#taaposts

Act III, Track 03 - Forgive me

Song links: Spotify - YT Music - Apple - Tidal

This is another track with a lot of dialogue, in which big things happen. It is also almost 10 minutes long. If you're looking for opera and drama, look no further. Let's begin...

Johanna, Agnes and Mare have infiltrated Seth's residence. In a secluded chamber, Johanna sits gazing at the holy dagger in front of her. She prepares to fulfill her mission and kill the Antichrist while her friends walk around the candle-lit room.

[Johanna:] In thy grace... [Johanna & Agnes:] ...turn to me and bless the soul of this faithful child None more divine than thee our lord [Johanna:] Lead me on to be strong - holy mission And guide my hand Amen

Seth enters the room. This in itself is significant. He could send his guards to deal with them. Three trespassing outlaws with one dagger probably wouldn't be a big problem for them. Yet Seth appears in person, alone, and does not call for back-up.

[Seth:] Now face thy foe! [Agnes:] Our lord has brought you here [Seth:] I heed no call, none but my own [Agnes:] To be boastful suits no mortal man

Seth tauntingly tempts Johanna, who is not impressed:

[Seth:] Join the night supreme I will be your guiding star I will set you free [Johanna:] Into the darkness forever you must go

Suddenly Helena comes in, urging reconciliation. As you may remember, she overheard Johanna and her friends talking about how only Johanna's dagger would be able to kill the Antichrist, so she knows why they are here.

[Helena:] Still the dawn may rise and shine [Seth:] Out of the darkness, my love I knew that you would come [Agnes:] Join with us Join with God [Helena:] It must not end, not like this If we conjoin as one

It is far too late for that of course. Seth and Johanna will not, cannot make peace. Johanna doesn't comment on her sister's appearance at all and instead likens Seth to a fallen angel again.

[Seth:] Join the night supreme I will be your guiding star I will set you free [Johanna:] Into the darkness forever you must go Fallen you are, fallen from the heavens to our world Fallen you are 'til the end of our time and beyond

As the music becomes more and more tense, Helena says:

[Helena:] Sister, O blood of mine Hand me the dagger Hand me the answer Hand me the voice of God

Reluctantly, Johanna gives Helena the dagger. At this point, I don't exactly know how lyrics and action go together. With a bang, the music comes to a complete stop and based on the scene description, I'm pretty sure it is here that Helena puts the dagger against Seth's chest. Into near-complete silence, Seth sings:

[Seth:] Come to me, to the fallen, my love

Seth calls himself "the fallen" and echoes the way Johanna (above) as well as Professor Pauli and the Pope (in Cursed be the Fallen) speak about him in the moment in which the one person whose affection he was certain of seems to take the side of his enemies. It will be interesting to see, if and when BA is staged, whether the actor who plays him says this sentence in an evil, seductive way or if he sounds like he's pleading with Helena. Thomas' rendition sounds ambiguous to me.

Helena answers sadly:

[Helena:] Deep down somewhere, in me, I knew what I had to do

The music starts again, both Seth and his enemies are calling to Helena, who still has the dagger to her husband's chest. Seth is calling for her to take his side, the women urge her to kill him.

[Seth:] Come to me, to the fallen, my love [Helena:] My love Forgive me [Johanna & Agnes:] Hear the whisper within you, sister From God and may peace come to your heart

Helena's words here are nearly inaudible, since the music and the urging of the other characters is so much louder. A tense instrumental part follows in which Helena makes her choice. With both sides pressuring her, she cannot decide between her loyalty to Seth and to Johanna. She turns the dagger around and plunges it into her own chest. All rush to her side, their enmity forgotten for the moment.

