Lucifer Rising: A Book Of Sin, Devil-Worship, And Rock'N'Roll [Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

Gavin Baddeley's _Lucifer Rising: Sin, Devil Worship and Rock n' Roll_ is a journalistic outtake on Satanic themes in modern pop-culture. This British author is hardly objective, a Satanist himself (his name has "bad" in it!) and as such, the book offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the minds of those who feel inspired by Satan. Or more accurately, by the notion of rebellion against the "restrictive" God of Bible and Church. The tone of _Lucifer Rising_ is the same as that of the narrator-announcer on VH1's _Behind the Music_ series: pretentious and self-authoritative. It is filled with interviews, illustrations of demons, sacrilegious artwork (a painting of St. Anthony the Great tempted with a vision of a beautiful naked woman on a cross, for example), and of course, with more then a few photographs of voluptuous naked women featured in occult ceremonies. Much of the imagery either blends the characteristics of male and female or promotes a radical sexual polarity, including S&M scenes, abstinence a definite taboo in Satanism. Baddeley begins by tracing the origins of Satanism from Old Testament times, where it grew as an offshoot of heretical sects including Gnostics, various backwoods pagan customs and as a direct inversion of Christian belief, moral authority and ritual. In the 1700s odd beliefs and Luciferian thinking may have even been an impetus for the Founding Fathers when they gathered together in their lodge meetings to draw up the laws of the United States. Alestier Crowley was certainly the most influential occultist in the early 20th century, spreading bizarre ideas in his numerous books on the occult and the coming new age. German contemporaries of Crowely, postulated strange theories that would later be integrated into the politics of the Nazi Party. Guido von List and Lanz von Liebenfels published writings that Hitler read avidly, in the journal _Ostara_ on the divine nature of the Germanic race. The 1960s aesthetic, atheistic, dilettante and speculative Satanism of Anton LaVey is especially examined in depth. LaVey's version of Satanism is a combine of blasphemous rituals mocking the sacred realm of Christianity, with a doctrine of hedonism and an atheistic metaphysical worldview. His "Church of Satan" does not literally believe in a devil, but rather in atheism, which is logical because a literal worship of an evil, demonic entity would therefore presuppose the existence of a good, creator God who allowed the devil to rebel in the first place. LaVey, misanthropic, elitist and misogynist in his views, also cursed the hippie movement for its optimism, espousal of brotherly love and utopian idealism. In the 1960s, Satan became the favorite icon of Rock n' Roll bands, many musicians employing satanic imagery, inverted crosses and gothic, morbid negative themes in their lyrics and concerts. Baddeley examines in considerable detail the satanic elements in popular music, from the Beatles, Rolling Stones to punk rock and heavy metal all the way up to the 1990s. Some Scandinavian heavy-metal heads, as chronicled by the self-proclaimed Pagan Michael Moynihan, have been involved in the heavy metal scene have been involved in violence, church burnings, and of course in promoting a virulent form of anti-Christianity. Baddeley interviews Moynihan about the "Faustian spirit of Fascism," derived from Spengler's theory of the cyclic rise and fall of cultures (accompanied by a photograph of the androgynous Marilyn Manson in a Nazi pose). A common theme among fringe Satanic cults is that they embrace the idea that the West is in a state of total decline and that the world is soon to embark in a downward spiral of chaos and bloodshed and the revival of paganism. These self-proclaimed Satanists are quick to explain that they are not affiliated with "Wicca" or white magic because of because of Wicca's philanthropist and egalitarian outlook. Satan has even become a popular character in comic books, movies and even video games in addition to youth-culture music. Several notorious serial killings, such as those of Charles Manson and Son of Sam had dark, occulted inspirations. Satan is an appealing character because he represents a youthful rebellion against an established order that certain occultists with an agenda want to attack--stable society and especially the Christian religion. _Lucifer Rising_ is an interesting look at some of the wicked elements in the undertow of Western society in the past fifty years. Satanists like Baddeley claim en masse that without the devil there would have been no Christianity. However, such a stance begs the question: where would Satan and his angels be if there is no God for them to rebel against?

