AN AUDIENCE WITH EVIL

From out of the shadows, engorged by sulphur ridden steam a hoof clanks on the rock floor of these underworld dwellings. Not the hoof of a horse, or a goat, but one the size of an elephant’s foot. Black lacquered strength shattering the under stones as it cracks into the ground. This followed by the same skull crushing crack as a hoof of identical appearance and proportion falls into place alongside its partner. The putrid fumes which engulf whatever it is that is standing there, statuesque like Greek marble, slowly waft from the subject. The mask of mist falling to reveal what once was hidden.

First thick fur ankles, leading up those strong shag covered legs. Trunks of a long forgotten tree, not seen since cretatious times. Onward, past the waist, the covering has changed its make-up. A smooth leather in a hue of deepest red, seen only in the finest clarets. The skin is pulled tight over bulging abdominals, pulsating as they climb up to the huge chest of the beast. Pectorals like tectonic plates weigh heavy on this monstrous torso. This creature is truly magnificent. Arms thick and knotted, lead to hands that could crush moons, only to be hampered by claws emanating from each knuckled finger. The head, a mass of cheekbones chiselled out of igneous rock, craggy teeth to rip into the earth itself, bull horns that could never be held aloft by any bull and a main of sheer oily black roots sprouting from the forehead, like that of an ancient warrior, and running across the back of this gargantuan skull and then over and down the muscled shoulders, then down along the thick heavy tail needed to counterbalance the oversized head. Here is a creature which radiates power. A thing that sweats hellish intent from every pore. A beast that can bring about paralysing fear from one glance of the fiery pits that are its eyes. Here is a vision of evil in its full magnitude and splendour. Here is the mortal enemy to goodness itself. Here, is Satan.

The gig was over. The hall was empty. Jimmy was alone as he sat pondering the nights events.

What would it mean to the band? What did it mean to him?

He sat there, trying to get his head around what had been said.

Jimmy was the lead singer of a thrash metal band called Raven Prey. It had been a good gig. The audience of head-banging seventeen year olds had head-banged their way all through the show. But it is what had happened afterwards, after the rabble had vanished into the night. This is what was twisting and turning through jimmy’s confused mind. Greg, the lead guitarist, had made an announcement to the rest of the band. The announcement involved another member of the band: Pete, the drummer. It was still difficult to believe that this had happened, let alone that it had actually been spoken of. Todd, the base guitarist, had run off giggling to join his girlfriend in the pub. He obviously didn’t see what jimmy could see. This was a thrash metal band for Christ’s sake!

You can’t have a thrash metal band where half the band is fucking each other up the shitter, now can you?

Well you couldn’t in jimmy’s head anyway.

It just wasn’t right, was it? How could he allow this?

This was his band.

This was Raven Prey. …