When Hell Comes Home (Welcome 2 My Nightmare, 2011)

If anyone reading this post is currently being abused or is an abuser,
Seek out help immediately, dial 911, or seek shelter and counseling…
There is help! Ask for it! You deserve it!

Welcome 2 My Nightmare (W2MN), released in 2011, extends the dreams and nightmares found on two classic LPs – Welcome to My Nightmare (1975) LP and the Alice Cooper Goes To Hell (1976) LP. Steven has once again found himself in hell, tormented by horrible things and characters.

W2MN is a combination of the above-listed classic LPs. However, the nightmares are different. They are the things that would haunt Alice today – not the Alice of the 70s, but the millennial Alice. They also terrorize a good portion of humanity in general.

Songs like “Runaway Train,” “I’ll Bite Your Face Off,” “Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever,” “When Hell Comes Home,” and “Something To Remember Me By.” Those songs shed light on multiple scenarios and dialogues about tragedies, terrors, and things that disturb our slumber, and, for many, they are real.

A few other unique points to make about the album include Alice, once again, working with Bob Ezrin, the original living members of the band (Bruce, Smith, and Dunaway), and hints of the original Welcome To My Nightmare LP scattered and mixed throughout the music and layout.

Between the production, songwriting, and concepts presented on W2MN, the dots were masterfully connected between the original Welcome To My Nightmare and that original Alice Cooper vibe found in the early to mid-70s.

“Michael (Bruce) came in with “When Hell Comes Home” about an abusive father. On that one, I told the guys, “I want you to play this one live in the studio.” The reason was that it was the type of song that would have been on Love It To Death or Killer. I wanted to recapture what we sounded like in that era, and the only way to do that was to play it live in the studio.” – Alice Cooper

“When Hell Comes Home” is brilliantly written and performed. You feel the fear, anger, and desperation in Steven’s voice as he contemplates ending his abusive father’s life.

Combining Alice’s sneers and disdain with the heavy and aggressive riffs and beat, it is possibly the most brutal song on the LP, and the content is no laughing matter. It may be one of the most engaging tunes in the Alice Cooper catalog.

“When Hell Comes Home” graphically explains the frustrations of a young boy and his mother – bringing extreme focus and attention to an issue that can’t be ignored.

Mommy says that everything is fine
Mommy hides her bruises all the time
She always makes excuses, but I know that she is lyin’
Mommy says that everything is fine

That’s just the way it is; he’s evil to the bone
Mommy says that everything is fine
That’s just the way it is when we’re left alone
Coz that’s when hell comes home

I hear those footsteps on the stairs
Mom’s bleeding out, or maybe she don’t care
We live in darkness and despair
I’m just so tired of being scared

The word abuse describes the mistreatment or misuse of virtually anything – people, substances, objects, etc. At the stem of abuse, we find selfishness. Abuse occurs for various reasons, but lashing out is a typical self-centered reaction when someone does not get their way.

Abuse comes in many forms – physical, emotional, mental, etc. Some abuse is subtle, while other types are blatant. Either way, the effects are painful and destructive. Verbal and physical attacks, criticism, favoritism, manipulation, deceit, etc., are examples of abuse.

“When Hell Comes Home” presents Steven’s father as the abuser, but anyone can abuse others, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, background, etc. The abuser’s victims are often trapped in a vicious cycle of repetitive abuse, and finding a healthy way to break that cycle is challenging but necessary.

NOTE: Before going further, “Fridays With Alice” does not hire registered therapists or mental health experts. The opinions and suggestions found in this post are personal and will use Biblical verses to expound on the topic.

Our goal is to bring attention to the subject and have the reader make healthy decisions about any actions they partake in, whether they are an abuser, abused, or know anyone in either category.

Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit would lead the way towards healing and restoration in the lives of all involved with such conflict and interactions.

Unfortunately, abuse in some form or another has most likely affected us all. We all have selfish tendencies and an innate desire to get what we want. But are we abusing or misusing someone or something to achieve those desires?

