First, fol… Read Full Bio ↴There are three artists known under the name of Abdullah.
First, following in the influences of Black Sabbath and Sisters of Mercy, the Richfield, OH-based Abdullah got together in 1998 through drummer and vocalist Jeff Shirilla. Accompanied by guitarist Al Seibert, the duo brought on their hybrid of doom metal from their own Rage of Achilles Records and released their debut EP "Snake Lore" in 1999.
There is also second artist using this name, who released the single "I Comma Zimba Zio (Here I Stand The Mighty One)/"Why Them, Why Me" on Motown Records in 1968.
How the man Joseph McLean recording under his Muslim name Abdullah came to be signed by Motown isn't made clear in the notes, but this was his only record, 'cause he was dropped after charging into a white Motown employees office, calling him a blue-eyed devil and pushing a letter opener up under his chin.
And third is Ahmed Abdullah, real name - Leroy Bland
Jazz trumpet player, born on May 10, 1947, in Harlem, New York, USA.
Played with the Sun Ra Arkestra between 1975 and 1997.
Leroy Bland began performing at age 13 in his native New York City. By the 1970s he was performing in New York's loft scene, and joined the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1976, working there on and off until 1993, when Sun Ra died. During that time Abdullah participated in more than 25 recordings and traveled extensively with Sun Ra. He has performed with Chico Freeman, Charles Brackeen, Steve Reid, John Hicks and Marion Brown, among others. He led his own "Solomonic Quintet" and recorded for Silkheart and Cadence Jazz.
Proverbs of Hell
Abdullah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under the holy mountain, I see through her disguise
In the smoke of the afterlife, I dream with fallen gods
Chastised by heathen eyes, our human form is lost
I dream of time
And the withering of all mankind
In anguish sleep
The stench of life clings to my flesh
The redemption of my soul brings rest
Will the rapture ever cease
Will the visions die
Enjoy the solace found in the absence of mankind
So I dream now with the spirits of the lost
Divine hallucinations, I am one with the gods
Under the holy ground, my energy survives
Exhale the breath of life in the hall of empty eyes
I dream of time
And the withering of all mankind
In anguish sleep
Silently
Sometime near the end
I traveled amongst unknown men
They drug me
They bring peace
I will call the earth my home
I will follow where the shadows may roam
I dream of time
And the withering of all mankind
In anguish sleep
Silently
I dream of time
And the withering of all mankind
In anguish sleep
Silently
The stench of life clings to my flesh
The redemption of my soul brings rest
Will the rapture ever cease
Will the visions die
Enjoy the solace found in the absence of mankind
Sometime near the end
I traveled amongst unknown men
They drug me
They bring peace
I will call the earth my home
I will follow where the shadows may roam
So I pray now to the mother of all lies
Under the holy mountain, I see through her disguise
In the smoke of the afterlife, I dream with fallen gods
Chastised by heathen eyes, our human form is lost
The song "Proverbs of Hell" by Abdullah is a haunting and introspective piece that touches on themes of spirituality, mortality, and the human condition. The lyrics paint a picture of a dream-like state where reality and the spiritual realm are intertwined. The singer talks about praying to the "mother of all lies," which can be interpreted as the goddess of death or the devil, and sees through her disguise. This experience allows the singer to glimpse the truth about life and existence.
The song touches on the idea of withering and the fragility of human life, as well as the idea that death can bring rest and redemption. The singer dreams of being in the company of fallen gods and being one with the divine, yet also acknowledges the stench of life that clings to their flesh. The lyrics suggest a hope for a release from the human form and a desire to be free from the struggles of life on Earth.
Overall, the song can be seen as a meditation on the dual nature of existence, which is both beautiful and painful. It suggests that by embracing the spiritual realm and allowing oneself to let go of earthly concerns, one can find peace and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
So I pray now to the mother of all lies
I am seeking guidance from a higher power, even if it is deceitful and misleading
Under the holy mountain, I see through her disguise
Despite the illusion presented by the mother of all lies, I can still perceive the truth underneath
In the smoke of the afterlife, I dream with fallen gods
Through spiritual experiences, I connect with entities that have fallen or been cast out from higher realms
Chastised by heathen eyes, our human form is lost
Judged and condemned by people with different beliefs and values, we lose sight of our humanity and individuality
I dream of time
I contemplate the passage of time and its effects on everything
And the withering of all mankind
I envision the decay and decline of humanity as a whole
In anguish sleep
I rest in a state of discomfort and pain
Silently
Without making noise or drawing attention
The stench of life clings to my flesh
I am repulsed by the unpleasant and overwhelming aspects of being alive
The redemption of my soul brings rest
Finding salvation or being absolved of wrongdoing brings peace and comfort to my soul
Will the rapture ever cease
The end of the world or the second coming of Christ is constantly on my mind, causing uncertainty and fear
Will the visions die
I wonder if my spiritual visions and revelations will come to an end, leaving me lost and disconnected
Enjoy the solace found in the absence of mankind
There is a calming and soothing effect in being away from the chaos and noise of humanity
Sometime near the end
As time draws to a close or as things come to an end
I traveled amongst unknown men
I moved among strangers or people with different beliefs and cultures
They drug me
They introduced me to new experiences or ideas that altered my perception
They bring peace
Their influence or teachings provided a sense of security and tranquility
I will call the earth my home
I have found a sense of belonging or attachment to the physical world
I will follow where the shadows may roam
I will pursue a path that is unconventional or goes against the grain
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrAtomicDon
Easily underrated. One of my favorite bands. The music, lyrics and vocals are all ACES!
Samuecka Samueskacho
great band!
Jönni Heinistö
Awesome. But The Path To Enlightenment is the best song from them.