Interview:

Music is the most effective art form that can move the soul. A song can remind us of a time and place when it was heard for the first time, and can also be used in Rock N’ Roll jive that moves a dancer. But is there more to music than just that? Music does have a spiritual significance, even more than the influence of lyrics, whether they are good or bad. Music is and always will be the first driving force behind most themes, whether they are moral or immoral. The old cliché that evil lyrics cause rebellion, and Classical music brings calm, will always be an urban myth considering how music moves the soul. Music is a gift from the Creator Himself; a pure force that can bring joy or pain. Those who believe Classical music with no negative lyrics is good and pure, and Gothic music to be evil because of it’s style and image forget this one fact: the spiritual source of the composition. Gothic writers may be pure in heart, while the Classical composer may serve Satan in a black mass. The art form will reflect the spirit behind the music. In 1913, when Classical composer Igor Stravinsky debuted his “Rite Of Spring” the crowd rioted and tore up the theatre. However, Handel’s “The Messiah” to this day still brings people to worship, and helps people to pray, rejoice, and mourn. Even the pagan black African tribes before colonial powers brought Christianity, were a very deeply spiritual people in their Shaman-led ceremonies. The black spirituals were often expressions of religious faith. Later in the slave communities, the Christian principles undoubtedly spoke to the enslaved who saw hope and could certainly relate this to the suffering of Jesus. For this reason, many slaves genuinely embraced Christianity, and their songs became known as “Negro Spirituals”. Music is a very spiritual tool that can bring the listener into a state of peace, joy, entertainment, sadness, hatred, or towards the worship of God.

“Music is a very spiritual tool that can bring the listener into a state of peace, joy, entertainment, sadness, hatred, or towards the worship of God.”
– Ralph Dix, bassist in Templar