DISC 1

1. TALES...

Smell the taste and feel the sky
Controlled by lust you can't defy.

Beyond these skies, lies the world
That we once knew and passed all through.
A dying world, filled with hate
A world that we all devastate.

There... On the other side, there are laws which they do not
Follow
Here... On the other side, I am the only God I know.

Now your time has come to die, now it's time to say goodbye.

Life ends... Blown into oblivion.

Seek the light and pass away, show your soul another day.

Here exists no hatred, here exists no love,
Here exists no prayers, to some God above!

My last word will be short. Heading for my mind's resort.
The final sound a smell to see. Pieces of what's eant to be.

Here... On the other side, I am the one I am the godly
There... On the other side, a world is drowned in flames.

Now your time has come to die, and there is no reason why!

Vacant graves. Now refilled, nothing left of what we built.

You can't live forever, but can you be dead forever???

No!!! The salvation to our planet was to blow it all away.
I saw the people pray, so this is the beginning.
(From) the beginning to the end, now there's no world to de-
Fend.

Seek the light and pass away, show your soul another day


2. HUMAN ABERRATION

Thirty years have passed
Since my dying day.
My life went to fast,
From birth to my decay.

Decomposition of my body.
Abeyance in my grave.
Time has maimed my flesh,
I've addled in my cave.

Paralized...
By the morbid fact:
I'm alive...
But my skull is cracked!!

I feel no aggrieve,
No smell of my putrid carcass.
Human aberration,
Let me die again!!!

Let me die again!
Let me die again!


3. ENIGMA

[Psalm 1 'the blessing']

[The priest:]
Confess your sins to god, don't be afraid.
Just like me of flesh and blood you're
Made. I can heal your wounds and cleanse
Your soul, but never return all those
Lives you stole.
[The witch:]
'You can burn in hell'
[The preacher]
God gives you shelter at heavens shore,
Abandon your thoughts to the mighty.
Into the chapel of holyness, live for the
Sacred empire, engender the enigma.
[The unorthodox]
Sacerdotal majesty, a recreant nonentity?
Do you remember when you said.
[The priest]
I can heal the dead.
[The unorthodox]
Paroxysmal ecstasy, dementia or deity?
Sapless you are crawling, to confess
Your sins?

[Psalm 2 'celestial dissension']

The further side, a confounded lie,
Panegyration a reunion of riddles?
The sorrow, the funeral truth, mentally
Fraud with pseudo relics, enigma, unholy,
Ungodly, commander of the regeneration.
Insidious and caught, implored by disgrace.
Inhumation... The burial of man.
Confession... Unify all evil. Deep inside,
The unknown quest, the sphere is so depressed,
A harp with broken strings, and the ground,
This mazy world do still exist,
The ghouls arise from the mist. Renascent
Through the holy scripture, submission
To what for us is illusion.
From the tenebrous depths of history,
Who will divulge the mystery. Unguiculated, unholy,
Ungodly, commander of the regeneration,
Insidious and caught, implored by disgrace,
Inhumation... The burial of man,
Comfession... Unify all evil.

[Psalm 3 'the loss of hallowed life']

Ha, ha, ha, haoow.


4. IN THE VEINS / DARKER THAN BLACK

(...eye can see you) Look into my eyes, what
Do you see? I'm not man, I am no demon. I
Color you red, my murder's fuckin' art
Son of the dead. I was never born. I send
You back to pre-birth. Beyond this life
You shall dwell. I'm your fuckin' saviour
Suffer my everlasting pain. Don't even
Think about dying, you poor excuse of a
Human being, in the veins of evil, black
Blood flow eternally. This sabbath of
Sickness; proves my soul's bizarr. The
Master of morbidity, my cuts don't leave
Scars. Endless temptation to sicken the
Blessed, I swallow your heart as I carve in
Your flesh... In your flesh! Born of the
Dead, I am blasphemy. I'll end your fantasies,
Save you from mankind just like
Lambs to the slaughter. God made you
Blind, darker than black. I am the serpent
Of Eden... Eden. I've tasted the herbs of
Lust and desire. I am no enemy, I drain
You of life and leave you in fire... Fire. In
The veins.


5. LOST

I have seen eternity
I am the king of time
I am off the Edge of Sanity
My living ain't no crime
A soldier of existence
Chosen to be
Protector of the earth
I'll last eternally
I awake into another sphere
Reborn into the never where
All alone in this space
There's no love nor disgrace
My body aches, I tremble with fear
The sky, the last I saw is no longer clear
Water and ice cover the ground
I can face reality, the world has drowned
I try to move but I am caged in ice
Floating bodies looking for their paradise
But the truth is no longer fantasy
In this world I am the only man to be.