Gavin Baddeley's _Lucifer Rising: Sin, Devil Worship and Rock n' Roll_ is a journalistic outtake on Satanic themes in modern pop-culture. This British author is hardly objective, a Satanist himself (his name has "bad" in it!) and as such, the book offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the minds of those who feel inspired by Satan. Or more accurately, by the notion of rebellion against the "restrictive" God of Bible and Church. The tone of _Lucifer Rising_ is the same as that of the narrator-announcer on VH1's _Behind the Music_ series: pretentious and self-authoritative. It is filled with interviews, illustrations of demons, sacrilegious artwork (a painting of St. Anthony the Great tempted with a vision of a beautiful naked woman on a cross, for example), and of course, with more then a few photographs of voluptuous naked women featured in occult ceremonies. Much of the imagery either blends the characteristics of male and female or promotes a radical sexual polarity, abstinence a definite taboo in Satanism. Baddeley begins by tracing the origins of Satanism from Old Testament times, where it grew as an offshoot of heretical sects including Gnostics, various backwoods pagan customs and as a direct inversion of Christian belief, moral authority and ritual. In the 1700s odd beliefs and Luciferian thinking may have even been an impetus for the Founding Fathers when they gathered together in their lodge meetings to draw up the laws of the United States. Alestier Crowley was certainly the most influential occultist in the early 20th century, spreading bizarre ideas in his numerous books on the occult and the coming new age. German contemporaries of Crowely, postulated strange theories that would later be integrated into the politics of the Nazi Party. Guido von List and Lanz von Liebenfels published writings that Hitler read avidly, in the journal _Ostara_ on the divine nature of the Germanic race. The 1960s aesthetic, atheistic, dilettante and speculative Satanism of Anton LaVey is especially examined in depth. LaVey's version of Satanism is a combine of blasphemous rituals mocking the sacred realm of Christianity, with a doctrine of hedonism and an atheistic metaphysical worldview. His "Church of Satan" does not literally believe in a devil, but rather in atheism, which is logical because a literal worship of an evil, demonic entity would therefore presuppose the existence of a good, creator God who allowed the devil to rebel in the first place. LaVey, misanthropic, elitist and misogynist in his views, also cursed the hippie movement for its optimism, espousal of brotherly love and utopian idealism. In the 1960s, Satan became the favorite icon of Rock n' Roll bands, many musicians employing satanic imagery, inverted crosses and gothic, morbid negative themes in their lyrics and concerts. Baddeley examines in considerable detail the satanic elements in popular music, from the Beatles, Rolling Stones to punk rock and heavy metal all the way up to the 1990s. Some Scandinavian heavy-metal heads, as chronicled by the self-proclaimed Pagan Michael Moynihan, have been involved in the heavy metal scene have been involved in violence, church burnings, and of course in promoting a virulent form of anti-Christianity. Baddeley interviews Moynihan about the "Faustian spirit of Fascism," derived from Spengler's theory of the cyclic rise and fall of cultures (accompanied by a photograph of the androgynous Marilyn Manson in a Nazi pose). A common theme among fringe Satanic cults is that they embrace the idea that the West is in a state of total decline and that the world is soon to embark in a downward spiral of chaos and bloodshed and the revival of paganism. These self-proclaimed Satanists are quick to explain that they are not affiliated with "Wicca" or white magic because of because of Wicca's philanthropist and egalitarian outlook. Satan has even become a popular character in comic books, movies and even video games in addition to youth-culture music. Several notorious serial killings, such as those of Charles Manson and Son of Sam had dark, occulted inspirations. Satan is an appealing character because he represents a youthful rebellion against an established order that certain occultists with an agenda want to attack--stable society and especially the Christian religion. _Lucifer Rising_ is an interesting look at some of the wicked elements in the undertow of Western society in the past fifty years. Satanists like Baddeley claim en masse that without the devil there would have been no Christianity. However, such a stance begs the question: where would Satan and his angels be if there is no God for them to rebel against?

