Sirius B (album)
Sirius B | ||||
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Studio album by Therion | ||||
Released | 24 May 2004 | |||
Recorded | 2003 | |||
Genre | Symphonic metal | |||
Length | 56:58 | |||
Label |
Nuclear Blast NB 1252-2 Digipack: NB 1295-0 | |||
Producer | Lars Nissen, Therion | |||
Therion chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | link |
Sirius B is the twelfth full-length musical album by symphonic metal band Therion. The album title refers to the star Sirius B. It was released simultaneously with Lemuria.[1] Cover artwork was made by Thomas Ewerhard.
Track listing
- "The Blood of Kingu" – 5:45
- "Son of the Sun" – 5:35
- "The Khlysti Evangelist" – 5:38
- "Dark Venus Persephone" – 4:02
- "Kali Yuga, Part 1" – 3:27
- "Kali Yuga, Part 2" – 5:48
- "The Wondrous World of Punt" – 7:19
- "Melek Taus" – 5:31
- "Call of Dagon" – 4:14
- "Sirius B" – 3:43
- "Voyage of Gurdjieff (The Fourth Way)" – 5:56
Development
In an interview with Global Domination, Johnsson noted that the album title is a reference to the twin star to the ordinary Sirius A. The star "was firstly discovered by western society in quite modern times, while an African tribe called the Dogons (living in Mali) had knowledge about it since ancient times and claim to have been visited by “people” (entities) from that stellar system."[1]
The album makes references to ancient culture and mythology:
- Kingu was a monster in Sumerian mythology. According to Enûma Elish, all human beings were created from his blood after he was killed by Marduk.
- Son of the Sun was the title of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who preferred to worship Aton, god of the Sun, over all other gods. His reign was unsuccessful, and people believed that other gods had cursed him.
- Khlysti was a controversial Christian sect in Russia. Grigory Rasputin, the major character of the song, is believed to be its member.
- Persephone is wife to Hades, god of the dead in Greek mythology.
- Kali Yuga in Hinduism is dark age of suffering, the final era before the end of the world.
- Land of Punt was a mysterious lost kingdom in ancient east Africa.
- Melek Taus is the supreme deity of yazidi, his common shape is peacock's.
- Dagon is ancient Semitic god of the sea. He also features in many H. P. Lovecraft books of Cthulhu mythos.
- Georgy Gurdzhiev was an Armenian mystic philosopher and traveller, an expert in yazidi culture.
Personnel
- Christofer Johnsson - rhythm guitar, mandolin ("The Wondrous World of Punt"), classical and choir arrangements
- Kristian Niemann - rhythm and lead guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin ("The Wondrous World of Punt")
- Johan Niemann - bass guitar, mandolin ("The Wondrous World of Punt")
- Guest musicians
- Richard Evensand - drums, gong ("Kali Yuga part 2")
- Steen Rasmussen - Hammond organ
- Lars Sømod Jensen - church organ
- Mats Levén - lead vocals ("The Blood of Kingu", "The Khlysti Evangelist", "Kali Yuga part 2")
- Piotr Wawrzeniuk - lead vocals ("Dark Venus Persephone", "Kali Yuga part 1", "Melek Taus")
- Orchestra: City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Adam Klemens and Mario Klemens)
- Choir: Kūhn Mixed Choir (conducted by Mario Klemens)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Interviews - Christofer Johnsson". Global Domination.se. January 21, 2005.
External links
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