Michel de Nostredame (1503 – 1566), known also by the Latinised version of his name Nostradamus, was a French astrologer, apothecary, physician, and reputed seer, who is best known for his book Les Prophéties (published in 1555), a collection of 942 poetic quatrains allegedly predicting future events.
Michel de Nostredame
Michel de Nostredame, or Nostradamus, as his name in Latin would read, was born in December 1503 at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Provence, Kingdom of France. His father was originally Jewish, but converted to Catholicism, many years before Michel was born. He studied at the University of Avignon and worked as an apothecary for several years, before returning to his studies at the University of Montpellier. He was unceremoniously expelled when his trade as apothecary was discovered. A manual trade was forbidden by university statutes.
He married in 1531 but tragedy struck in 1534 when the plague re-appeared, losing to it both his wife and his children. He worked tirelessly against the plague. He remarried to Anne Ponsarde, with whom he had six children. In 1550 he wrote an almanac and the success of the first edition provided him with an opportunity of keep on writing them. He started to work as an astrologer and acquired numerous wealthy patrons such as Catherine de’ Medici. His most famous work is Les Prophéties, published in 1555. This collection of 942 poetic quatrains, allegedly predicting future events, at first received mixed reception. He died on 1 or 2 July 1566, after suffering from severe gout toward the end of his life.
Few remember Nostradamus as an astrologer, apothecary or physician but the debate on whether he was a seer or not rages on till this very day. Many books were published trying to explain the real meaning behind the quatrains.
Did he foresee this?
Nostradamus might have foreseen many events in the future, but did he foresee that his life and work would influence albums and songs by rock and metal bands?
Iron Maiden poke fun at the seer and his believers in “Die With Your Boots On”, a song from their 1983 album Piece of Mind.
“Another Prophet of Disaster
Who says the ship is lost,
Another Prophet of Disaster
Leaving you to count the cost.
Taunting us with Visions,
Afflicting us with fear,
Predicting War for millions,
In the hope that one appears.”
English rock band, formed by South African born musician Manfred Mann – Manfred Mann's Earth Band – released their album Somewhere in Afrika. This album contains the song “Eyes of Nostradamus”, which is a cover version of an Al Stewart originally titled “Nostradamus.”
Several songs by English rock band The Stranglers contain references to Nostradamus' prophecies: "Goodbye Toulouse" (1977), "Shah Shah a go go" (1979), "Four Horsemen" (1980), "Top Secret" (1981), "It's a Small World" (1983).
Another song “Nostradamus” can be found on the studio album Project Driver, released by M.A.R.S in 1986.
American Alternative rock band They Might Be Giants, mention briefly Nostradamus in their song “My Evil Twin” released in 1992 as part of their album Apollo 18.
“My evil twin, bad weather friend
He always wants to start when I want to begin
It scares me so, like I scare myself
With that book of Nostradamus up upon my shelf”
English neo-prog band Pendragon included a song entitled "Nostradamus (Stargazing)" in their album The Window of Life (1993).
German symphonic metal band Haggard took it even further by producing two albums dealing with Nostradamus, And Thou Shalt Trust... the Seer in 1997 and Awaking the Centuries in 1998.
Swedish metal band Darkane, in their album Rusted Angel, have included the track “July 1999”, dealing with a prophecy by Nostradamus.
Bulgarian guitarist Nikolo Kotzev released a rock opera called Nikolo Kotzev's Nostradamus in 2001, based on the life and times of Nostradamus. In 2005, Dutch band Kayak released a rock opera called Nostradamus – Fate of Man.
German power metal band Helloween's 1996 album The Time of the Oath is based on Nostradamus' supposed prophecy of a world war between 1994 and 2000.
In 1997, Finnish metal band Stratovarius recorded Visions, a concept album loosely based on the life and prophecies of Nostradamus.
One of the most famous albums on the seer certainly is Nostradamus. This album was released in 2008 by British heavy metal band Judas Priest. This concept album focuses on Nostradamus' life and his prophecies.
There are many more references to Nostradamus in songs, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but just touching on some rock and metal acts that have included a reference to the seer in their work.
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