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)

This is interesting stuff. I didn't know about Mick Jagger. I love Led Zeppelin though and it wouldn't matter what path or interests they followed. Ah music, elixir of life, well and food of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Yep, know a lot about Tool. My husband is a fan, well..appreciator of their music. (With seeing their "fans" he probably wouldn't want to consider himself one. Many are quite arrogant about what they "know"...yes, I am going by what I've read on their boards) Their new album (10,000 days) has got a lot of their apparent magick preferences in it. (Though, took me a while to adjust my eyes to see it with the funny little glasses they give you.)

I had no idea about Mick though...when I think of Mick I think of the goofy chicken walk and how he and Steve Tyler where in a battle of the lips on celebrity death match. Heheh..

Any idea about Jim Morrison though?

Yeah, I definitely know what you mean about some of Tool's fans being arrogant. Sometimes those knowledgable about rare and intricate art, music, philosophy, etc., tend to wear it like a badge of honor and sneer at those less 'enlightened' than themselves. But I think that many of Tool's fans, appreciators, or what-have-you maintain a certain modesty, as do the actual members of the band. Mostly. The glasses were really tricky to figure out, kinda like a magic eye. I really dug all the images though.
Yup, Mr. "I'm too hot for me" most certainly dabbled in the dark arts. In fact he played numerous magickal head-games with his co-star in the film he was in by Kenneth Anger. Mick did things like sneak hallucinogenic mushrooms into his food before filming scenes and laying curse on him. Real sweet-heart huh? Sadly I cannot remember other details or the name of the film, and I loaned the article to a friend who is out of town. However, a quick peek on google will undoubtedly unearth numerous details for those interested.
Jim Morrison had a pagan style wedding and ritualistically drank blood with his wife. I don't know too much else on the Doors because for whatever reason I never really got interested in their music. I recognize them as great musicians and I am pretty sure they do have a certain shamanic quality, both lyrically and rhythmically. But i just never felt a strong impetus to pursue their music. Go figure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hands.gif)

My husband is a fan, well..appreciator of their music.

Yes... yes I am.

Looked up John Zorn after your mention, only found a few tracks, but they're nice. Good and upbeat stuff too, I wouldn't mind an album. Unfortunately my budget for music has been limited for quite some time, and I'm not a pirate, although it's fun to pretend. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Musically, if I can't connect to the song on some sort of spiritual level, I can't listen to it. It doesn't have to be exceptionally deep - personally I've been enjoying Supercharger by Machine Head - but it does have to click. If there's a blatantly arrogant, whiny, depressing or stupid lyric, I can't stomach the crap.

Jimi Hendrix was also heavily into the occult. Particularly voodoo. Theres a pretty good article on Hendrix and his dealings with the occult at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/jimi-hendrix-experience.html

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I forgot to mention that the site that hosts it is a baptist ministry, so if it seems slightly negative, that'd be why... it is, however, a pretty good and fairly accurate article.

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Very interesting article.
Btw, I love religious extremists; their rants always make for wonderful reading when you're really bored. I figured that Jimi was into various New-Age philosophies being tossed around, but I never realized he was sincerely interested in voodoo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/offtopic.gif) It seems that voodoo keeps coming up in my life recently. My friend and fellow magician has been on a real voodoo bend lately, researching zombies and zombie powder and we've been trying to no avail to locate a voodoo-type shop he found in his past. Anyway, very enlightening read Caliginos.

i had Gong on tapes havent heard them in ages, good band..
.tool one of my favorites.
anybody likes Death in June? current 93?
coph nia (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (for ravers)
tiamat, inkubus sukkubus...just some of really good bands with occult influence that come to mind at this moment.
has anyone heard Heretix? or something like that is called band or project they did rock opera Liber Legis, also had them on tape, lost it and could never find again.

Very interesting article.
Btw, I love religious extremists; their rants always make for wonderful reading when you're really bored. I figured that Jimi was into various New-Age philosophies being tossed around, but I never realized he was sincerely interested in voodoo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/offtopic.gif) It seems that voodoo keeps coming up in my life recently. My friend and fellow magician has been on a real voodoo bend lately, researching zombies and zombie powder and we've been trying to no avail to locate a voodoo-type shop he found in his past. Anyway, very enlightening read Caliginos.

Thanks.

Voodoo-specific shops tend to be rare. Especially the ones that operate in public. I'm actually rather lucky to live in a city that has a voodoo shop. I've spent entire afternoons down there talking to the Santero (Priest of Santeria. Santeria is a pseudo-christian variant of Voodoo.) who owns the place.

Just wonderin...

Are there any other magicians out here who (like me) don't like heavy rock music? Personally myself I am a folk music fan. I find that the old lyrics can be full of allusions to magic and witchcraft etc...

