10 Rock Stars Rumoured to Worship the Devil
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VOICE OVER: Ryan Wild
WRITTEN BY: George Pacheco
From rock's darkest corners, we're exploring musicians whose alleged devil worship shocked the world. Dive into a controversial countdown of artists who embraced Satanic imagery, occult practices, and supernatural mystique in their music and personas. Our exploration includes legendary figures like Jinx Dawson, Jimmy Page, King Diamond, and Marilyn Manson, revealing the complex relationship between rock music and occult symbolism. Do you think any of these have anything to do with the man in red? Share in the comments.
Top 10 Rock Stars Rumoured to Worship the Devil
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the rock musicians who’ve allegedly been aligned with Lucifer.
There’s actually nothing “rumored” about our first entry since The Devil’s Blood proudly wore their Satanic influences on their collective sleeves. This was a modern metal group indebted to the occult hard rock of old, a vintage musical collective anchored by siblings Selim and Farida Lemouchi. The former served as the group’s primary songwriter, and told outlets such as The Obelisk and Metalrage.com about how Satan was “the driving force behind all my creative power.” Indeed, the person scripting this video also interviewed Selim Lemouchi prior to the musician’s tragic death in 2014 and can speak firsthand to the veracity of these claims. The Devil’s Blood was very much in league with Satan.
They say that “the devil has all the best tunes,” which could go a long way in explaining the meteoric success of Ghost. This Swedish rock group has achieved a startling amount of mainstream success, thanks in part to the music’s arena-friendly hooks as well as the memorable vocal harmonies from Papa Emeritus. He may have been born Tobias Forge, but his work with Ghost has embraced everything theatrical and wonderful about the dark side. The spirit of classic shock rock looms large within Ghost’s music, while Forge’s ability to develop heavy lore within his stage characters adds layers of mystery. It’s all tied together with a cheeky bit of conceptual blasphemy that lends further fire to the Satanic controversy behind Ghost’s every move.
“Satanic Doo-Wop.” Three words that may not instinctively sound like they work to describe a musical style. Yet, that would be missing the point behind Twin Temple, a group helmed by Alexandra and Zachary James. This married couple proudly wear their Satanic influences both on stage and in their everyday lives. The James have spoken out in places such as Revolver Magazine and Kerrang! about how the more progressive and left-leaning politics of The Satanic Temple have influenced their creativity. Meanwhile, the music of Twin Temple feels rooted in classic rock ‘n roll tropes, a suggestive and seductive sound that stands proudly defiant as a true original.
The world of black metal is one where the Satanic influence is both pronounced and very, very obvious. Watain emerged from the post-second wave of Scandinavian black metal, bringing with them a stage show that said, in no uncertain terms, that they worshiped the devil. The conceptual lyricism of Watain is actually that of a theistic variety. In other words, the live rituals of Watain worship Satan as an actual, living entity. These performances earned the group controversy for utilizing actual animal remains, as well as blood that often finds its way into the audience. There’s nothing quite like a Watain ritual, particularly when the group’s access to… let’s say “materials” is unrestricted.
It’s difficult to describe for those who weren’t there at the onset of the nineties just how much fear and trepidation Marilyn Manson instilled in parental figures. This was perhaps the most dangerous artist in the world, at the height of his notoriety and infamy for truly not giving a toss. Manson’s desire to poke political bears and slaughter sacred cows was underlined by his association with Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan. This position may have been an honorary one, but Manson’s lyricism has also consistently referenced occultists such as LaVey and particularly Aleister Crowley.
Youth can often serve as a period of rebellion for us. It’s this spirit of defiance that’s also been closely associated with Lucifer’s Biblical fall from heaven. The early years of Megadeth were notable for their intensity, with songs such as “The Conjuring” invoking imagery of spells and black magic. Dave Mustaine told Total Guitar about how his current Christian views impacted his decision to quit performing “The Conjuring” at concerts. The songwriter admitted to practicing black magic in his youth, actions for which the adult Mustaine has expressed regret.
The occult teachings of Aleister Crowley have influenced a number of classic rock musicians, including the influential Graham Bond. The latter’s influence circled around classic British blues and psychedelia of the ‘60s and ‘70s, together with a marked interest in Crowleyan mythos. This interest can be seen most within Bond’s late-period work before his untimely death in 1974. Albums such as “Holy Magick” and “Love Is The Law” take obvious influence from Crowley’s writings, while Bond’s circle of influence stretched to major classic rock players such as Deep Purple and Ginger Baker. Unfortunately, financial stress, mental health struggles, and substance use also dictated Bond’s life, essentially relegating him to cult figure status, as opposed to the pioneer status he probably deserved.
