Shades Of Shub-Niggurath
Alkaloid Lyrics


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The cornucopia of incarnation
Blindly, on and on it blunders
Nurtured through disease and stagnation
Then by decease is torn asunder


No more than an eldritch godhead's toy
Since first it squirmed from barren rock
Under the eyes of the night
The watching Mi-Go


Spawned through gaseous ooze
In a young protostar's sickly glow


Spores took flight
As ethereal clouds diffused
Along filaments
Connecting planet embryos
The firmament
Primed now for life's slow thunder


Oblivious, the eons pass
The void has severed the baryon oases
Where the spores amass
To sentient primordial slime


Deep inside, the fungi hide
Nudging young procaryotes from their stasis
A black molasse
Patiently biding its time






Shades of Shub-Niggurath
Eating death
Forever spurring life
Shades of Shub-Niggurath
Anatomy flowing free
From rotting sludge
A symphony of flesh shall rise


From the debris of perished life forms
Mycelium weaves a hive that storms unseen
Devouring worlds


Mother of all
Arcane abyss that bears the gods
And all that crawls, grows and dies
Under the sun
Till it comes undone
For I am Thanatheros


Slaves of Shub-Niggurath
Feeding death forever
And dreaming life
Slaves of Shub-Niggurath
Infinitely in reverie
Of the womb that bore them
They cannot see



Cruelty or mercy?


Engraved on Charon's tortured crust
The sigils around the universe resound:


Ia! Shub-Niggurath!
Ia! Shub-Niggurath!


Praise the Source
Ia! Shub-Niggurath!
From Pluto's tholin wastes
Atra! Shub-Niggurath!
To Venus' blistering hells
Ia! Shub-Niggurath!
No life without you
Atra! Shub-Niggurath!


Outside the inane flash
Of myriad birth chasing death
My kingdom reigns supreme


Dead, putrid eyes
Fetid rotting limbs
Discarded shells,
Bones and cells
All absorbed
Into my flesh hovering in the skies


All returns
To my ageless, timeless dream

Overall Meaning

Alkaloid's "Shades of Shub-Niggurath" presents an intricate tapestry of existential themes through the lens of cosmic horror, drawing on imagery that evokes both the vastness of the universe and the intricate cycles of life and death. The opening lines depict a relentless cycle of incarnation and decay, suggesting a universe where life springs amid adversitiesβ€”disease and stagnation. There is a sense of inevitability in the verse, as it describes life blindly moving forward, only to be torn apart by death. This cycle hints at the cruel, indifferent nature of existence, wherein life is nurtured only to ultimately succumb to disease and mortality, a reflection of the often harsh realities of survival.


The imagery of an "eldritch godhead" casts a shadow of cosmic insignificance on life itself. The mention of the Mi-Goβ€”a race of extraterrestrial beings from H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythosβ€”further deepens this theme, positioning humanity as merely toys of ancient gods. Life emerges from "barren rock" and is observed and possibly manipulated by these dark forces. This creates a chilling sense of a cosmos filled with antagonistic deities who watch from the shadows as life unfolds. The subsequent lines about gaseous ooze and protostars underline the origins of lifeβ€”suggesting a genesis born from chaos, where spores of potential are scattered across the universe, leading to the emergence of life amidst the void.


As the narrative progresses, it explores the evolution of life, from primordial sludge to complex forms, emphasizing the connections that weave through the cosmos. The phrase β€œslow thunder” serves as a metaphor for the gradual emergence of life, echoing the slow, often imperceptible changes that occur over eons. Here, the lyrics reflect a kind of originality, where life, at its core, is unknowing and drifts through time while being punctured by the inevitability of decay. The fungi and procaryotes suggest a connection between the microscopic and the cosmic, implying a symbiotic relationship whereby life, in all its forms, interacts with death continuouslyβ€”a relationship that is mutually beneficial and essential for existence.


Ultimately, the refrain β€œShades of Shub-Niggurath” brings forth the essence of death as an integral player in the cycle of life. Shub-Niggurath is portrayed as a motherly figure that encapsulates the universe's birth, decay, and resurrection, emphasizing the dual nature of creativity and destruction. The recurring themes of slavery and reverie recognize existence as a perpetual cycle of birth and rebirth, where sentient beings are trapped in their own perceptions of reality, ultimately unable to grasp the greater cosmic truths. The song closes with a merging of matter and consciousness, suggesting a return to a primordial state, embodying the idea that all things must return to the cosmic wombβ€”the timeless dream where life and death coexist as one entity.


Line by Line Meaning

The cornucopia of incarnation
A vast abundance of existence, representing the endless possibilities of life forms and experiences.


