Jesus and Death Metal

Fair warning folks, if you didn’t like the posts on Metallica last year, you aren’t going to like this either.

That said, if you know me, you know that I like to do theological readings of culture, especially music. I do this for a few reasons. First, I try to view the world theologically anyway, so these are the categories with which I work. Second, I like to help model how we can discerningly engage with the world around us without rejecting culture (a fundamentalist move) or uncritically accepting it (a liberal move). So we look at songs/television/movies in order to recognize the sorts of statements they are making about us, God, and the world; as well as what the Christian Faith has to say in response.

In recent years, I’ve grown to really appreciate the band Opeth. Their intricate songwriting, strong melodic sensibility, and penchant for epic compositions sort of make them the perfect storm for a musical elitist such as myself.

Below is their song “Burden,” from the album Watershed.

I’m also including the official music video, which, regrettably, cuts about three minutes out of the song (among other things, note the prominence of the crucifix).

I, once upon a time
Carried a burden inside
I sung a last goodbye
A broken rhyme I’d underlined
There’s an ocean of sorrow in you

A sorrow in me

Saw a movement in their eyes
Said I no longer knew the way
Given up the ghost
A passive mind submit to fear
And the wait for redemption at hand

Waiting to fail

Failing again

If death should take me now
Count my mistakes and let me through
Whisper in my ear
You’ve taken more than we’ve received
And the ocean of sorrow is you

Though somewhat surreal and abstract, the lyrics are obviously dealing with sorrow, regret, pain, and loss (Mikael Åkerfeldt has said that they were inspired by a friend of his who committed suicide), characterized as a burden within amounting to an “ocean of sorrow.” This continues into the second verse, where he confesses to not knowing the way, being unsure of where to go or what to do about this burden. There’s also a sense of looking/longing for redemption.

The Bible is well aware of these feelings, and the psalms are replete with cries for relief (e.g., Psalms 42-43; 77; 88) (notice language similar to the ocean of sorrow is used); or expressive of regret (e.g., Psalms 32; 51). God understands what it’s like to live in this broken world. He knows it from experience. As Christians, we believe that the Son of God became man (Incarnation), and that he was tried and tempted as we are in every way (except for without sin). On the cross, Jesus was utterly overwhelmed with the ocean of sorrow, as God’s wrath against human sinfulness was poured out on him in full force. So desperate was his situation that he cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

So far, the Bible and Opeth are tracking together well, but up ahead there’s a dramatic parting of ways. Åkerfeldt ends the song with somewhat of an anticipation of judgment for how life has been lived, a recognition that his mistakes will be counted, that things aren’t balanced especially well, and evidently an expectation that the ocean of sorrow is all that lies ahead. The same is true for all of us if we are judged based on our performance in life.

But, though the ocean of sorrow did come crashing down upon the Son of God, the story doesn’t end there. God has also raised him from the dead, vindicated him, and promised to bring all who trust in him into true and everlasting life, joy, and peace. For those who trust in Christ, the ocean of sorrow is braved and left behind in baptism. And though we still live in a fallen world, we have the sure promise that one day we will be raised from the dead to live in a renewed and perfect world. Though there is true pain in this world and life, those who belong to Christ need not despair (as this song does).

So, how should Christians view songs like this? I suggest a few responses:

1. Thank God that in his common grace beautiful music is being written, even by those who do not know him.
2. Thank him for art which so truly expresses the human condition.
3. Recognize that this is how many view the world (and that without Christ it makes sense to view the world this way).
4. And thank God that this is not the whole story. We don’t have to carry these burdens any more because Jesus has.
5. Let the dissonance between what should/will be and what is build your anticipation for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Posted by: Gene Schlesinger

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~ by geneschlesinger on May 10, 2010.