The Killer Within

I had this idea for a song theme swirling in my head that had to do with controlling your inner demon. Don't we all have the potential to be bad? Would we have turned out differently if we were raised differently, in a different environment? Could we have been evil or even a killer? But...we (most of us) are not. We try to walk an honest and righteous path. So anyway that's what I was thinking when I wrote this music. 

I'm asking for advice on this one. This song is really creepy and it sounds evil, especially with the effects and the little girl speaking in parts. But if the lyrics were about controlling your inner demon or the struggle to control it, is it something we can get away with? I guess appropriate would be a better word.

Headphones recommended. Volume up to at least 80% recommended. Don't listen in the dark.  


https://soundcloud.com/user-717882623/the-killer-within-full-song-demo/s-ujEtb

Very cool!  I think the subject matter would be all right as long as it's not celebrating evil.

"Have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" is the Pauline approach.

I guess I ask: why go there? Why spend time and energy thinking about how evil we could be? Spend the time reflecting instead on how amazing God is for loving us, as evil as we already are.

That being said, the music here is pretty solid. I really like it. Add some leads and this is a great instruMETAL track! 

Wicked cool music!

Thank you everyone for the feedback! So another question...if we were to change the title and theme of this song to something completely different but still keep the creepy little girl speaking, then what could the song actually be about? I'm thinking about FOJ's advice 'why go there?'. So if we didn't go there, then where could we go with this song? It doesn't have a celebratory vibe at all. It's pretty dark. Any thoughts on a theme that would work?

Something to do with a dream or nightmare?

Maybe about someone going to prison or condemned in some way?

Keep in mind that while we're speaking about this one song here on this thread it would be a part of a larger project where other songs do not follow the same dark and dreary intentions.

I think the girl’s part is fine. Lyrically, there are some directions you could go. A song/warning about sex trafficking would be pretty dark and heavy. You could sound an alarm about the epidemic of child sexual abuse going on. You could also write about abortion.

Those are some pretty heavy topics FOJ. Actually I just saw that movie Unplanned. Heart wrenching.

I went with something generic but still very creepy. Come to think of it the two topics you suggest would probably still work. So the title of the song is now 'Dolls' and I added in some lead guitar...and recorded a basic video. But the lyrics, if we decide on giving it lyrics, could actually be about something deeper. How's this so far?

I actually like the original concept.  Why not explore our darker sides?  If you swung the song unexpectedly back to thanking the Lord for us not being that way in reality, I don't see a problem with it at all.  The Bible has a lot of dark tales and isn't really "family friendly" entertainment for sure.  After all, we all have the propensity to be horrible, vile people.  The only reason we aren't is because of Christ.  Walk down that dark path, but shine the light back on Jesus.  I think a lot of people in the metal community would connect with the themes.  If you offend a few staunch Christians with it, so what?  If we are all transparent, we've all had dark moments, dark thoughts, and aren't always on track with Jesus.  It only takes a few bad choices to be locked into a path that will make us crash and burn.  Without Christ, we have no hope anyway.

Haven't listened to it yet, but thought the theme of it sounds like "Laying the Demon to Rest" by Theocracy.

alldatndensum wrote:

I actually like the original concept.  Why not explore our darker sides?  If you swung the song unexpectedly back to thanking the Lord for us not being that way in reality, I don't see a problem with it at all.  The Bible has a lot of dark tales and isn't really "family friendly" entertainment for sure.  After all, we all have the propensity to be horrible, vile people.  The only reason we aren't is because of Christ.  Walk down that dark path, but shine the light back on Jesus.  I think a lot of people in the metal community would connect with the themes.  If you offend a few staunch Christians with it, so what?  If we are all transparent, we've all had dark moments, dark thoughts, and aren't always on track with Jesus.  It only takes a few bad choices to be locked into a path that will make us crash and burn.  Without Christ, we have no hope anyway.

I think Phil. 4:8 is instructive here. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." I just don't view it as productive to spend time dwelling on how much more evil we could be. Even coming back around to thank God that we're not that evil doesn't, in my opinion, redeem such a song. Furthermore, it feels a bit Pharisaical: "Lord, I'm glad I'm not like that other (more evil) person..."  I don't think that's your intent, alldat. I'm just suggesting that that's how such a song would strike me.

Really like the newer version with some leads! Whether you add lyrics or not, you've got a great song going there!

Follower of Jesus wrote:

alldatndensum wrote:

I actually like the original concept.  Why not explore our darker sides?  If you swung the song unexpectedly back to thanking the Lord for us not being that way in reality, I don't see a problem with it at all.  The Bible has a lot of dark tales and isn't really "family friendly" entertainment for sure.  After all, we all have the propensity to be horrible, vile people.  The only reason we aren't is because of Christ.  Walk down that dark path, but shine the light back on Jesus.  I think a lot of people in the metal community would connect with the themes.  If you offend a few staunch Christians with it, so what?  If we are all transparent, we've all had dark moments, dark thoughts, and aren't always on track with Jesus.  It only takes a few bad choices to be locked into a path that will make us crash and burn.  Without Christ, we have no hope anyway.

