Icons of Industry (Feat. Erik LeCar) – Down from the Mountain

I don’t usually get requests directly from artists.  It happened once already, though I expected that to be a one-time deal.  Then, I received a request from Icon of Industry’s theologian and frontman Roberto Montoya to review Down from the Mountain.  How honored I felt!

I must admit that I know very little about this rock band.  So, I’ll simply let the band speak for themselves, as written on their facebook page:

Icons of Industry is BMI published Jazz/Gospel keyboardist and producer Shauntey Jonell, Grammy award winning Latin Orchestral drummer Johnny Lopez III (ex Grupo Fantasma and Brownout), film score composer and Prog/Metal bassist Alex ‘Wilky’ Wilson, and theologian and Rock frontman Roberto Montoya.

Our story is unfolding out of Austin, TX…

That’s quite an extensive, wide range of talents!

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

The apex and main message are that God and His law are correct.  The rest of the song highlights Moses’ receiving of God’s Law, Israel’s great sin of idolatry, Moses’ restitution, and a portion of Israel’s punishment for worshipping the golden calf.  The name of Moses and Lord are both mentioned towards the end of the song, furthering the likelihood of this interpretation, along with several explicit pointers including:

• Several references to the mountain
• A servant receives the law
• Radiance to the servant’s face
• Forty days and nights
• The calf
• Drinking the broken calf

Score: 10/10

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

Lyrics posted with permission.*  Since the lyrics do not contain the usual verse/chorus/bridge designation, I added stanza labels to differentiate between them.

[Stanza 1]

Down from the mountain

That is, mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1-25).

Your servant brought your law
Carrying the words you had spoken

That is, Moses.  He carried the written law, written by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18, Exodus 34:1, and Exodus 34:27-28).  While the original set was broken, signifying Israel’s breaking of God’s law (Exodus 32:19), Moses went up the mountain a second time to receive a second copy (Exodus 34:1-28), known as the ten commandments (Exodus 34:28).  This set is different than the “ten commandments” we often quote from today in Exodus 20:1-17.

That caused the radiance of his face
To shine upon them all

This occurred when Moses received the tablets the second time (Exodus 34:29).

Afraid to gaze upon him
Your servant veiled his face
Until he went to meet with You again

Summarizes events that occurred in Exodus 34:30-35.  Israel was afraid to look at Moses due to his radiated face.

[Stanza 2]

He lay prostrate in awe
Forty days and forty nights

Occurred in Exodus 34:28, after the two tablets were broken, while Moses received a replacement set.

Supplications for them all
Were made upon the mountaintop
To heal them all from the mountain

Moses returns to Sinai to make restitution for Israel’s sin (Exodus 32:30-32).

[Stanza 3]

Down from the mountain
Your servant brought your law
Carrying the words you had spoken

Repeats Stanza 1, lines 1-3.

You smashed the calf and made it fall
You made the people drink what was broken

According to Exodus 32:20, it is Moses who broke the golden calf, ground it into powder, and made Israel drink it, not God.

The line was drawn and Moses called

Though no literal line was drawn, he figuratively drew it by giving Israel a command: “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” (Exodus 32:26).

Then those who’s hearts were faithful and broken
Crossed the line with swords drawn

That is, the Levites, who rallied with Moses, struck down around 3,000 Israelites (Exodus 32:26-28).  This was not commanded by God nor part of His Law; However, it is also not presented as such.

By the way, the correct word is “whose”, not “who’s”.  Grammarly picked this one up during review.

[Stanza 4]

The Law was right
The Lord is right

Incon of Industry’s conclusion is correct.  The Law is not only right, but it is also good and holy (see Romans 7:12 and 1 Timothy 1:8).

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Anyone with rudimentary knowledge of Moses should immediately recognize the name, along with his receiving the 10 commandments.  Will they understand all the details?  Perhaps not.  But, the ending will perhaps draw curiosity and study to understand precisely why God’s Law is right.  It will also likely ignite hatred and disdain from the “God is evil” crowd, revealing their true colors.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Though not 100% biblically accurate, this song nonetheless brings glory to God, particularly with their conclusion at its finale.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Down From the Mountain is a fascinating song, something I have not heard before.  While I have one minor critique regarding its biblical accuracy, it nonetheless accurately summarises Moses’ interaction with God and Israel during his trip to Sinai.  Their overt lyrics makes interpretation easy for all, with a God-glorifying conclusion.

Well done!

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Down the Mountain (listen to the song)

Artist: Icons of Industry (Feat. Erik LeCar)

Album: Alchemy in Waves

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2017

Duration: 2:57

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

*Copyright © 2017 Tunecore Digital Music (BMI). All rights reserved. Used by permission. 

Updates:

01/31/2019 – I originally gave this song a 9/10; However, upon re-reading the third stanza, I discovered that the end part is disconnected from God’s command, nullifying my initial criticism.  This raised the song’s score from 9/10 to 9.5/10.