Under A Funeral Moon

Darkthrone's "Under A Funeral Moon" is a haunting exploration of death, ritual, and the afterlife, steeped in the dark imagery and themes characteristic of black metal. The song narrates the protagonist's final moments and their transition into the afterlife, marked by a sacrificial ritual. The opening lines describe the act of self-sacrifice, with the protagonist's veins being opened and their blood collected in a silver chalice, symbolizing a ritualistic offering.

As the protagonist drinks the poisoned blood and enters their coffin, the lyrics evoke a sense of dark communion with infernal forces. The imagery of goathorns and infernal hails suggests a connection to satanic or pagan rituals, emphasizing themes of rebellion against conventional religious norms and an embrace of the forbidden. The protagonist's journey is accompanied by natural elements like howling winds and moonlit fields, which enhance the eerie and otherworldly atmosphere of the song.

The funeral procession described in the lyrics further deepens the sense of a dark, spiritual journey. The protagonist is taken to a cemetery by their 'spiritual brothers,' where their nocturnal funeral takes place. The presence of a raven and howling wolves adds to the gothic and macabre tone, symbolizing death and the supernatural. The song culminates with the protagonist's arrival at the gates of the darkside, where they are welcomed by morbid souls and a satanic conspiracy, ultimately achieving a form of immortality through their dark transformation. The recurring theme of the 'funeral moon' serves as a powerful symbol of this transition, casting its glow over the entire ritual and signifying the protagonist's passage into the eternal night.