Watch Hell’s Bells 2: The Power and Spirit of Popular Music- New DVD 6 1/2 Hours Movie Online
Many years ago, when I was in my mid-teen years, I made the decision to finish listening to mainstream rock music and to turn instead to Christian music. Until that time I had been listening to whatever was on the radio. I had quite a few tapes and had once had a whole collection of those mature vinyl 45’s. While I was usually not eager in music that was blatantly anti-God, I did listen to some that would surely have made my parents cringe had they heard it. But when I was fourteen or fifteen, my conscience began to accuse me about this music and I remember what was a near-religious experience for me, where I biked down to a local waterfall and, with no one else note, tossed some tapes over the edge in what was really a ceremony whereby I repented of that music. In the subsequent years, I bought Christian music and have since had minute interest in mainstream music. Every now and then a song or a band catches my attention, but since I have so shrimp willful exposure to it, this is quite rare. At the same time, I have kept abreast of what is happening in the music industry. Music saturates our culture, and it is difficult not to know what songs and artists are favorite, for they are played on television, in commercials and are piped through malls, airports and any other public area. Needless to say, where the music of the 80’s and 90’s was terrible, the music of our day is even worse. There has been a continual hump whereby the mainstream songs of our day are far worse than what was acceptable even ten or twenty years ago.
Many years ago, soon after I repented of my stale music, I heard of a video called Hells Bells. Unfortunately, try as I might, I was never able to observe this video. I recently discovered that a sequel to this production was available and was able to obtain a copy and view it this weekend. It is over six hours long, so this was no miniature undertaking. The DVD is produced by the same group that made Fantastic Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism which I reviewed here, and it is likewise hosted by Eric Holmberg. As with Wonderful Grace, it is well-written, well-produced and theologically-sound. What I found especially impressive, is that while it is passionate about the subject matter, it avoids becoming what I feared it might - an defective, uninformed tirade against the evils of anyone who likes to listen to music with a beat. It is alarming without open alarmist.
It is well-known to imprint that because of the subject matter, this presentation contains disturbing material of a sexual and occultic nature and is detestable for younger viewers. At the beginning of the video, Holmberg warns that if you have no interest in or access to this type of music, you should probably not continue watching. But the bulk of the material, while it represents the worst of what the rock culture has to offer, is drawn largely from material that you might scrutinize on MTV or hear on your morning commute while listening to the radio. There are many places where details are blurred, film is censored and words are blanked out, but the heart of the terror remains in plot.
While not explicitly stated, it seems that the presentation is targeted primarily at unbelievers, but secondarily at believers who have been drawn into this rock-n-roll culture. I would suggest that parents of teenaged children would do well to recognize it as well. It kicks off with an introduction that provides the foundations for cultural analysis. Among the topics discussed is the philosophy of “believe not,” which dictates that we are contemptible to inquire what others do, for morality is a personal matter. This is examined in light of what Jesus really meant when he warned against judgment. Having been assured that it is not only our correct but even our responsibility to inquire of and assume something so revered as music, the presentation turns to this topic for the next six hours. Particular topics that the presentation covers in-depth are:
* An Examination of the Power of Music
* Music’s Spiritual Connection
* The Occult History of Rock
* Rebellion, Nihilism and Death
* Satanic Sex and Rock-n-Roll
* Rock’s Ultimate Rebellion
* Music and Life at the Cross-Roads
Following these sections is a time of challenge and response, and finally some personal testimonies of God’s grace and goodness in the lives of a few individuals. The determined purpose of the producers is to disagreement Biblical morality and order, with the rock culture’s immorality and chaos. Constant contrasts are made between the words of the Bible and the words of artists and listeners of rock music, between the heart of God and the blackened hearts of the rockers. We learn that the heart of rock-n-roll is rebellion, the sin that is at the heart of every sin, for Satan sinned by rebelling against God and the led humans in the same rebellion. When we sin against God, we accomplish idols of ourselves, displaying the “me-ism” that is at the heart of rebellion. In one particularly mighty moment, the host asks many different teens to name three songs that promote sexual purity before marriage. Soon he was asking them for two, and then for one. No one could name a single song. While this is titillating, what is even more notable is to ask ourselves why this inquire seems so absurd. It is absurd to ask about a rock song promoting purity or like for parents because such sentiments are antithetical to the very heart of rock music.
