Tom Araya: Slayer's Lyrics Are "Just Words And They'll Never Interfere With What I Believe"
Band Photo: Slayer (?)
Jenny Feniak of the Edmonton Sun recently conducted an interview with SLAYER frontman Tom Araya. A few excerpts from the interview follow:
On being "the most evil band in the world":
"It's all about the cool factor - that's the main point. If something we find is really cool and gory and graphic, we'll go with it."
On being still at the top of its game 25 years after the band's inception:
"Our vision of how we see the band has been the same; that's never altered. We've never shied away from what we initially started this band as, but we have grown in all aspects of that."
On the band's early days:
"It sounded amazing, so I was in. It was easy as that. They [Kerry, Jeff and Dave] were into it; we knew the songs, you know. It's kind of hard to find a group of guys that serious about that.
"We didn't want to look like all the hair bands that were coming out at the time.
"We didn't want to look like girls; we wanted to look like a bunch of guys putting on makeup like guys. That was a must.
"So we did everything completely opposite of that, which included the dark image, you know, that whole Satan vibe. And our first album being Side 6 Side 66, people were really freaking out over that."
On possible issues between his Catholic faith and the band's subject matter:
"Kerry's written some really far-out shit. If it's a good song, I'm not one that's going to go, 'This sucks because it's contrary to my beliefs.' To me it's more like, 'This is really good stuff. You're going to piss people off with this.'
"People have these heavy issues and ask, 'Isn't this a problem for you?' and no. I'm well-rounded, I have a really strong belief system and these are just words and they'll never interfere with what I believe and how I feel.
"People are not in good shape to where they have to question their own belief system because of a book or a story somebody wrote, or a SLAYER song."
On the current metal scene:
"(Metal's) like a serpent that comes up out of the water and you see all his ripples and his humps, and then he goes back down into the water to brood for a while and then he comes back up.
"I think right now it's at its momentum. It's above water and it's cruising for awhile.
"Give it a couple years and it'll go back down again and then it will become an underground thing, and then all the kids in the new generation will discover the bands that started it all, and then there'll be reunions...."
Read the full article at Jam! Music.
Source: Blabbermouth
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77 Comments on "Tom Araya: Slayer's Lyrics Are 'Just Words'"
Member
4. writes:
Very clever Mr. Araya.....very clever indead. You just gotta respect and love this band. I mean, You just gotta. As I've said before in other comments, Slayer makes my days on this world go alot smoother. Thanks Slayer. F#@$in thanx. Keep em comin, and people like me will keep listiening.
Supporter
6. writes:
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS " WHY SING ABOUT sh** YOU DONT BELIEVE IN"?
IF HE HAS DIFFERENT BELIEFS, WHY NOT SING ABOUT WHAT HE REALLY BELIEVES IN!
IM NOT BASHING HIM, I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND. TO ME MUSIC ISNT "JUST WORDS" ITS A WAY OF LIFE! SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THE HELL HE MEANS!
7. writes:
ok let me get this straight...the singer for the most anti-religious band is a catholic himself?!?!?! it just doesn't make sense to me...im a pretty big fan of slayer and i didn't even know that...this is all just a shock...im not trying to say crap about him im simply just shocked and confused....
Supporter
9. writes:
either tom's a "closet christian" and doesnt have respect for his own beliefs, or he's just somebody who found a way to make money. either way you look at it, i'd have more respect for a musician that speaks about what he really believes in, rather than just put up an act 6 days a week as a christian hater, and then be in the front row at church on sundays. i'm not slammin slayer, i like some of their stuff, but he's sounding like a hypocrite.
Writer, Reviewer
10. writes:
music is often an extension of one's perceptions. but it certainly doesn't have to be. Tom loves metal. Tom loves Jesus. Tom is open-minded enough to realise that one does not have to choose between loving exclusively one thing only; in fact, the more things you love, the better for you. Is that not what Jesus himself taught; love all? So Tom loves metal AND Jesus. And that's fine. That's possible. The only people that would have a problem with that are the fundamentalists and the idiotically extreme metalheads whose whole lives dwell around their dark basement, long, dirty hair and rare first-press-run records. Which can be fun, but you've gotta have something else as well.