It’s the generational career profile of Led Zeppelin that’s likely made guitarist Jimmy Page’s occult interests the most well-known on this list. Page’s admiration and interest in Aleister Crowley was such that the Led Zep man even lived in the same house. Boleskine House was owned by Page for decades, serving as the setting for the scenes Page filmed in Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same.” The band’s album artwork has notably contained arcane symbols of magick, including the iconic “Zoso.” Page also collected and curated occult literature in a shop known as The Equinox, and composed soundtrack music for the atmospheric cult film from 1972 titled “Lucifer Rising,” although this rejected score wasn’t officially released until 2012.
He’s one of the godfathers of occult heavy metal, possessing a voice that’s often imitated, but never duplicated. King Diamond’s work has shined bright as the morning star with both Mercyful Fate and his solo career, influencing legions in his wake. Meanwhile, the devilish leanings of music come from LaVeyan Satanism, a humanist life philosophy rather than a place of theistic worship. Still, this hasn’t stopped King Diamond from delivering some of the most iconic conceptual statements from heavy metal’s golden years. Meanwhile, his relationship with the Church of Satan arguably helped bring more eyes and ears than ever to Anton LaVey’s written works, such as “The Satanic Bible.”
The album was titled “Witchcraft,” and it served as Day 1 of the psychedelic, Satanic underground. Jinx Dawson was the magnetic blonde witch who fronted Coven back in 1969, and whose occult mission continues today with a whole new incarnation of the band. The “Witchcraft” LP was notably subtitled “Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls,” containing an epic-length “Satanic Mass” as its closing track. It was a case of diabolical kismet, since Coven quickly became connected with a rising interest in the occult, specifically in California and cults such as The Manson family. Meanwhile, Dawson’s social media presence embraces Coven’s permeative influence within heavy metal, all the while continuing a quest for world domination via The Devil’s Music.
What are your thoughts on the fluidity of occult worship, and the variety of Satanic styles out there in music? Let us know in the comments!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the rock musicians who’ve allegedly been aligned with Lucifer.
#10: Selim & Farida Lemouchi
The Devil’s BloodThere’s actually nothing “rumored” about our first entry since The Devil’s Blood proudly wore their Satanic influences on their collective sleeves. This was a modern metal group indebted to the occult hard rock of old, a vintage musical collective anchored by siblings Selim and Farida Lemouchi. The former served as the group’s primary songwriter, and told outlets such as The Obelisk and Metalrage.com about how Satan was “the driving force behind all my creative power.” Indeed, the person scripting this video also interviewed Selim Lemouchi prior to the musician’s tragic death in 2014 and can speak firsthand to the veracity of these claims. The Devil’s Blood was very much in league with Satan.
#9: Papa Emeritus a.k.a. Cardinal Copia
GhostThey say that “the devil has all the best tunes,” which could go a long way in explaining the meteoric success of Ghost. This Swedish rock group has achieved a startling amount of mainstream success, thanks in part to the music’s arena-friendly hooks as well as the memorable vocal harmonies from Papa Emeritus. He may have been born Tobias Forge, but his work with Ghost has embraced everything theatrical and wonderful about the dark side. The spirit of classic shock rock looms large within Ghost’s music, while Forge’s ability to develop heavy lore within his stage characters adds layers of mystery. It’s all tied together with a cheeky bit of conceptual blasphemy that lends further fire to the Satanic controversy behind Ghost’s every move.
#8: Alexandra & Zachary James
Twin Temple“Satanic Doo-Wop.” Three words that may not instinctively sound like they work to describe a musical style. Yet, that would be missing the point behind Twin Temple, a group helmed by Alexandra and Zachary James. This married couple proudly wear their Satanic influences both on stage and in their everyday lives. The James have spoken out in places such as Revolver Magazine and Kerrang! about how the more progressive and left-leaning politics of The Satanic Temple have influenced their creativity. Meanwhile, the music of Twin Temple feels rooted in classic rock ‘n roll tropes, a suggestive and seductive sound that stands proudly defiant as a true original.
