He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask) (Constrictor, 1986)

Constrictor, released in 1986, is Alice’s ninth solo studio album. With his return to music, Alice issues an LP with a much more aggressive tone.

“I loved School’s Out, and I loved all those albums in the ‘70s, but I think, by far, the highest energy album is Constrictor.” – Alice Cooper

Alice made a monumental comeback – creatively mixing Rock and Horror. A sound that meshed together a new, edgier form of Rock with the yesteryear sounds of Killer and School’s Out.

At this point, Alice was also clean – embracing sobriety. He also wasn’t ashamed to share that same message with other bands.

Megadeth opened during the Nightmare Returns tour, and lead singer Dave Mustaine stated that Alice had cautioned him (and other group members) about life on the road.

“Alice is my godfather. He sat me down on his bus one night…He goes, “You know what? You really gotta cool it. There’s a way that you can be out there and try to help people in a way that you don’t discourage them, but you can also show them that there are some good things to do and there are some not-so-good things to do. The choice is yours. If you have any problems, call me. I will always be here for you.” – Dave Mustaine

Words of wisdom straight from the Godfather of Shock Rock. Mustaine and other members of Megadeth (including Dave Ellefson) would heed that warning a few years later. Mustaine and Ellefson later became brothers in Christ as well.

“He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)” is the final track on Constrictor, and it was released two months before the album.

Additionally, the track accompanied “Teenage Frankenstein” and “Hard Rock Summer” on the Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives soundtrack, and they were featured in the film. “He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask) became an instant classic.

While the song relates to the film and the character, Jason Voorhies, it can also be viewed from a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde scenario.

Oh, but he’s back
He’s the man behind the mask
And he’s out of control
He’s back
The man behind the mask
And he crawled out of his hole

Oh, if you see him comin’ getaway if you can
Just keep on runnin’; run as fast as you can
He’s a dangerous, dangerous man
And he’s out tonight

He’s back
He’s the man behind the mask
And he’s after your soul
He’s back
The man behind the mask
And he’s out of control

Do we ever think about who we were before we met Christ? Before we accepted Him? Before our hearts changed?

Do we ever struggle with who we were before? Do setbacks and backslides hinder us?

Transformation is a process. It’s a constant battle – a tug-of-war for our hearts, minds, and souls. Fortunately, when we accept Christ, we become righteous through His Blood, and the struggle for our hearts and souls has been won. However, the battle for our minds never ceases.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”  – Romans 12:2

In Romans 12:2, we find a formula. We see the answer to wholeness and freedom. By waging war on the battlefield in our minds, we find renewal. We find “his good, pleasing, and perfect will” begin to unfold as we learn to focus our thoughts on Him and apply His Word.

If we look at this song using God’s Word as a metaphor for the mask, that mask becomes an “outward expression of an inward transformation.” It’s not a mask used for disguise; it’s one used for protection and meaning. It represents us for who we are in Christ.

As Believers, we see ourselves as transformed beings, new creations of His Love. However, just lying beneath that mask is our flesh, our humanity – the self-centered thoughts that keep us disconnected from His will. Hang on to the mask metaphor, and we’ll return to that.

Change and Faith are NEVER natural for humankind. They require diligence, strength, and perseverance to see them through. Our pastor once said, “Putting your entire existence in the hands of the One whom you cannot see, touch, or hear is far from natural.” It’s a supernatural experience; amazing things happen when we apply His Word.

Take some time to check out Hebrews 11:1-39. In these verses, we find a recount of many who walked in FAITH, accomplishing incredible tasks during their time on Earth.

Those verses discuss the faithfulness of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, and so on. We find those willing to stand out and stand up for their convictions and devotion.

Along with their faith, they walked in relationship, obedience, and perseverance with their Creator. They tread through darkness and peril, knowing that His Light was with them and guided them.

With that, we come back to the metaphor of the mask. As we discussed, it’s not a disguise. It’s a piece of equipment – a part of our armor.

For a surgeon, it protects them and their patients from infection. For the welder, it protects them from sparks and glare. For the hockey player, it protects them from the puck, flying elbows, and contact. For us, it’s God’s Word helping us to bring His Love to a lost, broken world.

Behind the mask is brokenness – our past, struggles, sin, and shame. Things that plague our minds if we allow them. It’s not the things that Our Heavenly Father sees us as or wants us to worry about, but it’s the things the enemy uses to try and keep us from moving forward in the battle (against his petty schemes).

Behind the mask, we are forgiven and washed white as snow by the Grace, Mercy, and Love of the One True King. Everything about who we are comes with that.

For Noah, it was his drunkenness. For David, it was his betrayal and lust. For Abraham and Sarah, it was their disbelief. You get the point. For every trial and grievance we’ve been through, He’s forgiven and covered those blemishes.

Does the mask not also represent the Armor of God?

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. – Ephesians 6:10-18

Looking at the mask from a protective perspective, it also becomes a metaphor for the Armor of God found in the above-listed verses.

The Belt of Truth. The Breastplate of Righteousness. The Boots (Gospel) of Peace. The Shield of Faith. The Helmet of Salvation. The Sword of the Spirit.

God’s armor covers the frail, feeble person beneath them. It strengthens and protects what would otherwise be easily battered and beaten.

Looking at the Armor of God, we find the head covering, our Helmet of Salvation (our mask), as the most critical piece of armor. That mask covers us and gives meaning to the rest of our armor.

It brings the power of the Holy Spirit and the transformation of our hearts. It brings with it the fruit of His Spirit and a new creation.

Wrapping up this week’s post, our mind is under direct attack as we wage war against the enemy. It fails us and allows us to backslide.

Our past, struggles, sin, shame, etc., can only bring us down if we let them. We often spiral out of control when we focus on those things instead of Christ and the promises He’s given us through His Word.

When we focus on who we once were (The Person Behind The Mask), let us look instead to Hebrews 11 – at the lives of men and women in the Bible. Their lives were no different than ours.

Those deemed faithful and righteous by God still struggled with faults, mistakes, and moments of weakness – just as we do today. But notice their commitment to faith, willingness to walk in faith, and determination to bring His Kingdom to everyone here on Earth.

Our struggles have been more than adequately addressed by grace on the cross and the forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May we know and understand that our new identity is more than a mask or some disguise – it’s a declaration of His Love. With that transformation, the world will know who we are by our willingness to share His Love (John 13:35). Amen.

In conclusion, Alice often addresses his addiction and discusses the dark period that led to his sobriety. But it’s essential to note that Alice’s resurgence and rehabilitation began with a miracle.

“When I came out, I was totally, absolutely, totally sober. I could not have been more sober: The insane thing about it is that comment, you know, people talk about how miracles don’t happen anymore. Well yes, they do…I don’t have a sponsor, I have a SAVIOR!” – Alice Cooper

The Constrictor LP and Nightmare Returns tour catapulted Alice back into the limelight, but more importantly, this is where his journey toward Freedom through Christ began. It’s where and when Alice realized life and the Lord had so much more in store for him.

In turn, fans and the music world were also about to experience a brand new Alice. A recreated Alice that was grittier, more empowered, and more pristine. A new chapter in the Nightmare had just begun and would lead us to arguably some of the best music and stage shows in Rock ‘n’ Roll history.

That’s it for this week. Catch you next Friday!

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!