Basically, Tom realises that Slayer is, and was never going to be an extension of his religious perceptions. Slayer is, however, everything that Tom believes music, and metal in particular, should be. Slayer is an extension of his musical beliefs. Now for some people, musical beliefs ARE religious beliefs, ie the aforementioned fundamentalists and metalheads. Luckily for us, Tom isn't so silly as that.
Jesus was a great man, and is still a great influence. Tom loves that. Slayer is great music, great metal. Tom loves that. I love that. Why question that?
and that's about the best I can do to answer your questions; one belief does not have to deny you another.
11. writes:
SLAYER is the best metal band ever they didn't sell out they kept the music fast and heavy. I've been listening to then since Seasons and I've seen them live 8 times (coming up on the 9 times on July 13th) I can't say enough of this band their just f***ing incredible, YEAH SLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13. writes:
WHAT A UN BRUTAL p***y HAHa WHAT A HYPOCRITE
"IM a Catholic but I like singing song about how much jesus sux what a LOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSEEEEERRRRR!!!!!!!!!
He is begging for a DOWNSTROY from Max cavelera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEPULFLY - SOULTURA
Founder, owner & programmer
18. writes:
It's definitely an interesting perspective and makes you rethink any assumptions about who's responsible for what, such as lyrical content (which is usually attributed to the singer). I don't try to overanalyze metal - I like all kinds from Christian to anti-religious/Satanic, as long as the metal is ass-kicking, so I don't mind whether Tom believes what he in singing or whatever.
Metal is full of irony. I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again: At the last Slayer tour I saw, Tom got up on stage and just had the biggest grin - you could tell he was loving it the crowd, reaction and the experience. Isn't that a contradiction in itself from the hate-filled pure aggression that Slayer embodies? Not really, but it was somewhat of a surprise to me. Anyway, Slayer f***in rules! \m/
Supporter
21. writes:
Sorry but Araya statement is just lame. If you're going to say something, but a man and own it. It's such a b**** move to say something you know is potentially offensive and then act like the person reacting has the problem. If Araya wants to comment on something then he should know what the hell he is talking about and be able to back up what he said instead of cowering behind 'don't take it seriously'. That's what a man does. I hate people who won't be accountable to their actions and words, ESPECIALLY when they got on the soap box in the first place...
23. writes:
You know...I reread the statement and its just more obnoxious. He actually has the audacity to act as if he's trying to make people think. "if your beliefs are challenge by a song..." I have NO problem with him being Catholic and putting on an act (we usually call that 'whoring yourself') but, damn dude-be a man and say-'I'm just being a childish d*** by saying things that I know upset people and not taking any responsibility.'
...What a coward.
Member
24. writes:
look scorched earth, in case you didnt read some of the previous comments...he loves jesus and his music, it's not a big deal. it's kind of like a movie, take your favorite movie, let's say, watch it one time from beginning to end, now do you think all that sh** is really happening? HELL NO! Tom's not being less manly because he's saying his lyrics are just words. Do you think that Arnold is being less of a man because he's always blowing sh** up in his movies? He's really probably a very civil chill dude, he's definitely not blowing things up on a regular basis or going back in time to save the earth. Tom's lyrics are kind of like stories, they're not all real. I'm sure you've read Harry Potter, well i haven't, but guess what, that sh**'s not real either. You can't take that sh** seriously movies, stories, music, none of it, and he's no less a man by "not taking responsibilty". and if you think that sh** is real anyway, you're a f***ing blatant moron. by the way, if you care to look it up for yourself kerry king does write a lot of thier lyrics and jeff hanneman has writtten some as well.
and slayer f***ing rules all....
Supporter
27. writes:
I NEVER LIKED SLAYER TO BEGIN WITH, BUT THIS JUST BLOWS MY MIND!
SORRY KILLEMO, BUT I DONT FEEL MUSIC SHOULD BE LIKE THE MOVIES, MUSIC IS AN ART FORM TO EXPRESS YOUR TRUE BELIEFS OR TO GET A MESSAGE ACROSS.
IF HE IS SENDING A MESSAGE EVEN HE DONT BELIEVE IN, THEN YES HE IS A COWARD!
