Treponem Pal formed in France in 1986. Their first (Treponem Pal) and third (Excess & Overdrive) albums were produced by Franz Treichler (The Young Gods). Their second, Aggravation was produced by Roli Mosimann (Swans, Wiseblood). It was their third album, however, which was to prove most popular with fans. Live performances were notable due to their policy of employing two bass players which gave them a massive sound.
They maintained this style up until fourth album Higher, by which time the focus had shifted towards sampling and electronics, giving that album a more techno feel. Higher was produced by Sascha Konietzko from KMFDM.
The band then broke up, though vocalist Marco Neves and several other members formed a new band called Elephant System, which released one album produced by On-U Sound's Adrian Sherwood. This reflected Neves' longstanding interest in Jamaican and European dub as well as his work as a DJ and MC with the Dub Action Sound System and his involvement with the Hammerbass record label. Bass player Goran Juresic went in a more industrial dub direction with the band Lab° while drummer Didier Serbourdin formed the ultra-aggressive band Fast Forward which combined hardcore techno beats with powerful metal guitars.
Treponem Pal returned with a new album in March 2008, entitled Weird Machine. The album featured Ted Parsons (from Swans and Prong) on drums and Paul Raven (from Killing Joke, Ministry and Prong) on bass, though tragically Raven suffered heart failure and died while collaborating with the band on the French-Swiss border.[3] The album combined their earlier aggressive sound with more "rock" pieces as well as some "industrial ballads". The album was produced by David Weber and mastered by Maor Appelbaum.
The Prettiest Star
Treponem Pal Lyrics
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I make life and I make death
I'm the prettiest star yeah on the earth
I make hate and I make love
Some sperm is running out
From hands yeah hands and feet
I'm the prettiest star yeah on the earth
New b*****d yeah down on you
New Christ rising up
New Jesus down on you
Here comes yeah Jesus Christ down on you
Come to me pretty sisters
I'm the prettiest star yeah on the earth
The cross is my house
And c*** is my bread
I'm the god of gods
I'm the prettiest star yeah on the earth
The lyrics to Treponem Pal's song "The Prettiest Star" are full of intense and provocative images. The song begins with the lines "Here comes yeah Jesus Christ down on you / I make life and I make death," which instantly sets the tone for the rest of the song. The song seems to be about the power of creation and destruction, and how they are both embodied in the figure of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the song, the singer declares himself to be the "prettiest star" on earth, and talks about how he creates both hate and love. He also mentions "sperm" running from his hands and feet, which could be interpreted as a reference to stigmata. The chorus repeats the phrase "New Jesus rising up / New b*****d yeah down on you," which could imply that the singer is presenting himself as a new incarnation of Jesus Christ, but also acknowledges that this new version has a darker side.
The last few lines of the song are particularly striking: "The cross is my house / And c*** is my bread / I'm the god of gods / I'm the prettiest star yeah on the earth." Here, the singer is placing himself above all other gods and religious figures, and asserts that he is the ultimate authority. The use of profanity and sexual language adds to the provocative nature of the song, and makes it clear that the singer is not afraid to challenge orthodox beliefs and ideas.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes yeah Jesus Christ down on you
The singer is portraying themselves as a divine figure, akin to Jesus Christ, who is descending upon the listener.
I make life and I make death
The singer is claiming to have power over life and death, indicating a godlike status.
I'm the prettiest star yeah on the earth
The singer believes themselves to be the most beautiful and important figure on Earth.
I make hate and I make love
The singer claims to have control over intense emotions, possibly alluding to the human experience.
Some sperm is running out / From hands yeah hands and feet
This graphic imagery suggests bodily fluids are emanating from the singer's extremities, possibly indicating a mystical or supernatural power.
New Jesus rising up / New b*****d yeah down on you / New Christ rising up / New Jesus down on you
The repeated references to new versions of Jesus and Christ suggest an ever-changing, unpredictable deity in the eyes of the singer.
Come to me pretty sisters
The singer invites people, specifically women, to follow them and become their devoted followers.
The cross is my house / And c*** is my bread
The singer presents a blasphemous, vulgar take on religious iconography, indicating a desire to shock and provoke.
I'm the god of gods / I'm the prettiest star yeah on the earth
The singer affirms their belief in their divinity and superior status, claiming to even surpass other gods.
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.