Goat Let it Burn (2018)
“Before the false light of Jesus shone on our country, we here in the North, we worshiped fire. It kept us warm during long winters and it burnt down our enemies, and in its scorched wake we planted seeds, so we might live another year.”
This statement is made by a veiled, anonymized protagonist in a documentary film (see “Dig Deeper” section below) set in the Swedish city of Gävle. The focus of the film, which was shot in 2018, is the Gävle Goat, a goat made from straw that became the focal point of a cultural clash between pagans and Christians.
The Gävle Goat has been erected annually since 1966 on the first day of Advent, serving as a symbol of Christmas. But the goat rarely survived. Out of the 58 times it was erected, it was destroyed 42 times—mostly by fire deliberately set by pagans who reject Christian traditions. Once someone even traveled from the USA to set it on fire.
“Let it Burn”, today's song, was written by the Gothenburg band Goat specifically for a scene in the above-mentioned film. The band, known for their unique blend of heavy metal, afrobeat and psychedelia, are convinced that this is their best song ever. We believe so too.
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