Ok, here's the deal...

There is a tonal interval called a Minor 3rd. This interval supposedly sounds "creepy." Whenever you hear "spooky" music...like in a horror film, when there are creepy organ parts...it's almost certainly making use of the Minor 3rd interval.

An example most of you would know is the Black Sabbath song, "Black Sabbath." Those three notes of the main riff are E, E, and Bflat. E to Bflat is a minor third. (Although they actually played it in a different key; Tony was certainly downtuned on that record... but the interval is the same regardless of the key)

Back in the day, this was indeed considered an "evil" sound, and was shied away from.

However, some composers used it, and the music is very recognizable because it's so distinct...

Put on Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, and it sounds like a Sabbath album on pipe organs. Or put on Saint Saens's Danse Macabre, and it sounds like the soundtrack to a scary movie.

In modern times, this sound works really, really well with metal. Check out the Sabbath song I mentioned above, or Megadeth's "Devil's Island," or Metallica's "Of Wolf and Man" for examples of what this interval sounds like. You'll see what I mean.

So...while most of us would agree there's no such thing as "evil" intervals......yes, there is a sound that used to be considered evil a long time ago.

Ok, so that's probably a longer answer than was necessary, but being a guitar teacher, I couldn't help it!

Yeah, that stuff was in the link I posted, but the post above was probably a better piece of explaining the whole deal.

So, yes, there is a "satanic" or "evil" riff, or at least there is a series of notes that people at one time considered evil. Weather that series of notes really is evil is another debate entirely. I tend to think like the Dave Mustaine quote... notes are notes.

I love it when someone like Bach is noted on a thread here at the Christian METAL Realm.

The Black Sabbath/Black Sabbath analogy is the same one i heard awhile back and that is what this basically stems from. It's creepy but just medieval superstition.

I wouldn't call any note evil, don't believe it but in saying that musical notes definitly do create an atmosphere according to the structure and patterns used i.e country vs metal etc.

Yeah, the music sets the tone... but inherently it can't be good or evil. Notes are just notes, but sure, the music certainly sets the tone.

I don't have time for all if it, so I pick my battles. I concentrate on spotting and weeding out satanic paper, handkerchiefs (do you really want Satan that close to your nose?) and eggs. I can spot satanic eggs at Wal Mart like a frickin' drug sniffing dog.

Almost spewed out my coffee Scott.

Wow, I'm published now! (sort of).




On a bizarre side note, I actively seek out deviled eggs. De(vi)lish!

My father, a 75 year old retired church Minister of Music hit that riff on the piano one time. I said "Ah-Oh...you'll go straight to hell!"

See the ridiculousness of it folks?

Sounds are sounds. Whether you pluck a string on a guitar or blow a gazzoo.

Dude the gazzoo/kazzoo is evil........The only instument that is more evil is the triangle........I should know I played triangle in my bands for yrs......It lead me down a dark path for sure.

Actually, the bagpipes are satanic. Think about it, 6 horns, goatskin.......

This is among the most enlightening threads ever! The bagpipes! Never thought of them as Satanic. Wow....

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BTW, Scott M... thanks for the new sig

I'm honored. Seems I had some inspiration. The topic lended quite a hand.

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Hey kid!