28. writes:
KillEmo-
It's not that I think he should come out and say he believes in Satan. We all know that's cheesy bullsh**. I'm really referencing 'Jihad' (I think its called that-the song about 9/11).
I'll openly say I find Slayer boring on every level, but that's me. Anyone can like anything they want, but I get soooo tired of people doing things they know offend people and then hiding behind 'their just words...' Remember 'Piss Christ'? The painting where the artist urinated on an image of Jesus? Now, I personally practice and focus on Math/Science and Religion much older than Christianity, Judism, Catholocism and Muslum faith. I also think that organized religion is a joke and that anyone who let's someone else define their relationship with the universe is an idiot, but the idea of someone taking someone elses religions symbol and defaming it to get famous is just bullsh**. When someone comes up and bashes you in the head for going out of your way to insult them, take it with a smile. Don't say it's just words cos you didn't say them thinking people wouldn't respond.
Own your words and actions. As much as I don't practice other beliefs, I respect those who do. Running around doing songs about the Nazis (Angel of Death), 9/11 (Jihad) and various other stupid bullsh** and then saying 'they're just words' is pathetic...
...and yes, I do know that King writes alot of the stuff but his guitar playing speaks to his talent-LOL!
Flame away-I'll be back in a few hours-
...and please-don't make it personal unless you want to meet me in a dark alley...I'll show you respect and expect the same.
Member
29. writes:
30. writes:
Got the first thing done-hopefully this can turn into an interesting converstion (or a shouting match...whateva)
One of my favorite lyricist: Maynard James Keenan of Tool
Here's an example of the thought put into one of Tool's songs, 46 & 2
Anima / Animus (pronounced On-ee-mah):
In Jungian psychology, the anima refers to personality traits regarded as feminine that are often repressed into the unconscious of males while the animus refers to traits regarded as masculine that are often repressed into the unconsciousness of females.
Although suppressed from conscious awareness, the anima/animus influences our behavior in powerful ways. In most individuals,it is projected onto people of the opposite sex and accounts for the experience of falling in love with someone we hardly know. As the unconscious pole of the self, the counter-ego represented by the anima/animus can also be a guide to one's own unconscious realm. It is often experienced as the guiding female (if you're male) or male (if you're female) presence in dreams.
The Shadow:
In Carl Jung's personality theory, the ego represents the individual's sense of personal self. The sense of personal identity is purchased, however, at the expense of certain tendencies that are rejected as 'not-self'. According to Jung, these rejected traits come together as a kind of unconscious 'counter-ego' which he termed the shadow.
We may become unduly anxious or irritated when in an environment or around a person that in some way reminds us of repressed aspects of our self. If a person has rejected his or her own sex drive, for example, that person may feel irrational fear or anger around an overtly sexual individual. The shadow may appear as a person in one's dreams, usually as an individual of the same sex.
Of all the archetypes, the shadow is the most powerful and potentially the most dangerous. It represents everything about ourselves that we fear and despise.
The meaning of 46 + 2:
According to Melchezedek, our planet is covered with geometrically constructed 'morpho genetic grids'. These grids extend from about 60 feet under the Earth's surface to about 60 miles above the Earth, arranged in geometric patterns (see 'Sacred Geometry'). Each species has its own grid, which supports life, and connects the consciousness of its particular species. Before any species can come into existance or make an evolutionary step, a new grid must be completed. When a species becomes extinct, that particular species' grid dissoves.
A new grid was completed in 1989 - the 'christ-consciousness' grid. This grid will allow humans to evolve into our next version. We'll develop two additional chromosomes (which are really 'geometrical images' designed to resonate with our specific grid) for a total or 46 + 2.
The main change will be a shift to the "unity consciousness". Every cell in your body has its own consciousness and memory. You, the higher being that occupies your body, make the millions of different consciousnesses in your body work together as one being. How does this relate to this grid? Think of yourself as a cell and the grid as the higher being. We will still have individual consciousness, but will be united in the form of a higher being in order to work as one entity."
31. writes:
Another of my Favorite lyricist: Chad Grey of Mudvayne
Mercy, Severity
We've come here from so far away, I can save you if you leave it all behind.
