Diary Of Torture

Album: Murder Metal (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This death metal track would be lurid enough if it were not grounded solidly in fact. Subtitled "Robert Berdella," the Chicago band based it on the crimes of this little known but incredibly depraved serial killer.

    On April 2, 1988, a young man naked but for a dog collar (though not the type worn by vicars), jumped from an upper floor window of a house in Kansas City. The man who escaped from 4315 Charlotte Street had injured his foot in the fall, but his other injuries were shocking in the extreme; he had been imprisoned for weeks and had been repeatedly tortured. His appearance in such bizarre circumstances led to the arrest of Robert Andrew Berdella.

    The details of Berdella's crimes need not be spelled out here, it will suffice to say that he is known to have committed at least six murders. Although murder was capital in Kansas, Berdella escaped the death penalty, but died in prison of a heart attack in October 1992 aged 43. He did indeed keep a diary of torture. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."