10 Disturbing Songs That Reference Cults | Playlist

10 Disturbing Songs That Reference Cults features songs referencing The Family, Heaven’s Gate, The Narcosatanists, and Peoples Temple among others.

“39, by design / Did they beam you up into the lights in the sky?” The lyric is excerpted from “39 by Design”, a record by self-described Tragic Wave / Music Core ‘inter-dimensional platform,’ Drab Majesty. The song references the infamous UFO doomsday cult, Heaven’s Gate (more on them later). The main definition of a cult is “a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious.” While there are other definitions, in the context of this playlist, that’s the best definition.

While The Onion may make light of cults, there’s nothing the least bit funny or lighthearted about them. 10 Disturbing Songs That Reference Cults features songs related to Adolfo Constanzo (The Narcosatanists), Charles Manson (The Family), David Berg (Family International), David Koresh (Branch Davidians), and Jim Jones (Peoples Temple).

1. Buzzcocks, “Orgasm Addict”

Singles Going Steady • Domino • 2017 (1979)

Cult: Family International (Children of God) 

“Well you tried it just for once / Found it alright for kicks / But now you found out / That it’s a habit that sticks.” Oh boy… English rock band Buzzcocks opt for sexual matters on “Orgasm Addict,” a song that perfectly captures the power of sex-drive, graduating from ‘solo performances’ to ‘doing it any and everywhere with everybody.’  What does that have to do with a cult? There seems to be a reference to the infamous, sexually-driven cult, Family International, which was formerly known as Children of God.  The specific passage where the cult is referenced comes in the context of various sexual experiences because, well, the teenage boy is “an orgasm addict.”

“Butcher’s assistants and bellhops

You’ve had ‘em all here and there

Children of God and their joy strings

International women with no body hair.”

The question is, is the reference coincidental and potentially a stretch? Possibly, but regardless of original intent, the aforementioned lyric definitely makes the controversial number that much more intriguing. Family International is an infamous sex cut, specifically for a its history of pedophilia, incestuous sexual activity, “sexual sharing”, and “flirty fishing”. Yeah, Buzzcocks probably didn’t have all that in mind, but, just like their risqué song, sex fueled Children of God.

2. Pitbull, “So Sorry”

Gotti (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • Sony • 2018

Cult: Branch Davidians 

“If the Bible is true, then I’m Christ”. Those are the words of the infamous David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas.  The Branch Davidians ended up being the perfect example of ‘religion’ gone totally wrong – a full-fledged, apocalyptic cult. Koresh basically led his followers to their eventual death, through a poorly executed government siege may have literally added “fuel to the fire.” 

“I’m here now, alive in the flesh

Burning shit down like David Koresh

Except I’mma walk out and wave bye to the press

Yes, you heard me correct.”

The most popular way to reference to the infamous cult of Branch Davidians, their Messianic leader, David Koresh, and the city, Waco, is the burning (conflagration) of Mount Caramel Center.  Infamously, 76 people died, including Koresh. As touched upon in the introduction, there is a debate as to whether Koresh or The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms were ultimately responsible for the incident. Pitbull, who takes on a messianic role in the excerpted lyrics suggests he is immortal, walking out of the fire he started.

3. Saint Motel, “1997”

Voyeur • OnThe • 2012

Cult: Heaven’s Gate

“Well, I’ve made so many new friends / With open arms they let me in / They say they’ll be with me till the end / They say they’ll stick through thick and thin / It’s gonna happen, in 1997.” What’s going down in 1997, rather, what happened in 1997 in the context of the Saint Motel song, “1997”? Well, that’s when the infamous, weird-ass, UFO/doomsday Heaven’s Gate cult, led by the utterly insane Marshall Applewhite, formed a suicide pact resulting in 39 deaths on March 24-26, 1997.  Sure, it was a far cry from the 918 deaths that came as a result of the horrors of Jim Jones and Jonestown, thankfully, but Heaven’s Gate was definitely another example of religious fanaticism gone totally wrong.  NY Daily News article claims the 39 corpses “were precisely staged – ‘Star Trek’ meets ‘Doomsday Preppers’”.

Honestly, if you’ve seen video clips of Applewhite ‘preaching’ or whatever he called himself doing, you’ll know that the dude was totally ‘off his rocker.’  How does a former music professor and the son of a Presbyterian minister become so crazy?  There’s lots of layers, but, one of the quirks of the cult, beyond the mass suicide coinciding with the Hale-Bopp Comet, was male castration – ouch.  Sexuality played a factor.