This suffering's been far too long, would you take a trip with me on the back
of a star?
I feel like earth's gravity is just here to pull us down!
Mother of creation, wait! Embrace the souls of the lost world, carry them
away.
Darkness, negative, receptive. Pour firmament between our waters, separate
the space.
Mother of destruction, wait! With a belt of skulls, tie me down and send the
ship away!
Progress with the process! Mine the souls from their casts, pour, form, and
reshape!
This dark womb wraps and covets me, redefining, understanding if you open up
the heart.
Nurturing this phenomenon. We can carry on our wings, our wings through the
dark.
Lightning flashes of insight into the mirth of a dark sky...
Pain of division is nothing, joy of disillusion is everything!
Mother of creation, wait! Embrace the souls of the lost world, carry them
away.
Darkness, negative, receptive. Pour firmament between our waters, separate
the space.
Mother of destruction, wait! With a belt of skulls, tie me down and send the
ship away!
Progress with the process! Mine the souls from their casts, pour, form, and
reshape!
Portal sits deep within the eye!
The eye of Yin's severity, rewards understanding.
Portal sits deep within the eye!
The eye of Yin's severity, rewards understanding.
Blackness consumes body comforts core of nothing. (2X)
Mother, I can remember a vault of security.
Can you take me away, would you take me away, won't you take me away, AWAY!
Mother of creation, wait! Embrace the souls of the lost world, carry them
away.
Darkness, negative, receptive. Pour firmament between our waters, separate
the space.
Mother of destruction, wait! With a belt of skulls, tie me down and send the
ship away!
Progress with the process! Mine the souls from their casts, pour, form, and
reshape!
-
As far as I can tell, this is a song rooted in Kabbalic ideas about the transition between life and death.
-
You can hate it, you can like it, but there's no denying that putting time, thought and energy into ART matters. Both groups have angry songs too that I love, but never do they just offend to be 'cool' or metal. That just makes you a jackass. Even when Maynard sings 'f*** your God' in Judith by A Perfect Cirlce, when asked, he doesn't back down and say 'they're just words'-he goes into the mean of what he said by simply saying 'I didn't say 'f*** God', I said f*** your God as in don't push your beliefs on me in a song that is about blind faith and the damage it causes when people don't think. I don't see that as offensive because he's CHALLENGING you-not saying 'well they're just lyrics and you should be a well rounded person...!' He didn't cower away from what he said. That's why I don't respect Araya, King, etc. Just saying things that are stupid, angry and 'controversal' and then not being able to back up what you said or why you said it just makes you a joke. (That and not knowing how to play bass at all...)
Any one can like whatever they want. I'm not trying to stop anyone from like Slayer. I don't care and its your time/energy/money. I just think the lamest thing you can do is say something f***ed and then say you didn't mean it when you're held accountable or just asked to justify what you said. Where I'm from, you call that a b**** move.
32. writes:
GOOD POINT SCORCHED_EARTH, AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT UR SAYIN TOO DEATH_METALHEAD_13, BUT IF A FEW OF MY FAV. SINGERS( JON DAVIS, AARON LEWIS, CHAD GREY, ECT.) DIDNT STAND BEHIND THEIR WORDS, I DONT KNOW ABOUT U GUYS BUT THEY WOULDNT BE MY FAVS ANY MORE, MUSIC TO ME SHOULD BE TRUE AND MEAN SOMETHING............END OF STORY!
Writer, Reviewer
33. writes:
here's my take on it - anything can be said anywhere, at any time, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. so to take offence to something someone may say is just silly. It's not the words that are offensive anyway, it's the meanings, the connotations of the words that offend people. thus it is not the word "c.u.n.t." that offends people, but the ideas and images that that word symbolises.
however, there is nothing stopping you from rejecting the traditional symbolism of words. you don't have to think of "s.h.i.t." as being an ugly term for biological waste. you don't have to accept an offensive idea of that word. attach your own meanings. thus whatever anyone says to you is completely open to your own personal, subjective conventions, conceptions and understandings. you don't have to read something as offensive if you don't want to. so if you DO take offense to something - who's fault is it really? Theirs, for saying it? Or yours for taking offense to it?
alright, point out the holes in my logic. oh, and please don't post entire songs lyrics on here, it's a whole lot of unnecessary scrolling, and c'mon, who's gonna sit there and read through the whole thing?
