Antonio Mcgowan
Powerwolf is a German power metal band that released the song Incense and Iron in July 2018. The song is the third single from their album The Sacrament of Sin. The lyrics of the song are quite intriguing and have been interpreted in various ways. Some listeners have analyzed the lyrics and believe them to be Christian in nature, while others offer line-by-line interpretations, suggesting that the song is about following the dead into damnation, the hypocrisy of holy warriors, and the pressure of adhering to God's laws. Despite some criticism of the song for being repetitive, it has also been described as epic, catchy, and a classic Powerwolf banger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | "Follow the dead in the dark of damnation" |
| "Pious in head and a demon at heart" | |
| "Sworn to the night, an evangelist nation" | |
| "Rise over the dead, bring us ahead, incense and iron" | |
| "Right into the red, all you can get, incense and iron" | |
| "Hollow the damned in the art of salvation" | |
| "Cannot deny, all the wonders are sacred" | |
| "Remedy sent, and the sky falls in treason" | |
| "Rise over the dead, bring us ahead, incense and iron/Fight all of the night, banners up high to the top of the land" | |
| "Right into the red, all you can get, incense and iron/Stand, follow the fight, doing the right as we come to defend" | |
| Themes | Death |
| Religion | |
| Good and evil | |
| Hell |
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What You'll Learn
The song's perspective is that of a person going to hell
The song "Incense and Iron" by Powerwolf is told from the perspective of a person going to hell. The lyrics suggest that the narrator is "following the dead", or in other words, dying and going to hell: "Follow the dead in the dark of damnation". This is further supported by the line "Hollow the damned in the art of salvation", which suggests that the narrator is one of the damned, and that killing sinners is sending them to hell rather than saving them.
The song also hints at the narrator's pious outward appearance and inner demons: "Pious in head and a demon at heart". This could be interpreted as the narrator acknowledging their own hypocrisy or the existence of their inner demons, which aligns with the idea that they are facing damnation.
Additionally, the narrator expresses a critical view of God and Heaven. They acknowledge the good associated with God but also highlight the pressure and strict rules imposed, suggesting a rebellion against God's laws: "Cannot deny, all the wonders are sacred / Burst, under the weight of this world". The line "Remedy sent and the sky falls in treason" suggests a betrayal of Heaven, further supporting the interpretation of the narrator's descent into hell.
The chorus of the song, "Rise over the dead, bring us ahead, incense and iron", implies that the dead are rising or returning to life as undead. This could be interpreted as a call to rise up and take action, even in the face of death and damnation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Incense and Iron" paint a picture of a narrator who is facing death and damnation, struggling with their own inner demons, and expressing criticism and rebellion against God and Heaven. The song's perspective is that of a person coming to terms with their fate in hell, embracing it, and even finding power in it.
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The hypocrisy of holy warriors
The Powerwolf song "Incense and Iron" contains lyrics that explore the concept of holy warriors and the potential hypocrisy in their actions. The song includes lines such as "Right into the red, all you can get, incense and iron, stand, follow the fight, doing the right as we come to defend." This lyric can be interpreted in two ways: from the perspective of the holy warriors who believe they are defending the holy and doing the right thing, or from the perspective of the undead horde seeking vengeance and defending their comrades against the holy warriors.
The idea of holy warriors and religious crusades brings to mind the historical context of the Crusades, a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims in the 11th to 15th centuries. The Crusades were presented as holy wars, with the promise of salvation and forgiveness for sins, which appealed to the aspirations of knights and warriors in medieval Europe. Pope Urban effectively blended spiritual concerns with political calculations, offering crusaders a chance to wipe the slate clean of their violent pasts and attain salvation.
However, the actions of the crusaders could be viewed as hypocritical. Jonathan Phillips, a professor of crusading history, describes how the same fervor that led to horrific butchery on both sides also inspired extraordinary self-sacrifice, genuine heroism, and even simple human kindness. The extreme disparity in the crusaders' actions is left unexplained, with Phillips choosing to present them in all their complexity.
The Powerwolf lyrics also hint at this hypocrisy: "Hollow the damned in the art of salvation / Fallen and banned and the angels die first." This section is told from the perspective of the holy warriors who believe they are saving the damned by slaying them. However, killing sinners and sending them to hell is highly hypocritical, as it denies them the opportunity for redemption.
The song continues with "Cannot deny, all the wonders are sacred / Burst, under the weight of this world," suggesting that while God and sacred ideals inspire good, the pressure to follow religious rules and the constant threat of hell are overwhelming. The line "Remedy sent, and the sky falls in treason" indicates that heaven itself is torn apart by treason, further emphasizing the hypocrisy and complexity within religious ideologies and the actions of holy warriors.