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. – 2 Timothy 3:1-7

While abuse is nothing new, it’s apparent that it, along with other vices, will become more prevalent in the last days. However, Timothy finishes Chapter 3 by bringing attention to the fact that while the world spirals into darkness, those that yearn for God and walk in His Truth will find righteousness through Him.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

We are called to love one another. Therefore, abuse is a sin. Abusing others is the opposite of Christ’s greatest commandments – loving God and loving people. Instead, an abuser desires to place themselves above God and people even though they’ve been called to count others more significant than themselves (Philippians 2).

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. – Matthew 18:1-6

The above-listed verses, found in Matthew, carry multiple meanings, but Christ explicitly addresses the mistreatment of children within them. The interactions we experience in our childhood influence our development into adulthood. It only makes sense that Christ would address how we should treat children.

Children trust and rely on adults for many, if not all, of their needs. However, most abused children have lost the ability to trust others. Children are not responsible for the abuse they suffer while young but often carry the effects into adulthood by repeating the patterns. It is our responsibility, as adults, to protect them.

God holds us responsible for the interactions we have with children. Jesus was very clear about the severe punishment ascribed to those who abuse children – it would be better for them to drown in the sea. Instead, we are asked to teach them and lift them up in the “ways they should go” (Proverbs 22:6).

It’s blatantly evident abuse is detrimental to humanity. So, how do we battle against it? How do we help restore the abused (and the abuser)?

Unfortunately, many abused people wait for their abusers to repair and restore the damage done. Responsibility and remorse on the part of the abuser may help. Still, ultimately it is an intervention of the Holy Spirit that heals and restores our damaged hearts, minds, and souls. An intervention we must willingly receive.

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31

As shown in the above-listed verses of Isaiah, hope in the Lord renews our strength. As a church (the body of Christ – Believers), the goal should be for us to offer a safe place and alternative for those suffering – a refuge and shelter. A place void of judgment and conducive for the abused to witness His Love.

Unfortunately, the abuse had been allowed to fester in the song for so long that Steven felt forced to end his father’s life. Had an alternative or someone been willing to show him and his mother that what they experienced wasn’t “just the way it is” and that things could be different, would that have changed his fate?

Wrapping up this week’s post, “When Hell Comes Home,” is a difficult song to listen to and cover in this blog. There is no one appropriate way to handle abuse. Each case is unique and requires a specific form of reprieve, renewal, and restoration. However, there is only one divine healer.

“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him, who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds, you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:22-25

Jesus Christ became the abused to forgive, love, and heal the abuser – He died for ALL sinners. He will most assuredly comfort, vindicate, and heal any who ask and call Him Lord (John 10:11-15).

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the Word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. – Galatians 6:1-10

As Believers, we must work to break the cycles of abuse in our lives by owning our misuse of others while recovering from our past hurts. Therefore, a small group of Believers where people can share and help bear one another’s burdens is paramount (as described above in Galatians 6).

Walking together hand in hand, lifting one another as we struggle, brings unity to the body of Christ and shows the world that our God enables us despite our past. They will know we are Believers by our Love for one another and humanity (John 13:34-35).

In conclusion, Steven’s tour of Hell is an interesting one. So many songs and scenarios paint the darkness and despair that resides there. However, “When Hell Comes Home” might be the hardest to endure.

Knowing that children struggle and face such horrors in this world is horrifying, yet it happens daily. What are we doing to provide an alternative way of living for those caught in the snares of abuse?

Alice and Sheryl Cooper have found a way to show young people that they are loved and appreciated within the walls of their Mesa and Phoenix teen centers. Finding other ways to give back or helping to contribute to their cause is one way to help share His Love with those that may not have experienced it.

To learn more about Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock, click here.

If anyone reading this post is currently being abused or is an abuser,
Seek out help immediately, dial 911, or seek shelter and counseling…
There is help! Ask for it! You deserve it!

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

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