The Omniscient
Svartahrid Lyrics

The song "The Omniscient" by the Norwegian black metal band Svartahrid is a haunting and melancholic exploration of the theme of existentialism. The opening lines communicate a sense of tranquility that comes with the arrival of daylight, but this is quickly countered by a "solemn mist of melancholy rages," which suggests that the singer is struggling with some deeper, possibly even existential, questions. These questions are embodied by the ominous figure of an old man, who appears "shadowless" and beyond age. This figure is referred to as "the omniscient," which implies that he has some sort of divine or supernatural knowledge.

The old man's eyes are described as "glimmering," which suggests that there is some kind of psychic or spiritual energy emanating from him. This energy reveals a deep inner pain, a longing for an end. The strangeness of this figure is compounded by the fact that he enters a "sacristy" in "dark solemnity," which implies that there is some sort of religious or mystical significance to his appearance.

This song is incredibly rich in symbolism and metaphor, and it invites the listener to dive deep into the abyss of existential uncertainty. The ominous figure of the old man suggests that there is some sort of higher power or consciousness that is watching over us, but it is unclear what that power or consciousness might be. The song leaves many questions unanswered, but it is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe.