In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan. He added Steve Byrd on guitar, Liam Glenocky on drums and John McCoy (ex-zzebra) on bass, and initially pursued a progressive rock direction, releasing their eponymous debut in 1978, although they could only get a record deal in Japan. This recording has subsequently become more widely available as THE JAPANESE ALBUM.
The album was sufficiently successful to attract more attention and in 1979 the band secured a European deal with Acrobat Records. Before a new album was recorded, Byrd was replaced by Bernie Tormé and Glenocky by Mick Underwood, Ian Gillan's former colleague in Episode Six. Torme's "screaming guitar" sound fundamentally altered the dynamics and Gillan took a heavy metal direction. This lineup's first album was released as MR. UNIVERSE and contained many re-worked songs from The Japanese Album. The band caught the rise of the NWOBHM at just the right time and the group gained popularity in Europe. At Christmas Gillan turned down an offer from Ritchie Blackmore to join Rainbow, but Blackmore did make a "legendary" guest appearance for Gillan at their Christmas show. It was the first time Ian Gillan and Blackmore had performed together since 1973.
In 1980 Gillan reached the peak of their success, releasing the successful GLORY ROAD album with the limited edition "free" LP for gillan fans only. However the band remained unknown in North America and were unable to raise any interest there despite tours.
By 1981 the band members were becoming disgruntled that their European and Japanese success was not translating into increased pay, and after the FUTURE SHOCK album tour, Torme walked out just before the band were due to appear on Top of the Pops. He was replaced by White Spirit guitarist Janick Gers and this line up releaed the live/studio combi double album DOUBLE TROUBLE at the end of the year. In 1982 final album MAGIC followed. By this time, tension over money had reached fever-pitch and Ian Gillan needed time to have nodes removed from his vocal chords. He also received and accepted an offer to replace Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath. After the Magic tour Ian Gillan dissolved the band to the incredulity of the other members, particularly McCoy, and the acrimony remained into the 21st century.
McCoy subsequently released compilations of studio out-takes to which he had the rights, beginning with Gillan Tapes, Vol. 1, and ensured that revenues were distributed fairly amongst the band.
Abbey Of Thelema
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a look of surprise
And she started to cry
She remembered the dream,
Which wasn't a dream
Abbey of Thelema
Going to another place,
She tried to do what she would,
That was the law she understood
I was on another plane,
She was out alone again
Scarlet women ride the beast
And Leah will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast
Leah will enjoy the feast
If she follows the law,
Then she can sure open any door
It's not for the fool,
And it's not for the mule
Shaytan makes the rule
Going to another place,
Or running in another race,
She tried to do what she would,
That was the law she understood
I was on another plane,
She was out alone again
Scarlet women ride the beast
And Leah will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast, Leah
Going to another place,
Running in another race,
She tried to do what she would,
That was the law she understood
I was on another plane,
She was out alone again
Scarlet women ride the beast
And Leah will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast
She will enjoy the feast
The lyrics to Gillan's song Abbey of Thelema are a reference to an infamous establishment established in the early 1900s by the occultist Aleister Crowley in Cefalù, Sicily. The Abbey of Thelema was intended to be a utopian society based on the principles of Thelema, a religious philosophy founded by Crowley himself. In Thelema, personal freedom and individual will are the two guiding principles, and the lyrics suggest that the woman in the song is a follower of this philosophy.
The woman in the song is recalling a dream she had of the Abbey of Thelema and is moved to tears by the memory. She recognizes that to operate within the society's principles, she must follow the law and be guided by her own willpower. The references to 'Scarlet women ride the beast', suggest that there are women who 'live fast and furious' and are accepted by the society, which is presumably what the lyrics mean by "She will enjoy the feast". However, it requires the strict and intense control of the Shaytan to do so.
The song's lyrics provide insight into the esoteric spiritual practices that Aleister Crowley and his followers pursued in the Abbey of Thelema. Its main theme is the pursuit of individual will and freedom to create a world in which individuals can be true to themselves. The song's popularity rose because of its controversial nature and provocative lyrics, which touch on themes of sexuality and spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
She opened her eyes
The singer starts by describing how the woman opens her eyes
With a look of surprise
He continues to narrate that the woman had a surprised expression on her face
And she started to cry
As the woman remembers something, she begins to cry
She remembered the dream,
The woman is recollecting a dream that she had
Which wasn't a dream
But the artist is suggesting that the dream wasn't merely just a dream
Abbey of Thelema
The dream that the woman is remembering is about the Abbey of Thelema
Going to another place,
The singer begins a new verse, describing how the woman is moving from one place to another
Running in another race,
She is on a different path or journey
She tried to do what she would,
The woman is making an effort to fulfill her desires
That was the law she understood
The woman believes that fulfilling her desires is the right way to live her life
I was on another plane,
The singer mentions that he was not in the same plane or level as the woman
She was out alone again
The woman is back to being alone in her journey
Scarlet women ride the beast
There are women (possibly associated with the Abbey of Thelema) who ride the beast, which could symbolize power or dominance
And Leah will enjoy the feast
The singer mentions Leah, who is most likely one of the women riding the beast, and suggests that she will enjoy the feast or the pleasures of life
If she follows the law,
The singer talks about a law that the woman needs to follow
Then she can sure open any door
If she follows the law, she will have the ability to achieve anything she desires
It's not for the fool,
But the artist warns that this path is not for the foolish or inexperienced
And it's not for the mule
Nor is it for those who are stubborn or unwilling to follow the law
Shaytan makes the rule
Finally, the singer mentions Shaytan, which is associated with the devil in Islam, and suggests that he is the one making the rules
Contributed by Mia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GreenerHill
Gillan and Page would make a great duo, with this great (but frightening) song an obvious choice!
Portcullis
I had forgotten that this song has some crazy and haunting flute playing at the end. Sounds very much like Ian Anderson. I wonder if it is?
mrjonesy2112
It was Colin Towns, the keyboard player.
The Truth Hurts
Forgot about this song until I just found out that Mr. Crowley actually lived at Abbey of Thelema located in Sicily where his daughter Lea died due bad living conditions. Mussolini found out about him and threw him out of Italy.
axeshredder02
wow crazy screams at 4:13
Apache Viking
The dislike must be from Richie Blackmore...
David Pearson
Haunting
A Jones
mono