The first recordings by Blood Axis consisted of "Lord of Ages" and "Electricity," two songs appearing on a German sampler CD. Thoroughly unique in their sound, the first of these tracks is a stirring orchestrated hymn to the ancient Persian sun deity Mithras, a god later adopted for a cult of subterranean worship by the legionnaires of the Imperial Roman army. Although appearing on a relatively obscure release, these two initial efforts resulted in extensive radio airplay, dance club rotation, as well as mail from hundreds of enthusiastic listeners living as far away as Scandinavia, Malta, Eastern Europe and Thailand. Blood Axis had made its mark.
The band again inspired a rapturous response with the contribution of a pair of further songs to the acclaimed collection Im Blutfeuer,demonstrating more highly involved recording techniques and the ability to hypnotize listeners with subtle yet forceful atmospherics. "The Storm Before the Calm," the second of the two tracks on this CD, utilized winding piano loops, lilting choirs and the eerie sounds of early nature recordings (a thunderstorm from 1935) along with earnest vocals and historical samples to create a sound that is more than the sum of it parts, possessing an ineffable power.
In the last days of 1995, more than six years since its formation, Blood Axis unveiled the first full-length CD, The Gospel of Inhumanity. This long-awaited album has more than fulfilled all expectations, demonstrating that Blood Axis is proudly distinct from any other modern musical groups in both sound and presentation. Sealed within a stunningly aesthetic digipak, The Gospel... is a shape-shifting soundtrack which reveals more and more depth with repeated listening. Spanning from neo-classical reveries to guitardriven aggression, the sonic incisions of Blood Axis provide a haunting backdrop for vocal elucidations from Ezra Pound, Charles Manson, as well as Moynihan's own demanding voice. The Gospel of Inhumanity falls into no easy category, requiring a highly attuned level of intelligence and a mind free of pre-conception to appreciate its vast scope.
The Gospel of Inhumanity sold out two pressings for its initial release on German cult label Cthulhu Records, ensuring a fanatical following from Russia to Ireland, Norway to Portugal and everywhere in between. With virtually no promotion to speak of, the CD received rave reviews in Europe and America, and was even voted one of the 10 best albums of 1996 by UK extreme music glossy Terrorizer. Now powerfully remastered and re-issued on Misanthropy, the Gospel is destined to be heard by an even wider audience.
In November of 1997, Blood Axis played its first proper live show in Sweden at a special 10 year anniversary celebration for the legendary death industrial music label Cold Meat Industry. This special concert was attended by fans who came from as far away as Germany, Belgium, Austria and Latvia, and drew a rabidly enthusiastic reception from the crowd. In 1998, following the release of the planned second album, Ultimacy, the band will embark on a European tour. But until then, The Gospel of Inhumanity will continue seeping its way into the subconscious of the worldwide underground.
Blood Axis answers to nothing and no one but itself. It offers a frightening and honest expression of the souls of its creators, refusing to cater to either popular opinion or the approval of the music industry. At the same time Blood Axis continues to proudly shun popular trends and the mainstream, legions of listeners respond in growing numbers to a music presented with such undiluted care and willpower.
Moynihan collaborated with Boyd Rice from 1989, and in 1990 the two moved into an apartment in Denver. Like Rice and Thorn, Moynihan was a member of the Church of Satan at this time. Moynihan appeared as a guest with Rice on Bob Larson's "Manson Maniacs", a special for Larson's Christian radio talk show. During the summer of 1991, Moynihan states that he was visited at his apartment by agents of the United States Secret Service about an alleged plot to assassinate then President of the United States George H. W. Bush.
Moynihan agreed to a polygraph test and no charges were filed. Moynihan stated that it was a simple case of intimidation stemming from his correspondence with Charles Manson and visits to Sandra Good. Moynihan stated that he felt that the he had been being monitored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 1984, that they had taken his luggage on an occasion, and that they had once called his father, admitting to him that they had taken a parcel from his mail. Moynihan cited his then-friendship with Peter Sotos as a potential cause.
Differences between Boyd Rice and Michael Moynihan led to an acrimonious split between the two in the mid-1990s, though Rice would later remember their time together fondly and refer positively to Moynihan. After the split, Moynihan disassociated himself with Rice and was no longer involved with the Abraxas Foundation. Moynihan has been a member of the small Asatru collective Wulfing Kindred since 1994.
