Occultism in Heavy Metal Lyrics: Analysis and Esoteric Connections

Heavy metal has long been a vehicle for exploring the forbidden, the occult, and the mystical. Many bands incorporate symbols, magical doctrines, and esoteric references to deepen their lyrics, creating atmospheres filled with ritualism, dark mythology, and ancient magic. In this analysis, we’ll delve into the lyrics of some of the most influential bands in the metal scene inclined toward occultism and magic, unveiling their connections to esoteric doctrines, magical orders, and ritual archetypes. Soon, my colleague Pere will offer recommendations more inclined toward horror and rock.

1980s

• Witchfynde Witchfynde is a pivotal band in the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal), gaining notoriety in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Though not as renowned as bands like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, its lyrical and aesthetic focus on occultism and Satanism places Witchfynde among the first to openly explore these themes in British heavy metal. Their style and image helped pave the way for other bands that address esotericism and magic in their lyrics.

From their debut album, Give ‘Em Hell (1979), Witchfynde explored black magic, demonic invocations, and the power of dark forces. Songs like «Leaving Nadir» and «Unto the Ages of the Ages» play with themes of transgression and crossing spiritual boundaries, where death, evil, and forbidden power are sources of knowledge and transformation. This approach aligns with viewing Satanism as a liberating source of power, a recurrent theme in the band’s music. Although some lyrics may be seen as a theatrical use of Satanism, Witchfynde displays a genuine fascination with rituals and ceremonial magic, reminiscent of Aleister Crowley’s concepts, albeit in a symbolic way. The song «The Divine Victim» explores ritual sacrifice and the pursuit of power through the arcane.

• Angel Witch Angel Witch is another fundamental NWOBHM band with strong references to occultism, witchcraft, and Satanism. Their emblematic song, «Angel Witch,» revolves around a witch who summons demonic forces. In albums like As Above, So Below, there are references to Hermetic philosophy, which centers on connecting earthly and spiritual realms—a key concept in occult doctrines.

• Satan (UK) While not exclusively focused on occultism, Satan—a landmark NWOBHM band—includes elements of Satanism and dark ritualism in their lyrics. Songs like «Trial by Fire» explore judgment and destiny, connecting to themes of spiritual trials and purification rituals found in many magical doctrines. Although not as deeply esoteric as other bands, their aesthetic influenced later groups that do delve into these themes.

• Ritual (UK) Also part of the NWOBHM, Ritual, though less known, explores themes of dark magic and rituals in its lyrics, drawing inspiration from classic occult texts like the Necronomicon and the Grimorium Verum.

• Mercyful Fate / King Diamond Led by King Diamond, who openly expresses his interest in Satanism and black magic, Mercyful Fate and his solo project are steeped in references to satanic rituals, demonic pacts, and ceremonial magic. Albums like Don’t Break the Oath and Melissa frequently invoke demons as sources of wisdom and power. Through narratives, King Diamond tells tales of witchcraft and possession, such as in The Eye, which explores the Inquisition and witch trials. Their lyrics display clear connections to European black magic and medieval demonology.

• Virgin Steele This U.S. band, founded in the ’80s, combines heavy and power metal with a strong focus on mythological, historical, and occult themes. Virgin Steele’s lyrics delve into Greek mythology and paganism, with references to esoteric philosophy and mysticism. Frontman David DeFeis, known for his interest in esoteric literature and Crowleyan philosophy, weaves these ideas into the band’s lyrics, focusing on individual power and self-determination, a theme central to Crowley’s thought. Albums like The Marriage of Heaven and Hell explicitly reference William Blake, exploring the reconciliation of opposites—light and darkness, divine and evil—aligning with occult and spiritual alchemy.

1990s

• Necrophobic This Swedish black/death metal band combines the brutality of death metal with atmospheric black metal elements, addressing theistic Satanism and infernal magic in lyrics such as in «The Nocturnal Silence,» which explores humanity’s connection with demonic forces and the power of invocation.

• Aosoth The French black metal band Aosoth, named after the deity of Chaos in the Order of the Nine Angles, embraces themes of self-exaltation and power-seeking through darkness. Their lyrics delve into transcendence and connections with the supernatural, inviting listeners to explore the mysteries of existence.