#7: Watain
The world of black metal is one where the Satanic influence is both pronounced and very, very obvious. Watain emerged from the post-second wave of Scandinavian black metal, bringing with them a stage show that said, in no uncertain terms, that they worshiped the devil. The conceptual lyricism of Watain is actually that of a theistic variety. In other words, the live rituals of Watain worship Satan as an actual, living entity. These performances earned the group controversy for utilizing actual animal remains, as well as blood that often finds its way into the audience. There’s nothing quite like a Watain ritual, particularly when the group’s access to… let’s say “materials” is unrestricted.
#6: Marilyn Manson
It’s difficult to describe for those who weren’t there at the onset of the nineties just how much fear and trepidation Marilyn Manson instilled in parental figures. This was perhaps the most dangerous artist in the world, at the height of his notoriety and infamy for truly not giving a toss. Manson’s desire to poke political bears and slaughter sacred cows was underlined by his association with Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan. This position may have been an honorary one, but Manson’s lyricism has also consistently referenced occultists such as LaVey and particularly Aleister Crowley.
#5: Dave Mustaine
MegadethYouth can often serve as a period of rebellion for us. It’s this spirit of defiance that’s also been closely associated with Lucifer’s Biblical fall from heaven. The early years of Megadeth were notable for their intensity, with songs such as “The Conjuring” invoking imagery of spells and black magic. Dave Mustaine told Total Guitar about how his current Christian views impacted his decision to quit performing “The Conjuring” at concerts. The songwriter admitted to practicing black magic in his youth, actions for which the adult Mustaine has expressed regret.
#4: Graham Bond
The occult teachings of Aleister Crowley have influenced a number of classic rock musicians, including the influential Graham Bond. The latter’s influence circled around classic British blues and psychedelia of the ‘60s and ‘70s, together with a marked interest in Crowleyan mythos. This interest can be seen most within Bond’s late-period work before his untimely death in 1974. Albums such as “Holy Magick” and “Love Is The Law” take obvious influence from Crowley’s writings, while Bond’s circle of influence stretched to major classic rock players such as Deep Purple and Ginger Baker. Unfortunately, financial stress, mental health struggles, and substance use also dictated Bond’s life, essentially relegating him to cult figure status, as opposed to the pioneer status he probably deserved.
#3: Jimmy Page
Led ZeppelinIt’s the generational career profile of Led Zeppelin that’s likely made guitarist Jimmy Page’s occult interests the most well-known on this list. Page’s admiration and interest in Aleister Crowley was such that the Led Zep man even lived in the same house. Boleskine House was owned by Page for decades, serving as the setting for the scenes Page filmed in Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same.” The band’s album artwork has notably contained arcane symbols of magick, including the iconic “Zoso.” Page also collected and curated occult literature in a shop known as The Equinox, and composed soundtrack music for the atmospheric cult film from 1972 titled “Lucifer Rising,” although this rejected score wasn’t officially released until 2012.
#2: King Diamond
Mercyful FateHe’s one of the godfathers of occult heavy metal, possessing a voice that’s often imitated, but never duplicated. King Diamond’s work has shined bright as the morning star with both Mercyful Fate and his solo career, influencing legions in his wake. Meanwhile, the devilish leanings of music come from LaVeyan Satanism, a humanist life philosophy rather than a place of theistic worship. Still, this hasn’t stopped King Diamond from delivering some of the most iconic conceptual statements from heavy metal’s golden years. Meanwhile, his relationship with the Church of Satan arguably helped bring more eyes and ears than ever to Anton LaVey’s written works, such as “The Satanic Bible.”
#1: Jinx Dawson
CovenThe album was titled “Witchcraft,” and it served as Day 1 of the psychedelic, Satanic underground. Jinx Dawson was the magnetic blonde witch who fronted Coven back in 1969, and whose occult mission continues today with a whole new incarnation of the band. The “Witchcraft” LP was notably subtitled “Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls,” containing an epic-length “Satanic Mass” as its closing track. It was a case of diabolical kismet, since Coven quickly became connected with a rising interest in the occult, specifically in California and cults such as The Manson family. Meanwhile, Dawson’s social media presence embraces Coven’s permeative influence within heavy metal, all the while continuing a quest for world domination via The Devil’s Music.
What are your thoughts on the fluidity of occult worship, and the variety of Satanic styles out there in music? Let us know in the comments!
