As a full band from 1989 to 1993, they released a large amount of demos, a demo compilation CD named "The Oath of Black Blood" in 1991, and the album "Drawing Down the Moon" in 1993, both of which are considered classics of the style. Laiho, the group's frontman, would continue the band as a solo project after "Drawing Down the Moon" and released an EP called "Messe Des Mortes" 1993, as well as two more albums under the band's name. These albums, H418ov21.C from 1994 and Electric Doom Synthesis from 1995, were dubbed "ritual ambient" by the band. Much like the metal recordings from the band, these electronic releases have a cult following. After these albums were released, Beherit effectively ceased to exist, although Laiho would release another album of electronic material under the name Suri Shamaani in 1999.
Original members Nuclear Holocausto and Sodomatic Slaughter reformed the band in 2008, now a four-piece featuring new members Ancient Corpse Desekrator and Abyss. With this new lineup the album Engram would be released in 2009, which is largely considered a return to form to the band's metal era. In 2011, a recording for what the band had planned to release as a debut in 1990 would be unearthed and released as "At the Devil's Studio 1990", and this would be followed up with the "Celebrate the Dead" EP in 2012.
In 2020, Beherit would return with a new album, Bardo Exist. This album was a radical departure from Engram's sound, having returned to an electronic sound much like the band had created as Laiho's solo vehicle in the mid-90s.
The Gate of Inanna
Beherit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spirit of Venus
(repeat)
Queen of the of the land of the rising of the sun
Lady of ladies
Goddess of goddesses
Lady of ladies
Queen Inanna
The queen of night
Queen Inanna
A lady of battle
Queen Inanna
The sword of mine
Queen Inanna
A lady of love
Spear of Venus
Spirit of Venus
(repeat)
Queen Inanna
The queen of night
Queen Inanna
A lady of battle
Queen Inanna
The sword of mine
Queen Inanna
A lady of love
The lyrics to Beherit's song The Gate of Inanna are an ode to the ancient Sumerian goddess, Inanna. She was a goddess of varied aspects - love, war, fertility, and the queen of the night. The lyrics begin by invoking her with references to the "Spear of Venus" and the "Spirit of Venus". Venus was one of the planets that the Sumerians observed, and they associated it with Inanna. Venus appeared as both the morning and the evening star and was also associated with love and fertility. Thus, the reference to Venus in these lyrics is a clear tribute to Inanna's multifaceted nature as a goddess.
The rest of the lyrics focus solely on Inanna, referring to the different aspects of her personality as the "Queen of the land of the rising of the sun", "Lady of ladies", and "Goddess of goddesses". The repetition of these titles emphasizes Inanna's power and position as a supreme deity, and the use of superlatives suggests her superiority over all other gods and goddesses. The lyrics also underscore her personality as a warrior and the "Sword of mine" indicates her connection to battle. The final reference to her as a "lady of love" balances out her martial aspect and further emphasizes Inanna's multifaceted nature as a goddess of various spheres.
Line by Line Meaning
Spear of Venus
Referring to Inanna, the goddess of love, war and fertility, whose symbol is the eight-pointed star - the planet Venus. As Venus is associated with love and beauty, the spear signifies love and passion
Spirit of Venus
Further emphasises the association of Inanna with love, beauty and passion, through the personification of Venus as a spirit
Queen of the land of the rising of the sun
Inanna is recognised as the queen of Sumer (modern day Iraq), which was known as the land of the rising sun due to its location east of the Mediterranean. This line acknowledges her title and power
Lady of ladies
Inanna is the supreme goddess, who oversees all female deities, and is therefore the 'lady' of all other goddesses, emphasising her dominance and importance
Goddess of goddesses
Similar to the previous line, but even more powerful, as it recognises Inanna as the ultimate goddess, with no equal
Queen Inanna
A repeated phrase, calling attention to Inanna's royal status and importance
The queen of night
Inanna was seen as the goddess of both day and night, with her night aspect being particularly associated with death and rebirth. This line recognises her role in guiding souls through the underworld
A lady of battle
As well as love and fertility, Inanna was also associated with war and battle, leading her followers into victorious battles. This line acknowledges her role as a warrior goddess
The sword of mine
Inanna was often depicted holding a sword, representing her power and strength in battle. This line emphasises her connection to the weapon
A lady of love
Despite her fearsome reputation, Inanna was also a goddess of love and sex, granting fertility and arousing desire. This line represents the more tender aspect of her nature
Contributed by Isabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carla McCuy
Spear of Venus Spirit of Venus Queen of the of the land of the rising of the sun Lady of ladies Goddess of goddesses Queen Inanna The queen of night Queen Inanna A lady of battle Queen Inanna The sword of mine Queen Inanna A lady of love
Karpetanoi Druid
when you put the wifi password in your album
undergroundchurch yves
the perfect ambiance for halloween
j,avais cette album dans les années 90 GREAT album for connaiseurs only
Sergi Darkdarkness
I love this song!,
beherit15
sounds like a doom videogame background music, its great
Diablo 666
Lol
marian koniuszko
very old,very good,still fresh.
João Raffani
this is the only song of the album that I succeed to listen until the end
clayton weekley
@TheRippingCorpse Fuck yah! Well said. This is no longer just in the "Black metal" catagory, this cd touched into the "Ritual chant" genere. Perfection if you ask me.
CannabisUnite
this is fuckin brilliant