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Notes
Back in the early 1990s, one of the first Christian metal bands I ever heard was called Vengeance Rising. They were, by far, the heaviest, loudest, most intense metal I'd heard, Christian or otherwise (I had yet to be exposed to black or death metal, so ..). Many Christians know at least some of the story of Vengeance Rising's former front-man, Roger Martinez, and how he abandoned Christianity in the late 1990s. At first, Roger joined the Church of Satan and became vehemently anti-Christian. Shortly after, he professed atheism and remained a vocal opponent of faith in all its forms.
What many people don't know is that, around 2000-2001, Roger was working on another Vengeance Rising album, to be titled "Realms of Blasphemy." A few months after the September 11, 2001 attacks, I happened upon Roger's web site where he was promoting the album and himself. His front page showed an image of the World Trade Center on fire, and he talked about how "those stupid Christians" were still selling his records in their book-shops. There was also a link to the lyrics for several of the songs from his new album that was, thankfully, ultimately never produced or released. Out of sheer morbid curiosity, I read some of them, and I wish I hadn't. The lyrics were the worst kind of horrible blasphemy I've ever seen. What sealed the deal for me though, was that in one particular song, Roger made certain he had blasphemed the Holy Spirit in a disgusting and extremely vulgar way, making it clear he knew exactly what he was doing.
Roger recently passed away from some form or other of cancer. The Christian metal community came out in droves to wish him well, hope he'd found his way back to faith, etc. Given what I witnessed, though, I just can't believe that was possible. Roger had intentionally committed a sin that Jesus called unforgivable, knowing the condemnation his actions would bring, and he made sure everyone knew it. I desperately want to be wrong about this, but sadly, I don't think I am. We'll see.
Anyway, this song is basically a sort-of dis-track for Roger, and I tried to make it sound like an old Vengeance Rising song in style.
Lyrics
Intro]
[Instrumental]
[Verse 1]
Taste and see, that the LORD is good
Receive the gifts, and speak His truth
The blessings flow, but the heart grows hard
Seeds of betrayal find fertile ground
[Verse 2]
With a song, not a kiss
You spit in God's face
Forsake the father, murder the Son
Blaspheme the spirit, forfeit His grace
Fall beyond mercy, consigned to your fate
[Hook]
God will not be mocked
Yahweh is no fool
[Bridge]
I never knew you
(Depart from Me)
Your own words have cursed you
(Depart from Me)
Into the fire, into the flame
(Depart from Me)
Into the fire, into the flame
[Chorus]
You'll reap what you sow (vengeance is Mine)
Your life is a lie (vengeance is Mine)
Now is the time (the end of the line)
I will repay (oh, vengeance is Mine)
[Verse 3]
Now judgement awaits, indeed, it has come
Let vengeance arise, and leave you behind
You had it all, but it was never enough
The reaper arrives to call your bluff
[Bridge]
I never knew you
(Depart from Me)
Your own words have cursed you
(Depart from Me)
Into the fire, into the flame
(Depart from Me)
Into the fire, into the flame
[Chorus]
You'll reap what you sow (vengeance is Mine)
Your life is a lie (vengeance is Mine)
Now is the time (the end of the line)
I will repay (oh, vengeance is Mine)
[Interlude]
[Instrumental]
[Verse 4]
I hope that I'm wrong,
And you find your way home
I just can't see
How that could be
[Hook]
God will not be mocked
Yahweh is no fool
[Outro]
Abandon all hope (vengeance is Mine)
You who enter here (the end of the line)
Now is the time (vengeance is Mine)
And I will repay (oh, vengeance is Mine)
[Ending]