[Johanna, Mare, Agnes & Seth:] In the cloak of night, fallen you are Thou shall rise again Enter the void

The music slowly becomes calmer as Agnes speaks to the dying Helena and prays over her in her beautiful dark voice:

[Agnes:] In stillness keep eyes of gold your name Night birds take flight and sing [Johanna, Mare & Seth:] In the cloak of night, fallen you are Thou shall rise again, enter the void [Agnes & Seth:] Bless you Into moonlight And the temple you shall now meet in turmoil The soul will flow and shine

Afterwards, Seth, with a heavy heart, returns the dagger that is fated to kill him to Johanna. I don't know if he does this to imply that Helena's blood is on her hands, if he isn't thinking clearly or if he is simply too shocked and crushed to care about anything, even his own survival.

[Seth:] Give me your hand, receive this tool For it belongs to you

He picks up Helena's corpse and leaves the room with her as a choir of angels sings.

[Choir of angels:] Float, float with time And the night soon shall see you, greet you, tell you... of dawn...

Act II, Track 05 - Temple of New Jerusalem

Song links: Spotify - YT Music - Apple - Tidal

Today, we are getting more into the Biblical sources. I normally put them into extra posts, but they're too important for this song, so I'll discuss them here. I also apologize if I miss any important references or misinterpret anything - this song touches on a lot, and I am not a theologian. As always, this is my analysis which I am fairly confident in, but it's not an "official" interpretation.

Seth is now a well-established leader for whom everything is going well at the moment, so of course he has new plans. But so does Apollonius:

[Apollonius:] Listen now thee Caesar to me: Christians are speaking of pain Open shall I The gate beyond high to the astral domain..?

This is, I think, phrased a bit weirdly, but what it means (according to the scene description) is that Apollonius is "perplexed" that Christians are starting to doubt Seth and the suspicion, previously only expressed by Johanna, that the Antichrist might be on his way and that Seth might even be the Antichrist, is becoming more widespread.

This is perhaps not as surprising as Apollonius seems to think, since he and Seth sort of match the description of the Antichrist and his right hand in the Book of Revelation.

Apollonius' solution to this is to open the gates to an astral dimension and allow demons to come through. I don't really know what he hopes to accomplish by this, but Seth shoots down his idea immediately anyway and starts talking about his own plans.

[Seth:] Gates must not be opened Nothing but the flow is for us to follow hear me now There used to be a temple in Jerusalem that shall reach the heavens once again Palace dreams of ancient might Bring the past trough time to the light Let's build a temple!

He wants to restore Jerusalem, which at this point is "only a fragment of a town", to its former glory by building a spectacular temple that will also be a palace for him to live in. This too is a very questionable idea from a Christian perspective, since it's disturbingly similar to what the "Man of Sin" does in the Bible:

He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. (Thessalonians 2:4-8, New Revised Standard Version Bible)

Seth's servants agree with his plans:

[Servants:] Caesar, we hear

[Seth:] Let's build it now Let's build a temple! [Servants:] Future and past... [Seth:] ...unite the world Congress of the truth Within the temple walls One day soon shall triumph

[Male servant:] Holy, Holy majesty [Seth:] Palace dreams of ancient might Bring the past trough time to the light Let's build a temple! [Servants:] Time Rise through time The given sign Always to remember thee divine Hail! We all hail May it prevail Temple of new Jerusalem

So why would Seth do something so antichristy? Well, he calls his temple-palace the "Temple of New Jerusalem". New Jerusalem appears in the Bible as Jerusalem after the Apocalypse, a place of peace and plenty. So it's really a matter of interpretation where we are in the Christian timeline - is the Apocalypse only beginning and the Man of Sin is about to put himself above God? Or was the collapse of industrial civilization the Apocalypse and Seth is the Second Coming of Christ? It's the same two-sided imagery we saw previously when Seth was called the "morning star".

However, New Jerusalem in Revelation explicitly does not have a temple - it doesn't need one because God and the angels are there themselves. The very thing that Seth wants to do proves that it's not the real "New Jerusalem" he is creating. One could see the use of the two-sided symbolism here as a clever way to set up something that a shallow Christian could reasonably see as a good idea but a Christian who looks closely will see as a warning sign.

