Although there are two pieces named “Epiklesis I” and “Epiklesis II” on Paracletus, they are musically unrelated. (Note that some releases simply entitle both “Epiklesis”.) However, the album closer, “Apokatastasis pantôn”, reprises themes first heard in “Epiklesis II”.
Epiklesis II
Deathspell Omega Lyrics
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Gémissement de la colombe du paraclet qui répercute en
Écho le terrible de profundis…
Let the rivers of paradise recede to their spring
May their sear bed expel desperate drops of anguish
May these bitter waters quench our thirst
Until the last second of the last hour, forevermore
Vestigia nulla retrorsum
The first verse of Deathspell Omega's song Epiklesis II provides a haunting and poetic backdrop to the intense and dark atmosphere of the track. The lyrics are in French and roughly translated as "Listen to the muffled, the distant, the pale moaning of the dove of the Paraclete which echoes the terrible De Profundis". The Paraclete is a Christian term for the Holy Spirit, and the dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The De Profundis is a Latin phrase that means "out of the depths", and is frequently used in religious liturgy as a cry for mercy.
The second verse of the song takes on a more desperate tone. It speaks of the rivers of paradise receding, and a sear bed that expels drops of anguish. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of faith or the absence of God. The singer of the lyrics asks for the bitter waters to quench their thirst, but it's unclear if this is a plea for relief or a desire to be consumed by the darkness. The final line of the verse, "Vestigia nulla retrorsum", means "No turning back" or "No footsteps behind".
Overall, the lyrics to Epiklesis II are open to interpretation, but they create a powerful and eerie atmosphere that complements the intense and dark instrumentation of the track.
Line by Line Meaning
Ecoutez les tres étouffé, le tres lointain, le tres pale
Listen to the very muffled, very distant, very pale
Gémissement de la colombe du paraclet qui répercute en Écho le terrible de profundis…
Lament of the dove of the Paraclete resounding in Echo the terrible De Profundis...
Let the rivers of paradise recede to their spring
Allow the streams of heaven to return to their source
May their sear bed expel desperate drops of anguish
May the dried up riverbed release despairing tears
May these bitter waters quench our thirst
May these bitter waters satisfy our thirst
Until the last second of the last hour, forevermore
Until the end of time, for eternity
Vestigia nulla retrorsum
No stepping back, no turning around
Contributed by Victoria P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.