Ghost of Karelia

This song is deliciously cryptic. The first clue we are given in this song is the odd number of eyes. This leads me to believe that mythological Buddhist or Hindu gods are being referenced. Many gods are portrayed as having a third eye, a universal symbol for a higher state of consciousness (3 higher beings = nine eyes, 1 higher being + 3 lesser beings = 9 eyes). Going further with the Hindu/Buddhist interpretation, a skull filled with blood is symbolic for the renunciation or removal of life, an element of Yama. He is a wrathful god of the dead, who is sometimes depicted as having red eyes, and a bull-head. He is also thought to have a twin sister, Yami. Upon death, individuals are sent to Yama to be judged based on their life’s actions (karma). After Yama’s judgment, the individual will either go through a period between heaven and earth, or will go through punishment in hell, before they are returned to Earth and given new bodies (reincarnation). I believe this song marks the individual’s transitional period; a journey through the ethereal plane in cyclical attempt to return to life. The lyrics of this song imply neither a pleasant or unpleasant experience, but one of tediousness and emptiness. He floats, unable to orient himself through humanly concepts such as time and space. He is trapped in a seemingly endless void. It is during this period that Yama’s judgment is being made. Ultimately, the person is decided unworthy for heaven, and begins the downward spiral toward hell.

OMG this song kicks butt man!!!

Karelia is also a region in eastern Finland, referenced a lot in the national epic Kalevala. I have brained my damage too much to even begin considering any serious meanings, just thought I'd mention it. Väinämöinen is a pretty godlike being, present since the creation of the world..And in the epic he fights the north (Pohjola). He is the Jungian 'wise old man', and the model for Tolkien's Gandalf.

My take is that this is a reference to the whole Karelia-situation, where Karelia back in the day were split between Russia and Finland when Finland claimed their independence during the end of tsar Nicholas II reign. Families were split, longing for each other, wanting to reunite, but unable to do so, much like the kid's soul split from his body, unable to reunite, longing.

That's my take, it might be wrong, it might be right. Who really knows except Mastodon?

Love this song, so epic

a spirit (Kharelia) is the czars guide throught the transcended space between heaven and hell... song is crazy as shit. but after walking on many planets for what seems like an eternity, the space is a little to much for our czar.