The two main influences on the band are the Beatles and Black Sabbath, and keyboardist Josh Silver has expressed a love of Pink Floyd--evidence of which can be heard in the atmospherics of his production techniques.
The band arose from the ashes of the band Carnivore and gained popularity with their songs "Black No. 1" and "Christian Woman" from the Bloody Kisses album. The album was the first in Roadrunner Records' catalog to go both gold and platinum. They have successfully toured with Pantera, Life of Agony, and dozens of other established and up-and-coming bands, as well as taking part in Ozzfest. The band had VHS and DVD documentary releases in addition to their CD releases and contributions to movie soundtracks and compilations.
Steele died of sepsis caused by diverticulitis (initially reported as heart failure) on April 14 2010 at the age of 48.
Singles and video-featured songs
Black No. 1 - 1993
Christian Woman - 1993
Cinnamon Girl - 1996
Everyone I Love Is Dead - 1999
Everything Dies - 1999
I Don't Wanna Be Me - 2003
Love You to Death - 1996
My Girlfriend's Girlfriend - 1996
Profits of Doom - 2007
September Sun - 2007
Summer Breeze - 1993
Discography
Slow, Deep and Hard - 1991
Origin of The Feces - 1992
Bloody Kisses - 1993
October Rust- 1996
World Coming Down - 1999
Life Is Killing Me - 2003
Dead Again - 2007
Members
Peter Steele - Vocals, bass guitar and songwriting (1990-2010)
Josh Silver - Keyboards (1990-2010)
Kenny Hickey - Guitar and backing vocals (1990-2010)
Johnny Kelly - Drums (1994-2010)
Sal Abruscato - Drums (1990-1993)
These Three Things
Type O Negative Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no question it's infanticide
I'm guilty so therefore condemned
Destroying angels must come to an end
Now in Limbo deprived of paradise not so nice
At the end I'll escort you to hell
The dark one's forces lock your flaming cell
The worst sin you've ever performed
There are two other things I must tell know them well
With due respect hear these words of caution
If considering and abortion
If you did boiling sulphur
To which I will not concur
Leading to a path of misfortune no one won
Of a land, land that shuns the son
So alien call it area 5-1
Should there be failure to convert Zion?
What came as a lamb returning as a lion
Not a nation but a self proclaimed state
Since the year of our Lord 1-9-4-8
The road to redemption leads to through deserts
Rocky though the trip through is well worth it
I am the duel of the fisherman Simon
He brought alpha, omega, yes I'm the one
The twins fell beginning Armageddon
So the whore too who dwelleth in Babylon
All his people gathered round - through forgiveness salvation found
The lyrics of Type O Negative's song "These Three Things" delve into controversial topics with a dark and ominous tone. The first verse describes the act of infanticide, where a child is killed before being baptized. The singer of the song admits guilt, and suggests that the "destroying angels" responsible for punishing sinners will soon put an end to their actions. However, as a consequence of their offense, the singer realizes that they may not receive salvation in the afterlife and may be forced to linger in limbo.
The second verse is a warning against abortion. The singer acknowledges that while they may not agree with the choice, it is not their place to interfere. They do, however, warn of the potential consequences that may come with such a decision, specifically referring to boiling sulfur and "misfortune". The third verse discusses a land that rejects religion and the potential consequences that could come from such rejection. The singer wonders if Zion, a term commonly used to refer to the nation of Israel, will fail to convert, and what this could mean for the future. The final line of the song seems to suggest that redemption is possible, but only through forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
The child is torn from the womb unbaptised
An innocent life is taken even before given a chance
There's no question it's infanticide
The taking of young life is always wrong
I'm guilty so therefore condemned
Having a conscience only brings guilt and blame
Destroying angels must come to an end
Wrongdoing will eventually have its consequences
Now in Limbo deprived of paradise not so nice
Wrong choices lead to regret and loss of what could have been
At the end I'll escort you to hell
Revenge brings nothing but eternal damnation
The dark one's forces lock your flaming cell
Wrongful actions can only lead to eternal torment
To murder the one's unborn
The taking of innocent life is considered the gravest sin
The worst sin you've ever performed
Abortion is considered the most heinous sin
There are two other things I must tell know them well
There are more warnings that need consideration
With due respect hear these words of caution
Listen closely to words intended for your own protection
If considering and abortion
If you are thinking of this sin
If you did boiling sulphur
The torment is not worth the wrongdoing
To which I will not concur
I cannot agree to something that goes against what is right
Leading to a path of misfortune no one won
Sin only leads to destruction and pain
Of a land, land that shuns the son
A place that disowns or refuses the truth and light
So alien call it area 5-1
A place so unfamiliar and unrecognizable
Should there be failure to convert Zion?
Is there a possibility that people will refuse to see the truth?
What came as a lamb returning as a lion
A seemingly gentle appearance that will soon reveal true power
Not a nation but a self proclaimed state
A non-existing country that was established by an individual or group
Since the year of our Lord 1-9-4-8
This self-proclaimed state was established in 1948
The road to redemption leads to through deserts
The path to atonement is not an easy one
Rocky though the trip through is well worth it
Despite the hardships, the reward at the end is worth it
I am the duel of the fisherman Simon
Referring to the disciple Simon Peter in the Bible
He brought alpha, omega, yes I'm the one
The beginning and end, I am the one
The twins fell beginning Armageddon
The start of the end of the world
So the whore too who dwelleth in Babylon
The symbolic figure of evil also referred to as Babylon
All his people gathered round - through forgiveness salvation found
A hopeful message regarding the possibility of salvation through forgiveness
Contributed by Camilla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.