Members:
Dwid Hellion – vocals (1988–present)
Domenic Romeo – guitar (2014–present)
Discography:
Studio albums
Those Who Fear Tomorrow (1991, Overkill)
Systems Overload (1995, Victory)
Humanity is the Devil (1996, Victory)
Seasons in the Size of Days (1997, Victory)
Integrity (1999, Victory)
Closure (2001, Victory)
To Die For (2003, Deathwish)
The Blackest Curse (2010, Deathwish)
Suicide Black Snake (2013, Magic Bullet)
Howling... (2017, Relapse)
www.holyterror.com
Seven Sermones Ad Mortuos
Integrity Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The song Seven Sermones Ad Mortuos by Integrity is a deep and thought-provoking piece that delves into themes of illusion, opposition, and betrayal. The lyrics suggest that humanity is caught in a struggle between dissolution and nothingness, which oppose the ancient state of the universe. The victim of this opposition is both the individual and the collective; however, there exists an essential activity that stands above both. This essential activity appears to be a force that only the unreal cannot resist, further suggesting that reality itself is illusory.
The song goes on to suggest that there are entities that stand above even the sun and demon, the highest forms of human order, which are twisting and mad. These entities are described as delivering seven sermons to the dead, which seemingly deals with the themes of love and betrayal. The tormented spirits and serpent whore described in the song represent the tormented souls of humanity who exist in a state of abstinence purification, where the only way out is through solitary heavens. The song suggests that humanity is trapped in a cycle of destruction and regeneration, and the only way to escape is to seek solitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Free from illusion.
We are not bound by false perceptions.
our differentiated state.
Our unique, individual existence.
dissolution and nothingness struggle against the ancient state of the same .
The concepts of disappearing and emptiness battle against the unchanging original condition.
the one and the many victim to the opposition.
Unity and diversity are subject to conflict and contrast.
essential activity stands above both.
There is a crucial action that dominates both opposing forces.
nothing can resist him but the unreal.
The only thing that can challenge this action is unreal or false things.
above the sun and demon alike highest forms of order twisting of winged madness seven sermons to the dead
This essential action is superior to both celestial and demonic manifestations, as it takes the form of twisted divine madness which is enshrined in the Seven Sermons to the Dead.
love and its murderer the holiest betrayal
The ultimate treachery is to betray love, and love's killer is seen as the ultimate betrayer.
time lies behind the sun
Time is situated before sunlight.
diversified mutilation of all creation seven sermons to the dead.
All of creation has been subjected to a varied destruction that is preached in the Seven Sermons to the Dead.
tormented spirits serpent whore abstinence
We must practice self-restraint, even as we are tormented by spiritual and bodily desire.
purification mans portal exists through solitary heavens
The only way to attain purification is by passing through the isolated sky.
the prey begins to pray solitude ignores
Those who are hunted or persecuted may turn to prayer, but ultimately solitude remains indifferent to their fate.
Contributed by Violet L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.