• Cultes des Ghoules Known for its ritualistic musical approach, this Polish black metal band creates an atmosphere of mystery and dark ritual. Their albums, such as Coven, or Evil Ways Instead of Love, evoke medieval witchcraft and occultism, using narratives that bring to life forgotten cult practices and sinister rituals.

• Grave Miasma This British death metal band is acclaimed for its dark mysticism and ritualistic funeral themes. Their lyrics reveal a fascination with occultism and necromancy, often exploring the connections between life, death, and the beyond, as illustrated in their album Odori Sepulcrorum.

2000s

• Watain One of the most influential contemporary black metal bands, Watain combines theistic Satanism with ritualistic performances. Their lyrics, including those in songs like «Devil’s Blood,» evoke ritual imagery, closely connecting with occult practices and black magic.

• Nightbringer A black metal band focused on Luciferianism and theurgical magic, Nightbringer’s Terra Damnata delves into the symbolism of light and darkness, exploring the role of spirits on the path to spiritual enlightenment, with connections to occult practices and Gnostic doctrines.

• Ofermod Specializing in gothic black metal, Ofermod centers its lyrics on Luciferian Gnosticism and Qliphothic magic. Songs like «Mystérion Tés Anomias» address themes of spiritual energy and transgression, echoing the esoteric concepts of power and self-transcendence.

• Drowned A death metal band with a strong focus on arcane rituals and primal forces, Drowned’s lyrics explore black magic and the pursuit of hidden knowledge, combining brutality with deep esoteric themes.

2010s and Beyond

• Negative Plane This experimental black metal band uses Hermetic and Christian mysticism in their lyrics. Songs like «Stained Glass Revelations» address themes of light and darkness, as well as the search for hidden truths.

• Caronte Caronte, a doom/stoner metal band, explores ritual magic and the spiritual connection with the supernatural. Their lyrics, including «Temple of Doom,» evoke sacrificial imagery and dark rites, reflecting their fascination with occultism and esoteric practices.

• Serpent Noir Specializing in black magic and Satanism, Serpent Noir explores sexual energy as a magical act, incorporating tantric rituals into their music. This unique approach situates them within the extreme metal scene, merging music with ancient rituals.

• Black Oath Black Oath, a doom metal band, focuses on ceremonial occultism. Through their lyrics, they explore necromancy and spirit invocation, merging the heavy doom sound with arcane and supernatural symbolism.

• In Solitude Though their sound evolved to a more atmospheric style, In Solitude continues to emphasize occult and satanic themes. Their album Sister delves into transcendence through darkness, integrating lyrical elements that resonate with esoteric traditions.

• Mortuary Drape Known for cultivating an esoteric aura around their music, Mortuary Drape explores spiritualism and necromancy. Their album Tolling 13 Knell creates a dark, ritualistic atmosphere that reflects their commitment to occultism and funeral traditions.

• Kaamos Kaamos, a Swedish death metal band, incorporates themes of ritualistic darkness and infernal mysticism. Their music explores the relationship between humanity and forbidden knowledge, with songs that invoke demonology and infernal entities.

• Saturalia Temple Saturalia Temple is a doom metal band known for its deep esoteric explorations, focusing on satanic rituals and mysticism. Their lyrics invite listeners to embrace darkness as a path to spiritual freedom and self-discovery, frequently referencing forbidden knowledge.

• Necros Christos This German band intertwines death metal with heavy occult themes, drawing inspiration from the Kabbalah, ancient rites, and ritualistic darkness. Their lyrics and album structure, as in Doom of the Occult, invoke the mystical and the unknown, offering a unique spiritual journey through sound.

• Temple Below Temple Below fuses black and death metal with an emphasis on the Left-Hand Path and Qliphothic magic. Their music delves into themes of chaos and spiritual transformation, exploring the mysteries of the abyss and the quest for forbidden knowledge.

Occultism in metal lyrics is far more than mere aesthetic or theatrical choice; it’s a profound exploration into the boundaries of knowledge, spirituality, and beliefs about transcendence. Bands from various generations have infused their music with references to esoteric doctrines, mystical symbolism, and dark rituals, solidifying heavy metal as a genre where the forbidden finds both resonance and expression.