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.
Babylon
Therion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paradise for sin and Lust
Mothertown of demons
You had to fall but "thy fallen shall rise"
In the name of our mother
Babalon; Lilith thy whore
Babylon rise from the depths
Ride on the seeds of time
Live through the visions in our minds
Walking down the ashes
The ashes of unholy domains
Sin and lust were conquered
Symbolized by the tower that fell
Culture of depravation
Sodomy and sexual obsession
Cults of Baphomet wide spread
A thousand years of pleasure and sin
The lyrics of Therion's song Babylon are a description of the ancient city's irresistible power and evil nature. The initial line, "Babylon your spirit can not die" refers to the enduring legacy of this depraved city, once one of the greatest cities in the ancient world. The second line, "Paradise for sin and Lust" alludes to the immoral nature of Babylon, where pleasure and sin were a part of daily life. The city was a place of indulgence, where wealth and power were prioritized above morality and ethics.
The lyrics go on to describe Babylon as the "mothertown of demons" and suggest that the city's fall was inevitable. "Thy fallen shall rise" implies that Babylon's legacy will endure even after the city's destruction. The repetition of "Babylon" throughout the song serves to reinforce its significance and evil nature. In the name of the mother, Babalon, Lilith thy whore, the song references the female deity that represented the dark side of femininity.
The lyrics of Babylon contextualize the city as a source of evil, symbolized by the tower that fell. Babylon's culture of depravation, including sodomy and sexual obsession, fueled cults of Baphomet that were widely spread. The final line, "a thousand years of pleasure and sin," suggests that despite the city's destruction, the legacy of indulgence and sin was long-lasting. In the end, the lyrics of Therion's Babylon are a captivating story of a city's rise and fall, and its everlasting impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Babylon your spirit can not die
Even though the physical city of Babylon has been destroyed, its spirit still lives on.
Paradise for sin and Lust
Babylon was renowned for being a place where people indulged themselves in sinful and lustful activities.
Mothertown of demons
Babylon was perceived as the birthplace of demons, figuratively speaking.
You had to fall but "thy fallen shall rise"
While Babylon might have 'fallen' in the sense that it was destroyed, this referred more to a cyclical idea that the city would become powerful again in the future.
In the name of our mother
The mother being referred to here is probably the goddess Ishtar, who was also worshiped in Babylon.
Babalon; Lilith thy whore
This line refers to the goddess Babalon, who was also identified with Lilith, a figure of Jewish mythology associated with seduction and destruction.
Babylon rise from the depths
A metaphorical statement about the potential for Babylon to once again become a powerful and influential city.
Ride on the seeds of time
An image of the city rising again from the past, propelled by the force of time.
Legends can not die
Even if the city of Babylon is no more, its legends and stories live on.
Live through the visions in our minds
The legends and myths of Babylon continue to exist because people keep them alive by imagining and retelling them.
Walking down the ashes
A reference to the physical reality of the city's destruction.
The ashes of unholy domains
The ashes symbolize the fact that these were places where people indulged in sin and were therefore considered 'unholy.'
Sin and lust were conquered
This line refers to the fact that Babylon was ultimately destroyed by those who considered it a sinful and immoral place.
Symbolized by the tower that fell
The famous Tower of Babel, which represented the arrogance and pride of the people of Babylon, is often seen as a symbol of the city's downfall.
Culture of depravation
A reference to the hedonistic and immoral lifestyle that was associated with Babylon by its detractors.
Sodomy and sexual obsession
Two of the most commonly cited examples of the sexual deviance that was associated with Babylon.
Cults of Baphomet wide spread
Baphomet was a deity worshipped by some esoteric groups, and this line suggests that these groups were prevalent in Babylon.
A thousand years of pleasure and sin
A metaphorical statement indicating the long history of Babylon as a place of indulgence and immorality.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COSTAS FERRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind