I of Crimson Blood

This song has such a a haunting melody. If I had to take a stab at the meaning, my first interpretation would be that it is about a career soldier.

//I am of crimson blood //nought shall hold me //mirror mine the dark of night //reflects me in water //Ablaze are my eyes //my soul consumed by woe //my braids weaved by the wind //an image in my mind

A man ruminates that his soul is dark and stained with blood. Through training and experience, he has lost much of his humanity and has become a machine of wrath, his sole purpose in life to wage war.

//Leave I must now with haste //me who tires of quiet life //me who's path leads to war //me who fears no death

He is called away for another battle. He is resigned to the belief that he is not destined for a normal, quiet life.

//I yearn for more //I yearn to rise //I yearn for everything //I yearn for you //I yearn to rise

Despite accepting that his life will be one of war and death, he still longs for something more.

And since everyone seems to think that ant song written by a metal band must somehow how religious undertones, I suppose it could also be interpreted from a gnostic Christian viewpoint. Gnosticism holds that Satan wasn't evil, but rebellious against an authroitarian tyrant (God). Some sects also believe that, due to predestination, Satan has no choice but to be the bad guy in the grand scheme of things. If you want to run with that you can see the anthropomorphic representation of a being resigned to accept his position as a bad guy.

It sounds like something from the Kalevala, which is the national epic of finland. It must be a battle of some sort.

OH MY GOD! This song is heaven-sent, it's such an epic. The main riff (do-dee-do-dee-do-dee-do-do-do) is played in a gorgeous piano intro and then collided with guitars and vocals. It's sculpted into a chorus and a few verses. A very...VERY...EPIC...battle song