House of Lords' eponymous debut was released in 1988, featuring a heavier sound than Giuffria with slightly less emphasis on keyboards, the debut received critical acclaim and the band toured with Cheap Trick and opened for Scorpions in 1989. The album featured one major hit, "I Wanna Be Loved" (Hot 100 #58). The Stan Bush penned "Love Don't Lie" was the second single but aside from some airplay on MTV it failed to ignite. Despite a successful tour, original guitarist Lanny Cordola left in 1990, replaced by Michael Guy.
Their next effort, 1990's Sahara, features Michael Guy and an impressive list of guest musicians. Other notable contributions to the album came from Doug Aldrich, Rick Nielsen, Chris Impellitteri, Mandy Meyer, David Glen Eisley, Robin Zander, Mike Tramp, Steve Plunkett and Ron Keel. The first single & video was the Blind Faith cover "Can't Find My Way Home" which did well on Album Rock radio peaking at #10.. The second single "Remember My Name" was a bigger hit at Top 40 radio hitting #72 on the Hot 100 and a Top 5 regular on DIAL MTV. Soon after the single peaked, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary (drummer) would leave.
1992's release Demons Down, described by Christian as his favorite release, features Dennis Chick (guitars), Sean McNabb (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums) as well as, sole original members, James Christian and Gregg Giuffria. The album spawned two singles for the title track and the ballad "What's forever for" which would have been massive in a pre-grunge climate. After recording demos to shop for a new label, the band parted ways.
From a business point of view, House of Lords never reached the same level of popularity that Giuffria did in the mid-eighties until Jeff Kent was called to pull the band out of its black hole at the Frontier Records, ready to drop the House of Lords after the bands disastrous ratings of "The Power And The Myth" CD. The sacking of original Giuffria vocalist David Glen Eisley by Gene Simmons was not the most clever decision, but accepted by Gregg Giuffria.
A new album was rumored to be released in 2002, with original members Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary. Two years later The Power And The Myth was released by Frontiers Records with lack luster ratings and songs, however Greg Giuffria had pulled out and keyboard work was done by guests Derek Sherinian, Allan Okuye, Sven Martin and Ricky Phillips.
In 2006 House of Lords released a truly new album with most all the melodies and lyrics written by Jeff Kent (formerly of Pierce Arrow, Dreams, CBS songwriter, MTM Songwriter, and Producer of countless songs and projects, including songs on Robin Beck's "Trouble or Nothin" CD, including the 20th Anniversary newly released version, her "Living on a Dream" CD lyrics written almost exclusively with Jeff Kent) and World Upside Down with a new lineup including Jeff Kent as a “full band member” pictured in his barrette on the CD cover as well as all over the inside jacket of credits. Jeff Kent also played all the Keyboard parts in spite of what their fans were told about Gregg Giuffria, who backed out at the last minute, but was paid for the use of his name and credits to keep the band’s continuity with their fans.
Soon to follow was a live album HOL released Live in the UK which was released in January 2007. To the band’s great pleasure, Melodicrock.com also included two of Jeff Kent's co-compositions on the double 20th Anniversary CD, regularly released by MELODICROCK.COM, the greatest authority on Heavy Melodic Rock music in the world today.
2008 was marked with the release of the long awaited next new studio album, where Jeff Kent was again solicited to write “all the lyrics and melodies” with the exception of one song on this new amazing CD. Even the title came from Jeff Kent's Lyric on the song “Come to My Kingdom”, used as the title of the entire CD Come to My Kingdom, which was again followed by a limited European, US tour. However, unfortunately, due to poor business decisions, this barely supported and promoted new album rated at 97% on Melodicrock.com's website. Jeff Kent's work on the World Upside Down CD raised the bar on Melodicrock.com to being rated at 96% after the bands poor effort on "The Power And The Myth." Recently, the band was asked to play for the first time in Brazil, together with White Lion and Tyketto (both for the first time in Brazil as well), in the Hard in Rio II Hard Rock Festival.
In 2009, the band plans to resume limited touring and continue the infamous Come to My Kingdom tour of Europe, starting in September 2009.
The Rapture
House of Lords Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sword of Allah covers the city
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
There's a den of thieves inside the temple
And they'll crucify for thirty shekels
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah...
Heroes, you know they don't come easy
Heroes, you know they don't come easy
Heroes, you know they don't come easy
Heroes!
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
"The Rapture" by House of Lords is a song that touches on themes like heroism, religion, and ultimate judgment. The opening lines of the song, "Heroes, you know they don't come easy, and the sword of Allah covers the city" already set the tone for what the rest of the song will discuss. The idea of a hero is often seen as an individual who performs an outstanding act that benefits their society, but they may not receive the recognition they deserve. The sword of Allah covering the city can be seen as an analogy for the protection of religion and culture.
The second set of lines are about the sacrifices that are often made in the name of greed and personal gain. The den of thieves inside the temple refers to a group of people who are corrupt and have turned sacred spaces into devious businesses. Crucify for thirty shekels references the Biblical story of Judas betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Ultimately, the song suggests that despite these negative forces at work in the world, there is still hope. The line "Open the sky, waiting for the rapture" is a reference to the Christian belief that at the end of days, Jesus will return to Earth and bring about justice.
Overall, "The Rapture" invites us to think about what it means to be a hero, how religion can be used for good or evil, and what might happen if we continue to act selfishly. It suggests that there is a way to rise above the negative forces in our world and encourages a sense of hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Heroes, you know they don't come easy
Being a hero is not an easy task, it requires a lot of hard work and effort.
And the sword of Allah covers the city
The power of the almighty is everywhere and it covers all corners of the city.
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
People are waiting for the end of the world, for the ultimate judgement day.
There's a den of thieves inside the temple
Even in a holy place, there could be people with bad intentions who would not hesitate to perform unethical actions.
And they'll crucify for thirty shekels
Money can make people do terrible things, and even betray those they're supposed to protect.
Heroes!
The singer is celebrating the heroes and the sacrifices they make for others.
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
This is just a repetition of sounds and does not have any particular meaning.
Open the sky, waiting for the rapture
Similar to a previous line, this one emphasizes on how people are eagerly waiting for the end of time.
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Again, this is just the repetition of sounds and does not connote any meaning.
Contributed by Madelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.