Blindly, on and on it blunders
Life continues to proceed aimlessly, often without awareness or understanding of its direction.


Nurtured through disease and stagnation
Life is cultivated and matured in conditions of despair and inertia, showcasing the paradox of growth amid suffering.


Then by decease is torn asunder
Through death, the cycle of life undergoes disruption, leading to disintegration and transformation.


No more than an eldritch godhead's toy
Life is reduced to a mere plaything of an otherworldly deity, suggesting its insignificance in the grand scheme.


Since first it squirmed from barren rock
From the beginning, life emerged from desolate origins, symbolizing resilience and struggle.


Under the eyes of the night
Existence unfolds in the obscurity of darkness, highlighting themes of hidden truths and the unknown.


The watching Mi-Go
Alien entities, possibly observers of creation, hint at cosmic awareness of life’s unfolding drama.


Spawned through gaseous ooze
Life originated from primordial, chaotic materials, representing the chaotic beginnings of existence.


In a young protostar's sickly glow
Amidst the murky light of emerging stars, life begins to take shape, reflecting the infancy of the cosmos.


Spores took flight
Life disseminated and spread, symbolizing the proliferation of existence across realms.


As ethereal clouds diffused
Mysterious entities permeated the environment, illustrating the enigmatic nature of life's expansion.


Along filaments
Connections were formed, representing the interwoven relationships essential for life.


Connecting planet embryos
Life links nascent planets, indicating a universal creative force that nurtures the development of worlds.


The firmament
The heavens are now ready for the emergence of life, symbolizing a cosmic preparatory state.


Primed now for life's slow thunder
The universe is set for the gradual and powerful emergence of existence, leading to an eventual crescendo.


Oblivious, the eons pass
Time moves forward without awareness, highlighting the indifference of existence to individual lives.


The void has severed the baryon oases
Empty spaces disrupt life-sustaining regions, suggesting chaos and disruption in the cosmos.


Where the spores amass
Gatherings of potential life forms accumulate, symbolizing the aggregation of beginnings.


To sentient primordial slime
These life beginnings evolve into conscious entities from basic organic materials, indicating evolutionary development.


Deep inside, the fungi hide
Buried within the depths, life forms exist in secrecy, suggesting hidden potential and undiscovered realities.


Nudging young procaryotes from their stasis
Causing the simplest life forms to awaken from dormancy, signaling the spark of evolution.


A black molasse
A dark, viscous substance symbolizes slow progress and the weight of existence beneath the surface.


Patiently biding its time
Waiting for the right moment to act, symbolizing the inevitability of natural processes.


Shades of Shub-Niggurath
Emanations of a dark and mysterious deity representing the primal aspects of creation and existence.


Eating death
Consuming the remnants of mortality, signifying the cyclical nature of life and decay.


Forever spurring life
Perpetually inspiring new forms of life, illustrating the connection between destruction and creation.


Shades of Shub-Niggurath
The manifestations of a primordial force that influence and control the cycle of life.


Anatomy flowing free
A freeform expression of biological life reflecting the untamed aspects of creation.


From rotting sludge
Emerging from decay, representing life’s ability to rise from the remnants of death.


A symphony of flesh shall rise
The orchestration of diverse forms of life will emerge, suggesting harmony created from chaos.


From the debris of perished life forms
Out of the remnants of existence, new life forms emerge, emphasizing the cycle of birth and death.


Mycelium weaves a hive that storms unseen
The networks of life are interconnected and dynamic, signifying complex relationships in the unseen world.


Devouring worlds
Engulfing entire realms, illustrating the consuming nature of life and existence.


Mother of all
The originating source of existence, embodying raw and primal elements of creation.


Arcane abyss that bears the gods
A mysterious and profound depth that shapes divine beings and influences the universe.


And all that crawls, grows and dies
Capturing the entirety of life’s experiences β€” growth, decay, and the inevitability of mortality.


Under the sun
In the light of awareness and existence, reinforcing the constant cycle of life.


Till it comes undone
Until the cycle reaches a breaking point, symbolizing the transient nature of all things.


For I am Thanatheros
Identifying as the embodiment of death and rebirth, representing the transformative forces in the universe.


Slaves of Shub-Niggurath
Beings bound to the will of the dark deity, signifying dependency on primordial forces.


Feeding death forever
Continually sustaining cycles of mortality, emphasizing the interconnectedness of existence.


And dreaming life
Concurrently envisioning and aspiring towards new forms of existence, reflecting hope amid destruction.