[Chorus]
I am lost, I was never created
I am lost, life is devastated

We melt away and I feel the mud
That once was land for all
The sea of ice that used to be
The home of humanity
My soul is frozen, longing for fire
I barely believe I see this sight
All I can face is eternal night.
The sun awakes and shine on all the remains
The ice that encaged my body now flows in strains
Soon I can move, and walk away
What the future brings, who can say?

[Chorus]

Eternal eyes, I can see the sky.
My lonely cries, I want my soul to die.
I am all alone, the world will now reform.
I'm born again, once cold sun now keeps me warm.

[Chorus]


6. THE MASQUE

Behind these eyes lies a mind
Controlled by the thrill of a kill.
They've put a price on your head,
You don't mind you got a dream to fulfill.
It satisfies your every need, there's no
Way you will stop. A normal man in a
Normal world. A disguise that you'll never drop.

[Chorus]
Belated you lie
Innocent, innocent you die.
As sure as sunrise, as sure as tide
New blood will flow before the old has dried
Helpless you cry
Innocent, innocent you die.
The living nightmare has been released
His evil forces have been unleashed.

Another scene, the truth is so mean.
You blow out another human candle.
To dissevere a dead cold body.
To dominate, to devastate, psycho!
Do you love to twist their dreams?
Do you come when you hear their screams?
Do you covet their lifeless limb?
The world is shocked, the cage is locked, forever.
The dismal truth, so hard to face,
We're running out of time.
He loves the world, where he is king,
Where he does whatever he pleases!
In his mind, he is God. Sacrifices in human blood
His sickened art is holy deeds.
Examined piece by piece.

[Chorus]


7. UNTIL ETERNITY ENDS

Waiting for something to come out of the dark
I know I have seen him, his presence is cold
Wherever he's moving, he's leaving his mark
Thunder and lightening strikes, and hell unfolds

Ruler of shadows is coming to cross
The open fields where his soldiers faught
No sign of sadness no remorse for the loss
He's in command of the souls that he's caught

The flowers will wither and the air will be dry
The king of the dark side will goodness defy
Starlight will fade and the sun will turn black
Clouds will explode and the surface will crack

He will rule until eternity ends
He will rule until eternity ends
King of fire

The darkness will swallow, all life will be dead
There's no solution into death you'll be led
The fire and the odour of burning remains
Mother earth is fading trembling in pains

The leaves have now fallen
Buried in the soil
The water in the oceans is starting to boil
Sunlight is killing - hell in advance
Onto the dead earth the devils will dance

He will rule until eternity ends
He will rule until eternity ends
King of fire

Now I am here at the end of my days
I feel the lord move in mysterious ways
Now I can feel this is the end for this place
I feel the lord will be giving no grace

He will rule until eternity ends
He will rule until eternity ends
King of fire


8. ETERNAL ECLIPSE

I hate humanity and I will not hesitate to kill!
There's been this hatred since my birth, and I can feel it still
Deep inside my cold heart I am yearning to slay
And hence I know the law I know there's a better way

Only in the darkness, only in the anti-light
Can there be some silence in my mind
Praying to the darkest angels time and time again
Divided I will see what makes me blind

Light turns black, and there's no turning back
From the eternal eclipse!
My eyes discover blackened skies
Oh the eternal eclipse!
Turns black and there's no turning back!
From the eternal eclipse!
My eyes discover blackened skies!

All crowded places makes me wanna go berserk
But instead I'm killing, in the darkness I will lurk
Laying in my bed at night I love the dark I see
Wishing hoping that some day it will last eternally

Mighty forces of the dark of this dream of mine
Await what magic darkness will enshrine

Night comes back and light will turn to black
With the eternal eclipse!
I see the mortals' destiny
Oh, the eternal eclipse!
Comes back and light will turn to black
With the eternal eclipse!
I've seen the mortals' destiny!


9. TWILIGHT

I close your eyes and whisper "Goodbye".
You will never see how I cry.
I can recall what you said to me once:
"If I leave there will be a sign"
And the twilight will show me tonight.

From dusk to dawn. That's when we arise.
All souls forlorn, come down from the skies.
We're called the mist by the human race.
But we do exist in a million ways.

Oh I’m in the twilight world tonight
And I obey the moon.
I'm in the twilight world tonight.
The mist will dance and the elves will sing their croon.

