Their lyrical themes have traditionally pertained to Satanism and anti-Christianity. Certain past and present members including Blackmoon, Ahriman, Caligula and Chaq Mol have each declared an affinity for Satanism, with Ahriman and Caligula notably being practitioners of LaVeyan Satanism. In their earlier years, their lyrical themes usually revolved specifically around depictions of Hell and Satan. After Emperor Magus Caligula joined the band, their lyrics came to focus more on blasphemy and anti-Christian rhetoric, although there have been several exceptions to this.
The group have released seven full-length albums and are one of the most prominent acts in the Swedish black metal scene.
Dark Funeral was founded by guitarists Blackmoon (David Parland) and Lord Ahriman in 1993. Shortly afterwards drummer Draugen and bassist and vocalist Themgoroth joined the band. Their self-titled and self-financed EP, Dark Funeral, was recorded in 1994 at Dan Swanö's Unisound studio in January. It was released on May 4, the same day the band performed their first gig at Luse Lottes Pub in Oslo, Norway, alongside bands such as fellow live debut band Gorgoroth and Marduk (who performed their first show abroad). After the recording sessions, Draugen left the band and was replaced by Equimanthorn.
The Arrival of Satan's Empire
Dark Funeral Lyrics
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Feathers fall from angel wings, from the sky.
Father Satan gather your legions, it is time to claim your throne.
The arrival of your dominion, so long been gone.
So gather now my legions, it is time to fight for our lord.
Hail Satan, scream the masses, smeared in angel's blood.
Lords of war, the wings of twelve, open all the gates.
Hell lord, unholy father.
Your wish is my command.
I will cut the liar throat; Christian blood will fall to the ground.
Demon legions, fly through the gates.
Into the darkened sky.
Held up high, the spears of evil.
As they run, through angels flesh.
They scream out in pain, as they see their kingdom fall.
Angel tears fall to the ground, as Satan again will reign.
Lords of war, the wings of twelve, open all the gates.
Fly high into the canopy; bring to me the head of god.
Hell lord, unholy father.
Your wish is my command.
I will cut the liar throat; Christian blood will fall to the ground.
"The Arrival of Satan's Empire" is a song by Dark Funeral that is a celebration of Satan's dominion over the world. It paints a picture of a world that was once ruled by God's angels but is now taken over by Satan's demons. The song starts with an image of a war between Satan's demons and the angels of God. The demons are covered in blood, while feathers fall from the angels' wings. Father Satan is called upon to gather his legions and take his throne to establish his dominion.
The second verse of the song speaks of the twelve lords of war who open all the gates to pave the way for Satan's coming. The demons are depicted as cutting off the throat of God and spilling Christian blood to the ground, signifying their eventual triumph. The final verse is a call to arms for Satan's demons to fly through the gates into the darkened sky and run through the flesh of the angels who are in pain as they see their kingdom fall. The song ends with Satan reigning supreme as the angels' tears fall to the ground.
Line by Line Meaning
The unholy war, when Satan's demons are smeared in blood.
A violent conflict between Satan and his forces against Christian angels, resulting in the shedding of blood.
Feathers fall from angel wings, from the sky.
As angels are wounded and killed, their feathers fall from their wings and descend from the sky.
Father Satan gather your legions, it is time to claim your throne.
Satan is called upon to assemble his armies in order to seize control of his rightfully-claimed ruling seat.
The arrival of your dominion, so long been gone.
Satan's prolonged absence from his throne has led to a loss of his supreme and rightful power and control over his realm.
So gather now my legions, it is time to fight for our lord.
An appeal to Satan's followers to unite behind him, in order to fight for and uphold his supremacy over his kingdom.
Hail Satan, scream the masses, smeared in angel's blood.
The faithful masses, covered in the blood of the vanquished angels, hail Satan in adulation and celebration.
Lords of war, the wings of twelve, open all the gates.
Satan's fierce war commanders with twelve wings are being called upon to unlock all the gates of his realm for the forthcoming invasion.
Fly high into the canopy; bring to me the head of god.
Satan's commanders are commanded to fly towards the heavens, slay the Christian God and bring his head as a trophy to Satan.
Hell lord, unholy father.
Satan is being identified and addressed as the evil master and father of his domain.
Your wish is my command.
A declaration of unwavering obedience and devotion to Satan's commands.
I will cut the liar throat; Christian blood will fall to the ground.
The angelic God is being unmasked as a deceiver and the singer pledges to behead him, allowing the blood of the Christians to flow freely.
Demon legions, fly through the gates.
The demon armies are ordered to fly into the Christian realm through any open gateway.
Into the darkened sky.
The demons are advancing and moving towards wherever their religious enemies may be found.
Held up high, the spears of evil.
Symbolism of the demon soldiers raising their weapons, ready to strike out against their enemies.
As they run, through angels flesh.
Describing how the demons are charging through and attacking the angels, releasing their wrath on their celestial foes.
They scream out in pain, as they see their kingdom fall.
The angels are witnessing the destruction of their kingdom and are shrieking out in agony as their once-fair domain collapses.
Angel tears fall to the ground, as Satan again will reign.
The angelic kingdom is being destroyed, and the tears of the angels are falling to the earth, as Satan is restored to his rightful place of prominence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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