In an interview with Song Facts, frontman A/J Jackson provides the scoop on “1997” –  it’s “based around the idea of the Heaven’s Gate cult… it is pretty morose and it is talking about the end. But it’s also talking about people this character met, as some of the best friends he’s ever had… And in a way, that’s not such a bad thing, even though it is a cult and it ended badly.” Friendship is important, but Heaven’s Gate definitely isn’t an optimal example of true friendship.

4. Lana Del Rey, “Freak”

Honeymoon • Interscope • 2015

Cult: Charles Manson & The Family

“You’re cold as ice, baby / But when you’re nice, baby / You’re so amazing in every way.” Infamous cult leader and mass murderer Charles Manson was incarcerated for five decades prior to his death at age 83 on November 19, 2017.  Since influencing his followers, The Family, to commit utterly brutal murders in 1969, including actress Sharon Tate, his influence within pop culture has run rampant.  Manson has made a name for himself…albeit negative to the nth degree.  Hmm, interesting how his “dash” is defined…

Anytime Lana Del Rey gets into the mix, there’s always dark, mysterious, and strange beauty. “Freak,” from her 2015 album, Honeymoon, is no different.

“Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California

Be a freak like me, too

Screw your anonymity, loving me is all you need

To feel like I do

We could slow dance to rock music, kiss while we do it

Talk ‘til we both turn blue

Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California

Be a freak like me, too.”

It should be noted that the song itself isn’t specific to Manson. However, the music video, featuring Father John Misty, brings in a cultish element.  Coupled with the lyrics – particularly the “slow dance to rock music” – there’s the sense that Misty plays a Manson-inspired character.   Del Rey gets some Jim Jones influence in as well, specifically the infamous “Kool aid,” which was actually Flavor-aid.

5. Deicide, “Carnage in the Temple of the Damned”

Deicide • Roadrunner • 1990

Cult: Jim Jones, Jonestown & The Peoples Temple

“Sacramental ceremony / People’s temple of the holy / Sepulcher for salvation / Suicidal confirmation.” “Carnage in the Temple of the Damned” commences with the audio excerpts of delusional cult leader, mass suicide proponent (considered a mass murderer by many), Jim Jones. Jim Jones commanded his flock to what he characterized as “revolutionary suicide.” It’s a chilling start to a dark, unsettling joint by American death metal band, Deicide.

“Forgive me father for I have sinned

You will never sin again!”

Naturally, “Carnage in the Temple of the Damned” features ample religious references, coupled with utterly hellish vocals, gritty guitars, and sense of being damned for merely listening to the carnage.

“When we meet again it will be the promised land

Death is in command to the victims of the plan…

Carnage of the dead

Mass cremations of the blessed

Sermonizing fatal end

In the temple of the damned.”

6. Church of Misery, “El Padrino (Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo)”

Houses of the Unholy • Rise Above / Metal Blade • 2009

Cult: The Narcosatanists (Los Narcosatánicos) / Adolfo Constanzo

Japanese doom metal band Church of Misery have appeared on multiple playlists centered around the deviants of societies – serial killers, mass murderers, and cult leaders.  Back again in hellish form, they provide the twisted soundtrack to one of the most twisted individuals to ever walk the face of the earth, Cuban-American serial killer and cult leader, Adolfo Constanzo. Biography.com summarizes his claim to infamy simply: He was “a serial killer in the 1980s, whose religious cult [The Narcosatanists or Los Narcosatánicos in Spanish] performed ritual murders.  He evaded police until his 1989 assisted suicide.” Wow.  In the headline of his article penned in 1989 for Rolling Stone, Guy Garcia writes, “They thought their rituals of human sacrifice would make them invincible.  In the end, a much stronger force prevailed.”

As with all serial killers/cult leaders, Constanzo was one HELL of a complex guy – emphasis on the hell part of course.  Keeping the explanation basic, he’s an example of a religious fanatic who became empowered, utterly narcissistic, and brutally murdered.  This included the most famous murder of the bunch, college student Mark Kilroy, who is referenced by the news report at the beginning of “El Padrino (Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo).” After setting up the premise of the song, the pure evil is experienced through biting, distorted, and most undecipherable vocals, and angular, jagged, and malicious sounding guitars.  Clearly, the satanic nature of Constanzo and his cult is well represented musically, even if it doesn’t come close to the horrific nature of the real-life events.

