The band's origin dates back to the summer of 1989 when Zak Tell and Jocke Skog met while working together at the Rosenlund Hospital somewhere in the vicinity of Stockholm. In 1990 they were joined by the Norwegian guitarists Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem who were also working at the same hospital. Soon the four realized their similar interests in music. Bård and Erlend previously played in a band called Theo in their hometown Arendal back in Norway. Their free time was invested in exploring the musical world, composing and writing songs while evolving into a band.
Their original demo comprising three tracks (Waste of Time, Nigger and Profit Preacher) quickly secured them local radio airplay and consequently brought them to the attention of the MVG label. "Nigger" is an anti-racism statement that caused quite a stir and was a massive success; it was also released as a single. By the beginning of the 1990s, Clawfinger self-released their debut Deaf Dumb Blind. This sold in over 600,000 copies worldwide and was critically acclaimed in Swedish press. With the addition of André Skaug and drummer Morten Skaug, Clawfinger went on tour and played at countless European festivals including major support slots with Anthrax and Alice in Chains.
The band received many awards, including two home Grammies at the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994 for best hard rock band and best music video. After touring, they went straight back in the studio to record their second album, Use Your Brain. After the release of this album they went on yet another touring campaign, most notably participating at Ozzy Osbourne's Monsters of Rock Festival in Brazil and Chile, rocking alongside American metal counterparts like Megadeth, Faith No More, and Alice Cooper. Back in Europe they continued their touring campaign by participating at festivals and countless gigs.
Their self-titled album Clawfinger was released in 1997. The first song on the album is Two Sides, which expanded the band's reach by using female choir vocals and a Middle Eastern sound. The rest of the album continues with the band's typical aggressive voice and socio-political lyrics.
A Whole Lot of Nothing was the fourth album released on 23 July 2001. The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification. As for the synthesizers, on this particular album they're more present than on any other of Clawfinger's works.
Zeros & Heroes was released in 2003 and it caused controversy in America because the song Step Aside did not sit well with most American audiences due to the fact it slams George W. Bush and the post 9/11 (and not only) military politics of the US. It offers yet another style change for the ears of the listener. The electronic sound and synthesizers from A Whole Lot of Nothing are gone and replaced by a more complex and melodic guitar riffing.
Hate Yourself With Style was released in 2005. The album continued the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs. The keyboards which particularly characterized A Whole Lot of Nothing have completely disappeared.
Life Will Kill You was released in 2007. It has spawned three singles: Prisoners, The Price We Pay, and Little Baby.
The band officially disbanded in 23 August 2013.
Current members:
Zak Tell — vocals
Jocke Skog — keyboards
Bard Torstensen — guitar
Henka Johansson — drums
Andre Skaug — bass
Burn in Hell
Clawfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Commit yourself to Jesus Christ as long as you can benefit
Profit stealing,money dealing heartless piece of human trash
The only god you follow blindly Is a pocket full of cash
Thank's to god you're rich and healthy but what is that funny smell
I know you've built your church on other peoples misery & hell
God gave you his greatest wisdom but I say your god's a dog
I say you'll pay
I pray you'll burn in hell
I pray you'll burn in hell
You say Cash is king and God he can't afford to help me yet
then you tell me he'll arrive as soon as I write out a cheque
I don't need religion if you say I have to pay to pray
So I shake my head and turn the other cheek and walk away
I say you'll pay
I pray you'll burn in hell
I pray you'll burn in hell
I pray you'll burn in hell
I pray you'll burn in hell
liar
liar
liar
liar
I can help you see the stars shine all I'll do is clench my fist
If I need to see the light then I can just turn on the the switch
Bending over's just like kneeling you're fucked over when you pray
If god is all that you believe in then you're being led astray
I say you'll pay
I pray you're gonna burn in hell
I pray you're gonna burn in hell
I pray you're gonna burn in hell
I pray you're gonna burn in hell
Liar
Liar
Liar
Liar
The lyrics of the song Burn in Hell by Clawfinger criticizes religious leaders who are hypocritical and use religion to gain profit. The band starts by calling out these leaders for being full of "bogus bullshit." The lyrics accuse them of using religion to make money, stealing from their followers, and not following the teachings of Jesus. The band also questions these leaders' morality, alleging that they have built their church on other people's misery and hell. The song implies that these religious leaders only care about money and not about their followers' spiritual well-being.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I pray you'll burn in hell," emphasizing the band's anger and disdain for these leaders. The lyrics also reference the idea that religious leaders use their power to convince their followers to give them money, promising that God will provide them with prosperity in return. At the same time, the band decries the notion that God can only help those who can afford to pay.
Ultimately, the lyrics of the song convey a sense of disgust towards religious leaders who use their position to take advantage of their followers, exploit them, and use religion as a tool for their own gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Hocus pocus bogus bullshit you're so fucking full of it
You are spouting nonsense and lies to deceive people.
Commit yourself to Jesus Christ as long as you can benefit
You only care about Jesus when there is something to gain, not because of true belief.
Profit stealing, money dealing heartless piece of human trash
You are a greedy and cruel person who profits off the misery of others.
The only god you follow blindly Is a pocket full of cash
You are so obsessed with money that it has become your god.
Thank's to god you're rich and healthy but what is that funny smell
Despite having wealth and health, there is something foul about your character.
I know you've built your church on other peoples misery & hell
You have exploited the suffering of others for your own gain and built your church on their pain.
God gave you his greatest wisdom but I say your god's a dog
You claim to have wisdom from God, but it is not true because you worship money instead.
another holy cow to milk,another dead horse you can flog
You treat religion as another source of profit, something to be exploited and abused.
You say Cash is king and God he can't afford to help me yet
You believe that money is more powerful than God and therefore, God cannot help those who don't have it.
then you tell me he'll arrive as soon as I write out a cheque
You only promise God's help if someone pays you money.
I don't need religion if you say I have to pay to pray
You have turned religion into a business, and I do not want to be a part of that.
So I shake my head and turn the other cheek and walk away
I will not stand for your lies and will refuse to participate in your deceitful practices.
I can help you see the stars shine all I'll do is clench my fist
You believe you have power, but it's just an illusion, and you can't really help anyone.
If I need to see the light then I can just turn on the switch
I don't need religion because I can find my own way to truth and enlightenment.
Bending over's just like kneeling you're fucked over when you pray
You are vulnerable to exploitation when you are at your lowest and most desperate.
If god is all that you believe in then you're being led astray
If you put all your faith in someone who is using religion for personal gain, you are being misled.
I say you'll pay
You will face the consequences of your actions.
I pray you'll burn in hell
I hope that you will be punished for your sins and face eternal damnation.
Liar
You are a dishonest and deceitful person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARD SVERRE TORSTENSEN, ERLEND OTTEM, JOCKE SKOG, ZAK NIKOLAS TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind