Ben Mears of Bristol heavy rockers GETHSEMANE ROSE talks us through band's new album

Gethsemane Rose

"Sugar"
Some of our songs contain various code words and one of these is a reference to the world as 'her' or 'she'. In a similar way Revelation speaks of the bride and bridegroom as an image of God's people and God himself. In this case "Sugar" is a code for the world. Having understood that, try reading through the chorus replacing the word sugar with the world. What you should find is something directly inspired from Scripture (John 3:19-21). The first verse refers to crucifixion and Jesus turning our darkness into light through his sacrifice. The second verse focuses on mankind's point of view, asking did Jesus really die for me? The answer of course is yes.

"Proverbial Dogs"
One of man's biggest shortcomings is his tendency to repeat the same sin over and over again, even when he is completely aware of what he is doing. One aspect of this song is a prayer asking for help in just such a circumstance. The image of a dog returning to its own vomit (Proverbs 26:1) helps us to realise just how revolting our sin is when we keep repeating it. "Proverbial Dogs" also touches upon spiritual warfare and man's only hope, which is God.

"Bad Poetranium"
This song is about a personal experience when I was placed in a position of great temptation and relied on the Lord's strength. It also touches upon a trap that I was once in danger of falling into and that is of living for music instead of God. We all have things we are in danger of placing above God in our lives, but God's rightful place is at the top. Incidentally, the word poetranium is a creation of our own, roughly meaning the art of song writing.

"Jealous Love"
God loves each of us whether we love him back or not. But he does want us to love him. For those who do not love him he has a jealous love because they have something he wants. I do not suggest that this jealous love is sinful, as in envy, but rather that it is a righteous jealousy. After all, it is not wrong to want something that is rightfully yours. Jesus has paid for us by his death on a cross.

"(Angel) Tears Of Tomorrow"
In a society that cruises effortlessly towards destruction and social decay, it is easy to become 'lost in the shadows'. Revelation gives many prophecies which we are seeing come about in the world around us. The signs of the times are not difficult to read. It is a comfort to know that God cares for us and is there for us always. All we have to do is ask, and we will receive. His angels watch over us night and day.

"Goodnight Jezebel"
Jesus did not come to save the righteous but the unrighteous. This means you and I. He showed us this by reaching out to people who were considered the low life of society. "Goodnight Jezebel" is about a prostitute who is the lowest of the low and is perhaps the most undeserving of the forgiveness Jesus offers. Yet the Lord shows his grace and forgives us. This song professes that Jesus' love is just as strong for Jezebel as it is for anyone, and that no amount of sin can change the fact that he died for her and for us.

"Dead To The World"
This song was directly inspired by Romans 6:11 and Ephesians 2:1-10. As the title suggests, the basic theme is 'Alive in Christ and dead to the world'. But although "Dead To The World" could be viewed as the negative side of things the lyrics are not. We can give thanks that through the power of Jesus in our lives we are able to become dead to our sins. The verses tackle our sins and the effect they can have on our lives in more detail. In its essence the song is a warning - if it had a colour it would be red for danger. "Dead To The World" is one side of a coin; see "Bitter And Twisted" for the reverse side.

"Ghost Town"
Jesus is our strength and he is the one who sees us through our trials. Psalm 84:6 speaks of the valley of Baca, a spiritual place of weeping and sorrow where we are in danger of becoming lost. Another Scripture relating to this is Ezekiel's valley of dry bones. "There was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together bone to bone."
When we are cracked, dry and lifeless, it is Jesus who comes to us and breathes fresh life into us taking us out of the dead place (or ghost town). The first verse speaks of a "big old cat" and this is Satan who the Bible tells us prowls around like a hungry lion looking for sons to devour.

"Your Blue Eyes"
Written with the viewpoint of personal tragedy, "Your Blue Eyes" is a testimony to the steadfast love of Jesus Christ. It speaks of times when the love of Jesus is the only thing that is unchanging. In today's society should we not value this highly?

"Honourable Way To Die"
A hot potato, this song deals with a dilemma faced by many Christians throughout the last 2,000 years. Whichever way you look at it, war is the result of man's sinfulness and its effects are widespread causing probably most of the world's problems. How much money does our country plough into arms? And yet do we want to be powerless in the face of the enemy? Ouch, this song bites!

"Bitter And Twisted"
The second side of the coin, if you are not dead to the world you will probably become bitter and twisted. The effect of sin in our lives is devastating. It is doubtlessly enjoyable in the short term but undeniably deadly in the long term. The song challenges us all to look in the mirror and examine ourselves. We alone cannot cope with our sin. It eventually overpowers us and those around us. But Jesus is there holding out a huge bin bag large enough for even my sinful rubbish!! He died in our place and has the power to forgive and cleanse us.

"Shot Away"
"...We will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye." We look forward to the day when Jesus returns and gathers his people. The song touches on a theme central to Christianity - the second coming. I believe that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us (all those who believe) and that he will return for us. That's gonna be some gig! If the song sounds like a lament then it is a lament for all those who still do not know Jesus Christ as their own personal saviour.

"Cross Eyed"
Probably the most evangelistic song of he crop, this is a pat on the back for street preachers and 'cross-eyed Joes' everywhere. Hopefully the message gets across that these people must have something worth thinking about if they are brave enough to go out and talk about it in public. "Cross Eyed" (meaning with eyes set upon the cross) sets out a challenge asking, 'Which way will you go?" There is an imaginary fence (also in "Sugar" which many people sit on, between believer and unbeliever. I say imaginary because of the Scripture, "Whoever is not for me is against me". Jesus made it clear that there is no grey area. Revelation speaks of goats being separated from sheep on judgment day. This song demands an answer to the question, "Which way are you headed?"