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 Secrets of the Black Arts
Dark Funeral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show me the secrets enshrined
The hidden source of eternal wisdom
That dwells within the abyss
Infernal majesty
Guide me in my eternal search
Lead me to the ancient empire
Of dark treasures that once were lost
Lord of darkness
I speak thy name
Bestow me a vision
From the deeps beyond the flames
Share me the power
Enchant my darkened soul
Grant me the key
To the mysteries
Wandering alone in the hall of damnation
Enlightened by the reflections of the moon
As voices of the night calls my name
I enter the halls of blasphemy
Rites of ancient sorcery unknown
Since the darkest centuries of time
The hidden chambers reveals the past
Engraved in the archways in stone
Demon lord
The apocryphal king of the abyss
Reveal the unholy secrets
Unveil the source of hellish creation
Inferal majesty
I summon the infernal forces
Let the ancient flame burn
Lord, bring us damnation
I'm an enchanter
A disciple of the art aflame
In the depths of my heart
The vigil of Satan engraved
Satan
Thou who possess the greater force
I'm thy faithful servant
The words of summoning I recite
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
The song "The Secrets of the Black Arts" by Dark Funeral is a dark and powerful tribute to Lucifer and the pursuit of forbidden knowledge. The lyrics speak of a quest for the hidden secrets and wisdom of the universe, believed to be enshrined within the abyss by infernal majesty. The singer, a self-proclaimed enchanter and disciple of Satan, seeks out these secrets in the halls of damnation, where ancient sorcery and blasphemous rites have been practiced for centuries. They call upon the demon lord to reveal the source of hellish creation and unleash the infernal forces, bringing damnation upon themselves and the world around them.
The song can be interpreted as a celebration of the pursuit of knowledge, even if it is forbidden or considered evil by others. It is also a commentary on the power and allure of darkness and the unknown, and the dangers of pursuing such things without caution or understanding the consequences they may bring. The repeated invocation of Lucifer and the apocryphal king of the abyss show a deep reverence for these figures, while also acknowledging the dangerous power that they hold. Overall, the song is a powerful and chilling tribute to the dark side of human nature and the search for forbidden knowledge.
Line by Line Meaning
Lucifer
Calling upon the devil
Show me the secrets enshrined
Revealing the concealed knowledge
The hidden source of eternal wisdom
The untold origin of everlasting knowledge
That dwells within the abyss
That exists within the depths of darkness
Infernal majesty
The power of the devil
Guide me in my eternal search
Lead me in my endless pursuit
Lead me to the ancient empire
Take me to the long-forgotten kingdom
Of dark treasures that once were lost
Of the hidden valuables that were once gone
Lord of darkness
Addressing the ruler of evil
I speak thy name
Uttering the name of the devil
Bestow me a vision
Grant me a glimpse of the unseen
From the deeps beyond the flames
From the realms deeper than the fire
Share me the power
Grant me the strength
Enchant my darkened soul
Captivate and control my shadowed being
Grant me the key
Provide me access to
To the mysteries
The enigmas that surrounds us
Wandering alone in the hall of damnation
Roaming in the cursed place without any companions
Enlightened by the reflections of the moon
Illuminated by the moonlight
As voices of the night calls my name
The sounds of the night calling out to me
I enter the halls of blasphemy
I permeate into the rooms of unholy acts
Rites of ancient sorcery unknown
Ceremonies of old magic obscure to many
Since the darkest centuries of time
Since the most obscure time in history
The hidden chambers reveals the past
The inaccessible rooms unravels history
Engraved in the archways in stone
Carved in the hard sedimentary rock on the walls
Demon lord
The master of demons
The apocryphal king of the abyss
The mysterious ruler of the chasm
Reveal the unholy secrets
Unveil the concealment of the impious mysteries
Unveil the source of hellish creation
