The infamous British poet/occultist Aleister Crowley once stated “Do what thou wilt shalt be the whole of the law.” And, perhaps, to honour this motto and to indicate his interest in the occult Fredrik named the band after one of the books written by the Great Beast 666.
The first recording, the demo tape “Songs from the Hill of the Heartless Giant”, was released 1992. After two more demos, “Watch the Shadows Dance” (1993) and “This Sombre Dreamland” (1994), the band was signed for their first full length album. "Images of forgotten memories" was released in 1996 and it was followed in 1997 by "Fruits and Flowers of The Spectral Garden."
At this time the band felt that they could no longer work under the conditions stated by their record company. So when it was time to begin the recording of their third CD they broke up with the old label and soon found another one. “Where Angels dare not tread” was recorded in 1999 and was supposed to be released the same year. But unfortunate circumstances and events lead to that the album wasn’t released until 2002.
The music was early described in reviews as “gothic” and “dark metal” but this has never been paths deliberately chosen by the band. In some interviews Fredrik has said “As soon as you choose a category for your music you immediately set up the limits restraining your creativity. And, personally, I am not interested in restrictions and limitations. I am interested in creation…” But nevertheless the music has evolved into what may be described as a dark brand of metal with strong Gothic undertones which invokes a gloomy atmosphere and visions of ruin and demise.
Since 1990 the Equinox ov the Gods have gone through a lot of changes in its line up. The band has existed and even played gigs with a rather minimalistic line up consisting of only two people. Nowadays, apart from the founding member Fredrik Wallin (Vocals), the line up is Arttu Malkki (drums), Morgan Svedlund (guitar) and Jocke Wassberg (guitar).
The band has played a number of live performces. Among the most memorable gigs were Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, Germany (2003) and the Devils Night in Östersund, Sweden 2003. A live performance by the Equinox ov the Gods is often a something more than just an ordinary concert. The band strive to give their audience an experience that includes visual aids such as pyrotechnics, props, scenery and stage make up. In an interview Fredrik once described a live performance with the cryptic words “…to play live is in many ways like a shamanic ritual of evocation... to bring forth the beast from within and release it from the chains which holds it through the everyday life…”
Psyche
The Equinox Ov The Gods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Toward the surface
Through the eye of the storm
You'll find the way
The way through the labyrinth
Sweet Leviathan
Across oceans of time
You'll find the way
Stride
The path of angels
Watch the shadows dance
Along your way
Behind your back
Decomposition
For each step you take
For each question why
Burned right before your empty eyes
Scattered around the charred bones lie
Wings are broken and feathers torned
No tears will fall for those forlorn
Pale ghosts are rising
From their shallow graves
To devour the last of hopes
To make it fade away
Psyche
The ever changing tide
The banner fell in the ashes
Upon the field where the victims lie
Transformation
The way of the butterfly
As seasons change with reason
The truth become a lie
The Equinox Ov The Gods's song Psyche appears to be talking about a journey of some sort. The lyrics suggest that the singer is moving towards a destination that is likely to be difficult to find. The opening lines, "Rise/Toward the surface/Through the eye of the storm/You'll find the way/The way through the labyrinth" suggest that this is a journey that requires great courage and tenacity. The reference to the "labyrinth" is also a nod to the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, in which Theseus has to navigate through a maze to defeat the Minotaur.
As the lyrics continue, the singer seems to be describing a journey that is taking them through different stages of life. The repeated references to "decomposition" and "for each step you take/For each question why" suggest that this is a journey that involves a great deal of introspection and self-discovery. There is also a sense of loss and despair in the lyrics, particularly in the lines "Burned right before your empty eyes/Scattered around the charred bones lie/Wings are broken and feathers torned/No tears will fall for those forlorn."
The title of the song, Psyche, is also interesting. In Greek mythology, Psyche was the goddess of the soul. The word "psyche" has since come to be used to refer to the human mind, especially its capacity for thought, feeling, and self-awareness. It is possible that the song is therefore exploring themes of the human psyche and the struggles we face as we attempt to navigate through life, finding our way through the storms and the labyrinths.
Line by Line Meaning
Rise
Begin your ascent
Toward the surface
Towards the light at the top
Through the eye of the storm
Navigate past obstacles
You'll find the way
The path to liberation exists
The way through the labyrinth
Navigate the complex maze of life to find freedom
Sweet Leviathan
The alluring temptations of life
Across oceans of time
Despite the passage of time
Stride
Step boldly
The path of angels
The virtuous way
Watch the shadows dance
Observe the darkness that coexists with light
Along your way
As you journey on
Behind your back
The past behind you
Decomposition
Destruction and decay
For each step you take
Every move has a consequence
For each question why
Seeking answers in a complex world
Burned right before your empty eyes
Witnessing destruction and devastation
Scattered around the charred bones lie
The remains of destruction and death
Wings are broken and feathers torned
Hopelessness and despair
No tears will fall for those forlorn
Desolation and isolation
Pale ghosts are rising
The past is returning
From their shallow graves
The past is never truly buried
To devour the last of hopes
The past can impede future growth
To make it fade away
The past must be reconciled
Psyche
The human soul
The ever-changing tide
Life is unpredictable and constantly shifting
The banner fell in the ashes
Losses and devastation
Upon the field where the victims lie
Amidst the casualties of life
Transformation
Change and growth
The way of the butterfly
The natural process of change
As seasons change with reason
Change is often necessary
The truth become a lie
Reality can be deceiving
Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ssfane
04:21: 2. The Endless
10:30: 3. The Night of the Dreamer
14:22: 4. Plaguebringer
18:14: 5. The Nameless City
23:54: 6. The Lake
27:55: 7. The Tower
31:52: 8. My Endless Funeral
37:58: 9. Psyche
42:32: 10. The Temple of the Worms / Tombworld
@user-ci2iy3du7f
Мне этот альбом очень понравился.Очень качественный готик дум. Doom шедевр!!! Слушаю лет 17 и до сих пор ляпота