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.
Welcome to the Theatron Animatronique
Secret Chiefs 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now the King and Queen bathe in Mercury because it kills everything
Contra Naturum, Mors Philosophorum let the blood clot 'round sanguinary stone
Who dares block the path on the journey home? Pharoah let my people go!
Build the Temple high
so the world can see
and the Sanctuary
then adorned with gold
at the Temple feast
rejoice in Work complete
Burn the Temple down
set the captives free
raze the Adytum
and the Sanctuary
strip them of their robes
spit upon their feast
and hang the Temple Priests
And the Angels fall
and the Demons Rise
Sons of Hermes born
of the Eagle Eye
show the holograms
to their sightless eyes
so that they might become Wise
Who can look past
the hypocrites
who desecrate the Truth?
The Chosen and Saved
pretending with their slaves
to rejoice in work complete
Who can see past
the "philosophers"
who have denied the Truth?
More cowardly than slaves
all lusting for their graves
they know not what they do
Who can see past the Lies?
the Lies! Lies! Lies!
The opening lines of the song Welcome to the Theatron Animatronique by Secret Chiefs 3 set a dark and intense tone, describing a curse of God raining down to form two great seas. The King and Queen referred to in the lyrics are bathing in Mercury because it kills everything, a visual representation of the corrupt and destructive nature of power. The following lines delve deeper into alchemical themes and the idea of the journey home, with the words "Contra Naturum, Mors Philosophorum" referencing the death of the philosopher's stone, an essential aspect of alchemy. The lyrics pose a challenge to those who would block the path on the journey home, and quotes the words of Pharaoh in requesting the release of the people.
The second half of the song contrasts sharply with the first half, making use of stark imagery to describe the building and burning down of temples. The first half of this section refers to the building up of the Temple high and the adornment with gold, while the second half describes the burning down of the Temple and the hanging of its priests. The repetition of the phrase "Lies! Lies! Lies!" in the final lines seems to suggest a rejection of deceit and hypocrisy in all forms.
Overall, Welcome to the Theatron Animatronique reflects a commentary on power, spirituality, and cunning, drawing from alchemical and historical inspirations to create a dark and troubling tale.
Line by Line Meaning
Arbor Solis et Arbor Lunae curse of God rains down forming two great seas
The curse of God has caused natural phenomena that have formed two great seas.
Now the King and Queen bathe in Mercury because it kills everything
The King and Queen are using Mercury to cleanse themselves because it kills everything, possibly as a metaphor for the cleansing of sins.
Contra Naturum, Mors Philosophorum let the blood clot 'round sanguinary stone
Going against nature and causing your own death can lead to the creation of something valuable.
Who dares block the path on the journey home? Pharoah let my people go!
Whoever blocks your path home must be overcome, referencing the biblical story of Moses and Pharoah's refusal to let the Israelites leave Egypt.
Build the Temple high so the world can see build the Adytum and the Sanctuary then adorned with gold at the Temple feast rejoice in Work complete
Build a temple that is grand and beautiful, showing off the work that has been done to create it. It should be adorned with gold for a celebratory feast.
Burn the Temple down set the captives free raze the Adytum and the Sanctuary strip them of their robes spit upon their feast and hang the Temple Priests
Destroy the temple to free the captives, stripping the religious leaders of their power.
And the Angels fall and the Demons Rise Sons of Hermes born of the Eagle Eye show the holograms to their sightless eyes so that they might become Wise
The world is in chaos as the established order crumbles. Those with insight can see that holograms can be used to impart knowledge to those who cannot see.
Who can look past the hypocrites who desecrate the Truth? The Chosen and Saved pretending with their slaves to rejoice in work complete
It is difficult to ignore those who mock what is true, especially when those who claim to be chosen also participate.
Who can see past the 'philosophers' who have denied the Truth? More cowardly than slaves all lusting for their graves they know not what they do
It is equally difficult to see past those who refuse to accept what is true, including those who should know better but are lost.
Who can see past the Lies? the Lies! Lies! Lies!
It is a challenge to discern the truth from the lies that surround us.
Contributed by Ethan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.