My eyes will not believe the sight.
They dance in trance this magic night.
The sound that did enchant my ears.
I feel my eyes release the tears.
I know the answer now. To die, I an
No longer afraid somehow. And now I know
That there is another way for me to go.
And now they show that there is life in the afterglow.
I can feel the presence of the unknown side.
The shivers infest my body. This cannot be denied.

Oh, we're in the twilight world tonight...

No way! This can't be a dream!
I pinched my skin to make sure I was awake.
What I see might be too much to take.
The dance in a circle above the ground
And I can see you and it looks like you're still alive.
Somehow you seem so relieved.
A nightbird chasing the shadows fly right through your body
And then I know that you don't really exist.
You're just a reflection in this midsummer dance.
I feel my heart pounding faster ever than before,
I must have stopped breathing. The image of you fade.
And now I know why had the strong feeling that I must find
This place you once described and to see your final dance.
Will we ever meet again? No!

Oh, you're in the twilight world tonight...

They fade away and so do I.
You're gone, I’ll always wonder why you came
And made me realize that you exist there in the twilight sky.

Is this a dream or plain reality?
It feels more like a trip to what I never thought I'd see.
Suddenly fear took a hold on my mind.
I had to move away unless I would go blind.

Oh, you're in the twilight world tonight...

I, I know the answer now.
To die I am no longer afraid somehow.
So fade away...


10. BLACK TEARS

When I'm in this state of mind
I'm wishing I was blind. Sometimes life is
More than pain, to me
I feel the power of my grief. Death would be
Such a relief. All the secrets that I hide
Would die, with me.
Depression is my only friend. Will this
Torture never end? Let me carry on to
The dreamers sky.
I keep crying in my dreams.
Can you hear my endless screams?
When I fade away I fade, away.

[Chorus]
This Fluid on my cheek, it drains me I get weak.
My heart is cold and bleak.
Black blood. Black tears.
Life is just a masquerade.
In dept to myself, but I can't pay.
Soon I’ll call it all a day, away.
I've never felt what you call guilt.
I still believe "Do what thou wilt"
My sorrow will destroy the world I’ve built.


11. 15:36

[1.]
Let me invite you to my nether-world
I'll show you sights you've never seen
You still my hunger
You're an easy prey
Your flesh is ripe
Your mind is weak
[2.]
And dark is the path where I’ll be your guide
And there is no turning back
Don't you try to run
Because you're in my grip
And your soul now fades to black
[C.]
I am the one who will leave you behind
When I have used all of your mind
I am your incarnated fear
I have no soul
I am cold in my heart
I will always haunt you down
When you're dead you'll dream of me
[3.]
Let me invite you to the other side
Feel the presence of the dark
You scream and cry as I show you my world
Then I crawl into your mind
[4.]
I am the dream you have when you're all alone
I am everything you fear
I am the one who'll make you loose your mind
As the end draws near
[Repeat C.]
[5.]
And now... Your time has come
Let me have your fading soul
Restless eyes watching you
I am crawling all around you
Face the darkness in my touch
[Repeat C.]


12. HELL IS WHERE THE HEART IS

[1.]
In the strangest world of formlessness
I am reaching out to expand my mind
No more echoes and reflections
The future is now
I am the first in line
[2.]
Because I am alone
Here with my fantasies
Inside my cocoon
A self-constructed galaxy
[C.]
And hell is where the heart is
But I’ll never understand
The fact that I am
And hell is where the heart is
I have lost the concept of life
Is there another to find
[4.]
Gotta ticket with
A microsynthetic design
For chemical dreams
To fill up the dead spot
In the bottom of my eyes
And welcome the big sleep
[5.]
Injected with silence
Fading in a sleepy confusion
A beautiful entrance
Into a higher dimension
[Repeat C.]
[6.]
I was about to explore
The Exit
The Door
Out of my labyrinth
A mind-detonation
The easy solution
Out of my labyrinth
[7.]
Between midnight and twilight
I leave my shell
To enter the dream-light
The final farewell
[Repeat 1.]
[Repeat 2.]
[Repeat C. (x2)]
[Repeat 7.]


13. HELLWRITTEN

[C.]
I got hell, can't you see
I got hell, written all over me

[1.]
Riding with the living dead I’m riding high I’m riding free, yeah
The thoughts that fill up my head are wicked and obscene
So if you're riding with me, your riding damned, free from the grace of god
Demoneyes yeah deamonlife, see with my eyes and keep yours shut

[2.]
We all have beasts that dwell within, and I have set mine free
I've let loose my devil spree, to fill the emptiness in me
I've sold my soul to a carnal ghoul, the devil? I've shaked his hand
I sold my soul and then time takes its toll, forever I stay damned

[Repeat c.]

[3.]
Burning as I feel the flames getting higher, will I become a victim of my own desires
Still I’m more then satisfied, with my life, yeah the life of the wild side
As you carry on your pathetic existence, I’ll be my own god and master
And I’ll keep on spitting on your beliefs, and I’ll keep laughing at your chosen one

[Repeat c. X3]

[4.]
Riding with the living dead I’m riding high I’m riding free, yeah
The thoughts that fill up my head are wicked and obscene
I've sold my soul to a carnal ghoul, the devil? I've shaked his hand
I sold my soul to rock'n'roll, forever I stay damned

[Repeat c.]


14. BLEED YOU DRY

[1.]
I am the one that makes you weak
I am the one that makes you feel like a spineless creep
I am the one without no heart
I am the one that tears your fuckin' life apart

[2.]
And so you wonder where I came from
Look deep inside
And so you wonder why have I come
There ain't no reason why

[C.]
A parasite from within
Feeding from your own sins
Draining your sanity, 'til insanity arrives
I came to bleed you dry
I came to see you die
I came to bleed you dry

[3.]
And you're the one that keeps me strong
And you're the one that keeps me going on and on
Yeah you're the one that feeds me
And when you die, I will still be

[4.]
No chains or ropes can ever hold me back
I'm breaking you down, crack by crack
Yeah you're the one that feeds me
And when you die, I will still be

[Repeat 2.]
[Repeat c.]

[5.]
I came to bleed you dry
I came to see you die
I came to bleed you dry
I came to see you die


DISC 2

1. CRIMSON

[Prologue:]
In a very distant future, the last generation of planet earth
Has come to a point where they cannot bred anymore.
When everybody had lost their faith, a child was born, but no
One could be the father, except for a god.
This child was a gift from the skies of life-divine or...

Another sky is young...
Another frozen future has passed.
Another breed, another cast.
The rivers will run, brought to life by the sun, the circle is
Still unbroken.
Oh, what a sight to see.
Reborn life, destined for all eternity.
Hail the king!
For he has chosen not to drain the godsent child, a gift from
The skies of life divine.
Now we know.
A glimpse of hope grow inside, a change of tide.
Answered prayers of survival.
Miracles.
The offspring of the unknown gods beautifies the aura of this
Dying breed.
So they succeed in their quest for continued time.
Celebrate.
The knowledge of the everlasting, never-dying.
Cursed to be walkin in the shadows of death for a lifetime.
No more fears for what the years will bring.
Rebuild the shattered dream.
And now a brighter future has come, another end remains undone
And an era begins,
Bringing life free from sins.
Oh, it's a token, the circle is broken.
(the drop of blood from her mouth slowly fell down to the
Ground.
The child inside dried her out. The king's beloved is no more.)
The chosen one felt the time had come to show the world what
Had grown within.
This day of life, a sacred moment in time, when joy and pain
Collide.
It takes a life to create a life.
Now she's gone.
Anger and hate.
Fear and despair fills up his mind.
In search for answers he can't find.
What god would end a life so pure.
She was the one worth dying for.
Alone with princess angel-sent.
Her eyes so blue, my hate relents.
Her destiny is in my hands.
She was born to rule these desert lands.
[vocals Mike: ]
A sacrifice. A life arises, when one love has come, another dies.
I let her go and i do not know where to find her soul so alone.
Oh, does she hold the power, is she a blessing from the skies?
Is this the answer to where the secret lies.
And in her eyes i see a light is shining through.
I feel that there is hope for a world so brave and new.
Many seasons have changed and the king is old and weak.
The princess has come of age, but still the gift of life they
Seek.
In the chambers of crimson sleep.
In this vault of souls to reap.
The future lies in the hands of the shrewd [harmony: Andreas]
Or the earth will die in solitude.

The darkest night the enchanted skies were united in a storm.
Unholiness and all that's unblessed appeared in another form.
Like a raging plague all across the land all women gave birth
To man.
Raped by the wind and forced to bring life to the hundred
Bastard sons.
The unholy ones will give strength for all evil to live and
The fires of death burn high.
The time has come for the king to die. [lead guitar: mike]
A whole world is mourning the loss of their king.
In sorrow a new day dawning.
Now the princess is their everything.
A procession to the chambers where they kiss their fathers
Ring.
Can you hear the angel of sadness sing... With broken wings.
[Harmony: Andreas]
And with death came disorder, who were they now to obey?
No leader, no followers.
No trust, no faith.
The princess is too young to tame a land, a new king must be
Chosen.
In search for such a man of trust there will be contradictions.
Coming forth on desert ground, the incarnation of a king in
Sleep profound.
Another self-proclaimed king, set to rule in the new empire.
On a mission to save the forsaken ones and to re-light the
Dying fire.
The crowd was confused and divided in two, a battle was about
To begin.
Another man with a will as strong declared a war to win.
His army of believers was faithful, mighty and brave.
Set to capture the liar, to forever enslave.
His troops were marching on to the battlefield to set this
World on fire.
His forces are never giving yield.

War! They fought for what would be a blood-stained crown.
Utter chaos supreme.
The sand absords the colour of dawn.
Nevermore shall they dream, nevermore.
The years went by under a blood-red sky, the king still suppress
The rebellian lie.
He is the one, the self-chosen son, master of the throne he rules upon.
The sacred child awakened from her crystal sleep.
And the earth was shaking, and the people prayed for their souls to keep.
The light of day is flowing into her virgin eyes.
Oh, the sun is stolen.
A dark formation in the skies.
Unites the powers in her eyes.
Her soul's inhaling all the living light.
Bringing on the dark, eternal night.
Gathering evil in all its might.
Seven years.
Purity.
Innocence.
Dignity.
Hail, hail the queen!
Ruling supreme.
She is queen alone in the human zone, dethroned the king unpure.
The masses were assured, she fought without a sword.
She regained their hope and faith.
Draining the liar in the crimson water.
To bring him eternal pain.
His soul is slaughtered.
Eternalizing bane.
Scream in silence, no one shall hear his cries encaged.
The unroyal king, surrended to the child of life divine.
A hundred fortnights passed but still no signs of aging.
Her endless youth... Amazed, the world was raging.
A shattered race in this broken land this child came to restore, like an
Order from the gods.
The queen and all the children gathered around the chambers
Where the elder ones are joined
In sleep profound.
In wrath she crush the tanks of crystal glass.
The crimson water gushed on to the ground in the unholy macecration.
Their souls no longer cried.
Die!
Their gifts are denied.

She drinks the life-blood from the feebled man.
Empty bodies, soul-drained by the virgin queen.
Finally given the pleasure to die.
She aligns the hate inside their hearts.
Her chosen knights will make sure all life departs.
Soon comes the end of all, she watched a chamber fall.
She heard her master call.
"Live my words, oh, sacred child. You're soon to leave this
World defiled."
"Then what awaits me my lord?"
"Trust me my child, your wishes shall not be ignored"
And then he spoke his mind, now his will is hers.
"The earth shall fall. The eternal curse is cast on the sands
They walk.
Now you must use your power. Show the human race you are the
One.
Use their trust forever and then deceive their weakened minds.
Fool them to destroy themselves in hopelessness.
Belie their seeds, belie their dreams. Hope has ceased to be."
The people worshiped their queen.
Such beauty before her time was unseen.
Their were fooled by her presence and disguise.
Faithfully they listened and swallowed all her lies.
"the times are changing, re-arranging the pattern of our lives.
So let your heart stop beating beneath this twisted sky."
They were embraced by sadness, but not afraid to die.
"So pass this sacred dagger and let yourself fly free.
So pretend you're dreaming and rise above this world of you
And me."

Liar!
All those who died with you by their side were denied access
To the higher ground.
Betrayal.
Eternal detest from the ones left unblessed, so possessed.
Their last caress was your knife in their hearts.
Fed from her deed, watching them bleed.
In her own conceit, a world to delete, lies at her feet.
Her demon inside do no longer hide.
Showing its face of hate and disgrace leaving their saviour
Unpraised.

The ones who didn't follow.
Now sharing this moment of grief.
The end of their own existence?
In death they had no belief.
Despite all the faith in their queen they couldn't believe
What they had seen.
What was the reason for this sacrifice.
Nothing is gained from this great demise.
After the ordeal we know she has the powers to decieve us all.
But their dream of sons and daughters has made them standing
Tall.
For the king had showed them it could be done when his woman
Gave birth to the sacred one.
But is she of man, made of flesh and blood, or is she the
Offspring of the unholy

[God?]
A leader was chosen to unveil the hidden truth.
The brave ones were gathered, the strongest were sent to the
Queen.
Her reason to be must be known.
After many moons the troops reach the temple of their majesty.
Guarded by a hundred faithful knights.
There is no escape, there's no entry to her sacred halls.
Is our vision true or false?
They tried to find the answer but they were led astray into a
Maze of slumper (maybe slumber?) Far from the light of day.
The riddle remained unanswered.
The queen could read ones mind, make sure that no one will find
The reason for her mission here.
The highness writhe in anger, her trust had been betrayed.
The queen was filled with langour, her decision has been made.
She would unleash her hate.
Destined to devastate.
She heard her demons roar, marching into war.
The spirit of their beloved king ho spoke unto his men, he
Came to bring a message of great importance and trust.
"the gift from the gods has come to cover the world in dust.
Her forces are closing into your sanctuary.
So use your imagination to end her reign.
Remember these words, and be strong!"
The chosen few were sacrificed for the others life.
They were the bait, they would seal the soldiers fate.
A massive grave, to break the soldiers spell.
The forces fell into the abyss, never to rise again.
Towards the queen the last of the brave ones wandered,
To terminate this creature non-divine.
The loss of troops forced her powers to release the magic
Uncontrolled that had wasted a thousand soul.
The palace controlled by demons is the heart of all evil possessed by the
Queen and her unholy servants.
"If we destroy it, the earth will be ours and it will bring us
Eternal existance.
We'll pray for the gift of breeding. This is a game we can't concede,
It is worth all the blood we may bleed. We must close the gate
So she can't return. We'll seal her fate, watch her temple
Burn and we'll capture her soul in the chambers of crimson sleep.
And there she will suffer eternally for what she has done to man.
We fought our way into her dwelling-place, we searched the corridors
Of this infernal maze, to seek our enemy the one to slay.
We are the ones, we will not obey.
A disillusioned servant with great knowledge in her secrets,
We found him walking aimlessly trying to find his peace.
He said:
'Cover her eyes, they are the root of her inhuman forces.
Then she's just the child you thought she,
Disconnect all her sources.'"
They found a way to blind her and it could cost some lives.
But they must seal the entry from where all evil derives.
Two of the brave ones were sent to distract her while the
Others made their way to behind her throne.
She saw her enemies for the last time
As their leader covered her eyes.
We saw the return of innocence, the symbol of purity we once knew.
We carried her to the chambers to forever lock-up her soul.
And now the reborn earth, blessed with the gift of birth can
See her in this cage that eternally preserves her rage.
They captured all her soldiers and forever encaged their cries.
They had found a new leader to worship.
A king with her clear-blue eyes.


2. CRIMSON II

[I - The forbidden words]
[II - Incantation]
[III - Passage of time]
[IV - The silent threat]
[V - Archilles heel]
[VI - Covenant of souls]
[VII - Face to face]
[VIII - Disintegration]
[IX - Aftermath]

Let no man breach the gate to this most blasphemous of halls
Lest bitterness and chaos be the harvest they wouldst reap
He must n'er become a slave to this Child's beck and call
For she must never waken from her Crimson Sleep..
The monastery stood towering above the ruined city
It shadowed all the new emerging settlements and homes
To look down on the ruins was to sympathize and pity
All the suffering and heartache, all the graves and broken bones
For buried there a testament to the evil of a queen
A misery that spread across a weak and stricken land
The crimson birth that swamped the earth in dark and deadly dreams
And all mankind did bow beneath the power of her hand

And in the monastery garden sat a woman with a book
A manuscript that lay within her frail and trembling arms
She looked around her nervously as guilt rose in her heart
But the sway of curiosity had drawn her out too far

She wavered on the threshold of a dangerous decision
For this dark tome was no for human eyes to ever read
The pages dripped with legions of persuasive words and visions
So the volume had been hidden well, but now it had been freed

For no apparent reason had the woman been drawn in
Perhaps it was a twist of fate, an absence of real thought
She wandered to a room that before she'd never been
And all at once the interest of her senses had been caught
For no apparent reason had the women been drawn in
Where rows of dusty books lay in an ominous display

But one ancient leather binding had the grain of human skin
And seized with curiosity she stole this book away

And now she sat alone in the concealment of the night
She was hungry now to liberate the writings from their cage
The glimmer of a feeble moon provided her with light
As she opened up the cover and began to read the page
Fly, soul, the body's guest,
Upon your impish arrant
Let none be guiled by false confession
Truth shall be your warrant
Fly soul for your body must die

But for those who seek eternity
For those who yearn prosperity
From this single act of sanity
Will raise you far above humanity

Oh willing host who doth not know
The full desire of this prisoner
You walk where angels fear to go
Thou shalt soon embrace the reckoner
Thy halo of glory, hope's true gage
May prove to be an evil pilgrimage

