Fear of God was formed in Los Angeles in 1991 by members of Detente, a thrash metal band in Los Angeles. The band which was later disbanded in 1996 had an ever-changing lineup. Some members stayed only for a few months before leaving the band.
The short-lived band featured vocalist Dawn Crosby, Michael Carlino, and drummer Rob Hunter. Hunter left some months after and the first real lineup of Fear of God was formed. The lineup consisted of bassist Blaire Darby, vocalist Dawn Crosby, Steve Cordova, and guitarist Michael Carlino. With this lineup, the band released its debut album “Within the Veil” under the Warner Bros record label.
Drummer Brendan Etter and Bassist Jason Levin replaced Cordova and Darby in 1992 and the new duo brought a musical spark to the band which thrilled Warner Bros. This also motivated the label to create an opportunity for the band to release a follow-up song which was not successful because of Crosby’s failed health.
An entirely different lineup together with Crosby who was still pushing for the band’s survival recorded the second album in 1994. However, after the departure of Carlino from the band, record labels were no longer willing to partner with the band and this left the band with no future followed by the untimely death of Crosby in 1996.
With the name “Fear of God”, fans are still wondering if the band had any affiliations with religion. The question of whether the band is a Christian band keeps coming up. An analysis of the song lyrics and themes, as well as comments from band members, will answer the question: Is Fear of God a Christian Band?
Is Fear of God a Religious Band?
Religious music is a type of music that is composed through religious influences. This type of music varies based on culture and takes different forms as well. The style of the music might also vary based on religion.
Fear of God never had a steady lineup and because of the continuous rotation of the band’s members, not much information was gathered about the members. The only member that lasted for the 5 years of the band’s existence was Dawn Crosby and not much was known about her religious background.
Since some members of the band lasted for just a few months, there were no opportunities for public interviews and after they departed from Fear of God, nothing was heard from some of them again. The only long-standing member of the band, Crosby never made any revelations about her religion. She did not associate with any religion and even if she did, it was not made public.
The band, within its short and chaotic period of existence, was not linked to any religious organization but notwithstanding, we found some of their songs with deep spiritual meanings. Apart from the band’s name saying a lot about religion, lyrics from some of their songs also contain religious terms and messages.
Here are some songs that contain religious messages by Fear of God.
The song “Mercy” from Toxic Voodoo album released in 1994, portrays the songwriter asking God to send his wrath on her. In a Christian religious setting, this could be interpreted to mean that God is a merciful father and despite our sins or faults, he does not punish us but rather gives us time to repent and come back to him. The songwriter says that she deserves any punishment God will give to her but it seems no punishment is coming forth, leading her to ask “Holy God, have you mercy? Here are the lyrics below:
“A whore before, So punish me
I deserve it
Come on down and bring the wrath…….
….I gave into the pleasure, with spirits I danced
I gave in the pleasure
Now I’m gone
Holy God, have you mercy?
I deserve it
Bring it now and show the path
Gave into the pleasure, some spirits lay dead
Gave into the pleasure
Now I’m gone!
In the lyrics below from “Santismo” by Fear of God, the songwriter describes the devil as who he is known to be. The devil, also known as Satan and the central figure of Satanism, has been regarded as the perpetrator of all evil in the world. In the song, the songwriters have passed a deep spiritual message that the devil is out to kill and destroy.
“Who takes you over
Over and over
The sacrifice in vain
The demon feels no hunger
Til he smells the blood in your veins”
In “Cloud Chamber” by Fear of God, the lyrics of the song contain deep spiritual messages. Listeners can choose to give different interpretations to this song but for us, these lines portray someone in anxiety who is afraid to scream because the devil might be the only one available to hold him or her. The songwriter further adds that he/she does not subscribe to religion, salvation, or redemption because nothing matters. Below are the lyrics:
“Even now
When I’m alone
I’d scream but I’m afraid…I’m afraid…
Only devil’s arms to hold me
They seem an ocean wide
Can’t you hear me?
Don’t you know that I’m sinking?
As the cloud chamber starts to rise
Your love’s in vain When it comes down……
Give us complete surrender
Your love’s in vain
Cloud chambers in my eyes
No religion, No salvation, No redemption
Cause nothing matters”
What kind of Music Band is Fear of God?
Fear of God was an American heavy metal and thrash metal band. Heavy metal is a popular music genre that was developed in the late 1960s in the United States and the United Kingdom. A heavy metal band develops thick monumental sounds that are usually characterized by distorted guitars, loudness, and emphatic beats.
Thrash metal on the other hand is a subgenre of heavy metal, characterized by fast tempo, low guitar riffs and aggressiveness. The lyrical compositions of songs by thrash metal bands like Fear of God are basically criticisms of Christian dogma and bad governance and concerns over environmental destruction.
For Fear of God, their unique sound is usually embedded with dark themes that give listeners an eerie feeling. The songs are laced around themes like; death, addiction, breakup, emotions, darkness, pain, mischief, hostility, anger, religion, and fear amongst others.
Within the short period of existence, the band was celebrated for its avant-garde sound and was able to release two full albums before the death of Crosby which ended the band. The first album “Within the Veil” was released in 1991 while “Toxic Voodoo” was released in 1994. Both albums were absolute masterpieces that attracted fans to the band which unfortunately did not last for long.
Is Fear of God a Christian Band?
Christianity is a term used to describe a religion that is based on the teachings, beliefs, and practices of Jesus Christ. True Christians believe in the pillars, teachings, and ideals of Christianity which are usually reflected in their lifestyles and practices.
To be labeled a Christian band, such a band must publicly identify itself as a “Christian band” and have members who have admitted to being Christians. This should also be reflected in their lifestyles. A Christian band must produce songs that can be classified as contemporary Christian songs, gospel songs, or any other category of Christian music.
Songs from a Christian band must contain biblical references, Christian themes, and messages. From the band’s name “Fear of God” we noticed some faith-based messages the band tried to send across. We also noticed that a few songs released by the band contain some Christianity terms and messages. However, we don’t label Fear of God a Christian band because no member of the band has been identified as a Christian or has the band labeled itself a Christian band.
Songs by the band were not intended to share Christian messages with Christians, rather they were meant to share personal experiences, address the philosophies of life, and different challenges, and relate with people going through similar experiences.
Fear of God Christian Songs
Songs by Fear of God are not qualified to be labeled Christian songs because none of the songs meet the requirements to be categorized as Christian music. As such, Fear of God has no Christian songs.
Is Fear of God a Satanic Band?
Though some songs by Fear of God contain dark themes, we can’t label the band a Satanic band. Songs and videos from a Satanic band glorify the devil, promote demon worship and reflect other Satanic practices. Since we did not notice most of the features listed above and the band has not affirmed any affiliations with Satanism, Fear of God is not a Satanic band.
Wrapping Up
The defunct Fear of God wasn’t in the music scene for long, however, the band was able to establish its presence within a short period. The band’s songs contain diverse and complex themes that could be interpreted differently by listeners. Since the band members did not label the band “a Christian band” and most of their songs do not contain biblical references or Christian themes, we don’t see Fear of God as a Christian band.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!