At the same time, Seth is keeping it a blasphemous secret that he sees himself as something akin to a new and improved version of Jesus. Yet his servants seem to have no problem with the whole idea. Do they not see the connection? Or do they not care? Seth is getting worshipped like a god anyway - maybe many of them do privately see him as a second Messiah, but won't say it out loud. Then again, maybe they do say it out loud. "Always to remember thee divine" - does that refer to God or to Seth..?

Act II, Track 14 - Astral Sophia

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In this track, we hear from Sophia Orsini, the mother of Johanna and Helena, again for the first time since "Through Dust, Through Rain". Her body may be dead, but her soul is alive and entering "an astral dimension, characterized by distinctive combinations of light and colours."

Sophia is being awaited by someone she knows:

[Satan:] Colored shadows taste Astral Sophia Scarlet juices hear Astral Sophia

These lines imply an overwhelming synaesthetic experience. Clearly, in a place like this, the senses melt together. There is an effect on Satan's voice that, fittingly, feels quite disorienting to me. I imagine Satan appearing first here, then there, all around Sophia. However, she is neither afraid nor confused. As the experienced occultist she is, she has probably visited the astral realm before. She responds respectfully, but calmly:

[Sophia:] Have you been here long Floating in the dark Like a shining stream? Have you, Majesty?

Satan speaks with the same disorienting effect again:

[Satan:] Many are my names Moving above me Ominous my touch Searching beneath thee

He then launches into a monologue:

Locked beyond the gate of stars I've been sent to travel far Broken seals from long ago Wells below await to flow Burning, grieving Ruling this lonely world Glorious entity, dear child of mine Hear him, hear me Hear all and every word Knowing, believing A new form of light [Sophia:] I see in you... A new form of light

Satan speaks about Seth, calling him his "dear child" and acknowledging the emotional extremes he goes through on his journey. Both speak of "a new form of light" that Satan brings, which is, interestingly, exactly what Seth has also seen in Satan - he uses the very same expression in "Anthem", his victory speech after being made president/emperor. Satan also states that "seals" have been broken and things are now in motion. This might be a reference to the Book with Seven Seals from Revelation. Something has changed on a cosmic level which is allowing the plot that is taking place in the material world to happen.

Since Satan has mentioned his son, Sophia mentions her daughters:

[Sophia:] My Helena brings peace to thy son And my Johanna his fate [Satan:] They're mesmerized by their false disguise Cradle set alight leads us into night again

Satan seems to know something that the human characters do not. He can see what the future will hold, but he does not spell it out. Sophia sees the impact of her daughters on Seth's story quite clearly.

[Satan:] Walls of sleep shall fade away Rid them of their human waste Spirits of their misery Shall embrace the enemy [Sophia:] Our children seek the way They will not be afraid No seed may be condemned When revelation ends [Satan & Sophia:] Viewing horizons of future serene Born on the night sky to all of our dreams

Act III, Track 10 - My Voyage Carries On

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Apollonius suddenly finds himself powerless. His arsenal of spells does not work anymore and his demons can't reach him.

[Demons:] Come to us now, Magic Master

Sophia's spirit rises behind the demons. Her magic has bound him and by her chanting she is able to turn Apollonius' demons against him. She is taking revenge for what he did to Johanna.

[Sophia:] Demons you did send To possess my Johanna My child!

He also killed her btw. I find it sort of touching that Sophia appears to avenge Johanna even though they were so estranged when she was alive. Sophia cares for Johanna despite their differences and even though Johanna would not even visit her at her deathbed.

Apollonius tries to defend himself from her magic, though not from her accusations.

[Apollonius:] Rest assured my lore will my soul defend Reach me you can never who are from heaven sent

It's interesting that he claims she's "from heaven sent". We the audience know that she actually met Satan in whatever astral afterlife she was in. Does Apollonius see anyone who opposes him as an agent of God? Or was Sophia in heaven, but Satan is allowed there?

[Demons:] Come to us now, Magic Master [Apollonius:] In this time and place, where will I go? Sophia, be cursed Eternally I shall haunt you [Sophia:] Not the only one with powers, magic man you are [Apollonius:] I will cast you out, you traitors of the spell Serpents of Sophia, be gone [Demons:] Here we are still, all by the light rejected And by your will in astral vaults created [Sophia:] Now from a kingdom of your own to the void you return

Apollonius makes some seemingly empty threats that don't appear to intimidate Sophia. He then threatens his own demons, who are also unfazed. Finally, he realizes that it would be best if he fled. Being immortal, he reasons that he can still re-enter history later.

Act II, Track 10 - Behold Antichrist!

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Well, the toothpaste is out of the tube now. Seth realizes his mistake and tries to squeeze it back in, but he is met with renunciation by Mare and Agnes:

[Seth:] Hear my name - Caesar Seth Understand who I am [Mare & Agnes:] Godless and forsaken you are Hush your nonsense [Seth:] Do not fear - Caesar Seth Trust again who I am [Mare & Agnes:] Behold revelation Beware of the serpent

In increasing desperation he addresses the room:

[Seth:] I am the one, the one you desire, the voice of God I am the one, the one you desire, the voice of God [Pope Pete II:] Sublime thy soul It will lead us into Sodom [Mare, Agnes & Johanna:] Behold Antichrist! Beware Antichrist! [Pope Pete II:] We challenge you, spawn of the abyss, seductive beast The fallen one, by our Lord expelled from him

In the instrumental segment that comes next, Apollonius conjures up a storm and Johanna and the Pope are struck dead by his lightning. Seth and Apollonius try to present this as divine justice:

[Seth:] Behold, our Lord has spoken To protect the truth from the lies awoken [Apollonius:] For this treason and accusations false God avenged his son

Apollonius sounds more confident than Seth, who to my ears is almost pleading for people to take his side. Apollonius may not sound very convincing to his audience, but at least he restrains himself enough not to cackle after pretending not to know who killed Johanna - unlike in this early version of the song from 2013. Seth then half-collapses and Apollonius leads him away while Seth leans on his shoulder. The shocked Christians are left with the two dead bodies.

Act II, Track 06 - The Lions Roar

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In this broad, majestic track, we see the building master and his builders construct the temple-palace Seth has decided he wishes to reside in. It is clearly a labour of love - the builders speak of how they are "building hope for a future world", a beautiful palace with golden doors and glowing walls. This place is supposed to be an embodiment of the glorious destiny that Seth is leading humanity towards. The builders are glad that they get to participate and are doing their best.

I hear the rhythmic clanging of their hammers in the drum sound and the soaring vocals make me imagine the sheer size the building must have. The building master, by the way, is played by the same Kaj Hagstrand who already sang the role of the old president. It is not unusual for theater, musical or otherwise, that someone plays two roles, but if you're really attached to George Wyndham, then perhaps you will want to imagine that he has, somehow, found fulfillment in a new profession.

[Building master:] Towers that shall tremble not Will reach for heaven's hall And shall strike a chord within us Mighty calls that winds forgot Are the grace that's standing tall In the palace high for Caesar Seth [Builders:] Listen to the roaring voice, the sound of truth and stone When the sun comes up from another side of the moon We are building hope for a future world A temple full of stairs to a golden door where the lion's roar fills the air [Building master:] Gilded stars bid lovers wait Tomorrow they shall see what the shadows dark will bring us Glowing walls restoring faith All of which he's wisely sown And that safely he may call his own [Builders:] Listen to the roaring voice, the sound of truth and stone When the sun comes up from another side of the moon We are building hope for a future world A temple full of stairs to a golden door where the lion's roar fills the air Raising high Raising high Raising high Always Raising high - future tolling Raising high - angels calling Raising high - palace of dreams

I have noticed some contradictory information in the inlay and in interviews about BA concerning whether Seth is supposed to be "only" the leader of Europe or of the whole world. I choose to believe that it's only Europe for a variety of reasons. It would be very difficult for him to extend his rule to the whole world in such a short period of time, no matter whether he embarks on some kind of neo-colonialist venture or tries to convince the rest of the world with arguments to follow in Europe's footsteps. Vast parts of the world have adopted traditional modes of existence again - it would be very hard to contact all these scattered groups in a few months (in the Bible the Antichrist rules for less than four years), much less integrate them into Seth's system - provided they are even willing, which I would doubt. After the last millennium, there would probably be a very healthy skepticism about Europeans with visions of salvation and a better world among people on other continents. And then there's the whole religious angle of his reign, which non-Christians might have a hard time getting behind.

