For the love of rock
Vol II, Issue 18 – Gods of war (15 Oct 2017)
Name of song– Gods of war
Band- Def Leppard
Album- Hysteria
Writer– Joe Elliot
Release year– 1987
Similar artists– Poison, Warrant, Winger, Cinderella, Bon Jovi
Gods of war
Reviewers- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
“Def Leppard” of course requires no introduction to a rock fan. Formed in 1977 in Sheffield, England, they were part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. With their 2nd album “High ‘n’ Dry” in 1981, they broke into the rock scene, and with their 3rd album “Pyromania” in 1983, they established themselves as the rock music’s permanent act. With subsequent “Hysteria” in 1987, they stormed the charts worldwide and topped the UK and US charts. “Hysteria” has sold over 25 million copies worldwide and spawned seven hit singles. It has now gained the cult status among the list of “Greatest albums of all times”. Presently Def Leppard is considered one of the world’s best-selling music artists. They are one of five rock bands who had two original studio albums selling in excess of 10 million copies. And after more than 40 years, they are still going strong and tough!
“Gods of War” is one of the rare anti-war song by Def Leppard. The opening track from side b of “Hysteria”, this song definitely does not follow the normal pattern of songs by Def Leppard. Although “Hysteria” had numerous hit singles, “Gods of war” was not released as a single. A solid rock album in toto, “Hysteria” definitely is a heart winning album with many chart topping singles, but this song is perhaps an underdog gem of the album.
“Gods of War” opens with a slow keyboard background, with fine guitar foreground, inter mingled with some war noises. Then starts Rick Allen’s drum kit with steady heart beats, and the main rhythm guitars by Phil Collen and Steve Clark comes into play, along with Rick Savage’s humming bass. The main chorus rhythm guitar is definitely catchy as well as praiseworthy. Once Joe starts singing, then we can feel the war waging over. Definitely the short war protest lyrics convey the theme so well. After the repeat chorus, the song is again driven by the dual rhythm guitar and combo lead. The chorus then repeats, and ultimately, with the background of the rhythm guitar, there starts the prominence of various war sounds, along with Ronald Reagan’s and Margaret Thatcher’s voice and slowly the sing fades………
All in all, “Gods of War” surely drives its anti war theme very successfully with amazing guitar works, crisp lyrics, sharp drums as well as various war sounds. Of course, the Gods of Pop Metal have surely won the war and conquered all the fan’s hearts and souls!!
Happy listening!!
Resources– Wikipedia.org, Allmusic.com
Gods of war
Feelin’ like it’s all over, Feelin’ like there’s no love
Feelin’ like it’s not easy, Breathin’ life in the dust
On a countdown to zero Take a ride on the nightmare machine
There ain’t gonna be heroes
There ain’t gonna be anything
Oh
Here it comes, here comes the night
Here it comes, hell in the night
Here it comes, here comes the night
When we all fall down
When we walk into silence
When we shadow the sun
When we surrender to violence
Oh
Then the damage is done
Put away that gun!
I don’t want to be there
I don’t want to be anywhere
Oh!
Here it comes, here comes the night
Here it comes, hell in the night
Here it comes, here comes the night
That’s right!
We’re fightin’ for the gods of war But what the hell we fightin’ for?
We’re fightin’ with the gods of war But I’m a rebel
And I ain’t gonna fight no more no way!
On a countdown to zero
Take a ride on the nightmare machine
There ain’t gonna be heroes
(Whoa)
There ain’t gonna be anything
No!
Here it comes, here comes the night
Here it comes, hell in the night
Here it comes, here comes the night
Did you know, that’s right!
We’re fightin’ for the gods of war But what the hell we fightin’ for?
We’re fightin’ with the gods of war And (a) I ain’t gonna fight no more
(Stop)
Stop fightin’ for the gods of war
(Stop fightin’ for the gods of war)
Yeah what the hell we fightin’ for?
(What in the hell we fightin’ for?)
We’re fightin’ with the gods of war
Heavy!
Lyrics link-http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/def+leppard/gods+of+war_20038913.html
Youtube video link-https://youtu.be/_VKx1GmesO8