In spite of their sworn allegiance to metal orthodoxy, Countess have never shied from innovation. In 1994 they created the first black metal song with Dutch lyrics (Bloed In De Sneeuw), in 1995 the first black metal love ballad (Blood On My Lips) and in 1997 were the first band to take a rocking approach to the genre (Hell's Rock & Roll).
Over the course of 29 years and 15 full-length albums, Countess' sound has evolved from the raw black metal of the early releases towards a more traditional heavy metal-influenced style. The band's most recent offering, Fires Of Destiny in 2016, being a powerful example of a seamless integration of heavy and black metal elements.
In 2014 the band returned to the stage after a long period of not having played live. Since then, Countess have performed impressive shows at numerous prestigious metal festivals in their own country, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Finland.
Countess currently consists of Mortüüm (drums), Orlok (vocals, bass), Valgard (guitars) and Häxa (keyboards). The band's latest full-length album Banners of Blood was released on February 11, 2021.
http://www.countessmetal.com/
On The Wings Of Azazel
Countess Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enslave their souls to illusions
Self-denial fed by holy fright
Righteous compulsion where Yahweh reigns
False prophets preach ancient fears
Will thy soul be free from chains?
[Chorus:]
Those who fear shall perish
Across dimensional boundaries
Into the dark reality
Those who embrace the 'mournful gloom'
Dare to see beyond false prophecies
In Lilith's night shine shrines of doom
Walk in the shadow of the Goat
Enter the fire of Moloch's empire
Join the chosen, swear the oath
[Chorus]
The lyrics to On The Wings Of Azazel by Countess entail a critique on religious institutions and their manipulation of believers. The first verse "those who follow the celestial light", refers to people who blindly follow religious doctrines without questioning them. The slavery of their souls to illusions speaks to how their beliefs hold them captive to the point of denying their own senses, and the holy fright they experience is the fear of going against the word of God. The hypocritical nature of religious institutions is revealed in the second verse, where false prophets preach ancient fears, and the question raised is whether one can truly be free from the chains of religion.
The chorus, "on the wings of Azazel, those who fear shall perish, across dimensional boundaries into the dark reality", indicates that breaking free from religious chains requires one to face their fears and embrace a new and darker reality. Azazel is an archangel in Jewish and Christian traditions who rebels against God's authority, and the song uses this figure as a symbol of defiance against institutionalized religion. The second verse changes direction and speaks of those who defy religious norms, embracing "the mournful gloom", and dare to see beyond false prophecies. The lyrics speak of "Lilith's night shine shrines of doom", which could refer to the goddess Lilith, a rejected figure in Jewish folklore who represents freedom and rebellion against male authority.
Line by Line Meaning
Those who follow the 'celestial light'
People who blindly follow the teachings of religion and spirituality
Enslave their souls to illusions
Are trapped in a false reality, unable to see the truth
Self-denial fed by holy fright
Fears instilled by religious teachings lead people to deny their own desires and aspirations
Righteous compulsion where Yahweh reigns
Religious authority figures force their followers to conform to their idea of righteousness, using the name of God as justification
False prophets preach ancient fears
Religious leaders manipulate their followers by exploiting their fears and insecurities
Will thy soul be free from chains?
Asking if one can break free from the control and manipulation of religion
On the wings of Azazel
Using Azazel, a fallen angel in Judeo-Christian mythology, as a symbol for rebellion and freedom
Those who fear shall perish
Those who are too scared or blind to question the status quo will ultimately suffer
Across dimensional boundaries
Transcending beyond the limitations of this earthly reality
Into the dark reality
Exploring the truths that are often obscured by the light of religion and spirituality
Those who embrace the 'mournful gloom'
People who embrace darkness and sadness as a means of finding deeper truths
Dare to see beyond false prophecies
Have the courage to question religious teachings and seek their own understanding of the world
In Lilith's night shine shrines of doom
Using Lilith, a figure from Jewish mythology, as a symbol of female independence and power
Walk in the shadow of the Goat
Embracing the darker aspects of humanity, including lust and desire
Enter the fire of Moloch's empire
Challenging the authority of religion and embracing rebellion
Join the chosen, swear the oath
Becoming part of a community of like-minded individuals who reject religious dogma and embrace freedom
Contributed by Ruby P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deer Skull 216
Those who follow the 'celestial light'
Enslave their souls to illusions
Self-denial fed by holy fright
Righteous compulsion where Yahweh reigns
False prophets preach ancient fears
Will thy soul be free from chains?
(chorus)
On the wings of Azazel
Those who fear shall perish
Across dimensional boundaries
Into the dark reality
Those who embrace the 'mournful gloom'
Dare to see beyond false prophecies
In Lilith's night shine shrines of doom
Walk in the shadow of the Goat
Enter the fire of Moloch's empire
Join the chosen, swear the oath
(chorus)