Vredesbyrd by Dimmu Borgir Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Fury Within the Symphonic Black Metal Veil
Lyrics
La oss bestride
Den tanke fra vår lend
Og dyrk
På en forbannet jord
En smertens ætt
For så og tynge
De barmhjertiges skjød
Som har tiltro til
Den sjelloses brød
For den tro do besitter
Er intet annet enn avsmak og hovmod
Og din nøden etter viten
Er en overflod av hån og skjend
Smerten i mitt hjerte er ikke tørste
Etter himmelsk legeme
Ei er det sviktende søken etter englemakt
Det er ilden og den brenner
Det er bare det at do
Skjemmer for den
Ta del i skyldens skygge
Behag din sjel med syndens under
For hvor er vel do
Når lampen slukkes
Men døden kommer ei
Med vårt bud
Gjenklang fra den prektiges arv
Vil innfri det endelige forderv
Reis deg opp
La oss bestride
Den tanke fra vår lend
Og dyrk
På en forbannet jord
En smertens ætt
For den tro do besitter
Er intet annet enn avsmak og hovmod
Og din nøden etter viten
Er en overflod av hån og skjend
Bring dom over andre en ditt eget hode
Der do gjemmer din skam i lovsang
Så skal do få smake frukten
Av din egen bortgang
Som en flokk av helveds opphav
Og forvaltere av foraktens sønn
Parerer vi deres list med avskyens prakt
Med beviset på vår tunge byrde
Ligger deres sinn i åndenød
Skamfert tilbake uten makt
Reis deg opp
La oss bestride
Den tanke fra vår lend
Og dyrk
På en forbannet jord
En smertens ætt
For så og tynge
De barmhjertiges skjød
Som har tiltro til
Den sjelloses brød
In the heart of darkness, amidst the cacophony of electric guitars and guttural growls, Dimmu Borgir’s ‘Vredesbyrd’ emerges as a symphonic anthem resonating with themes of defiance, despair, and philosophical rebellion. This track, embedded within the band’s acclaimed discography, stands as a testament to their ability to weave complex narrative threads through the medium of extreme metal.
With each verse, the Norwegian metal maestros explore the interplay of virtue and sin, casting a critical gaze upon those who blindly cling to dogma and the self-righteous. ‘Vredesbyrd,’ Norwegian for ‘Burden of Wrath,’ offers not only a sonic assault but a textual narrative rich in metaphor and meaning, daring listeners to delve beneath its surface.
Embracing the Infernal Heritage: An Ancestry of Pain
The song calls for the rise against traditional thought ‘from our land,’ urging followers to cultivate a cursed earth, an ‘offspring of pain.’ This recurring motif of cultivating pain as one’s heritage challenges norms and speaks to a certain pride in the resilience against an adversarial world.
Metaphorically rich, the lyrics paint a grim portrait of toiling on accursed soil, implying a life of struggle amidst a world that may be inherently flawed or hostile. The band implies a philosophical stance that seems to take pride in adversity, suggesting that true character and identity are forged in the fires of tribulation.
The Folly of Blind Faith: A Scathing Indictment
Dimmu Borgir deals a scathing blow to those who possess blind faith, calling it ‘nothing more than disgust and arrogance.’ The wording here is deliberate, painting faith without questioning as an intellectual failing — a theme often explored in black metal.
Their critique extends to a thirst for knowledge, which they view as overflowing with mockery and disgrace. Here, we see the band’s skepticism of both piety and a hollow pursuit of enlightenment, advocating for a path that seeks deeper, perhaps more painful truths.
Seeking Sinful Solace: The Shadow of Guilt
In a turn towards introspection, the lyrics invite listeners to partake in the ‘shadow of guilt,’ to comfort their souls ‘with the wonder of sin.’ This juxtaposition of sin and soul suggests an understanding of human complexity, where morality is not black and white.
The idea of sinful solace challenges orthodox conceptions of guilt and virtue, and posits that there is a natural, perhaps necessary, inclination within humans to explore and indulge in what is traditionally considered forbidden.
The Flames of Internal Struggle: Identifying the Hidden Meaning
The song’s pivotal moment resides in the declaration that the pain in the heart is not a quest for divine or angelic power, but a fire within. This metaphorical flame represents a burning passion, an internal struggle or drive misinterpreted by onlookers.
The ‘burning’ is a crucial aspect of the band’s message. It’s not the external recognition or celestial power they seek but a validation of their internal strife. This struggle, this ‘fire,’ is tainted only by the judgments of the ignorant, diminishing its true essence.
A Feast of downfall: Memorable Lines and Their Impact
When Dimmu Borgir writes, ‘You shall taste the fruit of your own demise,’ it’s an ominous warning, rich in poetic justice. Those who judge and demean are destined to face the consequences of their actions, a theme deeply woven into the fabric of the song.
Symbolically, the lyrics hint at a karmic cycle, a reckoning where one’s hidden shames—masked by false praise—lead to their undoing. This line encapsulates a universal truth about the inevitability of facing one’s actions, a chilling reminder that resonates deeply with the listener.
