Therion was initially a death metal band, however starting with 1995’s Lepaca Kliffoth, Therion began to gradually incorporate symphonic elements into their metal music. The band has seen many changes in line-up and style throughout its history with Christofer Johnsson being the only constant member.
Beginning as a death metal band, they later turned to combining orchestral elements with their metal music, employing heavy use of choirs and classical musicians, not only as additions to but also as integral parts of the composition. The band is one of the first both commercial and audience successful heavy metal with fully live orchestra featured. It is also one of the bands which originated, popularized and highly influenced the symphonic metal genre.
Therion takes its lyrical themes from various mythologies, occult and magical teachings, and ancient traditions and writings. The majority of the lyrics are written by Thomas Karlsson, head and founder of the magical order Dragon Rouge, of which Johnsson is a member. The band’s name originates from the Greek word therion (θηρίον), which means beast, in reference to the “beast” of the Christian Book of Revelation, as well as to the Celtic Frost album To Mega Therion.
Abraxas
Therion Lyrics
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[Music by Christofer Johnsson]
Eros and Thanatos are brances on the same old tree
Rooted in the soil of shadow and light
If God was separated from the dark twin, the Devil
Could he ever know the soul of mankind?
Enter the Pleroma and see that nothingless is all
And you must destroy a world to be born
Alpha and Omega are the beginning and the end
United in the shape of Abraxas
Darkness and the light
Sermones ad Mortous, empty fullness
Abraxas, your words is a riddle to be solved
You bear the mark of Cain
And you are fighting like a bird
(To) free you from the egg, the egg is all the world
The Sermon to the Dead
A gospel to another life
Hear the words of Cain, the sinner and the saint
The grave is a flower
And you are dying to be born
Baptized by fire and you will slough your skin
The sign of Abraxas
The circle of the solar year
Deep in the winter you'll see the sun be born
The song "Abraxas" by Therion seems to be an ode to Abraxas, a god that the lyrics claim to be a new god. The song explores the concept of duality between two forces, namely Eros and Thanatos. According to the lyrics, Eros and Thanatos are branches of the same old tree, rooted in the soil of shadow and light. The lyrics further contrast God and the devil, stating that if God were separated from the dark twin, he could never know the soul of humankind. The new god, Abraxas, is seen as a solution to this problem.
The lyrics then delve into more esoteric concepts, referencing the Pleroma or the realm of pure, divine being. The lyrics suggest that to be born anew, one must destroy a world, and that Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, are united in the form of Abraxas. The song also makes references to Sermones ad Mortous, empty fullness, which may be a reference to a Gnostic text. Abraxas is described as speaking in riddles, with his words needing to be solved.
The latter half of the song references biblical stories such as Adam and Eve with the mark of Cain and mentions of death and rebirth. The lyrics suggest that the grave is a flower and that one must be baptized by fire to slough off their skin and be reborn. The circle of the solar year is also mentioned, with the implication that even in the depths of winter, the sun will be born again. Overall, the song seems to suggest that Abraxas is a god of balance between light and dark, and that followers of Abraxas seek to discover the hidden truths of the universe through solving his riddles and facing their own mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Eros and Thanatos are brances on the same old tree
The concepts of love and death are interlinked, as they are both integral parts of life itself.
Rooted in the soil of shadow and light
These concepts are inherent in the human experience, and exist in the balance between good and evil.
If God was separated from the dark twin, the Devil
Without the presence of evil, a deity would not be able to fully understand or empathize with humanity.
Could he ever know the soul of mankind?
Separating a god from evil would create an incomplete and limited deity, unable to fully understand humanity.
We want a new god called Abraxas!
The desire for a more complete and all-encompassing deity that can comprehend both good and evil.
Enter the Pleroma and see that nothingless is all
In the absence of everything, one can see the true nature of the universe.
And you must destroy a world to be born
Sometimes one must break down the old in order to create a new and better world.
Alpha and Omega are the beginning and the end
The start and the finish, the complete timeline of all existence.
United in the shape of Abraxas
The duality of life and death, the unity of everything and nothing, symbolized by a new god named Abraxas.
Darkness and the light
A continuation of the earlier metaphor of balance and duality, representing the extremes of good and evil.
Sermones ad Mortous, empty fullness
A paradoxical phrase, indicating that the empty void of death can also be seen as a fullness or completeness of existence.
Abraxas, your words is a riddle to be solved
The mysterious nature of the new deity, and the challenge of understanding and interpreting its teachings.
You bear the mark of Cain
A reference to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, symbolizing a burden of guilt and sin.
And you are fighting like a bird
Struggling to escape the consequences of one's sins or fate, like a trapped bird flapping its wings.
(To) free you from the egg, the egg is all the world
Breaking free of the limitations of physical existence, represented by the metaphor of an egg encompassing everything.
The Sermon to the Dead
A message of guidance and inspiration for those not yet alive, a wish for them to embrace the duality of existence.
A gospel to another life
A new and hopeful message, meant for a different realm of existence beyond physical death.
Hear the words of Cain, the sinner and the saint
An embodiment of the duality of good and evil within a single person, expressed in the figure of Cain.
The grave is a flower
Death is not an end, but a transformation into a beautiful and new form of existence.
And you are dying to be born
The desire to escape the limitations of physical existence, a yearning for new beginnings.
Baptized by fire and you will slough your skin
Undergoing a transformative and purifying experience, shedding old identities and overcoming past sins.
The sign of Abraxas
A symbol representing the unification of good and evil, and the ultimate duality of existence.
The circle of the solar year
The cyclical nature of time and existence, the repetition of seasons and regeneration.
Deep in the winter you'll see the sun be born
Even in the darkest times, there is always the hope and potential for rebirth and renewal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRISTOFER JAN JOHNSSON, THOMAS NIKLAS KRISTER KARLSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind