The concept of "Megadeth Five Magics" refers to a song by the American thrash metal band, Megadeth, from their 1990 album "Rust in Peace." The song explores various themes including religion, occultism, and the power struggle between good and evil. The track is divided into five sections, each representing a different aspect of magic. These sections are often referred to as "magics" within the song. The lyrics and musical structure of each section reflect the unique characteristics of the corresponding magic. The first magic discussed in the song is "Black Magic.
Signs at the entrance to the Bell Witch cave promote tourism in Adams, Tennessee. BRad06 [CC BY-SA 3.0]/Wikimedia Commons
The story begins in 1817, when a farmer named John Bell moved from North Carolina to a 230-acre farm in Robertson County, Tennessee, a rural area not far from the Kentucky border. I had heard the Bell Witch stories growing up in rural western Kentucky, living only a little more than an hour from the haunted Adams farm, where Old Jack Bell had been murdered by the ghostly presence.
The first magic discussed in the song is "Black Magic." This section sets the tone for the rest of the track, featuring aggressive guitar riffs and intense vocals. The lyrics delve into the topic of witchcraft and dark powers.
Adams, Tennessee and the Bell Witch
Adams, TN is best known for its historic Bell Witch haunting, where an evil spirit tormented the Bell family, and finally killed the family patriarch, John Bell, in 1820. I had heard the Bell Witch stories growing up in rural western Kentucky, living only a little more than an hour from the haunted Adams farm, where “Old Jack” Bell had been murdered by the ghostly presence.
A historic marker in Adams. (Click on image for larger photo).
Bell Witch Cave, on the old Bell farm, was closed for the winter. (Click on image for larger photo).In a scene right out of a horror movie, I received a warning! As I walked around shooting photos in the old downtown area of Adams, an older man and a young boy pulled up and parked in front of an old dilapidated business, that had been rusting and rotting for years. They got out of the car and started walking toward me. The boy carried a large stuffed snowman in his arms. As we exchanged greetings, the little boy ran up to me, and gave a stern rebuke, “You shouldn’t be here.” I asked him why, and he said, “Ghosts.” About that time, the older man had caught up, and said that he and his grandson came there to walk. He added that he sees a lot of people shooting pictures of the old buildings.
The boy duly warned me about the haints. He said I shouldn’t be there, and that the buildings were full of ghosts. (Click on image for larger photo).
We talked for a few minutes, and he suggested a few places in the area that would offer some great photo opportunites, including an old church in Guthrie, KY, just a few miles up the road, that I could hit on the way back home. I thanked the man, and asked if I could snap their photo. He moved out of the way, and asked his grandson to lift up his stuffed snowman, and I snapped an image. He took the boy’s hand and they started walking away. The boy turned back at me and warned “Don’t go in there. Those buildings are full of ghosts.”
The north side of the old downtown area, Adams, TN. (Click on image for larger photo). I snapped a shot as the boy ans his grandfather walked away. (Click on image for larger photo). Robertson and CO., in the old downtown area, Adams, TN. (Click on image for larger photo).
I had been duly warned, and stayed out of the dilapidated, abandoned buildings, which had boards over the windows and graffiti spray painted all about. The warning, however, didn’t stop me from shooting some great exteriors in the old downtown area. I wondered how much longer the old church will be there before becoming a pile of rubble and a memory. The old brick businesses, with rusty tin awnings over the sidewalks, across the road from it weren’t faring much better. In the not too distant future, photos and memories will be all that is left.
The old church in the old Adams downtown area. (Click on image for larger photo).
Bob and Daisy in Adams. (Click on image for larger photo).My wife got the dogs out of the truck and let them walk about for a few minutes. I got behind the driver’s seat, and Daisy, our pug, jumped in and sat in my lap looking out, as my wife snapped a photo of us together.
We moved on to the old Bell School, where some historic buildings from the area had been moved and restored, including an old barber shop and a doctor’s office. But, the main attraction for us was the old cabin that had been located on the haunted Bell farm. It’s not the main Bell family house that was haunted by the evil spirit, but one that was used by members of the Bell family on the farm at that time, and the only one that has survived.
A cabin from the haunted Bell farm. A preserved barber shop and doctor’s office are in the background. (Click on image for larger photo).
Old Electrical equipment on display at the town park in Adams. (Click on image for larger photo).I’m not going into a long history of The Bell Witch, as space doesn’t permit, and many others have written about the events that occurred between 1817 and 1821. However, the story goes that the Bell family was visited by an invisible and very vocal spirit, claiming to be “Old Kate Batt’s Witch.” The haunting started with various family members seeing strange animals, which weren’t quite as they should be. That was followed by sounds in the house, such as knockings and chains dragging. As time went by, these progressed into voices and singing, and things became physical with hair pulling, hitting, scratching and other violence. The spirit, however showed kindness to John’s wife, Lucy, and referred to her as “the most perfect woman to walk the earth.” The apparition, now fully articulate and intelligent, objected strongly to a relationship of daughter, Betsy, and her boyfriend, Joshua Gardner, so much that their engagement was called off. There are numerous other stories, which include such historic figures as General Andrew Jackson. How much of these tales are true may never be known. However, the legend of the Bell Witch remains strong in parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.
As suggested by the old man, we headed back home through Gurthie, KY, right on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. I spied an old ghost sign advertising Coca-Cola, adjacent to the now defunct Longhurst General Store. Visually, the town probably looks much as it did 50 years ago, and is a back road photographer’s dream location
Longhurst General Store, Guthrie, KY. (Click on image for larger photo).
At the far end of town, we found Lane Chapel CME Church. I pulled in and we walked around. I was glad for the photo suggestions from the old man. Otherwise, I might have missed some wonderful historic destinations.
Lane Chapel CME, Guthrie, KY. (Click on image for larger photo).
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The second magic is "Holy Magic." This part explores the idea of divine power and spirituality. The lyrics focus on religious symbolism and the conflict between good and evil forces. Musically, this section incorporates melodic guitar solos and a more atmospheric sound. The third magic is "Psychic Magic." Here, the track takes a more introspective turn, addressing the powers of the mind and extrasensory perception. The lyrics explore the concept of mental manipulation and mind control. The music in this section is filled with intricate guitar melodies and a haunting atmosphere. The fourth magic discussed is "Sex Magic." This section deals with the primal and sensual aspects of magic. The lyrics touch upon the use of sexual energy for mystical purposes. Musically, this part is characterized by heavy, groovy riffs and a catchy chorus. The final magic is "Evil Magic." This section brings the song to a climactic ending, emphasizing the destructive and dark nature of magic. The lyrics express the influence of evil forces and the chaos they bring. Musically, this part is fast-paced and aggressive, featuring intense guitar solos and rapid drumming. Overall, "Megadeth Five Magics" is a complex and thought-provoking song that explores different types of magic and their implications. Through its lyrics and musical composition, Megadeth delivers a powerful and memorable track that showcases their ability to merge intense thrash metal with intellectual themes..
Reviews for "Megadeth's Five Magics: From Composition to Recording"
1. John - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Megadeth Five Magics'. The album lacked the energy and intensity that I have come to expect from Megadeth. The songs felt uninspired and lacked the memorable hooks that I love about the band. Overall, it felt like a forgettable release from a band that has produced so many amazing albums in the past."
2. Emily - 3/5 stars - "While I'm a fan of Megadeth, 'Five Magics' just didn't hit the mark for me. The album had a few standout tracks, but most of them felt repetitive and lacked the signature Megadeth sound. The lyrics also felt uninspired and didn't resonate with me like their previous work. I was hoping for more from this album, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations."
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "As a longtime Megadeth fan, I was really disappointed with 'Five Magics'. The album lacked the aggression and technicality that I love about the band. The guitars felt watered down and the drums lacked that punchy energy that Megadeth is known for. The songwriting also felt weak, with many tracks sounding generic and uninspired. Overall, it was a forgettable album that doesn't live up to the band's legacy."
4. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Despite being a fan of Megadeth's previous work, 'Five Magics' was a letdown for me. The album lacked the complexity and depth that I love about the band. The songs felt rushed and underdeveloped, with minimal variation and memorable moments. While there were a few decent tracks, overall, it fell short of what Megadeth is capable of delivering. I hope their next release will be more impressive and true to their legacy."
5. Alex - 3/5 stars - "Megadeth's 'Five Magics' had its moments, but overall, it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. While the guitar work was solid as always, the album lacked diversity and felt too predictable. The songs blended together, and nothing really stood out. While it was a decent listen, it didn't live up to the high standards that Megadeth has set with their previous albums. I hope they come back stronger with their next release."