As opposed to the aggressive Satanism of many black metal bands, GBK's lyrics take a literate, satirical view of biblical lore. The band is known for incorporating melodic, traditional heavy metal influences while retaining the more unorthodox aspects of black metal songwriting. GBK are one of America's first black metal bands and are true fathers of USBM.
Following the death of Richard Mills (singer on Kosherat) in August of 2006, the band split up, but later reformed to play gigs in 2009-10. The band has been sporadically active and playing gigs ever since with Unhold (Absurd, Luror, Helduntum) taking over as live vocalist. New studio material has been recorded Kohanic Charmers (2022)
Releases
* Goat Of A Thousand Young (1992; demo)
* Triumph of the Hordes (1994; demo)
* A Witness to the Regicide (1996; EP)
* Mocking the Philanthropist (1997)
* The Tricifixion of Swine (2000; EP)
* Judeobeast Assassination (2001)
* Satan is Metal's Master/Sperm of the Antichrist (2001; split)
* Castrate the Redeemer (2001)
* Hobo of Aramaic Tongues/Le Royaume Maudit (2003; split)
* On a Mule Rides the Swindler (2005; EP)
* Kosherat (2005)
* Weltenfeind (2008; split)
* Goat of a Thousand Young / Triumph of the Hordes (2017; compilation)
* Kohanic Charmers (2022)
The Red Heifer
Grand Belial's Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That only the sacrifice of a cow may save them
Miasmic ritual of the Levi tribes
Opens the gate to a bygone era
Labor camp vultures plan to topple
The Dome of the Rock
To be murdered on its third year
Avenging the Temple's demolition
Its blood, skin, flesh and dung
To burneth before the impure
Levitical dogs cleanse themselves
Beneath a torrential storm of piss
So loaded with justified guilt is the soul of the Yisrealites
That only the sacrifice of a cow may save them
Hyssop and scarlet ruin the air
Four legged messiah, color of rust
Its blood, skin, flesh and dung
To burneth before the impure
Levitical dogs cleanse themselves
Beneath a torrential storm of piss
Oh, no! The tabernacle sprinkled with its ashes
Hyssop and scarlet ruin the air
Four legged messiah, color of rust
Bring forth the Red Heifer upon which never came yoke
To be murdered on its third year
Avenging the Temple's demolition
Oh, no! The tabernacle sprinkled with its ashes
The lyrics of "The Red Heifer" by Grand Belial's Key describe a ritual from the ancient Jewish tradition where the blood and ashes of a red heifer were used to purify a person or object that had come into contact with death. The guilt of the Israelites is said to be justified because they had destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem, and the sacrifice of the red heifer is seen as a way to avenge its demolition. The song describes the ritual in gory detail, emphasizing the violence and filth associated with the animal sacrifice. The lyrics also suggest a political angle, as the "labor camp vultures" are planning to topple the Dome of the Rock, a holy site for both Jews and Muslims, a detail that could be interpreted as an endorsement of Jewish extremism.
The song's title "The Red Heifer" refers to the actual animal that is used in the ritual. The red color of the heifer is significant because it represents the blood that was shed when the Temple was destroyed. The lyrics also mention the use of hyssop and scarlet, which were used in the purification ceremony as well. The line "Four-legged messiah, color of rust" is likely a reference to the Christian belief in the redemptive power of Christ's blood, and may reflect the band's disdain for Christianity.
Line by Line Meaning
So loaded with justified guilt is the soul of the Yisrealites
The Israelites feel immense guilt and pain about their past actions
That only the sacrifice of a cow may save them
They believe that sacrificing a cow is the only way to absolve their sins
Miasmic ritual of the Levi tribes
The ritual performed by the Levites is seen as dark and ominous
Opens the gate to a bygone era
The ritual transports them to a distant, forgotten time
Labor camp vultures plan to topple
Those who seek to destroy their culture and beliefs are scheming against them
The Dome of the Rock
A holy site they fear may be destroyed
Bring forth the Red Heifer upon which never came yoke
They call for a cow that has never been used for work to be brought to them
To be murdered on its third year
They plan to kill the cow when it reaches three years old
Avenging the Temple's demolition
They believe the cow's sacrifice will avenge the destruction of their Temple
Its blood, skin, flesh and dung
They will use every part of the cow in their ritual
To burneth before the impure
They will burn the cow in front of those they deem impure
Levitical dogs cleanse themselves
The Levites purify themselves in the ritual
Beneath a torrential storm of piss
An intense and unpleasant experience they must endure
Hyssop and scarlet ruin the air
The air is filled with the scent of herbs and a deep red color
Four legged messiah, color of rust
The cow is seen as a sort of savior, with a coat the color of rust
Oh, no! The tabernacle sprinkled with its ashes
The ashes from the burning are sprinkled around the holy tabernacle
Contributed by Samantha L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.