The band's name was inspired by the "Secret Chiefs" said to inspire and guide various esoteric and mystical groups, and is a reflection of Spruance's interest in such philosophies.
In 2007, it was announced Secret Chiefs 3 has always been a general name for seven different bands, each representing a different aspect of Spruance's musical and philosophical interests. The seven bands are The Electromagnetic Azoth, UR, Ishraqiyun, Traditionalists, Holy Vehm, FORMS, and NT Fan. Spruance has stated that the sound collages of The Electromagnetic Azoth serve as the center of Secret Chiefs 3.
The albums Book of Horizons (2004) and Satellite Supersonic Vol. 1 (2010) were conceived as compilation albums featuring the satellite bands under their own names. All bands have appeared on at least one of these albums. Ishraqiyun and Traditionalists have delivered full-length albums.
Exterminating Angel
Secret Chiefs 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am Whore and Holy One
Here to destroy everyone
Harvest Moon and Evil Eye
Behind me the Sun does die-
He has established the Darkness
And He has established the Light
When you were a seed of power?
Sprout or cower into nothingness
All is punishment and sepulchur
Learn, there is only one way
To exist after the elements
Stand Up
Why do you think that you live?
Stand Up
Or rot there you motherfucking worm
The Watchers sent the winds for your strength
But you bury your head back in earth
Coward you fall to your knees
Before your "holy" delusions...
[arabic chanting??]
Did you think that you would survive
The transition from belief to the Real?
By choosing such a "life" over death
You forsake the True Conversion
You who tremble in fear
At the signatures of the Nephelim
Prepare to meet your God
For you know nothing of Him
Stand Up
Why do you think that you live?
Stand Up
Or die there you motherfucking worm.
The lyrics of Secret Chiefs 3's "Exterminating Angel" deal with the themes of power, destruction, and religion. The singer introduces himself as both a whore and a holy one and declares that he is here to destroy everyone. He mentions the Harvest Moon and Evil Eye, indicating that destruction goes along with creation and preservation. Furthermore, he describes the establishment of darkness and light and asks the listener who planted them there. The lyrics bring up existential questions about existence after the elements and teach that there is only one way to survive and that is to stand up.
The lyrics apply imagery and metaphors to reinforce their themes. The Watchers send the winds for the listener's strength, but the listener buries their head back in the earth, suggesting that they are cowardly and unwilling to take steps to improve their position. The singer encourages the listener to stand up and face their fear of the Nephilim to meet their God, which could mean various things depending upon how one takes it. The singer further emphasizes the idea that life and death are intertwined and that there is a true conversion that involves accepting this fact.
Line by Line Meaning
I am Whore and Holy One
I hold the duality of good and evil, representing both purity and corruption
Here to destroy everyone
I am powerful enough to destroy all those who defy me
Harvest Moon and Evil Eye
I possess both creative and destructive energies, like the cycles of the moon and the power of the evil eye
Behind me the Sun does die
My power is so great that even the sun, the source of all light, pales in comparison.
He has established the Darkness
God has created the darkness as well as the light.
And He has established the Light
God has created the light as well as the darkness.
Who was it that planted you here
Who or what force put you on this earth?
When you were a seed of power?
At what point in time were you given your power?
Sprout or cower into nothingness
You can either grow and thrive, or wither away into oblivion.
All is punishment and sepulchur
Everything in life is either a punishment or a grave.
Learn, there is only one way
Understand that there is only one path you can take.
To exist after the elements
To survive beyond the physical world.
Stand Up
Rise up and take action.
Why do you think that you live?
What is driving you to exist?
Or rot there you motherfucking worm
If you do not take action, you are nothing but a worthless creature.
The Watchers sent the winds for your strength
The divine beings have given you strength to carry out their will.
But you bury your head back in earth
You waste your potential by not using the gifts given to you.
Coward you fall to your knees
You cower in fear instead of standing tall.
Before your 'holy' delusions...
Your religious beliefs are nothing but a facade.
Did you think that you would survive
Did you believe that you would make it through life unscathed?
The transition from belief to the Real?
Did you think your ideas and beliefs were enough to protect you from the harsh realities of life?
By choosing such a 'life' over death
By choosing a life of illusions and lies over seeing the truth of the world.
You forsake the True Conversion
You turn away from the opportunity to truly convert to the correct path.
You who tremble in fear
Those who are too afraid to face life head-on
At the signatures of the Nephelim
In the face of the divine beings who have marked your fate.
Prepare to meet your God
Be ready to face the consequences of your actions in the afterlife.
For you know nothing of Him
You have no true understanding of the divine being you will be judged by.
Or die there you motherfucking worm.
If you don't face your problems head-on, you will be crushed like a worm on the ground.
Contributed by Charlie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.