The Grand Conjuration

I think the theme/story of this album is pretty obviously about some guy who is either a sort of Antichrist or tied to the devil in some way, trying to escape from his fate...Ghost of Perdition is sort of a prologue to the story and the baying of the Hounds introduces the main character and talks about how the devil is after him/haunting his thoughts. In Beneath the Mire he reluctantly gives in to the devil but he regrets his decision in Atonement ("suddenly I can't justify what I had become").

Harlequin Forest is about his attempt at running away from his commitment, and how Satan won't let him escape ("Baying behind me, I hear the hounds / flocks chasing to find me alone"). He eventually loses hopoe in the second half of the song, and then thinks over his options in Hours of Wealth, when he ultimately decides that he has no choice but to return to the devil's service.

In The Grand Conjuration we see the narrator in a pathetic state, having given himself up totally to the devil's will. I think the most striking part is at the end of the song where he says "Say my name, ease the pain / clear the smoke in my head." In The Baying of the Hounds, it was torturous for the narrator to hear Satan calling to him but now he needs him to do so, like a physical addiction. The midsection of the song ("Whispered conjuration, a belief takes form...") is the narrator describing to the listener how the devil will take over the world, basically. Pretty dark stuff, lol. Isolation years is seperate fro mthe story, as Mikael has said.

Note that I'm not insinuating that Akerfeldt is a satanist...he just wrote a story about the devil. I mean, J.K. Rowling obviously doesn't beleive Harry Potter is real. I just take the lyrics at face value and not as a promotion or condemnation of anything.

the album was supposed to be completely about a man killing his mother and turning to satan, and except for isolation years, it is.....this is the narrators final descent into hell

and why do christians feel like saying "im christian but..."? being christian shouldnt hinder your enjoyment of something just because it mioght deal with satan in an abstract way, esp if it casts evil in a negative light. the fact that you have to put that preamble on there shows that christianity serves nothing but to be a barrier to enjoyment of life, more than alot of other religions(at least that i know of, although all the sects of religions that make you vow ascetiscism or such are included too)

Well its confirmed, at the Opeth concert I was at Akerfelt said "This song is NOT about chicks, its about a big strong muscley man. No not like that. its about... Satan" crowd went crazy during this song

I think this about a Conjuration of satanests reserecting Satan or something. I dont worship the devil, in fact I'm christian, but this is a great song, mabey the best of Ghost Reveries

Im on the same boat as Shadow, bu I do like opeth a lot. This song im not sure about either

Yes, it's about some sort of resurrection/worship of Satan or perhaps a follower inviting his possession. But you Christian Opeth fans can relax! It's just part of the concept of the album, which I believe (just off the top of my head, I did no real digging) to be about a person who joined the ranks of Satan after the death of his mother. This song kicks ass too, as well as the video, even though it was cut for length, leaving it basically castrated. I really like Per's keyboards in this one, symphonic Opeth is sweet.

I am a Christian Opeth fan, but I dont care what bands sing about, I love this song and I dont think I'm going to go to hell or anything because of that

I can agree with frances, there seems to be some kind of concept to this album, just when I see that most of the songs have references to the other songs in the cd, such as in harlequin forest they're talking about the hounds baying behind him (baying of the hounds) and in baying of the hounds they're talking about something beneath the mire. I am a christian opeth fan, but those of you that dont share my beliefs i hold no hard feelings for. Although I dont agree with a lot of opet material, we're in america and everyone has the freedom to have their own beliefs, and I hold no grudge towards those that do agree with opeth. Excellent cd regardless re talking something

this song is about him accepting possession and allowing satan to enter him. well to me

I am also a Christian, but i love Opeth and alot of death metal. that dont mae you a bad person. Just as long as you dont worship the devil.