Angel of Death | 3BOPS

1. Manchester Orchestra, “Angel of Death”

💿 The Million Masks of God • 🏷 Loma Vista • 📅 2021

On 💿 The Million Masks of God, Atlanta, Georgia alt rock band 🎙 Manchester Orchestra deliver one of the most accomplished albums of 2021. Among key themes on The Million Masks of God are life and death.  One of the very best songs from this ultra-consistent LP is 🎵 “Angel of Death,” a nearly six-minute record.

The second track from The Million Masks of God continues to the conceptual nature of the album.  The music sounds utterly awesome with the robust bass, ripe guitars, and of course, beautiful, and commanding vocals by front man 🎙 Andy Hull. “I was told it wouldn’t be long / ‘Life’s a basket full of cravings’,” he sings on the second verse, as mortality drives the narrative.  On the epic, powerful chorus, he asserts, “I’m on fire / And the guilt’s doing all of the thinking / I’m alive / But it isn’t the same as before.”  Definitely a record that tickles one’s fancy despite its darker theme.

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 ‘A’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

2. Hozier, “Angel of Small Death & The Codeine Scene”

💿 Hozier • 🏷 Columbia• 📅 2014

“I watched the work of my kin, bold and boyful / Toying somewhere between love and abuse.” In 2014, 🏆 Grammy-nominated Irish singer/songwriter 🎙 Hozier won fans over with no. 2 Billboard Hot 100 hit, 🎵 “Take Me to Church”. “Take Me to Church” is his ‘ace-in-the-hole’ without question. That said, his 💿 self-titled debut has even more firepower, including the song at hand, 🎵 “Angel of Small Death & The Codeine Scene.”

The title “Angel of Small Death & The Codeine Scene” may not roll off the tongue with ease, but it’s a terrific record, nonetheless.  There’s an ear catching sound and aesthetic.  “Angel of Death” has some influence from the folk-rock from the 1960s music. Lyrically, Hozier references love and sex – two of everyone’s favorite topics, right?  “Feeing more human and hooked on her flesh,” he sings on the second verse, continuing, “Lay my heart down with the rest at her feet.” Even so, the handsome, long-haired Irishman also ties in drug/substance addiction.  That, my friends, is where that codeine scene comes into the picture.

“With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean
She’s the angel of small death and the codeine scene.”

What about the “small death”?  Well, that’s mostly sexual, as in orgasm. Also, worth noting, there is a website entitled Beautiful Agony… or so I’m told 🤷😏🍆💦.

3. Slayer, “Angel of Death”

💿 Reign in Blood • 🏷 American Recordings • 📅 1986

“Auschwitz, the meaning of pain / The way that I want you to die / Slow death, immense decay / Showers that cleanse you of your life.” 🎙 Slayer is both famous and infamous depending on where you stand. The themes covered in their music – serial killers, religious skepticism, and Satanism – aren’t for the ‘faint of heart.’ 🎵 “Angel of Death” serves as the up-tempo opener from their renowned, controversial 1986 album, 💿 Reign in Blood. Slayer tackles Joseph Mengele, an infamous doctor at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, known for his “inhumane medical experimentation upon the prisoners”.

“Sadistic, surgeon of demise / Sadist of the noblest blood / Destroying, without mercy / To benefit the Aryan race.” It doesn’t end there, folks!

“Surgery, with no anesthesia
Feel the knife pierce you intensely
Inferior, no use to mankind
Strapped down screaming out to die.”

Fans of FX anthology series 📺 American Horror Story may not have realized that character Dr. Arthur Arden (played by 🎭 James Cromwell on season two, Asylum) was based on Mengele. “Angel of Death” was the nickname for the twisted doctor/murderer.  Listen to this record and read through the lyrics, and there’s no way this couldn’t be controversial.

“Pumped with fluid, inside your brain
Pressure in your skull begins pushing through your eyes
Burning flesh, drips away
Test of heat burns your skin; your mind starts to boil.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 😈🎶 Slayer, “Angel of Death”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 28