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"Hail Satan", sometimes expressed in a Latinized version as Ave Satanas (or Ave Satana) is an expression used by some self-identified Satanists to show their dedication to Satan, but has also been used for the purpose of comedy or satire. The phrase is used by some heavy metal musicians and fans—often along with the sign of the horns—as well as by musicians in other genres, including Glen Benton. Use of the "Hail Satan" sign in heavy metal music has been described by Henry Owings of Chunklet as being ironic in intent, rendering the gesture supposedly harmless, however some evangelical Christians, such as Jeff Godwin and Jimmy Swaggart, believe that phrases such as "Hail Satan" in metal music encourages Satanism and may lead to criminal behavior. Believers in backmasking think they can hear "Hail Satan" and other messages to Satan in some songs played in reverse, such as "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith. The variation Ave Satani is sometimes used, because it was used by Jerry Goldsmith in his theme music to The Omen, but, regarding the Latin, its declension is not correct, as it is declined either as a masculine noun of the first declension, or a Greek loan word, and the ending -i- is for some forms of nouns of the second declension.

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