The original lineup was notable for having three guitars and no bass player, creating a distinctive, layered sound. Kimble Rendall left in 1982 before the release of their first single, Leilani, and went on to become a noted music video director. He was effectively replaced by bassist Clyde Bramley. Radalj was not happy with Rendall's departure or Faulkner's increasing influence, and left the band himself, to be replaced by one-time Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd. This line-up released the band's break-through first album, Stoneage Romeos, in 1984.
In 1998, the band officially split but reformed for occasional concerts in subsequent years. A full-fledged reunion came in 2004, when they released Mach Schau and began touring again. The band received another boost when Come Anytime (from 1989's Magnum Cum Louder) was used as the theme song to the Australian TV show Thank God You're Here.
Discography:
Stoneage Romeos (1984), Mars Needs Guitars! (1985), Blow Your Cool! (1987), Magnum Cum Louder (1989), Kinky (1991), Crank (1994), Blue Cave (1996), Mach Schau (2004), Purity of Essence (2010)
Compilations:
Electric Soup (1992), Gorilla Biscuit (1992), Electric Chair (1998), Armchair Gurus (1998), Bite The Bullet (1998), Ampology (2000)
JUDGEMENT DAY
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
esli zahochet, na gibel' poshlet,
miluet on, i on zhe kaznit,
no sut' ego vlasti vremya hranit...
On velik,
No kto by nibyl takoj
Znaet li, kto stoit za spinoj?
... V Sudnyj Den' - on ujdet na pokoj!
2. D'yavol gotovit svoj legion
Dumaya chto mirom pravit lish on:
Bitvy poslednej isxod predreshen,
Vlast' budet krepka ognem i mechom!
On velik,
No kto by nibyl takoj
Znaet li, kto stoit za spinoj?
Chustvuet, chto kto-to vodit rukoj?
... V Sudnyj Den' - on ujdet na pokoj!
3. Gde-to na nebe sidit Svetlyj Bog
... on nepuskaet v nebesnyj chertog!
Sladost' vsevlastiya v kupe s grehom
Slovo nel'zya skazat' v sue o nem!
On velik,
No kto by nibyl takoj
Znaet li, kto stoit za spinoj?
Chustvuet, chto kto-to vodit rukoj?
... V etot den'...
... Vse oni chast' ch'ej-to voli
(neizvestno, ch'ej!)
Den', kogda oni prozreyut, zovetsya Sudnym Dnem!
... Vse oni chast' ch'ej-to voli
(neizvestno, ch'ej!)
Den', kogda oni prozreyut, zovetsya Sudnym Dnem!
... Mozhet ran'she, mozhet pozzhe,
nastupit tvoj chered...
... Hochesh ty ili ne hochesh
no etot den' prijdet!
... V etot Den' uznaesh pravdu
o puti tvoem...
... Potomu tot den' zovetsya
Strashnym Sudnym Dnem!
The lyrics to Hoodoo Gurus' song "Judgement Day", although in Russian, seem to describe the power dynamics and consequences of those in positions of authority. The first verse speaks of a monarch who loves his people, but if he wishes, he can send them to their death, and he has the power to both show mercy and execute punishments. However, the essence of his power lies in time. The second verse talks about a devil who prepares his legion, believing himself to be the only ruler of the world. The outcome of the final battle is predetermined, and the power will be won by fire and sword. The third verse mentions a Bright God in heaven who will not allow entry to a celestial realm, a place of all power and sweet indulgence, to those with sin. The last line of each verse expresses a mood of uncertainty and doubt concerning who holds the real power and control over the situation. The final refrain warns that one day, everybody will face the reckoning for their actions, the "Judgement Day".
Overall, "Judgement Day" seems to describe the power and control dynamics at play in society, and how even those who hold power are ultimately subject to consequences and judgement. It reflects the human tendency to crave control and power, but at the same time, acknowledges that there are things beyond our control and that nobody can escape accountability for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Kazhdyj monarh lyubit svoj narod:
esli zahochet, na gibel' poshlet,
miluet on, i on zhe kaznit,
no sut' ego vlasti vremya hranit...
Every monarch loves his people. If he wants, he can lead them to death. He shows mercy, but he also punishes. However, the essence of his power is preserved through time.
On velik,
No kto by nibyl takoj
Znaet li, kto stoit za spinoj?
Chustvuet, chto kto-to vodit rukoj?
... V Sudnyj Den' - on ujdet na pokoj!
He is great, but who is truly behind him? He feels that someone is pulling the strings. In Judgement Day, he will leave to rest.
D'yavol gotovit svoj legion
Dumaya chto mirom pravit lish on:
Bitvy poslednej isxod predreshen,
Vlast' budet krepka ognem i mechom!
The devil is preparing his army, believing that he is the only one who can rule the world. The outcome of the final battle is predetermined, and his power will be strong with fire and sword!
Gde-to na nebe sidit Svetlyj Bog
... on nepuskaet v nebesnyj chertog!
Sladost' vsevlastiya v kupe s grehom
Slovo nel'zya skazat' v sue o nem!
Somewhere in heaven, the Bright God sits, not allowing entry to the heavenly realm. The pleasure of being almighty comes with sin. His name is unspeakable.
... Vse oni chast' ch'ej-to voli
(neizvestno, ch'ej!)
Den', kogda oni prozreyut, zovetsya Sudnym Dnem!
... Vse oni chast' ch'ej-to voli
(neizvestno, ch'ej!)
Den', kogda oni prozreyut, zovetsya Sudnym Dnem!
All of them are part of someone's will. (Unknown whose!) The day they become aware, it will be called Judgement Day. All of them are part of someone's will. (Unknown whose!) The day they become aware, it will be called Judgement Day.
... Mozhet ran'she, mozhet pozzhe,
nastupit tvoj chered...
... Hochesh ty ili ne hochesh
no etot den' prijdet!
... V etot Den' uznaesh pravdu
o puti tvoem...
... Potomu tot den' zovetsya
Strashnym Sudnym Dnem!
Maybe sooner, maybe later, it will be your turn. Whether you like it or not, this day will come. On that day, you will learn the truth about your path. That is why it is called the Dreaded Judgement Day!
Contributed by Liliana L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.