Slaves of Shub-Niggurath
Entities forever tied to the influences of this primordial being, representing the omnipresence of creation.


Infinitely in reverie
Perpetually lost in contemplation, suggesting an endless cycle of thought and existence.


Of the womb that bore them
Referring to the source of their existence, a reminder of the inescapable connection to creation.


They cannot see
Unawareness of the larger cosmic truths binding their existence, emphasizing ignorance in the face of vastness.


Cruelty or mercy?
A philosophical question raised about the nature of existence, challenging perceptions of creation.


Engraved on Charon's tortured crust
Markings or symbols found on a desolate landscape, representing the eternal consequences of life and death.


The sigils around the universe resound:
Symbols echo throughout the cosmos, conveying messages of existence and the interconnectedness of all.


Ia! Shub-Niggurath!
A call to reverence for the dark deity, acknowledging its influence on life and creation.


Ia! Shub-Niggurath!
Repeated invocation emphasizing respect and awe for the force that shapes the universe.


Praise the Source
Offering homage to the primal origins of existence, acknowledging its essential role in life.


Ia! Shub-Niggurath!
A reminder of the dark deity's omnipresent power within the cycle of existence.


From Pluto's tholin wastes
Referring to the extremes of existence, illustrating the presence of life even in inhospitable environments.


Atra! Shub-Niggurath!
An invocation highlighting the mysterious and dark aspects of this primordial force.


To Venus' blistering hells
Pointing to the harsh realities of life that still foster existence, signifying resilience amidst adversity.


Ia! Shub-Niggurath!
Reaffirming the deity's pervasive influence over the cyclical nature of life.


No life without you
A recognition that all forms of existence are dependent on these primal forces and origins.


Atra! Shub-Niggurath!
Once again acknowledging the dark and chaotic energies connected to existence and creation.


Outside the inane flash
Beyond the trivial bursts of life and death, suggesting a deeper perspective on existence.


Of myriad birth chasing death
An endless cycle of beginnings and endings, illustrating the continuity of the cosmic dance.


My kingdom reigns supreme
Claiming dominion over the grand tapestry of existence, indicating an authoritative force shaping life.


Dead, putrid eyes
The remnants of life that have decayed, emphasizing the inevitability of mortality.


Fetid rotting limbs
The physical remains of life forms consumed by decay, signifying the harsh reality of natural cycles.


Discarded shells,
The leftover forms of existence, representing the artifacts of life that inevitably give way to death.


Bones and cells
The fundamental components of life reduced to remnants, highlighting the reality of biological decay.


All absorbed
Every aspect of past life is incorporated into a larger whole, suggesting unity in diversity and death.


Into my flesh hovering in the skies
Implying the merging of all existence with a higher, possibly divine, essence that watches over the universe.


All returns
Everything ultimately returns to its source, emphasizing the cyclical nature of existence.


To my ageless, timeless dream
All aspects of life and death converge back into an eternal vision, suggesting a profound unity and continuity.




Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Florian Magnus Maier, Linus Klausenitzer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Metalton95

Arguably the best song on the album!
(0:07) Groovy main riff
(0:57) EPIC riff #1 straight up Sepultura tech death style with the groove
(3:39) Sweet Bass Solo
(3:57) EPIC riff #2 such an epic, heavy climax!

@Hip-Gnosis1134

Might be album of the year for me. Gonna be hard to top.

@Metalton95

It's hard to top an album with Qliphosis, Shades of Shub-Niggurath, Cambrian Explosion, Fungi of Yuggoth, The Folding, and Alpha Aur all on the same album :D
Riverside, The Zenith Passage, Mental Cruelty, and Atavistia are my other AOTY candidates so far.

@rockwiththedoc

My favourite Numen's track together with Qliphosis and The Fungi From Yuggoth! 🀘 "Chtulhu" and "Azaghtoth" were also released so I imagined the release of a video for "Shub-Niggurath"! See you tomorrow at the listening party, dear cephalopods! 😁

@DissonaOfficial

Christian Münzner and Hannes Grossmann can do no wrong! Killer track 🀘🀘🀘

@jerryjohnson736

My Niggurath

@Yoshoggutha

It's a little risky, but I like it. πŸ˜…

@Frogdoddofficial

He used the hard rath

@samueljacobson470

That riff that plays during the clean vocal section is just... chef's kiss

@Set666Abominae

I was sceptical at first when seeing this, because Shub-Niggurath is easily the most poorly handled Lovecraftian entity post-Lovecraft himself writing (oft reduced to nothing more than a monster constantly birthing monsters), but you guys manage to well interweave themes of chaos and scale well enough that it works!

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