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.
Nightside of Eden
Therion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(an) Eden to regain
To illuminate
(the) dark side of the brain
On the nightside of Eden await the wisdom's nemesis
Nightside of Eden
Nightside of Eden
Nightside of Eden
Nightside of Eden
(the) serpent is curling
Across your soul
Through (the) tunnel of set
With sitra ahra as goal
On the nightside of Eden await the wisdom's nemesis
Nightside of Eden
Nightside of Eden
To be the exodus of our genesis
Nightside of Eden
Nightside of Eden
The shadow of death
From the tree of life
Hides the phantoms
From heavens strife
On the Nightside of Eden await the wisdom's nemesis
Nightside of Eden
Nightside of Eden
To be the exodus of our genesis
Nightside of Eden
Nightside of Eden
The lyrics to Therion’s “Nightside of Eden” speak of a lost paradise, an Eden that awaits to be regained. This paradise represents a certain light of knowledge, which illuminates the dark side of the human brain. However, this paradise has a nemesis - a source of wisdom that awaits on the nightside of Eden.
The serpent is a symbol in this song, curling across the soul and leading to the tunnel of Set, which is the goal of sitra ahra (which translates to “the other side”). The serpent leads the seeker to the nightside of Eden, where they will face the wisdom’s nemesis. The chorus repeats that the nightside of Eden is the exodus of our genesis, which could mean that our origins and beginnings must be rediscovered from a dark and hidden place.
The lyrics also speak of death and the phantoms that hide from heaven’s strife. The shadow of death comes from the tree of life, further emphasizing the duality of existence. In summary, “Nightside of Eden” is a song about the search for knowledge and enlightenment and the journey to regain a lost paradise. The nightside of Eden represents a dark and hidden place where one must face their fears and their nemesis in order to find the wisdom they seek.
Line by Line Meaning
A paradise lost
Referring to the biblical story of Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden, the song talks about a lost paradise.
(an) Eden to regain
The singer wants to get back to paradise.
To illuminate
To shine a light on something.
(the) dark side of the brain
The singer wants to explore the darker aspects of the human mind.
On the nightside of Eden await the wisdom's nemesis
The singer talks about facing a challenge on the path to enlightenment.
Nightside of Eden
Repeating the title of the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of what is to be found on the ‘nightside of Eden.’
Nightside of Eden
Repeating the title of the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of what is to be found on the ‘nightside of Eden.’
To be the exodus of our genesis
To overcome the trials and tribulations associated with exploring the dark side of the human psyche, the singer must leave behind their past.
(the) serpent is curling
The singer references the serpent from the story of Adam and Eve.
Across your soul
The singer is exploring the deep recesses of the human soul.
Through (the) tunnel of set
The tunnel of Set is a metaphorical reference to an Egyptian god of the underworld.
With sitra ahra as goal
The singer is seeking enlightenment in the form of the Qliphoth, which are the evil or demonic aspects of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
The shadow of death
In this line, death refers to the same concept as the ‘tree of life,’ which is linked to the themes of creation and destruction.
From the tree of life
The tree of life represents the creation of the world.
Hides the phantoms
The phantoms represent the darker aspects of the human psyche.
From heavens strife
Strife is a metaphorical reference to the conflict between the darker and lighter aspects of the human psyche.
On the Nightside of Eden await the wisdom's nemesis
The song comes full circle and ends with a reminder of the challenge that waits on the ‘nightside of Eden.’
Nightside of Eden
Repeating the title of the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of what is to be found on the ‘nightside of Eden.’
Nightside of Eden
Repeating the title of the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of what is to be found on the ‘nightside of Eden.’
To be the exodus of our genesis
The song finishes with a restatement of the need to leave behind the past in order to move forward and find enlightenment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRISTOFER JAN JOHNSSON, THOMAS NIKLAS KRISTER KARLSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Nekrist666
One of my favorite Therion songs, that guitar solo is glorious. 🖤🖤🖤
@meccarian
This band is awesome, they guided me through my childhood. Greets from the Czech republic!
@godking614
You must have horrible and edgy cut yourself childhood 😂🤣🤣🤣
@Itzagral
Ídem. Greetings from Paraguay
@wernerladislaoarmas8017
Masterpiece its incredible i love the female singers they are so pretty
@niisiis
25yrs later and still one of the best intros... the whole song is just awesome
@griffith9308
Espectacular la emoción y energía que transmite esta obra maestra, valio la pena venir al mundo solo para escuchar esto
@GrissyPink7y9
Therion is just eargasmic!!!
@wernerladislaoarmas8017
Está banda ha venido muchas veces a mi querido el salvador
@28JamesDio28
Amo a Therion, es mi banda preferida....