Holy Moses was officially formed in Aachen, Germany in 1980 with Jochen Funders on guitars and vocals, Ramon Bruessler on bass, and drummer Peter Vordenstein. They played their first live show in the town of Stolberg, where they began causing a significant buzz in the heavy metal community for their incredibly heavy, fast, and tight style and various other actions of the band's fanclub. However, this lineup was very short lived, and only lasted about a year, after the band played their first anniversary show by opening for Venom.
A new guitarist was soon found, in Andy Classen, formerly of the band Disaster. A vocalist named Iggy was soon found as well. Iggy was soon fired from the band due to drug problems and musical differences with the band. Andy soon came up with the idea to bring in his girlfriend at the time, Sabina Hertz for the vocals. Originally, Sabina does not want the job and singing in a very throaty and almost demonic sounding style of singing to make sure she does not get in the band. This had an inversive effect, and Ramon (the band's main songwriter at the time) was extremely pleased with the performance of Sabina, and the only permanent member of the band who has appeared on every album to this day finally joins. The band then plays their first shows with Sabina in November of 1981.
Some more lineup changes came after this (including Sabina's brother singing with the band for a few weeks after she temporarily left but then returned), and it also became more progressive and technical ability with heightened musicianship from Classen. With the lineup of Ramon on bass, Sabina on vocals, Andy on guitars, and new drummer Herbert Dreger, the band records their first album Queen Of Siam. Produced by Ralph Hubert of Mekong Delta, the album stands out among its contemporaries for its extremely heavy and tight musicianship and technicality. However, the lineup does not last. Due to a lack of commitment for the band, Dreger is fired and replaced by a then nineteen year old Uli Kusch (later of Helloween) on drums. After that, Ramon, the one original member left in Holy Moses leaves the band to pursue his academic carrier. It is now fully managed by Sabina, and all songs are written by Andy and Sabina, who is married to the guitarist and becomes Sabina Classen (the name she uses to this day).
The band then recorded its next album Finished With The Dogs and received rave reviews by metal critics and music magazines the world over. The album attracted the attention of Warner Brothers Records, one of the biggest record labels in the world. In 1987, Holy Moses strikes up a deal with the label and heads on tour with DRI.
The band only got bigger from there, especially with the recording of the album The New Machine Of Lichtenstein, a highly successful thrash metal concept album. Holy Moses then goes on their biggest tour yet, playing alongside Forbidden and Sacred Reich. Problems with Warner Brothers however make the band leave the label. Also around this time, Uli Kusch leaves the band. Former Living Death drummer Atomic Steif would fill in the band for a while, but would not record anything with them, due to a proposition to join the prominent German thrash metal band Sodom.
In 1992, the band recorded Reborn Dogs. However, after the album was finished recording, they disbanded. Andy, who has become a songwriter and producer, makes an album with the Holy Moses name called "No Matter What the Cause". It causes a severe problem with Andy and Sabina, who later that year get divorced. A few years later, the female vocalist forms Temple Of The Absurd, which releases two albums. However, due to several setbacks, the band breaks up after two albums. Andy and Sabina become friends again and start writing up new music. In 2001, the two reveal that Holy Moses is back.
The first album for the reunion to be recorded was 2002's Disorder Of Order. Though Andy did not actually play on the album, all the songs were written by him. The band then embarked on tour for the rest of that year and most of 2003. Andy then states that he will no longer be able to write songs for Holy Moses, as he has become too involved with producing other band's material. He then selects his friend Michael Henkel to become Holy Moses's new main songwriter. The first album that Hankel has recorded with the band was 2005's "Strength, Will, Passion".
Since 2006 Reckless Tide guitar player Oliver Jaath joined Holy Moses as bass player.
For the first time since 2003, Holy Moses will tour Europe as opening acts for the Florida death metal band Obituary. In 2007, Atomic Steif rejoined the band as a permanent member and will play on Holy Moses's next album.
In 2008 the band did a succesful tour with Obituary and Avatar. Later that year Thomas Neitsch joined the band as permanent bass player and Olli Jaath switched to second guitar. Holy Moses has been confirmed to play in the Wacken Open Air festival in August 2008.
