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 driven by a much more aggressive tone. Alice notes that at this point in his career this album was the original Nightmare character – only more belligerent, more confrontational.

“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.

Alice, at this point, was also clean – he had embraced sobriety. Even more, he wasn’t ashamed to share that same message with other bands as well. Megadeth opened during the Nightmare Returns tour, and lead singer, Dave Mustaine, stated Alice had cautioned him (and other members of the group) 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 the LP, and it was released two months before the album. “He’s Back,” “Teenage Frankenstein,” and “Hard Rock Summer” (not from the Constrictor LP) were all featured on the soundtrack and in the film, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. It became an instant classic.

While the song is, of course, related to the film and the character, Jason Voorhies, it can also be viewed from a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde scenario as well.

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 you ever stop to think about the way you were before you met Christ? Before you accepted Him? Before your heart really changed? Before you became a new creation? Do you ever struggle with who you were before? Do setbacks and backslides hinder you?

Transformation is a process. It’s a constant battle – a tug-of-war for our hearts, our minds, and our souls. Fortunately, when we accept Christ, we become righteous through His Blood, and the battle for our heart and soul has been won. However, the battle for our mind 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.

We are growing accustomed to seeing masks everywhere in society due to COVID-19. They are meant to be protective coverings for our faces. The exact definition is as follows: a covering made of fiber or gauze and fitting over the nose and mouth to protect against dust or air pollutants, or made of sterile gauze and worn to prevent infection of the wearer or (in surgery) of the patient.

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.” (See pic.) It’s not a mask used for disguise; instead, it’s one used for protection and meaning. It’s one that represents us for who we are through Him.

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 come back 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, but when it’s applied according to His Word, amazing things begin to happen.

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 faith.

These scriptures are reminders of those that equipped themselves with faith. They equipped themselves with relationship, obedience, and perseverance. They walked through darkness and peril, knowing that His Light was with 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 your 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.

But behind that mask is a broken person. Behind that mask lives our past, our struggles, our sin, and our shame. The 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).

The man (or woman) behind the mask is 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 them.

Let’s go in one other direction as well.

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. 12For 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.

Looking at the mask from a protective perspective, it also becomes a metaphor for the Armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18. 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. This 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 this up, as we wage war against the enemy, it’s our mind that is under direct attack. It’s our minds that fail us and allow us to backslide. Our past, our struggles, our sin, our shame, etc., can only bring us down if we let them. When we focus on those things instead of Christ and the promises He’s given us through His Word, we often spiral out of control.

When you find yourself focused on the man or woman you once were (The Man/Woman Behind The Mask), look instead to Hebrews 11. Look at the lives lived by men and women in the Bible, lives that are no different than ours. Men and women with faults, mistakes, and moments of weakness – just like all of us. But notice their commitment to faith, their willingness to walk in faith, and their determination to bring His Kingdom to everyone here on Earth.

The truth is, our struggle of faith has been more than adequately addressed by grace on the cross, the forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we remember His sacrifice today on Good Friday, may we keep our masks on tight. May we know that they are not disguises, but instead declarations of His Love. For 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, which led to his sobriety. But it’s important to note, 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 towards Freedom through Christ began. It’s where and when Alice began to realize life and the Lord had so much more in store for him. God Bless Alice and God Bless You All!

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday!

In the meantime, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!