Something had happened beyond her control
A moment of madness unfettered a soul
That would relish a freedom denied once before
By a desperate nation with it's back to the wall
Within a split second of reading this text
The spirit was free and had fled from its nest
It was eager to grow from this sudden reprieve
And thus in the woman a life was conceived
From the beginning the world was misled
As a baby was born in a monastery bed
The miracle happening here on this Earth
Was perceived as a glorious new Virgin Birth

From the moment in time that baby was born
The sun did now rise on a new Crimson dawn
And the creature just bided its time undiscovered
So safe in the cradling arms of the mother

[Lead: Dan]

But for those who seek eternity
For those who yearn prosperity
From this single act of sanity
Will raise you far above humanity

Secure from the world, the child remained hidden
A serpent disguised in the Garden of Eden
And all who looked down on this newly born babe
Were ignorant now of the path this would take
The people were blind to the subtle control
That was exercised daily upon every soul
With no room to question this delicate life
All fears would be drowned and all doubts would be stifled

But one single mind did stand out from the crowd
Though quiet at first - with hardly a sound
The Mother Superior harbored suspicion
Brought to her heart by three simple vision

[The Visions:]

The first was a planet engulfed by the sea
No dry land in sight, not a mountain or tree
No rock jutted out from the endless horizon
Or flowers to mark out the changing of seasons

No animals dwelt in the forests or fields
All life was extinct; its fate had been sealed

By the curse of a violent unstoppable flood
Mankind had been drowned in an ocean of blood

The next revelation was vivid and cruel
It depicted two swordsmen engrossed in a duel
The one held a sword that was silver and pure
The other a sword that was red to the core

They fought as the sun rose high in the sky
Their fight would not end until one of them died
No room did they have for an error to make
For the future of life was the trophy at stake

But one of the warriors flouted the rules
And with cunning and guile had the other one fooled
As he held up his hands in a gesture of peace
The silver opponent allowed this retreat

Then the man with the red sword attacked from behind
Left the silver sword fighter defeated and blind
Then carnage ensued that no man could condone
As the bloody red blade sliced through sinew and bone

All day did the swordsman attack without halt
Though the other lay dead from the frenzied assault
Until by the twilight and all that remained
Were the echoes of death and a fresh crimson stain

And so came the third of these unyielding visions
A picture of war and ferocious divisions
An army of saviors marching as one
Aware that the end had already begun

They arrived in a field, which was wide and expansive
They waited in silence both ready and pensive
The grassland was strewn with small crimson petals
Their fragrance was sweet with the stench of the devil

And slowly but surely they fell into sleep
Their consciousness gone as they slumped in defeat
And there they still lie bereft of their willpower
Brought to their knees by the strength of a flower

The three visions, the Mother Superior bore
A bitter forewarning of what was in store
This infant so frail must not grow to be strong
The world was at risk if she waited too long
So veiled by the blackness of night she did creep
And enter where mother and child were both asleep
And onwards she moved to where the crib lay
She leant over the baby and started to pray
She prayed for forgiveness for what she would do
She prayed that the knife in her hand would aim true
But all of a sudden she was now paralyzed
The baby daughter had opened her eyes

[Lead: Mike]

And into those eyes, the woman gazed
The look in her face was both haunted and crazed
She was smothered and swamped in confusion and sadness
The first to be gripped by this foul crimson madness
This brutal psychosis could not be explained
No one single cause was suggested or blamed
But no one could think that a child was involved
And the mystery illness remained unresolved

So all seemed as normal for seven short years
A veil of deception dissolved any fears
But there was one lapse in the child's disguise
And that could be seen in the depths of her eyes

The message could clearly be discovered there
In the glimpse of the universe found in her stare
Her gaze hypnotic, unbearably strong
Suspicions were growing, it wouldn't be long
Oh willing host who doth not know
The full desire of this prisoner
You walk where angels fear to go
Thou shalt soon embrace the reckoner

Now and then a question would be raised
Strong misgivings threatened to be voiced
But these were judgments wiser not to say
To doubt the child could prove to be a rash and deadly choice
By now the Crimson reign had proved too much
The monastery was shadowed under dread
But fear decreed that hostile thoughts be crushed
For the creature had the power to crawl inside your head
The mother in her darkest moment knew
The time had come for action to be taken

A journey must be made to hidden truths
She must return and read again the book she had forsaken

This tome presented many further views
Essential rules of power were revealed
And thus the pages offered up one clue
The child bore one significant Archilles Heel
Should the Crimson Queen be blinded, then powerless she'll be
Bereft of piercing vision, her victims will be free

