song’s story right into the listener’s ears, both quoting the poem and describing the tale.    The final few minutes are mostly instrumental, still containing distorted guitar and a bass gallop that takes the listener to the end of the tale. The unusual section is the middle portion, where various soundscapes are used to create the atmosphere of the story. Creaking of the ship, the dangerous wind, an eerie bass line, and ghost like noises fill the song, seeking to make the listener feel as though they’re on the ship as well. The section is mostly instrumental until the end, when Bruce delivers low octave speech and singing to push the song back into its heavy instrumental state from before.

The song is based on the fictitious poem by Coleridge, therefore it has no biographical or real-life relevance. The song is very usual for Iron Maiden, as many of their songs are very bass driven and contain stories about monsters, warfare, and various mythical beings. What is special however is the length, as many metal bands including Iron Maiden didn’t have songs longer than five to six minutes. It has no specific relevance to the album it is on, which is Iron Maiden’s 1984 release Powerslave. The special section of the song is the middle section containing the sound effects and eerie bass line. As a listener, I find it cool that the song was successful without being released as a single. Usually the songs that become popular are released as singles, but this song became popular without any extra push from the music industry. Not to mention, the song was also released on the same album as two of Iron Maiden’s most critically acclaimed songs, but still shines and receives the recognition it deserves.

I think this song is perfect for when a listener wants to sit down and get lost in the music. I personally listen to concept albums and storytelling songs when I can completely focus on their story and can become enwrapped in it. If one were to listen to this while working out, blowing off steam, or doing homework, I really do not think the song could be appreciated for all it has to offer. Just as a person watches a movie or reads a book without distraction, I think this song should be treated with the same respect. It’s perfect for any metal or rock playlist that the listener intends to use solely for listening to and enjoying the music.

Works Cited

Dickinson, Bruce. Perf. Steve Harris, Adrian Smith, Nicko McBrain, and Dave Murray.

Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Iron Maiden. Martin Birch, 1984. Cassette.

Iron Maiden. “Rime of the Ancient Mariner – Iron Maiden.” Google Play Music. EMI

Records, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015.

Song Lyrics

https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tl7tpszv2hadiqqcyuwjib7ojgm?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-songlyrics