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.
Deadicate
Holy Moses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hate in my songs is the way - To ride myself okay
Dwelling deep in my mind - Killing me - Pain inside
Wash my running tears away - With ceremonial blood
Give up - Devote - One's time - Energy
Bleeding heart as a price - crucifying my own ideas
Obloguy of mental surge - In excruciating ritual
Give up - Devote - One's time - Energy -
Mesmeric to find the words - Illusions to cut out
Exiled into domnation - Vortex in both souls
Dwelling deep in my mind - Killing me the pain inside
Palpilation pneumatic dead - I deadicate to you... (DW)
Pioneer of a new theory - Full of grotesque inner eyes
Horrorfying - Chronic hunger - Chaos is the realm of fancy
The lyrics of Holy Moses's song "Deadicate" portray a deeply troubled and conflicted individual who is tormented by evil and hate, which are manifested in his songs. The singer is haunted by the pain and wounds that refuse to heal and is unable to escape the darkness that dwells deep in his mind. The only way he can find solace is by dedicating himself to a higher cause or purpose, which he believes will help wash away his tears with ceremonial blood.
The singer acknowledges that his bleeding heart is the price he must pay for crucifying his own ideas and submitting to the obloguy of a mental surge. He has to give up and devote his time and energy to a noble cause, which he believes will serve a sacred use to god. Mesmerized by the words that come to him from illusions, the singer feels exiled into damnation and trapped in a vortex of both souls, which he cannot escape.
The lyrics are mysterious and intriguing, leaving much to the imagination of the listener. They evoke a sense of struggle and dark emotions while simultaneously posing complex philosophical questions about the nature of pain, sacrifice, and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Evil thoughts inside of me - Wounds that will not heal
My mind is plagued with hurtful memories and negative thoughts that refuse to go away.
Hate in my songs is the way - To ride myself okay
Expressing my hatred and anger through my music helps me deal with my emotions and find inner peace.
Dwelling deep in my mind - Killing me - Pain inside
The pain and suffering I carry within me are slowly destroying me from the inside.
Wash my running tears away - With ceremonial blood
I hope to find relief from my emotional pain by shedding ceremonial blood and purifying myself.
Give up - Devote - One's time - Energy
To truly commit to a cause or purpose, one must be willing to sacrifice their time and energy for it.
Bleeding heart as a price - crucifying my own ideas
I am willing to suffer the consequences of pursuing my own ideas and beliefs, even if it means sacrificing my own well-being.
Obloguy of mental surge - In excruciating ritual
Through intense and painful rituals, I hope to gain control over my inner thoughts and emotions.
A noble cause - or purpose - a sacred use - to god
My devotion to a higher cause or purpose is a spiritual and sacred pursuit that I believe is sanctioned by the divine.
Mesmeric to find the words - Illusions to cut out
Through a hypnotic state, I hope to tap into my subconscious mind and discard any illusions or falsehoods that may be clouding my thoughts.
Exiled into domnation - Vortex in both souls
I feel ostracized and isolated from society, like I am trapped in a spiraling vortex of darkness and despair.
Dwelling deep in my mind - Killing me the pain inside
The pain and suffering that I harbor within me are slowly taking their toll on my mental and emotional health.
Palpitation pneumatic dead - I deadicate to you... (DW)
My heart feels lifeless and unresponsive, and I dedicate myself to a higher power to restore its vitality.
Pioneer of a new theory - Full of grotesque inner eyes
I am forging a new path and developing a radical theory that challenges conventional wisdom, but it is a difficult and disturbing journey that exposes the darker aspects of my psyche.
Horrorfying - Chronic hunger - Chaos is the realm of fancy
I am tormented by a constant hunger and desire for chaos and destruction, which exists only in my imagination.
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joey Whitefox
From hell \m/