We’ve all heard of the dreaded number 666. Eternally linked with Lucifer and all other cryptic and satanic entities, this spooky number has enough dark significance to send the superstitious hiding under bed covers, or avoiding parking spots with the number for the past 2000 years.
As an ode to the 666th issue of Forté, we asked a number of artists to let us in on their thoughts on the existence of the devil and the number of the beast.
“Everyone knows the Devil has always been Ned Flanders.” – Kat O
“I think so, believe it or not I used to not really think too much about religion. While I went to a religious high school, I was just obsessed with hip hop and so all this religion was soaking into me but I wasn’t aware of it at the time. The first time that I became interested in religion, as in conscious of it, I was reading Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie – which is about the devil. I was all confused because this was before 9/11 and all the hoo-hah about Islam. Islam meant nothing different to Hindu. I knew this was a dangerous book and I couldn’t figure out why it was dangerous, why couldn’t you talk about the devil? There was this one time I was reading the book and fell asleep on the bus, and I started having a dream about the devil and then occasionally back home I’d have dreams about a devil perched on the foot of my bed. That’s what kind of got me interested in religion creatively and that’s what really set me off with my schtick.” – John Safran
“I think the devil exists in all of us whether we have the awareness to recognize it or not. It’s the individual’s character that decides to fight it or embrace the darkness from inside. On a lighter note, I once read an article that outlined an old biker superstition putting problems with their bikes down to little Goblins that live in the frames causing mischief, so they hang small bells off the underside to trap the creatures, dropping them onto the road and creating potholes as they land. Forget where I was going with that but I hate potholes.” – Riley Strong from Desecrator
“Physically, the Devil is about as real as Ganesh, Kim Kardashian (she’s not real, right?) or Flash Gordon, but mentally, he is inside all our minds, telling us to be aroused, greedy, envious, lazy and all that jazz. Without The Devil, maybe there is no Heavy Metal, so thank fuck for the Devil!!! Hail Satan!” – Glenn Lynch from Destruktor
“I don’t like to speak about my father.” – Benjamin Watts (drummer) from Modern Divide
“Absolutely, and you see him every day. He’s the bird that shits on your shoulder, the gripping anxiety that won’t let you leave the house, the car that hits you from behind at the traffic lights. He’s a prick, and he’s everywhere.” – Chris McEwin from Namesium
“This Devil was created as an excuse for all evil.” – Matt Jelley (vocalist) from Modern Divide
“I’d say we probably don’t believe in him, as the idea of good and evil are such polar opposites and so black and white is so ultimately flawed. If he did exist though he would be a dude, have the best taste in music and give you all those wonderful naughty life treats in abundance, with zero guilt. Sounds like a lot of fun. God seems like he’d be pretty boring. Would love to have a whiskey and cigar or 12 with the devil, reckon he’d have a few tales to tell.” – Jack Forsey on behalf of Formiles
“The devil doesn’t exist, but I suppose if he did, that is exactly what he’d say…” – Josh Dowling (guitarist) from Modern Divide
“Of course he’s real. I saw him in an episode of Powerpuff Girls. Next you’ll be telling me cartoons aren’t real.” – Radio personality Daniel King (aka Deek)
“Nah the only triple six I believe in is Three 6 Mafia ya bish.” – Jacob Pugh from RUNK
“I’m not a big believer of religion, but yeah I guess the devil would exist.” – Liam Rowan from Music for the People
We also asked about their favourite ‘Devilish’ songs.
“Total Satan by the crown off their deathrace king album would have to be one of the most concise and catchy pieces of brutal metal ever constructed, disagree and you’re wrong.” – Riley Strong from Desecrator:
“Devil Gate Drive.” – Suzi Quattro
“I would like to think my band has that covered, but how ’bout Devils Food by Alice Cooper, I mean it leads into The Black Widow, one of the great moments in music history!!! If you don’t know it, either I am too old, or your taste in music is a little questionable.” – Glenn Lynch from Destruktor
“Slipknot’s The Devil in I.” – Matt Jelley (vocalist) from Modern Divide
“Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley.” – Jacob Pugh from RUNK
“For years I’d have said Iron Maiden’s “The Number Of The Beast” or Body Count’s “Bowels of the Devil”. More recently though I’d give Behemoth’s “Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer” the nod ahead of them. That song is an absolute monster.” – Chris McEwin from Namesium
“When the man comes around – Johnny Cash. It’s about the book of revelation when the apocalypse comes. If you listen to it, and not really hard, it can kind of seem like a positive song.” – John Safran
“My devilish song of choice would definitely be a heavy metal song called ‘Crewcabanger’ by ‘Chelsea Grin’. It’s not something I would listen to, I just know of it being on the more extreme side of metal.” – Liam Rowan from Music for the People
Artwork by Riley McDonald.
