Prince of Darkness (Raise Your Fist and Yell, 1987)

‘Raise Your Fist and Yell‘ was released in 1987. The second album after Alice’s commitment to sobriety and a return to his faith finds him healthy, revitalized, and confident. However, his music, heavy metal, and hard rock were facing a new battle. This album was released during a time when the PMRC (Parents’ Music Resource Center) was doing their best to censor music (especially Hard Rock and Metal), Alice and many other musicians, most notably Dee Snider, took a direct stand against such measures – fighting for the freedom of speech and expression.  The album uses songs like “Freedom,” “Lock Me Up,” and “Give the Radio Back” to help push back against the PMRC’s efforts. However, the last few tracks take a more wicked turn with “Prince of Darkness,” “Time To Kill,” “Chop, Chop, Chop,” and “Gail.” Tapping into who the enemy is and the personification of evil in this world.

“Prince of Darkness,” tells the story of Satan. The Biblical truth about the enemy. At this time, many Heavy Metal bands were using Satanic imagery and flirting with the occult. Not only did this tarnish the industry, classifying all Metal as evil, but it also painted the idea or concept of Satan as something powerful, worth admiring, enticing, etc. Alice does a phenomenal job using this song to paint an accurate depiction of the enemy’s genuine nature. “He fears the light, he fears the truth, he fears what’s going to be.” While so many in the genre were using satanic imagery as bait, a gimmick, or a selling point, Alice solidly defines the enemy as not being attractive or worth one’s time. After all, why pay homage to an entity willing to “baptize you in lies” or “breathe in sweet human sin”?

This is not the most appealing topic. However, it is an important one. It’s phenomenal to see a growing number of people that claim, as Christians, there is no Satan. In fact, a 2009 study, conducted by Barna Research Group, found that about 60% of a sample of 1,800+ self-described Christians believed Satan was only a symbol of evil, NOT an actual spiritual being or entity, as the Bible describes. That’s astonishing. Stop and think about that. The Bible does not mince words about who we are at odds against (1 John 3:8). If over half the body believes that the enemy doesn’t exist, then he has the leverage in the fight. You won’t address or battle an enemy you don’t think exists. Therefore, we must know the enemy’s playbook and how to counter it.

On the flip side of that issue are several believers that are fascinated with and by evil. People that know the truth yet still want to know more about the conjuring of the enemy. Studying, researching, and learning more about the Occult and practices of the wicked. Even listening to music associated with darkness and desecration. Hoisting evil imagery without fulling understanding the ramifications of such choices. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot simultaneously serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Therefore, we must dedicate our lives to Christ moving forward, not looking back. This week’s ‘DID YOU KNOW?’ Facebook post talked about Blackie Lawless and his return to the Christian faith. He and Alice both admit that there are things from their past that have no place in their current walk or stage show. They refuse to play, sing, or reenact specific acts of their former lives and careers. Choosing instead only to glorify His name moving forward. Are there still things that need to be removed from your life? Are you holding on to some aspects of your past? It’s time to let those go.

Our Heavenly Father has given us the power to turn away from evil. James 4:7 reads, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Verses 8-10 go on to describe the ways by which we can draw nearer to our Lord: 1) Submit to Him – yielding to His authority and will; committing your life and walk to His control (4:7). 2) Resist the enemy – walking away from your past and the sins from that life; avoiding the temptations of the enemy (4:7). 3) Purifying your heart – replacing the desire to sin with instead a desire to experience God’s purity (4:8). 4) Grieve over past sins – don’t be afraid to express heartfelt sorrow for your sins (4:9). 5) Walk Humbly – recognizing that our worth comes from God alone; not the things of this world (4:10). Remember He doesn’t want us to wallow in misery over our past, yet He does want us to be mindful of it as we resist the enemy and move forward with Him.

Knowing the characteristics of the enemy, as opposed to Christ, leads us to a place of better understanding concerning the influence of his works instead of the Lord’s glory. The enemy is full of pride (1 Timothy 3:6), cruel in nature (1 Peter 5:8), deceitful (Ephesians 6:11), and crafty as a serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3). Christ, on the other hand, is the opposite of these things. He is humble in nature (John 6:38), charitable (Mark 12:30-31), the fulfillment of truth (John 14:6), wise (Luke 2:52), and so on. We should always strive to demonstrate the characteristics of Christ towards others – even (and most importantly) when it seems impossible. The fruit you either bear or don’t bear, directly relates to those things you allow to influence you and your life. Galatians 5:22-23 reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Satan has no use for any of these qualities. In fact, he hates them. Pray and walk in those daily – seeking the presence of our Lord and for you to bear much fruit.

Wrapping up the points of this post, we should also know there is no comparison between our Father and Satan. The world has given Satan the authority over things which matter not. Here’s the difference: God has no beginning or end according to scripture, Satan has a beginning and will face the end. God is eternal. Satan is linear (Ezekiel 28: 11-19). God is all-powerful, Satan’s power is restricted (Job 2: 1-6). God speaks things into existence, Satan is not always allowed to speak (Zechariah 3:3). God owns heaven, Satan is sometimes permitted (Isaiah 14:12-17, Revelation 12:7-9). Satan, also known as the accuser, will use shame, guilt, fear, and various other means to try and deceive God’s children. His greatest deceptions lead God’s children to believe they are something other than loved by the Father. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate gesture of Love from the Father abolishing all the lies of the enemy. Walk in Freedom, under Christ’s reign, and rebuke the enemy’s false claims. You were created to know and embrace the Father’s Love. Receive it.

In conclusion, Alice does a masterful job of depicting the lies and temptations of the enemy. His calling leads one on a cautionary tale of what life looks like without God. Stripping away the world’s view of Satan and the small amount of power he does possess reveals his true nature. A coward. A liar. A cheat. The very opposite of our Creator’s character and being. When we embrace the fruit of the spirit (focusing solely on them and the aspects of Christ), we leave no room for the fallacies of the enemy. The Word of God is a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) by which a ‘baby’s mind’ is transformed into a renewed mindset on His perfect will (Romans 12:2). Embrace His Light and turn away from the darkness (John 1:5).