I think Phil. 4:8 is instructive here. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." I just don't view it as productive to spend time dwelling on how much more evil we could be. Even coming back around to thank God that we're not that evil doesn't, in my opinion, redeem such a song. Furthermore, it feels a bit Pharisaical: "Lord, I'm glad I'm not like that other (more evil) person..."  I don't think that's your intent, alldat. I'm just suggesting that that's how such a song would strike me.

I'll say this.  What one person thinks is inappropriate may be the one thing that helps someone see Jesus.

I don’t think that it would be “inappropriate” to go with the original idea. I just don’t see the point. I don’t think the original concept is wrong or sinful or inappropriate. I just think it would be better to go in a different direction. I hope what I have said doesn’t come across as condemnation of the original idea. I certainly don’t have special insight. But since he asked for our opinions, I just said my thoughts. If that’s the direction he feels led to go with the song, then he should do it because you may be right: God may use such a song in ways I cannot conceive to draw someone closer to Himself.

FWIW, I think the original intent sounds a lot like some of the concepts from Beyond the Gate.  I can see FOJ's point, but I think this approach is far preferable to some song about creepy dolls!!!

Follower of Jesus wrote:

alldatndensum wrote:

I actually like the original concept.  Why not explore our darker sides?  If you swung the song unexpectedly back to thanking the Lord for us not being that way in reality, I don't see a problem with it at all.  The Bible has a lot of dark tales and isn't really "family friendly" entertainment for sure.  After all, we all have the propensity to be horrible, vile people.  The only reason we aren't is because of Christ.  Walk down that dark path, but shine the light back on Jesus.  I think a lot of people in the metal community would connect with the themes.  If you offend a few staunch Christians with it, so what?  If we are all transparent, we've all had dark moments, dark thoughts, and aren't always on track with Jesus.  It only takes a few bad choices to be locked into a path that will make us crash and burn.  Without Christ, we have no hope anyway.

I think Phil. 4:8 is instructive here. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." I just don't view it as productive to spend time dwelling on how much more evil we could be. Even coming back around to thank God that we're not that evil doesn't, in my opinion, redeem such a song. Furthermore, it feels a bit Pharisaical: "Lord, I'm glad I'm not like that other (more evil) person..."  I don't think that's your intent, alldat. I'm just suggesting that that's how such a song would strike me.

Well put FOJ.  It's an interesting idea about "how evil" we could or would be in different circumstances, though as Christians, IMO it's sort of irrelevant.  We've ALL fallen short of the glory of God, or as the Calvinists would say, we're all "totally depraved."  By human standards, even if we're only a tiny bit evil, without Christ we're still on the fast-track to hell for all of eternity, as Chris said.  So for the song's lyrics, I suppose my suggestion is that it's a fine concept of "how evil," but don't end there - otherwise it sorta paints a worldly picture of good/evil being relative, when in reality nobody could ever be "good enough" by our own strength, nor is anyone "too evil" to be beyond redemption.

I kind of like dark lyrics in songs as long as there's a glimmer of hope.

Recently back from holidays. Looks like I've missed a lot. This is a fascinating thread. My personal opinion is that you are all right depending on the circumstances. Music is a missionary field. Sometimes writing songs that glorify God is appropriate, but sometimes it's more appropriate to be subtle. That glimmer of hope you mention, Fundy, is really important to me. When a person is in darkness, they will shy away from a brilliant light, but be drawn to a faint light. Imo, the only way to reach a person in utter despair is to offer a glimmer of hope. Then, when they are clear of the darkness, it's time to celebrate.

Perhaps we could swing this a bit differently.  Instead of how evil we could have been, why not take a dark path and make this all the sinful things and thoughts we have are contstantly trying to come out.  We may be redeemed, but we are still tempted.  Even Jesus was tempted in every way even as we are, but was without sin.  Those voices begging and luring us are sometimes subtle whispers and sometimes are screaming giants.  Should we give in like our nature desires, or do we flee?  Instead of the Petra "Jeckyll & Hyde" scenario, take the Robert Frost direction and make it be about the paths that diverged in the woods and you end up taking the one less traveled by.  You can be dark with whatever you want calling out to you.  In the end, the Holy Spirit led you to a rough path not worn smooth by as many travelers.  That path leads home.

I've been out of town all week in Florida for work and I'm just catching up on all of this. Wow there is a lot to take in. I really appreciate the comments and the back and forth that this has generated. I guess the one thing making me think twice is something that messiaen77 stated where this theme is similar to stuff from our other record Beyond the Gates. From a creative standpoint I wouldn't want to be going down the same path over and over again so that's something to consider.

Jen - We'll need to think on this one.

Hey guys. This song is going to be released tomorrow but it's having a pre-release spin on Divine Aggression Radio this hour. If you'd like to hear some fabulous metal (love Kelly's show) and a sneaky peak at our new song, check out Divine Aggression Radio: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1902511953307816/?fref=mentions&__tn__=K-R

I only caught the tail end of the song.  Once again works gets in the way of my music listening.

Ah well. It's bread on the table, right. We all hafta work. Sigh.
You can catch Kelly's show syndicated on dead to self on Thursday at 8am Pacific. I love Kelly's show. I listen to it as often as I can. You'll also be able to request the tune at dead to self from tomorrow. Thanks for trying, D.

Xid wrote:

I only caught the tail end of the song.  Once again works gets in the way of my music listening.

Sounds like a personal problem to me 

Or the forces of evil are out to get me.