7. Portugal. The Man, “Modern Jesus”

Evil Friends • Atlantic • 2013

Cult: Heaven’s Gate

“And when the wave approaches / Take our ashes to the ocean / Who cares if Hell awaits? / Were having drinks at Heaven’s Gate.” The drinks that Portugal. The Man references on “Modern Jesus” in relation to doomsday cult Heaven’s Gate weren’t beers to say the least, let alone communion wine.  No, these drinks were fatal – “phenobarbital, alcohol, and hydrocodone, probably consumed with apple sauce or pudding” according to Rolling Stone.  Clearly, the alternative band cites an extreme example while being skeptical of religion and emphasizing self-belief.

“Don’t pray for us

We don’t need no modern Jesus

To roll with us

The only rule we need is never

Giving up

The only faith we have is faith in us.”

8. Ill Bill & Vinnie Paz, “Impaled Nazarene”

Heavy Metal Kings • Enemy Soil / Uncle Howie • 2011

Cult: Branch Davidians

“Front to back he recited the Bible, word for holy word / Passion of the Christ on arrival / The Branch Davidians took him in then he took ‘em over / Claiming the name of David from the book of Jehovah / You’d have thought that he’s from Brooklyn how he had it all sewn up / Till the ATF had him blown up out in Waco.” – Ill Bill

Ill Bill give in depth rhymes on the infamous Branch Davidians leader David Koresh on the thrilling “Impaled Nazarene.” Vernon Wayne Howell was indeed a Biblical fanatic, who eventually changed his name to David Koresh.  Ill Bill notably places blame on The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms for the tragic, deadly fire at the Mount Caramel Center. A sample of Koresh appears at the end of the record.  All told, the 51-day standoff at the compound ended with 75 dead.

9. Pantera, “Message in Blood”

Cowboys from Hell • Atlantic • 1990

Cult: Charles Manson & The Family

“I just summon power within my soul / It has given me life, beyond life I take / Blame for my murderous problem my signature / Always reminds.” Somehow, the Pantera classic, “Message in Blood” was omitted from my 8 Chilling Songs About Charles Manson but hey, there were only eight songs… Furthermore, the gem appears on the band’s renowned Cowboys from Hell, released in 1990. The jagged “Message in Bloods” comes from the delusional, twisted perspective of Charles Manson, amplified by wild, idiosyncratic vocals by frontman Phil Anselmo. On the chorus he sings:

“It’s a message in blood

It’s your cryptic warning

Within the message in blood

Marks the years of pain

And your godforsaken ending to life.”

The lyrics of the second verse are as coarse in nature as the aforementioned angular, distorted guitars. “One man’s misery is another man’s mystery” is brilliant, dark poetry.  But the final lyrics ‘take the cake’: “Sticks and stones can break all your / Brittle bones, epitaph written at your feet.” Naturally, the song title, “Message in Blood,” references actual messages written in victims’ blood following their murder by members of The Family.

10. Accept, “Koolaid”

Rise of Chaos • Nuclear Blast • 2017

Cult: Jim Jones, Jonestown & The Peoples Temple

Veteran German metal collective Accept dropped a gem with “Koolaid,” appearing on their 2017 album, Rise of Chaos. This particular record focuses on the horrid happenings at The Peoples Temple in Jonestown, the infamous socialist cult led by Jim Jones.  Here, vocalist Mike Tornillo takes on the character of an ex-member to portray the horrors.

“Running through the jungle

Way back in ‘78

Here’s the story of the Peoples Temple

And my great escape

Communing with a madman

The promise of utopia

White nights, suicide drills

Shades of things to come.”

The ‘White Nights’ and ‘suicide drills’ referenced by Accept were among the most fascinating parts of an excellent book that depicts the cult in depth, The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple written by Jeff Guinn.

Returning to the song, the infamous mass suicide comes to head on the pre-chorus, which is varied throughout, but fundamentally the same.

“He [Jim Jones] said

We’re gonna mix it up

Add the cyanide

Then we’ll drink it up

You’re gonna feel so fine.”

Tornillo and Accept discourage partaking of this communion, while in the same token, seem to be making an argument about church and religion in general.  It certainly isn’t the first instance of skepticism.  In the case of Jim Jones and Jonestown, they definitely have a point.

“Don’t drink the Koolaid

Don’t taste the holy water

Don’t drink the Koolaid

No matter what the preacher says.”

As referenced earlier, the drink that the cyanide was mixed in wasn’t actually Koolaid but Flavor-Aid. According to Guinn, Kool-Aid was the more sensational headline for the media.

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Domino, Enemy Soil / Uncle Howie, Interscope, Metal Blade, Nuclear Blast, OnThe, Rise Above, Sony, The All Blacks B.V.