Holy Moses is a German thrash metal band. They are well noted for being fro… Read Full Bio ↴Holy Moses is a German thrash metal band. They are well noted for being fronted by Sabina Classen, which is rare for a woman to be a singer in thrash metal, and for being one of the very first German thrash metal bands.

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.

Heaven vs. hell
Holy Moses Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You go to the church, kiss the cross
You worship Satan, Baphomet is your boss
Gave your soul to Christianity
Watch your mouth and stop your blasphemy

It's the same old game
Only time will tell
Who will be the winner

Heaven Vs Hell

Born to be crucified
Your evil demon will never see the light
You Christian coward, listen to you pray
You're blinded by Satan, you chose the wrong way

It's the same old game
Only time will tell
Who will be the winner
Heaven Vs Hell

Waking up in a horror fright
I know I'll never win this fight
I feel empowered by Satan at my side
You, weak believer, will never see the light

It's the same old game
Only time will tell
Who will be the winner
Heaven Vs Hell

It's the same old game
Only time will tell

Who will be the winner
Heaven Vs Hell

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Holy Moses's song "Heaven Vs Hell" are intended to be provocative and controversial. The opening lines describe two opposing beliefs: Christianity and Satanism. The contrast of going to church and kissing the cross with worshipping Satan and Baphomet (a symbol associated with Satanism) indicates that the singer has chosen the latter. They assert that they have given their soul to Satan and admonish Christians to watch their blasphemy.

The chorus describes a growing struggle between the two opposing forces, indicating that only time will determine who will be the victor. The verses suggest that the singer has embraced their role as a follower of Satan, embracing their empowerment and declaring that Christians will never see the light.

Overall, the song's lyrics seem intended to shock listeners and challenge their beliefs, using religious and mythological imagery to create a sense of tension and conflict.

Line by Line Meaning

You go to the church, kiss the cross
You attend church, showing your respect through kissing the cross

You worship Satan, Baphomet is your boss
You pay homage to Satan, considering Baphomet as your superior

Gave your soul to Christianity
You pledged your soul to Christianity

Watch your mouth and stop your blasphemy
Be cautious with your words, restrain from blasphemy

Born to be crucified
You are meant to be crucified

Your evil demon will never see the light
Your evil spirit will never find salvation

You Christian coward, listen to you pray
You cowardly Christian, listen to your own prayers

You're blinded by Satan, you chose the wrong way
Satan has blinded you, you went down the wrong path

Waking up in a horror fright
Waking up in terror and fright

I know I'll never win this fight
You know you cannot win this battle

I feel empowered by Satan at my side
You feel empowered with Satan by your side