The band is not to be confused with Zakk Wylde's solo project (sometimes known as Book of Shadows after its only album) or with Pride & Glory, Wylde's southern rock band.
History
In 1992, Ozzy retired after the No More Tears tour, which led Zakk to form his own solo band Pride & Glory, blending potent bluesy southern rock with heavy metal. In 1994 Ozzy decided to come out of retirement, and the numerous recording sessions for Ozzmosis took place. Around this time, Zakk was also offered the open guitar slot in Guns N' Roses and had a hard time deciding whether to tour with Ozzy or join Guns N' Roses. Neither project panned out. This gave Wylde the opportunity to record his own acoustic solo album, "Book of Shadows." After limited commercial success with Book Of Shadows, in 1998, Zakk and drummer Phil Ondich formed Black Label Society and recorded their debut album "Sonic Brew." Nick Catanese had been Zakk's touring rhythm guitarist since the Book Of Shadows tour (Zakk records all guitars on his albums). Craig Nunenmacher has been drumming for the band since 1919 Eternal (2001) following Phil's departure. Previous bass players include current Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo, former Megadeth 4-stringer James Lomenzo, and current Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez, who also played with Zakk on the No More Tears, Ozzy tour.
The band had their song "Fire It Up" featured as a bonus song in the PlayStation 2 game Guitar Hero. Zakk Wylde has an avatar in the video game "Guitar Hero: World Tour", and the song "Stillborn" also appears.
Suicide Messiah
Black Label Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drown in my waters that know you best
Step inside I've been waiting here for you
Underneath where you shall crawl
Fly so high you'll never fall
Step inside we've been waiting here for you
He never gives he's always the taker
The electric burns that fuel the fire
It's just your suicide messiah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Bow down you chose your maker
He never gives he's always the taker
The electric burns that fuel the fire
It's just your suicide messiah
Walk through the streets that know your name
All that's pure is now insane
Step inside I've been waiting here for you
Another trip another lie
Life's hand of doom you're feeling fine
Step inside we've been waiting here for you
Bow down you chose your maker
He never gives he's always the taker
The electric burns that fuel the fire
It's just your suicide messiah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Bow down you chose your maker
He never gives he's always the taker
The electric burns that fuel the fire
It's just your suicide messiah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Bow down you chose your maker
He never gives he's always the taker
Bow down you chose your maker
He never gives he's always the taker
The electric burns that fuel the fire
The song "Suicide Messiah" by Black Label Society deals with heavy themes of self-destruction and worship of a higher power. The lyrics describe a person who is crawling through the things that eat their flesh and drowning in their own personal struggles, but then are beckoned to a new place where they will be saved. The language used in the lyrics suggests that the person is suffering from depression or other mental illness, and may be considering suicide as a way out. The chorus features the powerful repetition of the lines "Bow down you chose your maker / He never gives he's always the taker / The electric burns that fuel the fire / It's just your suicide messiah," which seem to suggest that suicide is a false savior, and that those who choose to take their own lives are ultimately giving in to a destructive force that will only bring them more pain and suffering.
The imagery used in the song is dark and intense, and the lyrics themselves are full of religious and mythological references. For example, the line "Step inside we've been waiting here for you" could be interpreted as an invitation to enter the underworld, or to become part of a cult or other religious organization. The chorus, which features the repeated phrase "Bow down you chose your maker / He never gives he's always the taker," suggests a view of a deity as a cruel, uncaring force that takes what it wants without giving anything back. The use of the word "electric" in line "The electric burns that fuel the fire" could be interpreted as a metaphor for addiction, or for the way that technology can be both a source of comfort and a source of destruction.
Overall, "Suicide Messiah" is a powerful, intense song that deals with themes of self-destruction, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. The lyrics are rich with religious and mythological references, and the imagery is dark and haunting. The song is a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable struggles, there is always hope for a better future, and that it is possible to overcome even the deepest darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Crawl through the things that eat your flesh
Endure the pains and struggles that consume you
Drown in my waters that know you best
Allow yourself to be submerged in the familiarity of my presence
Step inside I've been waiting here for you
Enter into my world where I have been patiently waiting for your arrival
Underneath where you shall crawl
Beneath the surface where you must navigate and survive
Fly so high you'll never fall
Soar to unimaginable heights without the fear of failure
Bow down you chose your maker
Submit to the one you have chosen as your creator
He never gives he's always the taker
He is a constant receiver of offerings, never giving anything in return
The electric burns that fuel the fire
The shocking sensation that intensifies the flames, driving you closer to destruction
It's just your suicide messiah
It is your own self-destructive savior leading you to your demise
Walk through the streets that know your name
Enter into a world where you are already known and recognized
All that's pure is now insane
The once honorable and virtuous is now considered deranged and irrational
Another trip another lie
Another journey filled with deception and untruths
Life's hand of doom you're feeling fine
Despite the inevitable destruction that awaits, you feel content
Step inside we've been waiting here for you
Reiterating the invitation to join our twisted world
Oh yeah
Generic exclamation of approval or understanding
Bow down you chose your maker
Submission to the creator of your choice
He never gives he's always the taker
Constant take without giving back
The electric burns that fuel the fire
The shock that inflames the blaze
It's just your suicide messiah
The one who will lead you to your own destruction
Oh yeah
Reiteration of previous exclamation
Bow down you chose your maker
Submission to the creator of your choice
He never gives he's always the taker
Constant take without giving back
The electric burns that fuel the fire
The shock that inflames the blaze
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ZACHARY P WYLDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@freza223
This video has it all... Skulls. Flaming skulls. Flaming skulls on motorcycles. Flaming skulls on motorcycles with guitars. Sauron style helmets (that proves even Sauron was a metalhead). And an epic song of badassness and an equally awesome solo. In short it's my favorite BLS song.
@steventinsley3591
LOL, YES!
@OrgPuddle
Pretty sure we didn’t need this to know he is a metal head also Sauron would definitely not be listening to BLS
@michaelnugent9758
Don’t forget the hot chicks
@cpawaww5786
@@OrgPuddle 🙄
@dertywhiteboy6892
@@OrgPuddle How the Fuck do you know what Sauron listens too…Smfh
@user-ru9gf7ky2y
I met Zakk at a show before hand. He didn't have time to get pictures or autographs for adults...but he made DAMN sure to stop for the kids. I found that amazing and very commendable. Dudes a solid human
@DonTheMoron716
That’s the best thing I’ve heard today 🤘🏻
@RazielNecronomicon
It's so much more to us as metal is so much deeper than entertainment... Is a life!!!!
@JMFP01
You gotta have respect for artists that put time in for the kids. Like as adults, I feel like we're used to disappointment, so Zakk not having time for autographs/photos for adults is kind of a bummer, but can you imagine the elation of those kids that got to meet their favorite rockstar. I personally have no problem suffering some disappointment if it means some bright eyed kid gets to have that once in a lifetime experience that they'll remember forever.