Salvation lies in banishing this creature to the dark
Let not your hand be hesitant or death will be your mark
Lest regained sight should speed her flight away from burning hell
A steady heart must seal her back within her crimson cell

And thou who didst release this most vindictive enemy
Must serve to be her warder there for all eternity

One quiet night the lady traveled out beyond the monastery
Her quest was one of urgency and human preservation
She traveled with companions to reach the ruined city
Where lay the means to save her kind, a path to their salvation
When there they searched for evidence of where the Queen once slept
And came upon a gateway, which was tightly closed and barred
A stark inscription warned them of the risk of their next step
But choices were no more; they had already come too far

Let no man breach the gate to this most blasphemous of halls
Lest bitterness and chaos be the harvest they wouldst reap
He must n'er become a slave to this Child's beck and call
For she must never waken from her Crimson Sleep:

[Lead: Mike]

With fresh resolve the women carried on towards their goal
And found themselves a cell where crimson shade were scattered
A sight so dreadful it chilled their very souls
The cell had long been drained and all around the glass lay shattered

A movement in the shadows
A flash of blazing light
The child stood before them
With murder in her eyes
The women ran towards her
To try to stem the tide
Of purse and crimson anger
There was nowhere left to hide
Too slow was their reaction
They were thrown back off their feet
Their throats were filled with panic
As they stared as harsh defeat
Too weak was their protection
They couldn't staunch the trail
Of vitriol and vengeance
Meted out for this betrayal
So the mother's brave compatriots
Consumed with damning pain
Died writhing in the dirt
They were bleeding and insane
They'd looked into the child's eyes
And crumbled in despair
From images too hideous
For human minds to bear
Salvation lies in banishing
This creature to the dark
Let not your hand be hesitant
Or death will be your mark"
But there was still one single hope
No room for fear or doubt
The mother knew there was no choice
She had to end this now

She crawled across the bloodstained ground
Her eyes averted from the steely glare
But secretly she knew she'd found
A way beyond this nightmare

[Lead: Simon/Mike]

A few more seconds spanned the path
Between success or damnation
Mankind would face the aftermath speed
Of this deadly confrontation
Got to strike for the eyes
Leave the monster running blind
Go to cross the line
Got to strike for those unforgiving eyes

She veiled herself with trivial thought
A mask of insignificance
Her daughter failed to see beyond
The fabric of irrelevance

For a moment they were face to face
No sign of what was soon to be
But still her mind refused to break
Those thoughts must not be seen
Got to strike for the eyes
Leave the monster running blind
Go to cross the line
Got to strike for those unforgiving eyes

[Lead: Simon]

Striking hard, striking fast in desperation
The world around is filled with shades of red
Forced to stand in weak anticipation
As rivulets of blood run down the Child's head
The chamber fills with screams of violent rage
Of petulance and impotent frustration
Consumed with frenzied tidal waves of hate
The princess falls to earth in dark sedation

Her blindness stunts the growth of nascent power
That grows within her like some poisonous flower
The blade of darkness strikes her to the hilt
And so the flower inside begins to wilt
But time is short for action to be taken
No chance to dwell on pity or mistakes
No chance for dark excuses to be found
The moment of Salvation must be now!

Cast me to the crimson flames
Thou hast the power should I be blind
To overthrow my wicked reign
And throw me to the pit of time
Cast me to the crimson flames
Thou shalt bar the doors of hell
Incant these words of sacred rule
Seal me in my crimson cell

[Lead: Dan]

And thus was read the incantation
Voices echoed round and round
The woman smiled in weak elation
Mesmerized inside the sounds

[Lead: Dan]

And with these chants of higher lore
So mortal flesh began to fade
Soon child and mother were no more
Their earthly bodies now decayed

Cast me to the crimson flames
Thou shalt bar the doors of hell
Incant these words of sacred rule
Seal me in my crimson cell

[Lead: Mike]

And still inside the chamber stands
A single cell with crimson hue
Resealed by spoken word of Man
Imbued with power from spiritual Truth
Two souls imprisoned for eternity
Light and dark forever bound
Two souls that never can be freed
A pathway back will not be found
For trapped beyond some foolish reach
And far away from prying eyes

No channel now to lead or preach
No chance to influence or guide
The final sacrifice she took
Ensured the hope of the human race
And thus she holds the sacred book
A captive in her crimson space

Lest bitterness and chaos be the harvest they wouldst reap
For she must never waken from this Crimson Sleep

[Lead: Dan]