Certainly there are allusions to magic in popular music, but I sometimes use music as a vehicle for magic. I'm always looking for songs with lyrics that might be useful. For instance, if I made a prosperity spell, I might incorporate the Beatles song "Money." If I was creating a lovespell then I might incorporate a lovesong, both to raise energy and to give it focus . These songs have already been made .more potent and energized by being sung and listened to by lots and lots of people. It makes it easy to tap into. It is also easy to remember the words, and most popular music is about our basic needs and common experiences It is fairly easy to find material that fits.

Just wonderin...

Are there any other magicians out here who (like me) don't like heavy rock music? Personally myself I am a folk music fan. I find that the old lyrics can be full of allusions to magic and witchcraft etc...

The incredible string band is a good example of 'psychedelic folk' that has many mystical and magickal allusions. I suggest you check them out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The incredible string band is a good example of 'psychedelic folk' that has many mystical and magickal allusions. I suggest you check them out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yes theyre pretty good I have to say. Not strictly folk, but good. Pentangle is another with magickal overtones in the same vein.

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.

King Crimson used a lot of Hermetic/alchemical imagery in their early albums...the following link leads to an online essay of these themes, particularily the alleged connection to the Roman Emperor Frederick II

http://www.songsouponsea.com/Promenade/home.html

This post has been edited by The Nine: Nov 15 2006, 08:58 AM

King Crimson used a lot of Hermetic/alchemical imagery in their early albums...the following link leads to an online essay of these themes, particularily the alleged connection to the Roman Emperor Frederick II

http://www.songsouponsea.com/Promenade/home.html

Yeah, I seem to remember visiting this site when writing a paper on some of the more famous Prog-Rock bands. There is some pretty interesting stuff there. Thanks for mentioning King Crimson, they're one of my favorite bands. Can't believe I forgot about them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/doh.gif)

Me and Eabatu are working on sumerian inspired music. will keep you guys posted (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blablabla.gif)

Hi there, Distillate!

Maybe it's not your cup-of-tea, but please consider the "Exorcist II: The Heretic" soundtrack by Ennio Morricone for your Sumerian music listings! I adore "Magic and Ecstasy", some say it's EVIL DISCO, but so what? It's wonderfully Chaotic! And Maestro Morricone wrote a piece especially inspired by the film's rendition of "Pazuzu"!

Hagetaka

I put this on another music thread but dont forget Hitlers favorite Wagner and Beethoven especially Wagner. Hitler may have been greedy and to arogant but he was an occultist.

Most of the music I listen to is occult-related and medieval... black metal, gothic, etc...

Here are a list of what I like, and goes well with spirituality and medieval etc...

Aaskeria
After Forever
Aesma Daeva
Amduscia
Amon Amarth
Ancient
Ancient Ceremony
Ancient Darkness
Beethoven
Black Altar
Black Bible
Black Messiah
Black Witchcraft
Black Witchery
Blood Ritual
Blutengel
Cannibal Corpse
Church of Misery
Crucified Whore
Cult of Luna
Cradle of Filth
Dark Funeral
Dark Mythology
Dark Sanctuary
Dark Sorcery
Darkness Is My Pride
Darkwell
Dead Can Dance
Death Ritual
Diary of Dreams
Dimmu Borgir
Dornenreich
Draconian
Dying Fetus
Dreams of Sanity
Enoch
Enslavement of Beauty
Eternal Darkness
Gardens of Gehenna
Hades Almighty
Haggard
Hecate Enthroned
Impaled Nazarene
Inkubus Sukkubus
Johann Sebastian Bach
Kovenant
Kult Ov Azazel
Marduk
Mayhem
Morbid Angel
Mortiis
Necromancy
Necromicon
Nightwish
Ordo Funebris
Razed in Black
Rasputina
Samael
Samsas Traum
Seven Witches
Sins of Thy Beloved
Skinless
Solitude Aeturnus
Sopor Aeternus
Symphony of Night
Theatre Of Tragedy
Theatres Des Vampires
Thou Art Lord
Thou Shalt Suffer
Thy Majestie
Thy Mortal Eyes
Vampiria
Vesperian Sorrow
Vivaldi Handel
Wumpscut
Wykked Wytch
XIV Dark Centuries
Zombie Girl

Most of them are occult-related, which is nice.

Greetings Distilliate,

I can vouch for the worth of both Distilliate's and Eabatu's musical talent. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif)

Greetings Distilliate,

I can vouch for the worth of both Distilliate's and Eabatu's musical talent. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clapping.gif)

yeah I just set up my studio after the storm that flooded my basement. So we will have some blackmetal guitar/ industral beats and vocals soon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

yeah I just set up my studio after the storm that flooded my basement. So we will have some blackmetal guitar/ industral beats and vocals soon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Hmm I like black metal and industrial, be sure to hook me up.