Disclose the cause of infernal origin
Inferal majesty
The supremacy of the hellish power
I summon the infernal forces
I call forth the dark supernatural beings
Let the ancient flame burn
Allow the old blaze to ignite
Lord, bring us damnation
Requesting the ruler of evil to damn us
I'm an enchanter
I am a spellbinder
A disciple of the art aflame
A follower of the illuminated magic
In the depths of my heart
In the core of my being
The vigil of Satan engraved
The watch of Satan inscribed
Satan
Addressing the devil
Thou who possess the greater force
You, who holds the superior power
I'm thy faithful servant
I am a loyal follower of yours
The words of summoning I recite
The incantations I chant to call upon you
Secrets of the black arts
The hidden knowledge of the dark magic
Secrets of the black arts
The concealed craft of the evil sorcery
Secrets of the black arts
The inscrutable wisdom of the diabolic spells
Secrets of the black arts
The abstruse teachings of the malevolent magic
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rodoxxs
Lucifer
Show me the secrets enshrined
The hidden source of eternal wisdom
That dwells within the abyss
Infernal majesty
Guide me in my eternal search
Lead me to the ancient empire
Of dark treasures that once were lost
Lord of darkness
I speak thy name
Bestowe me a vision
From the deeps beyond the flames
Share me the power
Enchant my darkened soul
Grant me the key
To the mysteries
Wandering alone in the hall of damnation
Enlightened by the reflections of the moon
As voices of the night calls my name
I enter the halls of blasphemy
Rites of ancient sorcery unknown
Since the darkest centuries of time
The hidden chambers reveals the past
Engraved in the archways in stone
Demon lord
The apocryphal king of the abyss
Reveal the unholy secrets
Unveil the source of hellish creation
Inferal majesty
I summon the infernal forces
Let the ancient flame burn
Lord - bring us damnation
I'm an enchanter
A disciple of the art aflame
In the depths of my heart
The sigil of satan engraved
Satan
Thou who possess the greather force
I'm thy faithful servant
The words of summoning I recite
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
Aris
R.I.P. David "Blackmoon" Parland, your black arts forever remain and still haunt this mortal realm... HAIL BLACKMOON! HAIL DARK FUNERAL! HAIL BLACK METAL!
rodoxxs
Lucifer
Show me the secrets enshrined
The hidden source of eternal wisdom
That dwells within the abyss
Infernal majesty
Guide me in my eternal search
Lead me to the ancient empire
Of dark treasures that once were lost
Lord of darkness
I speak thy name
Bestowe me a vision
From the deeps beyond the flames
Share me the power
Enchant my darkened soul
Grant me the key
To the mysteries
Wandering alone in the hall of damnation
Enlightened by the reflections of the moon
As voices of the night calls my name
I enter the halls of blasphemy
Rites of ancient sorcery unknown
Since the darkest centuries of time
The hidden chambers reveals the past
Engraved in the archways in stone
Demon lord
The apocryphal king of the abyss
Reveal the unholy secrets
Unveil the source of hellish creation
Inferal majesty
I summon the infernal forces
Let the ancient flame burn
Lord - bring us damnation
I'm an enchanter
A disciple of the art aflame
In the depths of my heart
The sigil of satan engraved
Satan
Thou who possess the greather force
I'm thy faithful servant
The words of summoning I recite
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
Secrets of the black arts
UmbraPro Media
En tu sangre!!! En la memoria!!! En las noches nocturnas, oscuras y desgraciadas... David "Blackmoon" Parland !!!
Markus Sohns
Absolute black metal classic
venin1000
Love it ! Eternal hit of Black Metal !
John Sias
ah....old-school black metal always cheer me up songs like this. Reminds the early (if you wish) days of black metal....
Jonathan "A.D.D." Garofoli-Drummer
true example of how was black metal in it's purest form!underground devotion and blood,nothing else!!!!!!!!!
Ricardo Diaz
Awesome Dark Funeral's song, one of the best songs in my opinion, Hail Dark Funeral!!
Ricardo Diaz
One of The best songs of Dark Funeral, Hail Dark Funeral!!
Dirk Diggler
My grandma loves this shit. I bought her this album for her birthday.