Member
35. writes:
Hey Psythe-
Sorry about the lyrics-I was just trying to make a point.
The flaw in the logic that no one seems to want to talk about is the Slayer IS trying to be offensive and then won't stand behind what they just said.
Imagine:
Subject A, a person you don't know.
Subject B: You
-
Subject A: Your Mom is a c*** sucking, crack smoking whore.
Subject B: Why did you say that to me?
Subject A: They're just words, why are you offended?
Now obviously, Sub B can walk away, punch the individual, etc but Subject A was TRYING to be insulting. For Slayer to do songs about a doctor who made many suffer (Angel of Death) and then say 'they're just words...'
...Well why didn't they do a song about a goat eatiing grass in a field? The were trying to offend. Like I said in the board about 'Jihad' , why doesn't King write a song about just about the guy who shot Dimebag and be nuetral if they're just words? Because we all know they're not just words.
The thing is, this is not like the genius of Richard Pryor, who offended AND made you think. This is just stupid people being stupid. There is NO social commentary IF YOU DON'T TAKE SIDES. They're just being a$$holes.
So the fact that you didn't or don't take offense doesn't change the fact that someone was trying to offend...and if you are trying to offend, be willing to accept the consequence.
Writer, Reviewer
37. writes:
before I begin, let me state that these arent necessarily my opinions or views, I'm just in for the debate :)
alright, first off, we're gonna clash heads here - I don't think they made the song Jihad primarily to offend people. I'm sure it does do that, and I'm sure they enjoy that fact, but I do not believe that offending unknowns was the drive behind the creation to that song. It's like debating - every story has two (or more) sides. And you can't find the ultimate truth of it until you've found the truth of each side to the story. Now, in America, I'm sure you're all well aware and savvy with the stories of the victims of 9/11; as well you should be. And bless you for that. But still, one cannot properly judge an event unless they have a wholistic understanding of both sides' stories. I'm pretty sure most of America doesn't often consider the story of the people who took control of those planes. thus the song shouldnt be taken as an offensive gesture, but as an attempt to understand, and an attempt to help you understand, so that we call all be the better at judging (which, let's face it, we were doing anyway).
Again, in a debate, one must take a side in order for the "social commentary" to flow as should, however, the fact that you're taking a certain side for the debate doesn't necessarily mean you agree with or believe in everything that that side holds and values. it IS possible to take a side, for the purpose of intellectual development, whilst remaining, personally, at a neutral point. Or perhaps even the complete opposite point. What better way to challenge yourself (and thus develop, intellectually) than to question your beliefs?
On the other hand, I'll agree with you, if someone DOES say or do something with the primary intention of offending (ie Seth Putnam in Anal c***) then they're basically sh**heads, unless of course it's funny (ie Seth Putnam in Anal c***).
38. writes:
I've never been into bands with satanism as their main "thing", so therefore I've boycotted Slayer because of it. Now I'm not a hardcore Christian, but overdoing the satanism just isn't my thing.
Anyhow, this revelation will definitely cause me to take some interest in the band. If nothing else, just for the sake of curiosity.
I'm sort of questioning if he is truely a Catholic. Maybe he just wants to create a little buzz, but what do I know.
Supporter
39. writes:
look...we're all straying from the real point of this discussion
nowhere in this article is it saying that these lyrics have no substance to them whatsoever. with jeff and kerry taking over the majority of the lyrical responsibilities in slayer it is safe to say the views expressed in 90% percent of the music coincide with the beliefs these two share in their normal lives. kerry is a devout satanist in reality and he sure as sh** makes it known through his words on slayers albums. tom is only the frontman. he fronts the band because he is better suited than the other 3 guys in there. whether or not he wholeheartedly believes in the meaning of a song another man wrote is of no concern to him and shouldn't be to us either.
slayer is a band...not a way of life. like previously stated, music is an art form. but who the hell ever made the rule that your art has to 100% reflect your opinions or retain a certain degree of integrity.
some of my favourite lyricists would sh** a brick if they thought that people were buying into what they were saying.
frank zappa - Little miss muffett on a squat by me
Took a turn around, I said: can yall see?
