As we usher in the Chinese New Year of the year of the goat why not make things a little more metal. With the goat traditionally being a sign of metal, from its appearance in Satanic imagery. Baphoment for one being an image readily available in the metal world. Consisting of the sum of the universe, giving the demon the gender of both male and female to echo the worlds eternal differences. Good and Evil for example, so why not get a little heavy with it! Whether you celebrate it or not, there is always an excuse to listen to metal!
The Black Dahlia Murder – Goat Of Departure :
When asked about the song Trevor Strnad stated :
“This song is about how the goat came to represent Christian evil and the origins of the infamous ‘horns’ metal hand sign.” What perfect way to kick off our little list. With none other than one of the most evil bands going. The Black Dahlia Murder gave tongue in cheek sermon about the origins of the most metal of signs.
3 Inches Of Blood – The Goatriders Horde :
Continuing on from our tongue in cheek theme we’ve got the one of the best metal anthems. From their 2007 album Fire Up The Blades the fun loving Canadians first showed us “The Goatriders Horde” a soundtrack that should have been in any of the Tolkien inspired films. A glass of mead is paramount.
Behemoth – Lucifer :
Prior to the cancer ordeal that Nergal had to endure, one of the bands most devastating albums Evangelion was written. Now anyone who knows Behemoth knows that the band haven’t exactly been a fan of the man upstairs. With this song however they create a darkened atmosphere, leading to a very natural progression within their sound to last years absolutely stunning The Satanist.
Deicide – Homage For Satan :
Among the many different forms that Satan may take, the goat is always the most prominent. From local folklore to the depiction of Satan in the bible. Now, if there is one band that loves Beelzebub, I reckon it would be floridian metallers Deicide. With this destructive track from their now nine year old The Stench Of Redemption Deicide prove that they have some of the best lead lines in metal along with their trademark unremitting barrage of death metal.
Morbid Angel – Fall From Grace :
With Blessed Are The Sick being the follow up to 1989’s Altars Of Madness, an album that many death metal fans argue is the best death metal album of all time we thought it fitting to end our list with this classic. Demonstrating different sounds on the next album Morbid Angel showcased a more classical approach. With Vincent actually dedicating the album to Mozart. Although not quite as revered as Altars Of Madness, Blessed Are The Sick is a great album. It’s also worth noting that the album’s cover is a painting by one Jean Delville entitled “Les Tresors De Satan” translated as The Treasures of Satan. Now if that isn’t metal then I don’t know what is.
Watain – Satan’s Hunger :
The black metal overlords are big fans of the goat, with much of their lyrical content centred around all that occurs in the land of demons and despair. This particular ditty is all about the evil deeds that fuel “Satan’s Hunger“. Its a fantastic song from the bands Sworn To The Dark album and has a real riding sense to it. Making it a definite must listen today!
Slayer – Raining Blood :
The controversial thrash demigods need no introduction whatsoever. With this being their defining album, clocking in at twenty eight minutes this is fast and furious thrash at its finest. Containing overtones of the damned and all things hell related its a perfect homage to the horned one, not to mention absolute compulsory metal education.
Goatwhore – Apocalyptic Havoc :
“Who needs God when you’ve got Satan!?”
Goatwhore say it better than any with this furious assault from their brutal 2009 effort. Bringing with them the buzz saw guitar sound. Now a staple in their live catalogue and one of the best tracks the band has written. All about the bringing of the apocalypse and the rapture. A fantastic song that propelled the band on to create albums like Blood For The Master and last years biting Constricting Rage Of The Merciless. Make sure you catch them on tour with Skeletonwitch this spring!
Impaled Nazarene – Goat Sodomy :
This one really kind of speaks for itself. All the usual satanic imagery associated with the obscenities of metal. Just a little more full on, it seems that the finns are responsible for being the pioneers of the finnish black metal scene. Their ninth studio album Pro Patria Finlandia released nine years ago features the lovely tune. Play it loud and proud on this the most metal of days!
Dimmu Borgir – The Sinister Awakening :
In Sorte Diaboli was Dimmu Borgir‘s toe dipping into the concept album pool, the tale centres around potentially the most metal story line of all time. A priest begins to doubt his faith , ending up renouncing his faith completely to become the antichrist himself. All executed with class and aplomb, it sees some of Dimmu Borgir‘s most ambitious work. A fantastic take on the classic tale of the fall from grace. “The Sinister Awakening” is when our protagonist begins to understand that he will become the devil, not to mention has some excellent riffing!
