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.
Princess Of Hell
Holy Moses Lyrics
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There's nothing more for me to say
Into the pleasure of pure feeling
We all think the same, you look like me
I was the first, I am not the last
So face the dead, let's start it fast
Survive the mighty flash of thrash
Amps are roaring, power chords clash
Our razor blade edge, hammer the wizard
Double-bass pounds for the metal blizzard
Wring your ax to bomb the hall
Blood on my strings, until I fall
Princess of hell, give it to me
Princess of hell, it's my decay
Princess of hell, for your body to smell
Your escape from the earth
I open gates of hell
There's nothing more to tell
From below and not above
I give it to you, my love
I throw it up to spit out
I throw it up to spit it out
There's nothing more to tell
I give it to you, my love
I break your neck for my thoughts
There's nothing more to tell
From below and not above
I open gates of hell
Thunder roars from the crowd
I follow my advice without any kind of lies
I die to stay that way
Much more than I can say
I was young when it infected me
Amps are roaring, power chords clash
Our razor blade edge, hammer the wizard
Double-bass pounds for the metal blizzard
Wring your ax to bomb the hall
Blood on my my string, until I fall
Princess of hell, give it to me
Princess of hell, it's my decay
Princess of hell, for your body to smell
My life is fully insane
I will not leave it all behind
I bleed in my inner fuckin' wound
[Incomprehensible]
The song "Princess of Hell" by Holy Moses is a classic example of thrash metal style, with hard-hitting guitar riffs and pounding drum beats. The lyrics may seem straightforward at first, with the singer expressing their willingness to embrace the dark side and accept the inevitable. However, upon closer examination, the song seems to have a deeper meaning. The opening lines, "These lyrics are simple to understand / There's nothing more for me to say," may reflect the singer's disillusionment with the world and their desire to find a new, more meaningful life beyond. The repeated chorus of "Princess of Hell, give it to me / Princess of Hell, it's my decay / Princess of Hell, for your body to smell" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the attraction and allure of temptation, regardless of the consequences.
The verses feature some compelling imagery, including "double-bass pounds for the metal blizzard" and "wrink your ax to bomb the hall," which suggest that the singer could be a musician or performer, possibly using their art as a means of expressing their inner turmoil. The line "I was young when it infected me / Amps are roaring, power chords clash" hints at a backstory of the singer being drawn into the thrash metal subculture at a young age, and perhaps finding solace and belonging in this community of like-minded individuals. Overall, the lyrics of "Princess of Hell" are open to interpretation but seem to convey a message of embracing one's inner darkness and not being afraid to live life on one's own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
These lyrics are simple to understand
The following lyrics are straightforward to comprehend
There's nothing more for me to say
I have nothing else to add
Into the pleasure of pure feeling
Embrace the enjoyment of unadulterated sensation
We all think the same, you look like me
Our thoughts and appearances are virtually identical
I was the first, I am not the last
I pioneered this endeavor, but others will follow
So face the dead, let's start it fast
Confronting the deceased, let's begin expeditiously
Survive the mighty flash of thrash
Endure the intense burst of thrash music
Amps are roaring, power chords clash
Amplifiers are deafening while power chords collide
Our razor blade edge, hammer the wizard
Our sharp and precise playing defeats any opposition
Double-bass pounds for the metal blizzard
The double-bass drum supplies the percussion for the heavy metal frenzy
Wring your ax to bomb the hall
Use your guitar to annihilate the concert venue
Blood on my strings, until I fall
My guitar strings are stained with blood until I am defeated
Princess of hell, give it to me
Entrust me with the authority of the princess of hell
Princess of hell, it's my decay
The princess of hell represents my deterioration
Princess of hell, for your body to smell
May your body emit a foul odor in the presence of the princess of hell
Your escape from the earth
Your departure from Earth
I open gates of hell
I am the gatekeeper of Hell
There's nothing more to tell
I have revealed everything
From below and not above
From the depths of Hell instead of from above
I give it to you, my love
I pass it on to you with affection
I throw it up to spit out
I eject it to expel it from my body
I break your neck for my thoughts
I cause harm to you for my own beliefs
Thunder roars from the crowd
The audience responds with a deafening cheer
I follow my advice without any kind of lies
I comply with my own guidance with complete honesty
I die to stay that way
I will terminate my existence to preserve my identity
Much more than I can say
More than I can express
I was young when it infected me
I contracted this affliction in my youth
My life is fully insane
My life is entirely deranged
I will not leave it all behind
I refuse to abandon everything I have
I bleed in my inner fuckin' wound
I am in agony from my internal injury
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREAS CLASSEN, SABINA CLASSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind