As opposed to the aggressive Satanism of many black metal bands, GBK's lyrics take a literate, satirical view of biblical lore. The band is known for incorporating melodic, traditional heavy metal influences while retaining the more unorthodox aspects of black metal songwriting. GBK are one of America's first black metal bands and are true fathers of USBM.
Following the death of Richard Mills (singer on Kosherat) in August of 2006, the band split up, but later reformed to play gigs in 2009-10. The band has been sporadically active and playing gigs ever since with Unhold (Absurd, Luror, Helduntum) taking over as live vocalist. New studio material has been recorded Kohanic Charmers (2022)
Releases
* Goat Of A Thousand Young (1992; demo)
* Triumph of the Hordes (1994; demo)
* A Witness to the Regicide (1996; EP)
* Mocking the Philanthropist (1997)
* The Tricifixion of Swine (2000; EP)
* Judeobeast Assassination (2001)
* Satan is Metal's Master/Sperm of the Antichrist (2001; split)
* Castrate the Redeemer (2001)
* Hobo of Aramaic Tongues/Le Royaume Maudit (2003; split)
* On a Mule Rides the Swindler (2005; EP)
* Kosherat (2005)
* Weltenfeind (2008; split)
* Goat of a Thousand Young / Triumph of the Hordes (2017; compilation)
* Kohanic Charmers (2022)
Reflections of the Coffin Lid
Grand Belial's Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crouched in front of the weeping virgin
Trembling child absorbs the ghastly air
Accustomed to divine subordination
Thoughts of suicide race endlessly
Reflections of the Coffin Lid
Subconscious images foresee the haunted day
The urine of goats feed the nightmare
Insects roam the surface of my body
This polluted art becomes an obsession
Reflections of the Coffin Lid
Crouched in front of the weeping virgin
Trembling child absorbs the ghastly air
Accustomed to divine subordination
Thoughts of suicide race endlessly
The song "Reflections of the Coffin Lid" by Grand Belial's Key is a dark and eerie piece with deep and cryptic lyrics. The song seems to be about a young child who is in a state of physical and mental vulnerability, and is surrounded by an aura of morbidity and deathly atmosphere.
The opening lines, "Crouched in front of the weeping virgin, Trembling child absorbs the ghastly air," describe a scene of a child who is cowering in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary, possibly seeking solace or protection. However, the child is engulfed in an environment which is not only ghastly, but also one that breeds a deep sense of despair. The child seems to be resigned to a certain divine submissiveness, which further exacerbates their thoughts of suicide. The line "Accustomed to divine subordination, Thoughts of suicide race endlessly" is particularly poignant because it suggests that even at a young age, the child is already contemplating self-harm as a way to escape the horrors of their existence.
The lyrics also make use of vivid and graphic imagery to further drive home the sense of horror and disgust. The lines "The urine of goats feed the nightmare, Insects roam the surface of my body" give off a sense of filth and pestilence that permeates every aspect of the child's life. The final chorus repeats the opening lines, tying the central themes of the song together.
Line by Line Meaning
Crouched in front of the weeping virgin
I am kneeling in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary, which appears to be crying.
Trembling child absorbs the ghastly air
I am so terrified that I am shaking, and I can feel a terrible, ominous energy all around me.
Accustomed to divine subordination
I have been taught to believe that I am inferior to God, and that I must submit to his will.
Thoughts of suicide race endlessly
I am tormented by thoughts of killing myself, and these thoughts consume me completely.
Reflections of the Coffin Lid
I am haunted by the image of a coffin, and the idea of death and decay fills my mind.
Subconscious images foresee the haunted day
I am experiencing vivid, unsettling dreams and visions that predict a future full of fear and horror.
The urine of goats feed the nightmare
I am surrounded by filth and darkness, and this pollution fuels my terrifying dreams.
Insects roam the surface of my body
I feel like I am covered in bugs, and this sensation fills me with disgust and fear.
This polluted art becomes an obsession
I have become fixated on the idea of darkness and decay, and it has become an unhealthy, all-consuming obsession.
Contributed by Charlie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.