The little strings on the giant spider?
The zipper from the black lagoon?
The vents by the tanks where the bubbles go up?
(and the flaps on the side of the moon)
The jelly & paint on the 40 watt bulb
They use when the slime droozle off
The rumples & the wrinkles in the cardboard rock
And the canvas of the cave is too soft
layne staley (one of the greatest frontman of all time) sang for alice in chains for well over 15 years. in that time span he maybe wrote a handful of songs himself. But i didn't call him a liar for singing about his father in vietnam in the song "rooster" when it was about jerry cantrells dad. it's all relative
40. writes:
Good point Psythe and Bradisp***ed-
Thanks for what you said and the way you said it.
Psythe:
I think what you are saying kind of overlaps what I am saying. I'm really addressing the point that Slayer is doing something just to be shocking. America has done plenty of wrong in the world (I'm not justify 9/11 and I'm African American, so I'm still p***ed about the Middle Passage) but to make a point of debate you have to make a point. As far as I know, Slayer did not attempt to do that, particularly if Araya claims they're just word. This mean HE doesn't put any stock or take any responsibility for what he choose to put out to the world or for screaming what Kerry wrote. He basically is saying that it doesn't mean anything even to him.
That is my main issue. You can't put something like that out publicly and then say 'you should react' or 'I just trying to make people think'. If you won't take a side-what are you trying to make people think about?
Bradisp***ed:
Let me be clear-I am totally into the idea of playing a character, stating an idea, etc. Maynard James Keenan, one of my favorites as I had mentioned, played the character of the addict on the "13th Step" Album. That was the concept. The question becomes...'what is the question?' In other words, if you won't take sides and say that your statements are just (meaningless) words-how are you making a point, opening to debate, etc ESPECIALLY if your doing something to cause a reaction. There's no point being made, the person is just being obnoxious.
Supporter
41. writes:
look, this debate is all a matter of personal interpretation...
the satanist lyrics have a meaning but not to everybody in the band. it's kerry kings music and tom sings it the way he thinks it sounds best. to kerry and jeff, it's a middle finger at the hypocrisy of organized religion and to tom it's a band that plays music he loves. if maynard writes a song about his mother it's a personal pain only he can fully appreciate. the other members of the band just find suitable music to fit the mood of the song.
the end
42. writes:
Wow Brad, you are p***ed-LOL!
Okay, let me ask you this...
You obviously put some time and energy into your responses, had positions that you supported and had ideas that you felt strong about...if I were to say to you now, 'I don't believe anything I've said, I'm just seeing if you react. They're just words...' you'd be really p***ed, correct?
Member
43. writes:
wow lotta new comments, I just logged on, what psythe said is true about words, and I have NO idea about you guys, but I'm truly, TRULY not offended by the images the word C.u.n.t. brings to mind... but that's a different story, I personally like bradisp***ed's entepretation, I think that sums all of what we've beent trying to say for the past couple of days
Founder, owner & programmer
44. writes:
Scorched Earth, Tom says they are "just words" in relation to how he perceives the lyrics and the effect on his own beliefs. He doesn't say it in relation to other people's reactions, which is how you have taken it and run with it. He doesn't say people shouldn't be offended. He says he is not even though he is Catholic. He does acknowledge in those few quotes that the stuff will piss people off. Whether the content in question is Kerry's true beliefs or just to piss people off is tangential to the discussion, but both possibilities free Tom of the accusations you are laying down. So much of this discussion is moot.
45. writes:
Man you people need to get a life, feeling shocked and all that Tom is a Christian. Wow is your life that shallow that you have to live it through others? Jealousy is more like it. It's just great music and metal, what more do you want? I think these people either need to do themselves a favor and jump off a cliff or quit listening to Slayer. You people are the reason everyone wants to blame others for their "problems". The music is awesome. Leave it at that.
46. writes:
I HAVENT SAID MUCH ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, IVE JUST SAT BACK AND READ SOME REALLY GREAT POSTS(BRADISp***ed,S._EARTH, AND PSYTHE), BUT THIS MOTOWN12 GUY JUST REALLY p***ed ME OFF SO I WILL SAY A FEW WORDS TO HIM!
