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.
Decapitated Mind
Holy Moses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My minds bleeds from your knife...
What I see cannot be real...
In labyrinths that I feel...
Some thing's going wrong with me...
I could never win I see...
Fucking hard to achieve...
It's not supposed to be this way...
Bring me down - Hold on dear - You can go I'm not in fear
Bring me down - Learn to think - And I saw the hell in pink
Bring me down - That's no fate - I hope it never ends in hate
Bring me down - Speak the truth - Illusions drove my youth
Now try
Bring me down - What you need - I laugh for all blood I bleed
Bring me down - Reach a goal - You don't know my fuckin soul
Bring me down - Live to dream - My emotions stars to scream
Bring me down - See your class - Grains of sand are in my hands
The lyrics to Holy Moses's song Decapitated Mind express a sense of detachment or disconnection from reality. The opening line "Decapitated soul of life" suggests a loss of spirit or essence, perhaps due to some kind of trauma or emotional injury. The following lines "My mind bleeds from your knife... What I see cannot be real... In labyrinths that I feel" further emphasize this theme of confusion and disembodiment. The singer seems to be struggling with a sense of unreality and disorientation, feeling lost in a confusing and perhaps even hostile world.
Throughout the rest of the song, the singer expresses a mix of frustration, defiance, and resignation. The lines "Some thing's going wrong with me... I could never win I see... Fucking hard to achieve... It's not supposed to be this way..." suggest a deep sense of disillusionment or hopelessness. However, the chorus seems to offer some measure of resistance or defiance, insisting that the singer will not be brought down or defeated. The line "And I saw the hell in pink" suggests a sense of irony or absurdity, as if the singer is recognizing the absurdity of the situation but still trying to push back against it.
Overall, Decapitated Mind is a powerful expression of existential angst and frustration, with a mix of dark and hopeful elements. The singer seems to be struggling with a deep sense of loss or trauma, but is still trying to maintain a sense of defiance and willpower in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Decapitated soul of life...
I feel like my soul has been severed from life itself.
My mind bleeds from your knife...
Your actions or words have caused me intense mental pain.
What I see cannot be real...
I'm questioning the reality of what I'm experiencing.
In labyrinths that I feel...
My situation is complex and I feel lost trying to navigate it.
Something's going wrong with me...
I feel like something is amiss or not right within me.
I could never win I see...
I'm starting to see that success or victory is unlikely for me.
Fucking hard to achieve...
The task I'm undertaking is extremely difficult and maybe impossible.
It's not supposed to be this way...
I had a different expectation for how things would turn out.
Bring me down
Attempt to lower my morale or confidence.
Bring me down - Hold on dear - You can go I'm not in fear
I'm not afraid of you trying to bring me down, so feel free to try. I'll hold on regardless.
Bring me down - Learn to think - And I saw the hell in pink
If you're trying to bring me down, you need to learn to think and understand the consequences. I've been through a difficult situation before and this is no different.
Bring me down – That's no fate - I hope it never ends in hate
Don't assume that bringing me down is your destiny or fate. I hope that we can resolve any issues without resorting to hatred.
Bring me down - Speak the truth - Illusions drove my youth
If you're going to bring me down, at least be honest and tell the truth. In the past, I was misguided by illusions and I don't want to make the same mistake again.
Now try
I'm challenging you to try and bring me down.
Bring me down - What you need - I laugh for all blood I bleed
You can try to bring me down, but you won't succeed. I've been through so much pain that your attempts are laughable.
Bring me down - Reach a goal - You don't know my fuckin soul
You may have a goal to bring me down, but you don't truly know me or understand what makes me tick.
Bring me down - Live to dream - My emotions start to scream
I have hopes and dreams in life, but your attempts to bring me down are causing my emotions to boil over.
Bring me down - See your class - Grains of sand are in my hands
If you're trying to bring me down, then you need to recognize your place in this situation. I have control, like grains of sand in my hands, and I won't let you take it away from me.
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.