So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
I name you under our cult
The fate still burns, for ages and ages
Thy mighty power, the start of creation
Apollyon, release the fire
Apollyon, crown the empire
Saints and sins, lust and desire
Fly higher and higher
From chaos they come, ablazed in lust
United they stand, releasing the dark knight
Apollyon, release the fire
Apollyon, crown the empire
Saints and sins, lust and desire
Fly higher and higher
Apollyon, release the fire
Apollyon, crown the empire
Saints and sins, lust and desire
Fly higher and higher
I name you under our cult
The fate still burns, for ages and ages
Thy mighty power, the start of creation
Apollyon, release the fire
Apollyon, crown the empire
Saints and sins, lust and desire
Fly higher and higher
From chaos they come, ablazed in lust
United they stand, releasing the dark knight
Apollyon, release the fire
Apollyon, crown the empire
Saints and sins, lust and desire
Fly higher and higher
Apollyon, release the fire
Apollyon, crown the empire
Saints and sins, lust and desire
Fly higher and higher
I name you under our cult
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
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Apollyon is archangel of the abyss. The name Apollyon appears in the book of Revelation 9:11 & Of all the ominous characters described in the book, Abaddon—also known as Apollyon—is one of the most menacing. This demonic being lives up to his name, which means destruction. In these lyrics I believe this is a sort of forewarning of things to come, the evil that would plague, the abuse of power & corruption.