MOTOWN12, IS THAT HOW OLD U ARE "12"? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, JUST BECAUSE THIS IS A REALLY GOOD TOPIC FOR SLAYER FANS TO DISCUSS YOU HAVE TO BASH THEM FOR THAT, PERSONALLY I HATE SLAYER, BUT THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN DEBATING ON A REALLY GOOD SUBJECT! WHAT DOES PEOPLE DISCUSSING OR DEBATING THEIR FAVORITE BAND ON A WEBSITE MADE FOR THAT REASON,HAVE TO DO WITH "BLAMING OTHERS FOR THEIR PROBLEMS" I THINK YOU NEED TO READ OVER YOUR GIANT MISTAKE YOU JUST WROTE OR FIND ANOTHER WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN MAKE NO SENSE AND GET AWAY WITH IT! I THINK YOU ARE THE ONE WHO REALLY NEEDS A LIFE OR MAYBE A FRIEND...............LEAVE IT AT THAT!
Supporter
47. writes:
i have nothing against anybody who doesnt like slayer, i mean im sure i dont like most of the bands they do, i just think its funny that some people are really that surprised, ive known araya was a religous person always, and the fact that he still sings for slayer is just pure greatness, what can you say, the guy loves religion and metal, so f***ing what, its about the band SLAYER, and does it really matter anyway,seriously,
48. writes:
For once I agree with Brad. Just because ALL the band members don't agree with the lyrics, some of them do. Who says the front man has to be the one behind the meaning of the lyrics??? Look at Korn.. Do you think the other members of Korn all went through the crap Jon did? But they allowed him to express it all in the lyrics...
Supporter
50. writes:
well i figure it this way, im sure the rest of the guys have to hear about arayas beliefs of the stage, and maybe they just like the fact of a religious person singing there songs of hatred, but either way i think araya is a cool bastard for believing in what he believes but not bashing everyone else who doesnt feel the same way, he excepts that everyone has there own view of this world and life, but im curious how his wife feels
Member
52. writes:
I think its been an interesting discussion-that's all I'm here for (I think that's what we're all here for) but I have to say-I feel like we all are reading different things out of the article.
Personally-as I stated before, I don't care if Tom Araya is Catholic or not or if he 'believes' what he says or what King or Hanneman write. It's easy to get in a studio a say things on the mic that have nothing to do with anything you even think. I'm not holding him accountable for that. I'm saying, point blank-when someone addresses what you said, don't respond with 'they're just words.' This means that you haven't put any thought into what you said-whether you wrote it or not. That doesn't mean you have to mean it, but you are accountable for doing it. If Araya said 'you know, I never really thought about it but some of what I sing is f***ed.' I'd totally respect that. It's the fact that he dismisses whatever he might have sang, read or atonally grunted.
Last thing I'll say. Not a big Staind fan, but I'll just use the example. If you've heard the independant release it starts off with the typical suicidal BS 'I'm so sick of my life...' and end with a gun shot. I read an interview where Lewis said he was on tour and a woman came up to him and told him that her son was a huge fan of the band and he had recent killed himself. She didn't blame him, but she said she read some of their lyrics and wanted to know if he could help her understand why her someone would want to take their life. Lewis (who I think whines too damn much, but that's me) wrote the song lyrics for 'Waste' about how dumb suicide is. He even called the dead kid out on his actions and said (basically) 'how could you be so stupid.' What ever you think of the guy, he matured and took responsibility for what he said and didn't cower behind 'their just words.'
Have a good night, kids, back to work for me.
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53. writes:
Since when is it always the case that the front man writes all the lyrics?
Anyone who has been following Slayer for a while knows that as far as anti-religion goes - KK is the driving force behind it - not Tom Araya.
Regardless...their music still kicks f***ing ass.
54. writes:
Look i love Slayer and i always will but i have to say that having just learned that Tom is a practicing Christian, i am pretty choked. Slayer is a way of life. Slayer stands up against all the bullsh** in society and they make a large effort to speak against the hypocricy that is the Christian faith (especially the bullsh** Catholic church). Learning this really pisses me off. By the way i am going to Slayer tomorrow night in Vancouver and i plan on sinning frequently during the course of the evening. So take that Tom!
