Belphegor was founded as Betrayer in 1991 by vocalist and bassist Maxx, guitarists Helmuth and Sigurd, and drummer Chris. The band released their first demo Kruzifixion in April 1991, and Unborn Blood later on. After adopting the name Belphegor in 1993, they released another demo, Bloodbath in Paradise on Maxi-CD format. At somepoint before or after the release of this demo, Maxx departed from the band, resulting in Helmuth assuming his role as both vocalist and guitarist of Belphegor since. In between 1993 and 1996 session member A-X performed bass, after which bassist Mario "Marius" Klausner joined the band as a full-time member.
The band was briefly signed to Perverted Taste Records, the label on which the demo Obscure and Deep was released in 1994. This release featured a cover of the Black Sabbath song Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Their first album, The Last Supper, was released by Lethal Records in January 1995. At this time the band's logo was also redesigned to include two inverted crosses surrounded by blood.
The Ancient Enemy
Belphegor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Adoration - of the fools
Sickening ways of - idolatry
I deny the cross
Man made virus - rigor mortis
Bloodstained Depravity
[Lead: Helmuth]
Revocation - of the lies
Rancid morals - and stupidity
I deny the cross
Faith molested - buried blessings
The Ancient Enemy
Bloodstained Depravity
No god shall come before me
The lyrics to Belphegor's song "The Ancient Enemy" are a condemnation of organized religion and the idolatry and moral degradation it can perpetuate. The first verse speaks of adoration of foolish ways and sickening idolatry, denying the cross and calling it a man-made virus that infects the body in life and rigor mortis in death. The second verse continues the theme of revocation of lies and rancid morals, denying the cross again and calling faith molested, with blessings buried.
The chorus rages against the ancient enemy of bloodstained depravity, condemning the religious structures that have perpetuated violence and immorality in the name of god. Finally, the song concludes with the powerful statement "No god shall come before me", declaring the independence and self-determination of the individual over the dictates of religion.
Line by Line Meaning
Adoration - of the fools
The act of blindly worshipping and revering something, often without reason or evidence, is foolish.
Sickening ways of - idolatry
The excessive and unhealthy devotion to the worship of idols or images that represent something, rather than the thing itself, is disgusting.
I deny the cross
I reject the symbol of Christianity and its teachings.
Man made virus - rigor mortis
The ideologies and restrictions of religion are a disease that leave one spiritually dead.
The Ancient Enemy
An entity or force that has opposed humanity since ancient times.
Bloodstained Depravity
Immoral and corrupt actions that have led to the shedding of blood and suffering.
[Lead: Helmuth]
Musical interlude played by the lead guitarist, Helmuth.
Revocation - of the lies
Removing false beliefs and misinformation.
Rancid morals - and stupidity
Morals that are putrid and corrupt, and behavior that lacks intelligence and wisdom.
Faith molested - buried blessings
The corruption and abuse of faith has led to the loss of divine blessings that were meant to be received.
No god shall come before me
I am the ultimate authority in my life and will not prioritize any gods or deities over my own desires and beliefs.
Contributed by Mason Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.