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.
Cults of the Shadow
Therion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
DARK ILLUMINATORS OF ZYX
BRINGS THE PUTRIFACTION PROCESS
TO LEAD THE SOUL ACROSS STYX
LUDUL BEL NIMEQI EA
NARAMTU DIANAU APSU
OFFER THE GRAIL OF ECSTASY
TO OPEN THE EYE OF SHIVA
THROUGH THE GREAT WORK OF ECSTASY.
CELEBRATORS OF BECOMING
APPEARS IN THE SETHIAN MYSTERY
TO TURN LEAD TO GOLD
THROUGH THE GREAT WORK OF ALKHEMY.
THE SECRET SIGN OF MENDES
UNVEIL THE MAGICK OF THE GOAT
CULTS OF THE SHADOW
UNDER ILAN HIZON'S ROOT.
LA TAPALLAH PULUTHU
UTUKKE LEMNUTI APKALLU
THE SEVEN ONES OF BABEL
OFFER THE GRAIL OF ECSTASY
TO OPEN THE EYE OF SHIVA
THROUGH THE GREAT WORK OF ECSTASY.
CELEBRATORS OF BECOMING
APPEARS IN THE SETHIAN MYSTERY
TO TURN LEAD TO GOLD
THROUGH THE GREAT WORK OF ALKHEMY.
ERSET LA TARI KI-UTU-KAM
ADAPA BARU SAR KISSATI
ZIQQURRAT KUTHA PET PI GIRRU
ERSET LA TARI KI-UTU-KAM
SUBIGO INIMICUS
LUDUL BEL NIMEQI EA
NARAMTU DIANAU APSU
The lyrics of the song Cults Of The Shadow by Therion are strongly influenced by occultism and esotericism. The song paints a vivid picture of a secret society that worships the shadow, the hidden aspects of existence that are often neglected or repressed. The "secret chiefs" mentioned in the opening lines are the wise authorities who possess hidden knowledge and power, and they are identified as the "dark illuminators of Zyx."
The main theme of the song is the pursuit of enlightenment and transcendence through spiritual practices such as alchemy and mysticism. The "putrification process" mentioned in the lyrics is a metaphor for the spiritual transformation that occurs when one sheds their old self and becomes purified, ready to cross the Styx into the realm of the dead. The seven ones of Babel, a reference to the Tower of Babel, offer the "grail of ecstasy" to those who seek it and are willing to undertake the great work of alchemy and mysticism.
The song also references the Sethian mystery, a Gnostic tradition that emphasizes the importance of individual spiritual growth and the pursuit of knowledge. The "cults of the shadow" are the various secret societies and organizations that operate in secrecy, hidden from the rest of the world, while the "magick of the goat" is a reference to the satanic symbol often associated with occultism.
Overall, Cults Of The Shadow is a complex and layered song that explores the themes of esotericism, occultism, and mysticism. It reflects the band's interest in these subjects and their fascination with the hidden aspects of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
SECRET CHIEFS CLOAKED IN WISDOM
The hidden leaders who possess great knowledge, wisdom, and power.
DARK ILLUMINATORS OF ZYX
These leaders, while shrouded in secrecy, possess great understanding about the darker, hidden aspects of reality.
BRINGS THE PUTRIFACTION PROCESS TO LEAD THE SOUL ACROSS STYX
They lead those who follow them through a process of death and decay, metaphorically represented as crossing the river Styx, in order to reach a greater understanding of reality.
LUDUL BEL NIMEQI EA NARAMTU DIANAU APSU
An invocation to the Babylonian gods of creation, who represent the process of transformation or becoming.
THE SEVEN ONES OF BABEL OFFER THE GRAIL OF ECSTASY
A reference to the seven planets in astrology, who offer those who seek knowledge and transformation the means to experience extreme states of consciousness.
TO OPEN THE EYE OF SHIVA THROUGH THE GREAT WORK OF ECSTASY.
By reaching these heightened states of awareness, one can awaken the inner eye of wisdom and gain deeper insights into the nature of existence.
CELEBRATORS OF BECOMING APPEARS IN THE SETHIAN MYSTERY
Followers of the Sethian Gnostics, who find spiritual meaning in the process of transformation and the hidden knowledge that it reveals.
TO TURN LEAD TO GOLD THROUGH THE GREAT WORK OF ALKHEMY.
By embracing the alchemical process of transformation, one can transmute their base, material existence into something more spiritually valuable and meaningful.
THE SECRET SIGN OF MENDES UNVEIL THE MAGICK OF THE GOAT
References to the mystical symbol of Mendes, which represents the transformative power of sexual energy and its connection to primal animal instincts.
CULTS OF THE SHADOW UNDER ILAN HIZON'S ROOT.
Groups of individuals who seek to uncover and embrace the darker aspects of their psyche, often led by a charismatic and knowledgeable figurehead.
LA TAPALLAH PULUTHU UTUKKE LEMNUTI APKALLU
Another invocation to Babylonian gods, this time for spiritual protection and guidance.
ERSET LA TARI KI-UTU-KAM ADAPA BARU SAR KISSATI
A prayer to the god Anu, asking for divine guidance and assistance on the mystical journey.
ZIQQURRAT KUTHA PET PI GIRRU ERSET LA TARI KI-UTU-KAM
A reference to the great ziggurats of ancient Babylon, spiritual structures that were believed to act as gateways to the divine realm.
SUBIGO INIMICUS
A Latin phrase that means 'I submit to my enemy,' suggesting the willingness of followers to surrender their preconceived notions and embrace the transformative power of the group's teachings.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRISTOFER JAN JOHNSSON, THOMAS NIKLAS KRISTER KARLSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind