Magick And Musick, The influence of Ritual Magick in Popular Music Options

You've probably all cringed at the sight of some fundamentalist preacher or politician ranting (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blablabla.gif) about hidden satanic messages in albums by Judas Priest or Led Zeppelin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/diablo.gif) . No doubt cursing them for ruining perfectly good needles as they divine subliminal commands from the dark lord hidden in a cloud of distorted backwards speech. Despite the tedious accusations of those with far too much time on their hands, there has been a long occult connection with rock music stretching back to Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads. During the hey-day of classic rock both Mick Jagger and Jimmy Page were involved with some of Kenneth Anger's explicitly esoteric (oxymoron noted) film projects. Page also was a huge Crowley buff and purchased the house in which he attempted the Abramelin working. This trend has persisted into the present. Progressive metal super-group Tool have noted numerous occult influences on their website including Crowley, Kenneth Grant, and Austin Osman Spare. Likewise, their music is often littered with arcane references to alchemy, Enochiana, or some other such study. But the influence of magick exists in lesser known music like Gong, The Incredible String Band, and minimalist composer John Zorn. I'm personally fascinated by the unique ways each incorporate magick into their songs, be it the spacy-psychedelia of Gong, the folky nature-invocations of the String Band, or Zorn's Qabalistic compositions. I'd love to discuss these or any other music with some occult influence. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wandwizard.gif)

As far as modern "occult" influenced bands go we can't forget Slayer, Marlyn Manson, White Zombie err Rob Zombie these days, Cradle of Filth, Dimmir Borgir (sorry I'm not from scandanavian and can't spell worth shit) and Type-O-Negative. Now Trent Reznor also has to have some kind of sick "occultish" connection as well, imo. ICP seems to have created a religion, or some kind of spiritual relationship to God of their own nature, out of the lives they once lived. All of these, except Slayer, are bands I personally favor. As well as the bands that support the Bud Gods - Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Marley chiefly.

And if you believe in the fashion Gods, Paris Hilton is Satan incarnate.

Yeah, but I think that a lot of those band's associations with the 'occult' is more show than any real knowledge or practice per se. I do know that Cradle of Filth made an album dedicated to Elizabeth Bathry and thats sweet as hell. They also seem to have some Thelemic references in some of their music. As far as Trent and NIN are concerned, Its hard to say whether he has any strong occult influence. I know he has a savagely strong aesthetic sense that drives the images conjured in his songs and videos, but I can't say for sure if they are truly esoteric in nature. Great band, regardless. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif)

Oh ms. Hilton. When will you ever learn. heehehe.