Act II, Track 04 - Dagger of God

Song links: Spotify - YT Music - Apple - Tidal

While Seth meets his semi-divine and totally not suspicious future right hand, Johanna has her own spiritual experiences. She meets with her two confidantes, Agnes and Mare, in secret to show them a special, holy dagger that she has. It is the only weapon that can kill the Antichrist.

[Johanna:] Behold this dagger Dagger of God, wrapped in this cloth Purpose it has only but one [Agnes:] Unveil the prophecies and what this blade must do So much I've heard Tell me if it is true [Johanna:] Dagger of God has come to me The Antichrist - my nemesis Dagger of God - do touch the blade We all must be ready and brave [Agnes:] Nothing but this can kill, conquer the evil one Oh Lord tell me, what will of this become? Blessed be this dagger, this dagger of God

This is another mysterious reference to prophecies. I wonder about the background. Did God appear to Johanna just like Satan appeared to Seth? Did he physically give her the dagger? This is never explained. Remember when Johanna said Helena's marriage to Seth was predestined and when the people in Hail Caesar! made reference to a "foretold age of reason"? It seems people in BA are familiar with a lot of prophecies (Agnes states that she has already heard of Johanna's dagger) and Seth is not the only one with supernatural contacts.

Anyway, let's talk about Johanna's two sidekicks for a while... I hadn't realized until I wrote these texts how often Agnes and Mare appear. They probably have more "screentime" than all other characters except for Johanna, Helena and Seth.

Agnes' birth name is Agnessa Azarova. Led by an early interest in religion, she moved from Moscow to Rome, converted to Catholicism and changed her name to Agnes. She is played by Ulrika Skarby, who also sang the alto vocals on Lemuria, one of the most popular songs by this band.

Mare Aravena is the child of refugees from "disease-ridden Corsica". She was born on the boat that took her parents off the island and was named after the ocean. She then went to Rome as an adult and joined the Order. She is played by Lydia Kjellberg.

The background of these two characters never comes up in any of the songs, but it is mentioned in the inlay and I found it interesting that the people behind this work cared to give them a backstory at all. For reference - the Solovyov book does not contain any female characters, so all of them are invented by Therion. Johanna has a few commonalities with Solovyov's character "Elder John", but he only appears in one scene really and Johanna is very different from him. Her name is similar to his, but she is also based on Joan of Arc, who is called Johanna von Orleans in German.

Anyway. Helena overhears the entire above conversation in secret and, depending on how much she knows about Seth and Johanna's thoughts, may now be aware that her sister plans to kill her husband.

Act III, Track 13 - To Shine Forever

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The music turns as sweet and gentle as it hasn't been in quite a while. Hand in hand, Johanna and Seth float into the sky. Sophia and Helena appear as spiritual beings and greet them. Mare, Agnes, an angel and a demon also appear. I wondered earlier how "heaven" is conceptualized in BA given that Apollonius states that Sophia was there, when we know she was actually in a place where Satan also was. Here, a demon appears alongside an angel while the main characters go to a place that might reasonably be assumed to be heaven, or a heaven-like place. Maybe the unification of all beings, the good and the evil, that Seth attempted on Earth has actually happened in the spiritual world?

Johanna and Seth are welcomed with no bitterness, only love. The union of the opposites has come to pass. There is light, then darkness, "only a bright star is visible."

[Mare & Agnes:] Melt your eyes, create a key to eternity [Agnes:] We had dreams Where are they now? The dreams in our hearts [Mare, angel & demon choir:] Ageless glass of light Turn it on its head and we shall fall Just like stars Through time into night Run and flow until dawn Rise to all the beauty in the darkness divine To shine forever