Dancing With The Dead
Holy Moses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To day I'll play the part to rule
Your motherfuckin world
Willl lay down inside of me
'Cause your soul prayed to me
My time is your pain
I reign on you
The tempter of the dark
Your wage crusades of loathing - To prove my point
Hey close your lips and lay down to sleep 'till death
I'll take you away to my place called home
You can never bring me down - With things you say or do
Shut your mouth and take that stone - To replace my soul
I don't feel sorry my souls lies in everyone
Possessed from ending life - I rule on you fool
Why do you do this - Stop it now - 'Cos in fact you are dead
The walls between us is like absorbing winds of blood
Now it's my time to kill - There is a way to escape
My bloody curses rules - I got the kick to myself
Charge yourself 'cause my will is - The executing justice
Come kill me one more time before - Before it gets dark for you
I don't feel sorry - My souls lies in everyone
Possessed from ending life - I rule on you fool
You can't be something - You are nothing only shit
Your only verbal masturbate - Promise me to nausiate
Hey close your lips and lay down to sleep 'till death
I'll take you away to my place called home
I crush you rush - From freedom to delusion
Put it in yourself to be - Life cycle is an automation so
I know the day I will return - I'm waiting for you dead
The lyrics to Holy Moses's song Dancing With The Dead paint a picture of a power-hungry tyrant who revels in the pain and suffering of others. The lyrics suggest that this character is possessed by a dark spirit, and he is eager to dominate those around him. He sees himself as a ruler who is above reproach, and he seeks to crush anyone who challenges his authority. He is apparently so consumed by his own power that he doesn't care about the damage he is causing to the people around him.
The lyrics suggest that this tyrant is also deeply disturbed and possibly insane. He talks about taking people away to his "place called home," which could be interpreted as a euphemism for death. He also seems to enjoy causing pain and suffering, and he revels in his power to control others. The lyrics are disturbing and unsettling, and they suggest that the singer is a deeply troubled character who is consumed by his own lust for power.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am to dominate
I am here to take control
To day I'll play the part to rule
Today I will act as the ruler
Your motherfuckin world
The world you hold dear
Willl lay down inside of me
Will surrender to me completely
'Cause your soul prayed to me
Because you have submitted to me
My time is your pain
Your suffering is my enjoyment
I reign on you
I have complete control over you
The tempter of the dark
I am a seducer of evil
Come on lay blame with me - For the bastard now I am
Accuse me for being the despicable person I am
Your wage crusades of loathing - To prove my point
Your attempts to fight me only justify me
Hey close your lips and lay down to sleep 'till death
Be silent and await your death
I'll take you away to my place called home
I will take you to the afterlife
You can never bring me down - With things you say or do
No matter what you do, you will never defeat me
Shut your mouth and take that stone - To replace my soul
Be quiet and carry the burden of my sins
I don't feel sorry my souls lies in everyone
I do not regret my actions, they are a part of me
Possessed from ending life - I rule on you fool
I am driven by my desire to kill and control
Why do you do this - Stop it now - 'Cos in fact you are dead
Why resist me? You are already doomed
The walls between us is like absorbing winds of blood
The barrier between us is drenched in violence
Now it's my time to kill - There is a way to escape
Now is my opportunity to take a life or offer salvation
My bloody curses rules - I got the kick to myself
My violent words are commands and I enjoy them
Charge yourself 'cause my will is - The executing justice
Prepare yourself, for I am the enforcer of justice
Come kill me one more time before - Before it gets dark for you
Try to kill me again while you still have the chance
I don't feel sorry - My souls lies in everyone
I do not apologize, my actions are part of humanity
Possessed from ending life - I rule on you fool
Driven by the need for death, I control the foolish
You can't be something - You are nothing only shit
You are worthless and nothing but excrement
Your only verbal masturbate - Promise me to nausiate
Your words are meaningless and make me sick
Hey close your lips and lay down to sleep 'till death
Be quiet and accept your fate
I'll take you away to my place called home
I will deliver you to the afterlife
I crush you rush - From freedom to delusion
I destroy your hope and replace it with illusions
Put it in yourself to be - Life cycle is an automation so
Accept the cycle of life, for it is inevitable
I know the day I will return - I'm waiting for you dead
I await my own death and the day we will be reunited
Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.