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.
Thus I Have Spoken
Dark Funeral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The gauntlet has been thrown, and the challenge is met.
With death-rattle chains, and brimstone from below.
I will come with black-hearted rage, and eyes of burning coal.
Let the fire burn and blood flow, let skulls and bones tower up to the heavens.
Cloaked in shimmering stellar glow, radiant with the cosmic light I will come
From the liquid darkness I appear,
My unholy fire is needed to cleanse this world.
I once again will trample the earth.
Bound to evil, carrier of Satan's mark.
Wherever I will walk, the world will tremble.
Thus I have spoken, thus shall it be
Chaos swallows the earth when I release my Christian hatred,
A hatred older than memory.
I move across the worlds like a dark plague,
Across boundaries unseen.
I ask for the gates to open,
And for my legions to be set free
I call upon the power of darkness, form and shadow.
I call upon the power of the elder ones, whose fate is bound to mine.
I call upon master Satan, give shadow form and lend me your eyes.
Grant me your crystal vision, and teach me what you would have seen.
The chain of Christian force is broken,
And the great darkness is loosened upon this world.
Thus I have spoken, thus shall it be
The song "Thus I Have Spoken" by Dark Funeral is a forceful and intense anthem to evil, summoning the fury of Satan and unleashing chaos on the earth. The lyrics describe a demonic figure, proud and unyielding, who emerges from the shadows to declare his power and launch an assault on the forces of good. The language is vivid and powerful, full of imagery of fire, blood, and bones. The singer is a harbinger of destruction, a destroyer of worlds who revels in the chaos he unleashes.
The opening lines are a call to arms, a declaration that the time has come for reckoning. The singer challenges the forces of good to meet him in battle, confident in his own power and determined to wreak havoc. The imagery is violent and intense: death-rattle chains, brimstone, black-hearted rage, and burning eyes all contribute to the sense of impending doom.
As the song continues, the singer becomes more and more powerful, summoning dark forces and invoking the name of Satan himself. He speaks of Christian hatred and darkness loosed upon the world, and his language becomes more chaotic and frenzied. The final lines are a chilling declaration that his will shall be done, and that the world will tremble beneath his feet.
Overall, "Thus I Have Spoken" is a powerful and evocative song that captures the essence of Dark Funeral's dark and abrasive style. Through its vivid imagery and forceful language, it conjures up a picture of a demonic force that cannot be tamed or stopped.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear me now; let this be the day of reckoning.
Pay attention to my words, this is the day where judgment will be passed.
The gauntlet has been thrown, and the challenge is met.
I have issued a challenge, and those who oppose me have accepted.
With death-rattle chains, and brimstone from below.
I am accompanied by the sounds of death and the smell of brimstone from the underworld.
I will come with black-hearted rage, and eyes of burning coal.
My anger is dark and intense, my eyes glowing with fury.
Let the fire burn and blood flow, let skulls and bones tower up to the heavens.
May destruction and death reign, with piles of remains stretching to the skies.
Cloaked in shimmering stellar glow, radiant with the cosmic light I will come
I am enveloped in an otherworldly aura, shining with the essence of the universe.
From the liquid darkness I appear,
I emerge from the depths of darkness.
My unholy fire is needed to cleanse this world.
Only my infernal flames can purify this realm.
Free from my cursed bounds,
I am no longer held back by any restrictions.
I once again will trample the earth.
I will roam and conquer the land like I have before.
Bound to evil, carrier of Satan's mark.
I am a servant of malevolence, marked by the lord of darkness.
Wherever I will walk, the world will tremble.
The mere presence of my footsteps will cause the earth to shake.
Thus I have spoken, thus shall it be
What I have stated shall come to pass, without question.
Chaos swallows the earth when I release my Christian hatred,
When I unleash my malice towards Christianity, chaos ensues.
A hatred older than memory.
My loathing is so ancient, it predates all knowledge.
I move across the worlds like a dark plague,
I spread like a disease, infecting every realm.
Across boundaries unseen.
I traverse hidden borders, beyond the reach of sight.
I ask for the gates to open,
I demand that the barriers be removed.
And for my legions to be set free
I request that my forces be unleashed.
I call upon the power of darkness, form and shadow.
I summon the strength of obscurity, physical and ethereal.
I call upon the power of the elder ones, whose fate is bound to mine.
I invoke the authority of the primordial beings, who share a destiny with me.
I call upon master Satan, give shadow form and lend me your eyes.
I call upon the ruler of evil to make shadow take shape and grant me his vision.
Grant me your crystal vision, and teach me what you would have seen.
Endow me with your penetrating insight, and show me the knowledge you possess.
The chain of Christian force is broken,
The power of Christianity has been shattered.
And the great darkness is loosened upon this world.
The immense obscurity is let loose upon the world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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