I must admit actual ritual magic may have many followers in pop music but not many actually include it in their lyrics.
So I give you
[size=7]Black metal Occult enough for you........... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by TheDude: Apr 3 2007, 02:35 AM

It does seem that Metal is the musical genre which has been most influenced by the occult - was the phrase Heavy Metal not also coined by William Burroughs to describe the sound of Hawkwind?

IMO, Punk is another genre connected with magick. I mean wasn't it originally a kind of situationist movement?

I also can't help but see a connection between early 20th century art movements like Cubism and Surreallism with William Burroughs and the cut-up process & early psychedelic bands Gong, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Amon Duul, Tangerine Dream, Can, Faust, etc. To me at least, all where interested in altering perspective by creating an experience which re-assembled the fragments of reality(like a collage) in a new way to try and make people aware of control, to wake people up form the hypnosis induced by language.

Many punks who formed bands at the end of the seventies where heavily into psychedlia, kraut rock, etc. but were also influenced by the more direct, everyman, rootsy qualities of reggae. Where psychedelia was concerned with freeing the mind(and hopefully everything else will naturally follow), reggae music was filled with much more immediacy and was more concerned about direct action. As a result, I see punk as being the synthesis of freethhinking and experimentation, with the real desire for action and the will to manifest change. Crowley described magick as "Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will" so I therefore think that to study and get involved in any of these or similair artistic movements is invaluable for anyone interested in practical magick or self-aktualization.

If we could file musical genres into the Tree of Life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hmm.gif) I think psychedelia could be Da'ath? and reggae is Tiphareth, punk rock is Yesod, and metal is Malkuth- just my own silly speculation, anyone is welcome to make there own. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


As for ritual magick, a Sunn O))) gig would provide great conditions for an evocation (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evil2.gif) . check them out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtnG6EHh1N4

This post has been edited by wolf man: Apr 3 2007, 08:47 AM

right now i am totally into the witchy inkubussukkubus. you can check them out at: http://www.inkubussukkubus.com/

es

IMO, Punk is another genre connected with magick. I mean wasn't it originally a kind of situationist movement?

I also can't help but see a connection between early 20th century art movements like Cubism and Surreallism with William Burroughs and the cut-up process & early psychedelic bands Gong, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Amon Duul, Tangerine Dream, Can, Faust, etc. To me at least, all where interested in altering perspective by creating an experience which re-assembled the fragments of reality(like a collage) in a new way to try and make people aware of control, to wake people up form the hypnosis induced by language.




I think that the work of Genesis P-Orridge definitely should be examined. His work with Throbbing Gristle certainly seems in line with the ideas you are mentioning, not to mention Psychic T.V. I should have mentioned his stuff before, considering him being extremely involved with the occult, chaos type magick, psychedellic awareness and what-not.

It does seem that Metal is the musical genre which has been most influenced by the occult - was the phrase Heavy Metal not also coined by William Burroughs to describe the sound of Hawkwind?

IMO, Punk is another genre connected with magick. I mean wasn't it originally a kind of situationist movement?

I also can't help but see a connection between early 20th century art movements like Cubism and Surreallism with William Burroughs and the cut-up process & early psychedelic bands Gong, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Amon Duul, Tangerine Dream, Can, Faust, etc. To me at least, all where interested in altering perspective by creating an experience which re-assembled the fragments of reality(like a collage) in a new way to try and make people aware of control, to wake people up form the hypnosis induced by language.

Many punks who formed bands at the end of the seventies where heavily into psychedlia, kraut rock, etc. but were also influenced by the more direct, everyman, rootsy qualities of reggae. Where psychedelia was concerned with freeing the mind(and hopefully everything else will naturally follow), reggae music was filled with much more immediacy and was more concerned about direct action. As a result, I see punk as being the synthesis of freethhinking and experimentation, with the real desire for action and the will to manifest change. Crowley described magick as "Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will" so I therefore think that to study and get involved in any of these or similair artistic movements is invaluable for anyone interested in practical magick or self-aktualization.

If we could file musical genres into the Tree of Life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hmm.gif) I think psychedelia could be Da'ath? and reggae is Tiphareth, punk rock is Yesod, and metal is Malkuth- just my own silly speculation, anyone is welcome to make there own. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
As for ritual magick, a Sunn O))) gig would provide great conditions for an evocation (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evil2.gif) . check them out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtnG6EHh1N4

I think that the work of Genesis P-Orridge would be a good example of someone who's work would fit into those categories, with Throbbing Gristle leaning more towards a Burroughsian cut-up punk approach and Psychic T.V. being more psychedelic and oriented towards perceptual reorganization. I like the associating Psychedelic rock with Daath, but have a little more trobule with the other categorizations. My perssonal schema would put metal and punk at Geburah and Reggae at Malkuth, but to each their own.

P.S. Fucking aye kraut rock. Do you also listen to Guru-Guru, Acid Mothers Temple, and/or Brainticket? My good friend introduced me to all that wonderful Deutches Musicke.