Ethafulm – Black Light Revelation

Ethafulm (pronounced: eh-tha-fulm) is the music act of Long Island music artist Patrick Wynne. The name Ethafulm means nothing other than itself. It was a blank sheet upon which anything could be created. Ethafulm is currently preparing for the release of a debut full length album and will be releasing singles and music videos before the release.

Ethafulm’s music is not bound to any mood or marketing term. It is bound only to authenticity and the truth; both natural and super-natural. This by nature creates an array of sound types; diverse as the spectrum of emotions itself. Ethafulm had an unconventional transition to becoming a music artist.

Before Ethafulm, when Patrick was in elementary school, he had a phase where he would create songs in his head and simply hoped not to forget them so maybe one day he could really create them. This was followed by a phase of being non-musical where he didn’t voluntarily listen to any music.

Patrick’s musical thoughts reawoke when his mother bought him a stereo when he was a teenager which invited music back into his life again. He began listening to well known punk bands like the Ramones. Eventually his tastes grew further toward a preference for both beauty and aggressiveness from finding such deep meanings and values in songs that were not common in society as he saw it. Acts like Foreverinmotion, Dir en grey, and U2 became his dominant influences musically, socio-politically and personally.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

The main thrust is that of spiritual warfare; an internal struggle between fulfilling one’s own dream, which for Ethafulm is the harder road of telling others about Jesus, probably through their music, and the easier path of ease and apathy.

The metaphors surrounding “darkness” and “light” use equivocation, which may confuse individuals who are not well-equipped to think through its poetic style.  I attempted to break it down in Section 2.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Despite the apparent confusion surrounding darkness and light, I found all its lines to align with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

Since it does not contain a Verse/Chorus/Bridge structure, I assigned stanza’s to each paragraph.

[Stanza 1]

I don’t want to wake up I’m sleeping softly
I have to wake up i’m sleeping too softly

The singer is experiencing internal struggle between laziness and taking action.  The sluggard will likely be poor (Proverbs 6:6-12, Proverbs 10:4-5, Proverbs 12:11, Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 14:23, Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 20:4, Proverbs 24:30-34, Proverbs 26:15 and Matthew 25:24-29), does not deserve to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and, if they have dependents, are worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).

The next stanza describes that which the singer struggles.

[Stanza 2]

Sometimes I’d rather dream here till I die
but these dreams will never come true if I stay here

The singer has personal dreams, goals to meet and recognizes that slothfulness will not accomplish it.  They must take charge of their own decisions to succeed, starting with confession (Proverbs 28:13).

[Stanza 3]

If I stay here withering, withering away, withering away I will not stay

The singer decided to change the trajectory of their life by deciding to do something about their dream.

When I die, will I regret, after the sun of heaven sets?

A rhetorical question with an obvious answer.

[Stanza 4]

Darkness Revelation

Not darkness in the sense of outside the light of God, but darker periods within our life that test, and reveal, our character (Genesis 50:20, Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4).  They also reveal flaws that God uses discipline us for which we may alter our behavior (Hebrews 12:4-11).  Stanza 8, line 2 provides ample lyrical evidence to support this view.

[Stanza 5]

Humanities becoming more and more nocturnal with each generation and it’s taking us away from the light.

It certainly seems that way, doesn’t it?  Without hard data on all of humanity, it is impossible to support or refute this statement, but Pew Research’s data tells us that young people are becoming less religious, which does not surprise me.

[Stanza 6]

Yet both darkness and light can be revealing

The light of God exposes our dark deeds (Ephesians 5:13).  As for the revelation of darkness, see my commentary on Stanza 4.

yet both darkness and light can be so blinding

Darkness causes us to become spiritually blind (2 Kings 6:17, Luke 24:31, John 3:3, John 9:39, Acts 26:12-18, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, and Ephesians 1:18).  As for light blinding, this is out first introduction to Satan, who appears as the light (2 Corinthians 11:14), who attempts to blind us from the light of God.

[Stanza 7]

Are you afraid of the night?
Are you afraid of the light?

In the context of spirituality, these are intensely probing questions.

[Stanza 8]

All things bright and beautiful, not all are the works of God

As mentioned in Stanza 6, line 2, Satan’s “light” are not the works of God.

All things dark some sorrowful, I for one am not a work of hell

Some dark things in our life are outside of control.  The singer understands that they are God’s handiwork (Psalm 100:3, Psalm 139:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17,, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:13, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

like your technology, your dependency on another’s creativity
the televisions glowing escapism blinds us so paint it black

The singer is speaking against the Devil.

I will use this darkness to eclipse the light of blinding lies

God uses evil that occurs in our life to accomplish His ultimate good (Genesis 50:20).

and this night light it can reveal what no other light can reveal;

See commentary in Stanza 4.

[Stanza 9]

Black Light Revelation

Effectively repeats Stanza 4.

[Stanza 10]

The truth is ultraviolet, dim and ultraviolet. Give me Black Light Revelation and these thoughts revealed in dark like stars in the night.
Away from the blinding light.

An allusion to Jesus, who is the ultimate source of truth (John 14:6) and light (Psalm 27:1, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Matthew 4:16, John 1:1-8, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:14, James 1:17, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7, and Revelation 21:23) that leads us away from Satan (Matthew 6:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:13).

I don’t want to wake up I’m
(Humanity’s becoming more and more nocturnal)
sleeping softly.
I have to wake up this
(with each generation.)

See commentary in Stanza 1.

World is too cruel for me to rest

This line reveals that the dream described in Stanza 2 is Jesus’ Great Commission to make Disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).

[Stanza 11]

I don’t want to wake up I’m sleeping softly

See commentary in Stanza 1.

I can rest here for now this dream is fulfilled

Using a Biblical term “to fall asleep” meaning “death”, the singer can die in peace knowing that they accomplished their mission.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

My slight criticism of possible confusion of light/darkness will likely be more apparent to unstudied unbelievers.  Their takeaway will probably take a more generalized form about achieving their dreams, with the mention of God as a fleeting thought, as opposed to a central theme.  Still, this message will fight against entitlement mentality, especially here in America.

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God as the Light that drives out the darkness.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Ethafulm’s Black Light Revelation is a creative masterpiece for the thinking believer.  Scripturally sound, its message of facing our own slothful tendencies, convicting those of us who are complacent and compelling us to take charge of our own destiny.  The equivocation of light and darkness may confuse some, and its religious undertones perhaps ignored by unbelievers; However, none of us can walk away from this song unchallenged on our own lifestyle choices, to die happy with the outcome of our choices.

I cannot recommend this for a worship set given that it is not worship music, but consider adding this gem to your own personal playlist.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Black Light Revelation (listen to the song)

Artist: Ethafulm

Album: N/A

Genre: Alternative Metal

Release Year: 2019

Duration: 4:54

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2019 Patrick Wynne (BMI). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/24/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.