Aside from Shatraug, Horna's current line-up includes ex-bassist, current guitarist, and backing vocalist Mynni "Infection" Luukkainen, drummer Perttu "Vainaja" Pakkanen, vocalist Tuomas "Spellgoth" Rytkönen, and current bass player Mika "Hex Inferi" Packalen.
Shatraug's also known to be involved in multiple other projects and bands, including Behexen, Black Stench, Finnentum, Foudre Noire, Hoath, Morbid Savouring, Mortualia, My Torments, Necroslut, Sargeist, Sinisterite, Striges, Uhraus, Vritra, Mirkhall, Skullcrusher, Tyrannium, Battle, Blutschrei, Drowning the Light (only as a live member), Vornat (only as a live member), and Ravening.
Risti Ja Ruoska
Horna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Minkään herran varjosta. (Eivät)
Haaskalinnutkaan nuo korjaa
Raatojanne roudasta
Ruoska raiskaa sielujanne,
Juottaa myrkyn kieletään.
Uskonorjuus - valjaksenne,
Ihmissaastaa kynsissään.
Sydämensä, sodat ruokkivat.
Opetettu on käytös pelkurilla,
Jonka mieleen valheet tarttuvat
Kuten pian heimojemme lauluissa
Ylistetään vanhaa jumalaa
Jonka viisaus on kansamme saloissa
Veressämme, täynnä ulijasta kunniaa
Ympärillämme vanha metsä aukeaa
Käsissämme on osa vanhaa viisautta
Kuten ennen heimojemme lauluissa
Ylistetään nytkin mustaa jumalaa
The lyrics of Horna's song "Risti ja Ruoska" convey a strong critique of organized religion, particularly Christianity, and its impact on people's lives. The first two lines of the song assert that nobody remembers a single slave under any lord, even though vultures still ravage their corpses. This emphasizes the idea that those in power are often more concerned with their own agendas and maintaining their grasp on power, rather than caring for the lives and well-being of those under them.
The song then goes on to suggest that religion, and specifically the Christian faith, serves this same purpose – to subjugate and control people by keeping them in a state of spiritual enslavement. The imagery of the whip (ruoska) represents the power and authority that religious institutions wield over individuals, using fear and punishment to maintain their hold on the population. This is further emphasized by the line "Uskonorjuus - valjaksenne" which loosely translates to "Faith slavery - your burden." The chorus reinforces this idea, referring to religious figures as manipulative and cowardly, using falsehoods to justify their actions.
The final lines of the song suggest that people's ancient beliefs and traditions and the natural world around them are the keys to true wisdom and cultural legacy, rather than organized religion. The mention of the "old forests" and the "old god" reveal an admiration for pagan folklore and a reference to pre-Christian beliefs. The line "Kuten ennen heimojemme lauluissa, ylistetään nytkin mustaa jumalaa" translates to "As in our ancestors' songs before, we still worship the black god." This reminds us that, although customs and religion have evolved, there is still value in honoring our predecessors' memories and cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
Ei kukaan muista yhtä orjaa
No one remembers a single slave from any master's shadow (They don't)
Haaskalinnutkaan nuo korjaa
Even scavenger birds collect your corpses from the frost
Ruoska raiskaa sielujanne,
The whip violates your souls
Juottaa myrkyn kieletään.
It poisons your tongue
Uskonorjuus - valjaksenne,
The slavery of religion - your yoke
Ihmissaastaa kynsissään.
It has human filth in its claws
Kristuksenne, paimen jonka lampailla
Your Christ, the shepherd whose sheep
Sydämensä, sodat ruokkivat.
Feed the wars for his own heart.
Opetettu on käytös pelkurilla,
Taught is the behavior of a coward,
Jonka mieleen valheet tarttuvat
Whose mind is easily captured by lies
Kuten pian heimojemme lauluissa
As in the songs of our tribes soon
Ylistetään vanhaa jumalaa
We will praise the ancient god
Jonka viisaus on kansamme saloissa
Whose wisdom is in the forests of our people
Veressämme, täynnä ulijasta kunniaa
Full of the howling honor in our blood
Ympärillämme vanha metsä aukeaa
The old forest opens around us
Käsissämme on osa vanhaa viisautta
In our hands is a part of the ancient wisdom
Kuten ennen heimojemme lauluissa
As in the songs of our tribes before
Ylistetään nytkin mustaa jumalaa
We still praise the black god.
Writer(s): Ville Pystynen
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nathan Russell Pridgen
on Sota
HORNA ROCKS!
Nathan Russell Pridgen
on Sota
FU*K THE MULTIVERSE!