Although the band first emerged with the 1993 demo ‘Immortal Death’ Maniac Butcher can trace their history as far back as 1988. The debuting line up comprised of vocalist Barbarud Hrom, guitarist Vlad Blasphemer, bassist Thomas and drummer Michael.
The 1994 session ‘The Incapable Carrion’ saw Thomas being superseded by Jorg on bass. Maniac Butcher had their 1996 ‘Black Hordes Of Saaz’ single shared with DARK STORM. Following the band’s debut full length album Jorg decamped.
Second album ‘Lucan- Antikrist’ saw the inclusion of second guitarist Lord Unclean. This outing included a rendition of MASTER'S HAMMER's 'Hell Abyss'. Line up troubles afflicted the band further when Michael left the fold, to found yet another uncompromising act AGMEN, followed by Lord Unclean. By this stage Maniac Butcher was down to the pairing of Vlad Blasphemer and Barbarud Hrom for the ‘Cerna Krev’ outing.
1999 had session players Ramus on guitar and Butcher on drums filling the vacant positions for a split album shared with INFERNO and SEZARBIL. A full length effort ‘Invaze’, which included a cover version of a track by the same name originally recorded by ASSESSOR, was also released the same year. Meantime the ‘Cerna Krev’ album was re-released on the Brazilian Mega Therion label with extra tracks and retitled ‘Sangue Negro’.
Maniac Butcher achieved quite a coup in 2000 when the esteemed Akhenaten of noted American Black Metal project JUDAS ISCARIOT was inducted into the band on bass. However, following European gigs that year the band announced they were to fold. Recordings from these dates would surface posthumously in March of 2003 as the 'Live In Germany' album through the From Beyond Productions label.
Both Blasphemer and Hrom also operate the side band NHAAVAH issuing the album ‘Kings Of Czech Black Metal’ and split a EP with KATHARSIS. Also in 2003 the Brazilian Mutilation label re-issued 'Barbarians' in limited vinyl formats and combined the two demos ' Immortal Death' and 'The Incapable Carrion' for CD release.
As a member of DETONATOR 666 Vlad Blasphemer, in the guitar role, released the album 'At The Dawn Of Sadistioc Infernal Holocaust' in April 2004. The Dutch label Displeased Records re-issued 'Live In Open Hell' on vinyl format in December of 2004.
In 2005 released a DVD entitled ' Dead But Live - '92-01' and in 2007 released a EP called 'The Beast / Dva tisice let' which the album cover was pianted by Quorthon of Bathory also it is the first studio album in nearly 7 years.
Catheclasm
Maniac Butcher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bloody cross
Dark season
Suffering...
Majestic churches
Sublime cathedrals
Pictures ot saints
Ornate altars
Priests - murders
Cathechism
Suffering...
Broken belief
Broken cross
Lucid era
Pagan's revenge
Churches in fire
Cathedrais in ruins
Burned ikons
Melted frames
Destroyed altars
Hanged priests
The lyrics of "Catheclasm" by Maniac Butcher are a scathing critique of organized religion and the oppression, violence, and suffering that have been perpetrated in its name throughout history. The opening lines refer to the bloody symbolism of the cross, which has been used to justify everything from the Crusades to the Inquisition to modern-day political violence. The "dark season" may be a reference to the winter solstice or to the metaphorical darkness of living under a regime of religious authoritarianism. The repeated mention of "suffering" ties together the themes of the song, reminding us that the price of religious dogma has always been paid in human misery.
The second verse contrasts the ostentatious trappings of religious institutions with the brutality of their actions. The "majestic churches" and "sublime cathedrals" serve as monuments to faith, but they are juxtaposed with the "ornate altars" where priests commit murder and the "pictures of saints" with their gold frames - perhaps an allusion to the idolatrous veneration of religious icons. The "cathechism" is a reference to the formal instruction in Catholic doctrine, but in this context, it is used to emphasize the indoctrination and brainwashing that is used to enforce religious conformity.
The final verse of the song is a declaration of defiance and rebellion against the forces of religious oppression. The "broken belief" and "broken cross" suggest that the singer has abandoned any faith in religious dogma or authority. The "lucid era" may be a reference to the Age of Enlightenment, a period of emergence from the darkness of religious fanaticism and superstition. The "pagan's revenge" is a call to arms for those who have suffered at the hands of religious zealots, a demand for justice and retribution. The final lines of the song describe a violent uprising against the symbols of religious power: churches and cathedrals burning, icons melting, altars destroyed, and priests hanged. The message of the song is clear: the time for subjugation and suffering is over, and the dawn of a new era of freedom and justice is at hand.
Line by Line Meaning
Enforced religion
Religion that is imposed on others without their consent
Bloody cross
The symbol of Christianity that represents Christ's sacrifice, but also reminds of the violence and bloodshed associated with it
Dark season
A figurative time of hardship, negativity, or pessimism
Suffering...
The result of the aforementioned elements, a state of mental, emotional or physical pain
Majestic churches
Grand and imposing religious buildings that embody the power and splendor of organized faith
Sublime cathedrals
Imposing and awe-inspiring places of worship, often associating with historic events and architectural marvels
Pictures of saints
Artistic representations of holy figures, meant to inspire devotion and respect
With gold frames
The use of the precious metal on religious artifacts, a sign of their value and importance
Ornate altars
Elaborate and decorated places where religious rituals are performed, meant to signify the sanctity and significance of the moment
Priests - murders
The sad reality that religious figures, supposed to uphold the values of peace and compassion, have been known to commit violent and heinous crimes
Cathechism
The teachings and principles of a particular religion or church, meant to guide and educate the faithful
Broken belief
A loss of faith or conviction, leading to feelings of disillusionment and despair
Broken cross
A disfigured or damaged symbol of religion, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the decline or corruption of faith
Lucid era
A period of clarity or enlightenment, which can also be interpreted as a rejection of traditional or dogmatic faith
Pagan's revenge
Retaliation by non-Christian religious groups against perceived oppression or persecution by the dominant faith
Churches in fire
A graphic and destructive image of religious structures being burned down, representing a violent rejection of Christianity
Cathedrais in ruins
The once-grand and holy edifices reduced to rubble, symbolizing the destruction of a dominant religious order
Burned ikons
Images of holy figures destroyed, signifying a violent rejection of the beliefs and practices they represent
Melted frames
The destruction of the ornate and jewel-encrusted borders surrounding the holy artwork, showing a total disregard for their perceived value and significance
Destroyed altars
The once-revered and respected platforms of worship reduced to rubble, symbolizing the end of a religious order
Hanged priests
The gruesome execution of religious figures, representing a complete rejection of the values and beliefs they uphold
Contributed by Kayla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.