Follow Me Up To Carlow
Blood Axis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That black FitzWilliam stormed your place and drove you to the Fern
Grey said victory was sure and soon the firebrand he'd secure
Until he met at Glenmalure with Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne
Curse and swear Lord Kildare
Fiach will do what Fiach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care
Up with halberd, out with sword
On we'll go for by the Lord
Fiach MacHugh has given his word,
Follow me up to Carlow!
See the swords of Glen Imall, the flashin' o'er the English Pale
See all the children of the Gael, beneath O'Byrne's banners
Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners
Curse and swear Lord Kildare
Fiach will do what Fiach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care
Fallen is your star low
Up with halberd, out with sword
On we'll go for by the Lord
Fiach MacHugh has given his word,
Follow me up to Carlow!
(x2)
From Tassagart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of Saxon gore
And great is Rory Óg O'More, and sending the loons to Hades
White is sick and Grey is fled, now for black FitzWilliam's head
We'll send it over, dripping red, to Queen Liza and her ladies
Curse and swear Lord Kildare
Fiach will do what Fiach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care
Fallen is your star low
Up with halberd, out with sword
On we'll go for by the Lord
Fiach MacHugh has given his word,
Follow me up to Carlow!
The song "Follow Me Up to Carlow" by Blood Axis is written to retell the historical events from Irish history, which involve the uprising of the Gaelic Irish chieftains against the English crown in the late 16th century. The singer of the song is Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne, the leader of the Irish rebellion against the Black FitzWilliam, an English official who invaded their lands and drove them away towards the Fern. Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne refused to submit and seek reconciliation with the English crown, so he led his fellow people and waged war against FitzWilliam, who was deceived by his own confidence to win the battle at Glenmalure. However, he failed miserably and was defeated by Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne.
The chorus "Curse and swear Lord Kildare, Fiach will do what Fiach will dare," emphasizes the resilience and persistence of the Irish rebel, who is willing to fight to the death to preserve their land and their culture. The song also highlights the bravery of the Irish people, especially when they are facing tyranny and injustice. The lines "See all the children of the Gael, beneath O'Byrne's banners," and "Fly up and teach him manners," are direct references to the courage of the Irish and their eagerness to confront their oppressors.
Line by Line Meaning
Lift MacCahir Óg your face, brooding o'er the old disgrace
MacCahir Óg, lift up your face and reflect on the past wrongs done to you.
That black FitzWilliam stormed your place and drove you to the Fern
Recall how FitzWilliam attacked and forced you to flee to the Fern.
Grey said victory was sure and soon the firebrand he'd secure
Grey was confident of victory and believed he could conquer the firebrand.
Until he met at Glenmalure with Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne
However, he met Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne at Glenmalure and was defeated.
Curse and swear Lord Kildare, Fiach will do what Fiach will dare
Lord Kildare, curse and swear all you want, but Fiach will do whatever he dares to do.
Now FitzWilliam, have a care, Fallen is your star low
FitzWilliam, be cautious because your star has fallen, and things are not in your favor.
Up with halberd, out with sword, On we'll go for by the Lord
Take up your halberd and sword, and let's advance to victory, making use of divine intervention.
Fiach MacHugh has given his word, Follow me up to Carlow!
Fiach MacHugh has promised to lead the way to Carlow, so follow his lead.
See the swords of Glen Imall, the flashin' o'er the English Pale
Observe the swords of Glen Imall as they glimmer over the English Pale.
See all the children of the Gael, beneath O'Byrne's banners
Notice all the proud people of Gael gathered under the banners of O'Byrne.
Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
As a fighting cock, would you let a Saxon attitude to dominate?
Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners
No, crow out loud and strong over an Irish rock and teach them bravery.
From Tassagart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of Saxon gore
From Tassagart to Clonmore flows a stream of Saxon bloodshed, conquered by Irish fighters.
And great is Rory Óg O'More, and sending the loons to Hades
Rory Óg O'More is mighty, sending his enemies to Hades.
White is sick and Grey is fled, now for black FitzWilliam's head
White is infected, and Grey has fled, now it's time to go after Black FitzWilliam's head.
We'll send it over, dripping red, to Queen Liza and her ladies
We will send his head over to Queen Elizabeth and her ladies, drenched in blood.
Contributed by Stella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.