The Satanist

Behemoth's song 'The Satanist' is a powerful and provocative exploration of rebellion, self-liberation, and the rejection of traditional religious values. The lyrics are rich with biblical and mythological references, creating a dark and intense narrative that challenges the listener to question established norms and embrace a more individualistic and defiant path.

The song opens with a reference to Mount Sinai, a significant location in Judeo-Christian tradition where Moses received the Ten Commandments. However, instead of bringing divine law, the narrator unleashes 'splendour upon a scoundrel mob,' suggesting a subversion of divine order. The mention of Salome, a figure often associated with seduction and the beheading of John the Baptist, further emphasizes the theme of defiance against religious orthodoxy. The narrator's plea for corruption and dignity from Salome indicates a desire to embrace the darker aspects of existence, rejecting the incomplete nature of a life bound by conventional morality.

Throughout the song, the narrator describes a transformation from a passive, sheep-like existence to a more predatory, wolf-like state. This metamorphosis symbolizes a break from conformity and the embrace of one's true nature, even if it means descending into chaos and darkness. The imagery of decomposing in 'rapture of hells' and dissolving into euphoria below suggests a sense of liberation and ecstasy found in rejecting societal and religious constraints.

The final verses of the song highlight the narrator's complete rejection of traditional values and their embrace of rebellion. By casting off their halo and dwelling 'neath Milton's tomb,' a reference to the poet John Milton who wrote 'Paradise Lost,' the narrator aligns themselves with the fallen angels and the great rebellion against divine authority. This existence, 'even sin would not pardon,' is one of ultimate freedom, devoid of guilt, reason, savior, or shame, embodying the essence of the Satanist philosophy.