This book by a «card-carrying» member of the Church of Satan has been 8 years in the making. Had it come out before Moynihan and Søderlind's «Lords of Chaos» it would've been viewed as a major addition to the literature on popular, modern-day satanism. But as it stands now, it's mostly an entertaining read, not offering much enlightenment for anyone with a little former knowledge of the field. Also, the author's not very objective position sometimes taint the book, as it paints Anton LaVey and his organization as the «true» satanists and all others as merely wanna-bes.

Having said that, this is a well written book, and very cleverly edited, with short interviews with central figures strategically placed throughout the book, along with a huge amount of photos and drawings. The index is useful, but somewhat lacking. For example, bands like Death In June and Psychic TV are discussed in the book, but not listed in the index.

The book is divided into three parts, the first being the history of satanism, the second deals with satanism in the 20th century, while the third examines today's social darwinist bands and black metal culture. He's trying to cover a lot of ground for a 256 page book, but succeeds fairly well. Among the people interviewed are Kenneth Anger, Anton LaVey, Blance Barton, David Austen (Temple of Set), King Diamond, Abaddon (Venom), Quorthon (Bathory), Boyd Rice, Michael Moynihan, Paul Valentine (Church of Satanic Liberation), Glen Benton (Deicide), Carl Abrahamsson (White Stains), Thomas Thorn (Electric Hellfire Club), Glenn Danzig and Coop.

The interviews with norwegian black-metallers Euronymous/Øystein Aarseth and Count Grishnackh/Varg Vikernes reveal their particular brand of satanic «philosophy» to be some of the most pathetic drivel ever spouted. The only rule seems to be that everyone (including themselves) should suffer as much as possible all the time. They certainly got that fulfilled. Vikernes stabbed Aarseth to death and is now serving a 21 year jail sentence.

Baddaley seems to have been working on the book until last minute before going to press, so it's pretty well updated on recent events like the Colorado school slaughter and the aftermath of LaVey's death.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 22 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Fathers of Black Metal
Written by Church of Satan Priest Gavin Baddeley, a book of this kind is easily in the ranks with 'Satan Wants You' by Arthur Lyons, as the credits & influences The Church of... Read more

Published on May 17 2004 by Draconis Blackthorne

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you could possibly want to know about Satanism
This book has it all! Anton LaVey, Aleister Crowley, Blanche Barton, Peter Gilmore, Count Grisnackh, Coop, Danzig, Boyd Rice, Metallica, Slayer, Venom, etc. Read more

Published on Oct 21 2002 by D. Hadley

4.0 out of 5 stars Hail Satan!
This is an amusing enough collection of interviews and overviews of Satanism-inspired artists in a variety of mediums, as complete as something so eclectic as this could hope to... Read more

Published on May 22 2002

2.0 out of 5 stars fun in a National Enquirer kind of way...
Reading this book is akin to watching "Spinal Tap." It's played serious but you can't help but laugh. Read more

Published on Jan 30 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark on the Road to Damascus
For years I have had an "intellectual" fascination with Satanism, but it was always through Christian glasses. Read more

Published on Dec 14 2001 by Warner Scroggins

3.0 out of 5 stars satan was never so boring!
Not what I expected... Satan seems like a bit of a joke after reading this. If you want to read something evil, go for Lords of Chaos, about the black metal scene in Norway. Read more

Published on Nov 29 2001 by Douglas K. Fahrman

2.0 out of 5 stars (Yawn)
Trivial look at trivial subject matter. No matter which way you cut it, modern American "Satanism" as explored in Lucifer Rising is at best a marginal, silly phenomenon. Read more

Published on Oct 26 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and entertaining cultural study of Satanism
I have never been particularly fearful of Satanism, as much of it has always seemed to be a bit on the silly side. Read more

Published on May 28 2001 by David P Jaudon

5.0 out of 5 stars FACTUAL & INTERESTING
Primarily focusing on music, it is a wonderful and refreshing objective (if not exactly "pro-") view on Satanism. Read more

Published on May 14 2001 by hail-satan

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucifer..rising...rise with him
This was a good read detailing the history of Satanism. One of the few books I can think of on the subject written from a Satanists perspective. ....

Published on April 21 2001 by James Nihilist

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 22 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!