The Melvins are a sludge metal band that formed in Montesano, Washington, U… Read Full Bio ↴The Melvins are a sludge metal band that formed in Montesano, Washington, United States in 1983. The band currently consists of Buzz Osborne (vocals, guitar), Steven Shane McDonald (bass), and Dale Crover (drums). Osborne is the only remaining original member, although Crover has been a member since early in the band's career.

In the early days of their career their dark, heavy, oppressively slow sound made them innovators of genres like sludge, grunge, and doom metal. The Melvins' music is influenced by Flipper, Black Flag's My War-era hardcore punk and Black Sabbath-style heavy metal, but their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. Singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover are constant members while several bass guitarists have cycled through the group. The Melvins usually performed as a trio until 2006 when two members of Big Business became permanent members of the band.

The band was named after a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne was employed. Melvin was the most-hated fellow employee and the band felt it to be an appropriate name. Like SF noisenik predecessors Flipper, their love of slow tempos and sludgy sound were a strong influence on grunge music, especially Nirvana and many other bands from Seattle. Their protegés, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound.

Though the group has received mostly positive critical notice, Crover's drumming has been especially praised; Patrick Kennedy describes his work as "astonishing, powerful, and daring."

While never finding and most likely never even seeking great mainstream success, the Melvins maintain an impressive schedule of new albums and tours, including a collaboration with Fantômas in The Fantômas Melvins Big Band, two releases with former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, and in 2004 the Melvins collaborated with ambient artist Lustmord for Pigs of the Roman Empire. In appreciation of their devoted fans, the Melvins have released various collectables through the years that have included two-headed dolls, an eight-track tape, and a plastic fetus in a jar.

Fellow Aberdeen resident Kurt Cobain (a good friend of Crover) was a huge Melvins fan and helped them transport their equipment to a few shows. Cobain also auditioned to join the band on bass, but he didn't make it, reportedly because he was so nervous that he forgot all the songs. Cobain maintained his relation with the band. Later he produced and played on some songs (guitar on "Sky Pup", percussion on "Spread Eagle Beagle") on the band's major label debut, Houdini. Dale Crover is also attributed as playing on the Nirvana debut album, Bleach, and on "Incesticide". In addition, Dave Grohl (ex-drummer for Nirvana) co-wrote and played drums for Isabella on Buzzo's Melvins solo album, King Buzzo.

God Of Thunder
Melvins Lyrics

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GOD OF THUNDER
(Kiss)

You've got something about you
You've got something I need
Daughter of Aphrodite
Hear my words and take heed

I was born on Olympus
To my father a son
I was raised by the demons
Trained to reign as the one

God of thunder and rock and roll
The spell you're under
Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul

I'm the lord of the wastelands
A modern day man of steel
I gather darkness to please me

And I command you to kneel
Before the

Overall Meaning

God of thunder

The opening lines of "God of Thunder" suggest a power dynamic, with the singer acknowledging the allure of the person they are addressing. The lines "Daughter of Aphrodite / Hear my words and take heed" suggest that the person addressed is a goddess or at least has divine qualities.

However, the focus quickly shifts to the singer's own identity. They claim to have been born on Olympus, and to have been raised by demons. This creates a sense of ambiguity -- is the singer a god, a demon, or something in between?

The chorus of the song asserts the singer's identity as the "God of thunder and rock and roll." This title suggests an unparalleled power and energy, but the second half of the chorus introduces a darker element. The spell of the God of Thunder will "slowly rob you of your virgin soul." Here, virginity is not just a state of sexual experience or lack thereof, but a symbol of innocence and purity. The implication is that the God of Thunder will corrupt those who come under their power.

Overall, "God of Thunder" is a song that explores themes of power, identity, and corruption. The singer is both alluring and dangerous, and the lyrics suggest a seductive force that is ultimately corruptive.

Line by Line Meaning

You've got something about you
There's something alluring about you

You've got something I need
There's something you possess that I desire

Daughter of Aphrodite
Referring to the subject of the song, implying they are a goddess of love and beauty

Hear my words and take heed
Listen to me and follow my instructions

I was born on Olympus
Claiming a divine origin, offsprung from the gods of Greek mythology

To my father a son
Son of a god

I was raised by the demons
Raised in a dark, sinister environment

Trained to reign as the one
Raised to become the ruler, leader or dominator

God of thunder and rock and roll
Self-proclaimed deity of the type of music called rock and roll

The spell you're under
The captivating, hypnotizing effect that I have on you

Will slowly rob you of your virgin soul
My influence will gradually corrupt and steal away your innocence