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64. writes:
I'm done here and proven my point. I'm glad I p***ed off cornpuff or corndog or whatever his name is. I could care less. And besides, I never bashed Slayer, I think they are awesome. Maybe you should learn how to read posts correctly before you open your mouth. Oh I forgot, you must be one of those alpha-males that always has to make a point huh. Your way or no way right? Dude, you have a serious anger problem. Simple text that pisses you off that much. Really sad...
66. writes:
ARBEIT MACHT FLEISH !!:-tell this phrase to any of the jews who suffered during the nazi holocaust and ask them if its only words.i knew already Tom was a christian and KORNDOGG you make a great point about music having to be based on a singers true beliefs its just i don't share that view.I mean really how many of metal/death/black metal bands memebers truly believe in what they sing about anyway.Slayer are a satanic metal band who have a christian as a lead singer for me music is art nothing more i have read moving lyrics from time to time but really it is only music i personally like the overall sound i choose whether or not to believe/follow the bands message and i think for myself.
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70. writes:
f***er is back, bradisp***ed said it best he is just singin another persons lyrics tryin to make it them sound the best he can, and by the way king isnt a satanist hes actually atheist and doesnt believe in god and therefore cant believe in satan but hes stated before that it is more fun to write songs about satan then god
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72. writes:
I think pretty much all the bases on this topic have been covered thus far, but I feel compelled to put in my two cents.
Tom Araya is an artist, yes, but keep in mind that he's also a businessman. While some of you may fault him for producing materials that is seemingly at odds with his ideals, you must also take into account the fact that he is also trying to make money. Now, in the extreme over-the-top world of heavy metal, there is no better way to market oneself than by doing sh** that gets people's attention. Cannibal Corpse's lyrics or GWAR's live shows, for example. Slap a picture of a decapitated Jesus on the front of an album, and you're sure as hell going to piss some people the f*** off. But those albums will sell.
As for the ideological component of this discussion, I believe bradisp***ed summed it up well when he said it's all relative. Hypothetically, if I were to come to the conclusion that Tom Araya is a hypocritical, unprincipled son of a b**** for using lyrics that contradict his personal beliefs, then I would have formed a belief in the process (that belief being the aforementioned opinion). My point is that there is nothing absolute about anything to do with faith or belief, so any opinion of Araya's actions/beliefs is inherently biased by the said individual's perspective.
Through this long process of flawed and partially invented deductive reasoning, my conclusion is as follows:
Who gives a f***?
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73. writes:
lol, "Who gives a f***?" - couldn't have said it better myself, DIM.
my take on Satanism:
has nothing at all to do with Lucifer, apart from the connotated symbology of power often awarded him/her/it/whatever. Satanism is about the pursuit of personal gain. And it IS actually quite a moral tradition - Satanism, like almost every religious tradition ever, has guidelines on how to behave; what is wrong and should not be done, what is right and acceptable, virtues, if you will. Morals, thus. For example, Satanism holds (I think - well, I mostly remember reading something about this somewhere ligitimate, hahah) that one should never strike first. Don't enter a home uninvited. Leave children alone. That sort of stuff. Unfortunately, our media likes to inspire us with the idea that Satanists rape cities, pillage women...well, something like that, anyway...
74. writes:
Well said. At the end of the day, the music that comes out is the most important thing. I have my own belief system and so what if it isn't identical to what is sterotypical of what metal followers should be. Afterall, the public have a perception that we're all evil, dumb and drug addicts!!! We are all individual!!!!! I love Slayer because it's fast, aggresive and powerful. Wouldn't have the same effect if they sung about smelling the roses???? Formulate your own opinions about what faith Tom (& Dave) have....they are entitled to believe in whatever they like. For me, it doesn't matter, Slayer is Slayer and nothing will ever change that!!!!
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1. no one writes:
damn tom...you're still f***ing badass buddy. glad you live down here in tx, so i can slap and make you a believer!! na i'm just kidding. f***ing love you guys. rock on!!!