Death Where is Your Victory?

In this article, Josh James – a Christian Black Metal veteran, Christian and visionary – writes about the depiction of death in music and contrasts it with Christian and secular black metal. He refers to the Bible and the band A Hill To Die Upon.

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with a fellow metal enthusiast. We both share a love for the blackened melodic death metal scene, but our backgrounds are quite different. He identifies as an agnostic, while I am a Christian.

As our conversation progressed, we delved into the lyrical and melodic themes of death that are prevalent in our favorite albums. These tracks often feature haunting clichés of misery, pessimism, anarchy, and grief, drawing on themes similar to those found in horror films, such as the morbidly grotesque, mourning, lamentation, and bleak outlook on life. Interestingly, many of these themes persist in the underground Christian metal scene.

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NKJV

Despite our polar-opposite points of view, my friend and I found common ground in considering the finality of life. This concept permeates most of our favorite songs, a fact that is evident in both of our musical tastes.

However, within Christianity, death is not presented as a path to nihilism. Instead, Christians view death as a final victory over life’s trials, a point at which evil is eradicated and the thin veil separating humanity from its Creator is lifted, allowing us to behold God face to face.

Some might argue that as a Christian I should focus more on life than on death. However, I believe that it is through death that we can reconcile ourselves to life. The Bible clearly states that life comes through death.

In John 12:24, the simple grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die in order to grow and produce life. In John 11:35, we see that Jesus wept when He learned of the death of His friend Lazarus, not long after He called Lazarus out of the tomb to “Come forth!” In addition, 75% of the Psalms express the lament of God’s people crying out for deliverance from their suffering, as in Psalm 130:1:

Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!

Psalm 130:1

In 2014, the band A Hill To Die Upon released their timeless album Holy Despair. Many of their tracks deal with accepting the depraved, fallen human condition and recognizing the soul’s need for redemption. Their cover of O Death articulates the inner monologue of a person as darkness pervades their final days and a cry for mercy emerges.

This leaves us with many profound questions to ponder. Is this the end? Is the grave our final resting place when death comes knocking at our door?

Well, I am Death, none can excel

I open the door to Heaven or Hell

“O, Death,” someone might pray

“could you call me another day?”

O, Death… spare me

A Hill To Die Upon – O Death

This brings to mind a scene from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Return of the King”. Near the end, after Sauron’s defeat, an eagle soars over the sunlit city of Gondor, bringing good news from the Lords of the West:

“Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor, for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever, and the Dark Tower is thrown down.”

“Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard, for your watch hath not been in vain, and the Black Gate is broken, and your King Hath passed through, and he is victorious.”

“Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West, for your King shall come again, and he shall dwell among you all the days of your life.”

“And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed, and he shall plant it in the high places, and the city shall be blessed.”

“Sing all ye people!”

J.R.R. Tolkien – The Return of the King

In many ways, Tolkien presents a typographical image of Christ having defeated the power of sin and Hades as he rides through the gates on His white horse to be with His people.

As we approach the celebration of Easter, the holiest and most sacred event in the Christian calendar, we are always celebrating two things: “Death and Life.” Despite the great divide that exists between these two themes, a triumphant victory is assured through life, death and resurrection.

In this holy place where the crimson blood was shed, we kneel at the foot of the Cross. We repeat the words of the Apostle Paul:

“O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

1 Corinthians 15:55

In His Service / Josh

About the author: My name is Josh. I heeded the call to surrender my life to Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized a few months later. I have served my fellow man in the military, in ministry, and through my writing. I am dedicated to championing brotherhood as I respond to the sacred call of the Kingdom, always looking northward!

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