Another bewitching observation was that the people at the heart of the music seem to understand what rock music is all about far more clearly than the kids who merely drink it all in. I am reminded of the latest series of American Idol where Gene Simmons (of KISS fame) was a guest consider. When confronted with a talented contestant who was a youth pastor, Simmons said to him, “I believe you’re a country artist, and Iâ(tm) ll advise you why. If you suppose pop lyrics, youâ(tm) re going to have a predicament with your ministry. Because rock and roll by definition — and current music — is about sexuality. The rules are different for country. You can train Christian oriented lyrics and be acceptable, and you can sell millions of records.” Time and again we peer that the people who accomplish and do this music understand that it is, at heart, Satanic and in relate opposition to God. I was left wondering why it is that others cannot glance this. And I came to realize that we cannot put a question to rock music without beginning with the foundation of the rebellion that is at its core.
One of the sections I found most horrible and convicting was the one dealing with the blasphemy that takes station when artists act out their rebellion and hatred towards God, and then thank him for their success or wear a injurious around their neck. The video shows a montage of artists thanking God for their success (Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, Destiny’s Child (who were dressed in very-nearly nothing), Sisqo (who subsequently thanked a thong for its fraction in his success) ) and praying before their shows (Limp Bizkit, Christina Aguilera (immediately before performing the song “Dirty” which is apt to its name) ) . I was forced to wrestle with the madden that must burn in God as he looks at these people acting out their hatred towards Him, and then ascribing this “success” to Him - to a God who is infinitely holy and infinitely pure, incapable of committing or condoning sin.
A further strength of the presentation is that its relevance is enhanced by the fact that it is only one year venerable. Watching the current Hells Bells may be enchanting, but when the criticism goes no further than Van Halen and Lynrd Skynrd, it is easy to write it off as a dinosaur that has no bearing on our day. And while people who listen to this type of music may be able to avoid any association with the ultra-hard-core Satanic death-metal bands, the focus on the huge names means that there will be some connection to each viewer. In this edition, there are literally hundreds of different artists that receive at least a passing mention, many of whom are composed on the charts: Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Dave Mattews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink 180, Sarah McLachlan, MxPx, KISS, Incubus, (to name unprejudiced a few) and any number of rappers and hip hop artists whose names meant very cramped to me.
If there is a status this presentation falters, I would suggest it is in the set of “what next.” Having proven that worthy of the approved music of our day is absolutely cross for consumption, the producers do not suggest next steps. I was left with questions such as: Can rock music be redeemed? Is it ghastly to its core, or is Christian rock music a genuine alternative? At the heart of these questions, is the deeper ask of what makes horrible music inferior - the words, the music or the intent of the person who made it. I am determined it is for the best that Holmberg did not utter us to burn our CD collections and turn exclusively to classical music, but some guidance in gripping forward would have been suitable, especially for those who were convicted of their need to choose themselves from this rock culture.
A consideration for me after watching this video was, How grand is too great? How graphic is too graphic? I was forced to query what I feel is given in a spirit of information, and what is fair “too grand.” I concluded that generally the producers did a edifying job of vivid where to diagram the line. By the very nature of the vow, this video had to be graphic, and even terrifying. For example, it is one thing to place that today’s accepted songs laud or laugh about every type of sin and debauchery - rape, bestiality, masturbation, homosexuality and every other type of deviant sex, but it becomes a reality in our minds when we behold that the artists singing about these topics are considered “family-friendly” and may be playing in your son or daughter’s stereo at this very moment. I remember many years ago my friends and I would explain Cyndi Lauper’s song “She Bop” never shimmering that it was a song about masturbation. Similarly, young children today are singing songs about topics that are far beyond their years, for Britney sings a song about masturbation and N*Sync sings one about cybersex. Many other artists philosophize about topics far worse. Some information will only advance us when it shocks us.
In summary, I found this presentation both convicting and biblical. The producers went to large lengths to be true and to do thorough analysis on the heart of music, rather than merely attacking the peripheral issues. The presentation continually turns to Scripture and ends with a theologically-sound time of response where people are invited to repent of their sin and turn to the Lord. Despite being graphic and discussing very unlit subject matter, and with the same caveats as given by Holmberg at the beginning of the series, I recommend this presentation for both teens and parents. I am obvious that this video can and will be aged to near many as God uses it to convict them of the ghastly heart of approved music.
Hell’s Bells 2 is even better than the modern. There is no condemnation of Rock music as an art originate. What it does is present the sheer pervasiveness and intrinsic power of music to shape and mold character and values. HB2 is a great expose’ of how nihilism has old-fashioned the tool of music to demonstrate a worldview that stands in opposition to Biblical and historic Christianity. If you buy this DVD, and you are just, you will we explore that great of today’s music is anti-Christ.
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