Sanctuary (Brutal Planet, 2000)

Brutal Planet was released on June 6, 2000.  It is one of Coop’s darker, more influential albums – focusing on the demise and destruction of humanity. 

This album reveals what life looks like apart from God and His plan, and Alice is the narrator. The product of such an equation is a burning wasteland ruled by Satan – a spinning ‘ball of hate’.

“I have to write the way Alice would think. He thinks we’re flying toward a brick wall at 100 miles per hour. And he kind of would like to be there and see what happens at the end. This is Alice’s state of the world address, a future state of the world address. But I like the fact that a lot of these things he sees are things that are going on now. In that sense, it’s not really science fiction but social fiction, or put another way, future horror.”– Alice Cooper

Judging by today’s state of affairs, it’s as if Alice prophetically wrote both Brutal Planet and Dragontown with almost pinpoint accuracy. It’s a “what have we become?” question that demands an answer – an honest one.

“Sanctuary” is the third track on the LP. And the song’s narrative paints the picture of the modern-day man using work, pills, possessions, and society’s objectives as his catalyst for “survival.”

Same gray suit
Same brown shoes
Same headache
Same pills
He goes home thinks about suicide
But he’s got his diploma; ya got to give him that

I got a radical place
Got my own private space
It’s my sanctuary
It’s the castle of doom
I’m the king of my room
Just a Quasimodo
Let the world blow away
This is where I will stay
In my sanctuary
Got my mess on the floor
Got my lock on my door

Go Away, Sanctuary
Go Away, Sanctuary

Someday I gotta get outta here
Gotta put on a shirt, put on a tie
Get a job, buy a car, get some insurance
’Cause I’ll probably have a heart attack by the time I’m 40

I guess I’ll find the perfect wife
And I’ll have 2.3 perfect kids
And if I work real hard
And if I die real fast
They’ll all turn out just like me

Is this where the majority of us reside? In a world and life where we simply try to survive, allowing society to tell us how to think and live? Do we find our refuge in meeting specific goals, having particular possessions, or fulfilling several quotas?

Is the refuge we seek healthy? Does it sustain us? Do we find health, purpose, and strength there? Better yet, is it a physical place on this earth?

Who, what, or where do you consider “Sanctuary?” Family? Cars? The Lake? Friends? Money? The Beach? God? Faith? Thoughts of Eternity?

From a biblical perspective, it’s clear that God should be our “Sanctuary” – our refuge. And, looking closer at the word “Sanctuary,” we find a state or place of protection.

It’s easy to say, “God is my refuge (and strength),” but what does that truly mean? It’s easy to picture a physical construct that protects us, but how can God, whom we can’t see – be our refuge?

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge. – Psalms 62: 5-8

At different points in his life, David was pursued and threatened by various people. However, as seen in the above-listed verses, he always found safety in God.

Notice David simply asked for God to be his refuge. He discussed his trials and tribulations in prayer and requested that God would intervene on his behalf. Like David, when we turn to our Creator for answers and strength, we begin to know Him as more than some faceless deity; because He is our Gracious Father.

It takes blind faith to make that step. However, what’s interesting is the evidence that comes with that faith. As we start to seek Him and purposely ask for His intervention and protection, we see evidence of Him in our lives.

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” – Matthew 8:23-27

Even though we ask for His protection, that does not mean life becomes spotless, worry-free, or painless. Notice the above-listed verses from Matthew; Jesus knew a violent storm was coming, yet he didn’t keep the disciples from getting in the boat. Instead, He was their refuge and calmed the storm.

He taught the disciples to rely on Him – to put their faith in Him.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Jesus reminds us that true peace comes from Him, and He assured us that the Holy Spirit would help us remember His words and place them in our hearts, minds, and souls (John 14:26).

When we are faced with complications and life’s more daunting tasks, let us remember that we’ve been offered protection, help, and strength to overcome such things – have no fear (Hebrews 13:5-6).

Wrapping up this week’s post, the world offers us a fake façade of what “Sanctuary” means and represents. A nice home. Fine clothes. A stable job. The latest model automobile. A successful marriage and family.

Let us take a moment and ask ourselves how many of the above-listed things offer us fulfillment. Is it possible to truly obtain “Sanctuary” in this world (without applying our Creator’s design)? Or is it only through His Spirit that we can find solace, rest, and fortitude?

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:10-13

His Spirit leaves us fulfilled when we faithfully devote ourselves to Him and His Will. Even when those around us treat us wrong or life, in general, doesn’t go our way, we find that we are content in knowing Him and allowing Him to be our Rock – our “Sanctuary” as we journey ahead.

In conclusion, when Brutal Planet was first released, it was a futuristic, science fiction-based concept – the musical equivalent of Orwell’s 1984, if you will. However, it’s fascinating and disturbing to see so many of the lyrics come to fruition in recent history.

The subject of the song “Sanctuary” believes he’s figured out a way to escape, yet he’s actually created his own personal “hell” – a castle of doom.

“Sanctuary” offers a means of escape from the terrors of the Brutal Planet, but it is a false deliverance as the answer proffered is to simply hide away and keep the ugliness out of sight…(yet) ”Sanctuary” does not offer the very thing that its title implies.” – Ian Chapman, Experiencing Alice Cooper: A Listener’s Companion

Alice, as always, perfectly satirizes the depravity of humanity. And unfortunately, society has created such a horrific experience for humankind that we’d rather escape and fantasize about another reality instead of improving the one we actually live.

Alice challenges us to go against the flow through satirization and ridicule – to grab life by the horns and face its trials instead of hiding from them. May we heed his words while also seeking “Sanctuary” from where it truly resides.

That’s it for this week. Be Well and Catch You Next Friday!

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