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The pressure of adhering to God's rules
Powerwolf's song "Incense and Iron" includes the line "Cannot deny, all the wonders are sacred". This line is from the perspective of a soul in hell, acknowledging that God stands for good things. However, the following lines suggest that the pressure of adhering to God's rules is overwhelming:
> Burst, under the weight of this world. Remedy sent, and the sky falls in treason.
These lyrics indicate that the speaker has had enough of God's laws and moralities, and the pressure to follow them. This interpretation aligns with the Christian belief that those who do not follow God's word will be sent to hell, creating a sense of pressure to adhere to religious rules.
In a broader context, the pressure to adhere to God's rules is a common theme in religious discussions. Some people may feel the weight of expectations and strive for perfection to earn God's love and acceptance. This mindset can lead to internal pressure and a never-ending cycle of self-improvement. However, it is important to remember that a relationship with God is not dependent on perfect performance. The Bible reminds believers that Jesus' sacrifice allows for an everlasting connection with God, regardless of one's achievements or failures.
Additionally, pressure can be viewed as a catalyst for personal growth and an opportunity to experience God's power. Biblical figures like Joseph, David, and Mary faced significant pressure, yet their stories demonstrate God's ability to deliver and provide purpose in challenging circumstances. While pressure can be uncomfortable, it can also lead to resilience, confidence, and a deeper reliance on faith.
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The damned rising/returning to life
The lyrics of "Incense and Iron" by Powerwolf contain several references to "the damned". The song appears to be told from multiple points of view, including that of a person going to hell, Lucifer, holy warriors, and the undead.
The damned are referenced in the line "Hollow the damned, in the art of salvation". This line is believed to be from the perspective of the holy warriors, who are saving the damned by slaying them. This is hypocritical, as the act of killing sinners is sending them to hell, where they cannot be redeemed. The damned are also referenced in the line "Fallen and banned, and the angels die first", where "fallen and banned" refers to the sinners who have been killed and sent to hell, having fallen from life and banned from salvation.
The song also contains the repeated line "Rise over the dead, bring us ahead, incense and iron", which implies that the dead are rising or returning to life as the undead. This interpretation aligns with the line "Follow the dead in the dark of damnation", which suggests that the song is being sung from the perspective of someone who is dying and going to hell.
The damned rising or returning to life is a central theme of the song, with the lyrics suggesting a struggle between the holy warriors and the undead horde. The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, with multiple possible meanings and perspectives being presented.
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The song's interpretation varies depending on the listener
The interpretation of Powerwolf's "Incense and Iron" varies depending on the listener. Some listeners have analysed the song's lyrics and believe the song is about death, damnation, and the afterlife.
The song's lyrics include references to "following the dead in the dark of damnation", "rising over the dead", and "hollow [ing] the damned". One interpretation is that the song is about the undead rising and returning to life. Another interpretation is that the song is about the singer's own mortality and their journey into the afterlife, with references to "going to hell" and the "dark of damnation".
The song also includes references to religion, with mentions of "God", "heaven", and "Lucifer". One interpretation is that the song critiques religious hypocrisy, with the line "hollow the damned, in the art of salvation" suggesting that those who are 'saving' the damned by slaying them are actually sending them to hell, which is hypocritical. The line "cannot deny, all the wonders are sacred" could be interpreted as acknowledging the good that God has inspired, while also critiquing the pressure and rules associated with following religious doctrine.
The song's chorus, "Incense and Iron", has been interpreted as a reference to the balance between the sacred and the profane, or the spiritual and the physical. The song's lyrics also refer to "banners", "legions", and "combat", suggesting a battle or war theme, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for personal struggles or spiritual battles.
Overall, the interpretation of "Incense and Iron" varies depending on the listener, with some focusing on the song's religious and spiritual themes, while others interpret the song as a reflection on mortality, death, and the afterlife.
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Frequently asked questions
"Incense and iron" is a lyric in the song "Incense and Iron" by Powerwolf. The phrase "incense and iron" is part of a larger lyric that goes, "Rise over the dead, bring us ahead, incense and iron."
Interpretations of the song lyrics suggest that "incense and iron" refers to the holy warriors who are defending the holy against the undead horde. Another interpretation suggests that it is the undead horde who are taking vengeance on those who wronged them in life.
Some other popular songs by Powerwolf include "Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend", "Venom of Venus", "Sanctus Dominus", "Fire & Forgive", and "Resurrection by Erection".
