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Contextual Statement:

I was an ardent metal head in junior high in 1985-88 and of course the 
devil worshipping, while it seems funny today, was a real thing back 
then in the metal scene. I guess I mean as real can be said for 
a teenager to believe. I never exactly did it, like really do it, you 
know where people did sacrificing animals and stuff (this really 
happened in some places) but it was a serious (not jokey) undercurrent 
to the music. I was more of a Metallica freak as we called ourselves 
and proudly said it was all about the music. But there was a window of 
time when I wanted to find out who Aleister Crowley was ("Mr. Crowley" 
is a famous song by Ozzy) and I went looking for his satanic bible. But 
then I found out he didn't write it, someone with a less exciting name 
did, Anton LaVey. I guess the poem sort of fills in the rest, if the devil's 
music can be filled in with anything else but the devil's music.  -SG



Stephanie Gray is the author of Heart Stoner Bingo (Straw Gate Books) and her 
work has recently appeared in EOAGH, Boog City, Press 1, The Recluse, and 
Downtown Brooklyn. Also a filmmaker, her super 8 films have screened 
internationally at fests such as Viennale, Madcat, Frameline, and Chicago 
Underground. Don't get her started on when Metallica truly went downhill, though 
if you really want to know look her up to start the debate.