Death Metal / Symphonic Metal
1988
Christofer Jan Johnsson (Christofer Johnsson; Christofer) 
Björn Göran Nalle Påhlsson (Nalle Påhlsson; Björn Nalle Påhlsson)
Sven Erik Herman Thomas Vikström (Thomas Vikström; Antichrist)
Erik Gustafson (Erik Gustafsson; Erik) 
Oskar Forss (Oskar)
Peter Hansson (Peter)
Matti Juhani Kärki (Matti Kärki; Matti)
Andreas Wahl (Andreas Wallan Wahl)
Piotr Wawrzeniuk (Piotr "Docent" Wawrzeniuk) 
Tommie Eriksson (Tommy Eriksson)
Johan Wilhelm Niemann (Johan Niemann)
Jan Kristian Niemann (Kristian Niemann)
Richard Peter Erik Evensand (Richard Evensand)
Johan Peter Kullberg (Johan Kullberg)
Chiara Malvestiti (Chiara "Dusk" Malvestiti; Johanna) 
Morgan Tobias Sidegård (Tobias Sidegård)
Sarah Jane Ferridge (Sarah Jezebel Deva) 
Sven Anders Uno Engberg (Anders Engberg)
† Maria Johanna Mårlöv (Johanna Mårlöv)
Mats Göran Levén (Mats Levén)
Tommie Snowy Mike Christer Shaw (Snowy Shaw)
Ferdy Dörnberg (Ferdy Doernberg)
Messiah Jan Alfredo Marcolin (Messiah Marcolin)
Tyra Linnéa Sofia Vikström Egg (Linnéa Vikström)
Mari Karhunen (Mari Paul) 
Studio Album
Of Darkness.... *1991*
Side A
1. The Return
2. Asphyxiate with Fear
3. Morbid Reality
4. Megalomaniac
Side B
5. A Suburb to Hell
6. Genocidal Raids
7. Time Shall Tell
8. Dark Eternity
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Vocals, Guitars
Peter Hansson # Guitars
Oskar Forss # Drums
Erik Gustafsson # Bass
Beyond Sanctorum *1992*
Side A
1. Future Consciousness
2. Pandemonic Outbreak
3. Cthulhu
4. Symphony of the Dead
Side B
5. Beyond Sanctorum
6. Enter the Depths of Eternal Darkness
7. Illusions of Life
8. The Way
9. Paths
Line-up
Christofer # Vocals, Guitars, Bass
Peter # Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Oskar # Drums
Guest Musicians
Magnus Eklöv # Guitars
Anna Granqvist # Vocals
Fredrik Lundqvist # Vocals
Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas *1993*
1. Baal Reginon
2. Dark Princess Naamah
3. A Black Rose (Covered with Tears, Blood and Ice)
4. Symphoni Drakonis Inferni
5. Dawn of Perishness
6. The Eye of Eclipse
7. The Ritualdance of the Yezidis
8. Powerdance
9. Procreation of Eternity
10. Ho Drakon Ho Megas (Act 1: The Dragon Throne)
11. Ho Drakon Ho Megas (Act 2: Fire and Ecstasy)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Magnus Barthelson # Guitars
Andreas Wallan Wahl # Bass
Piotr Wawrzeniuk # Drums
Lepaca Kliffoth *1995*
1. The Wings of the Hydra
2. Melez
3. Arrival of the Darkest Queen
4. The Beauty in Black
5. Riders of Theli
6. Black
7. Darkness Eve
8. Sorrows of the Moon (Celtic Frost cover)
9. Let the New Day Begin
10. Lepaca Kliffoth
11. Evocation of Vovin
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Fredrik Isaksson # Bass
Piotr Wawrzeniuk # Drums
Guest Musicians
Harris Johns # Guitars
Hans Gröning # Vocals
Claudia Maria Mokri # Vocals
Jan # Vocals (additional)
Theli *1996*
1. Preludium
2. To Mega Therion
3. Cults of the Shadow
4. In the Desert of Set
5. Interludium
6. Nightside of Eden
7. Opus Eclipse
8. Invocation of Naamah
9. The Siren of the Woods
10. Grand Finale / Postludium
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Piotr Wawrzeniuk # Drums, Vocals
Lars Rosenberg # Bass
Jonas Mellberg # Guitars, Guitars (acoustic), Keyboards
Guest Musicians
Joachim Gebhardt # Vocals
Klaus Bülow # Vocals
Constanze Arens # Vocals
Riekje Weber # Vocals
Stephan Gade # Vocals
Dan Swanö # Vocals
Anja Krenz # Vocals
Axel Pätz # Vocals
Jan Peter Genkel # Grand piano, Keyboards
Gottfried Koch # Keyboards
Raphaela Mayhaus # Vocals
Bettina Stumm # Vocals
Ursula Ritters # Vocals
Ergin Onat # Vocals
A'arab Zaraq - Lucid Dreaming *1997*
1. In Remembrance
2. Black Fairy
3. Fly to the Rainbow (Scorpions cover)
4. Children of the Damned (Iron Maiden cover)
5. Under Jolly Roger (Running Wild cover)
6. Symphony of the Dead
7. Here Comes the Tears (Judas Priest cover)
8. Enter Transcendental Sleep (Therion version)
9. The Quiet Desert (Therion version)
10. Down the Qliphotic Tunnel (Therion version)
11. Up to Netzach / Floating Back (Therion version)
12. The Fall into Eclipse
13. Enter Transcendental Sleep
14. The Gates to A'arab Zaraq Are Open
15. The Quiet Desert
16. Down the Qliphotic Tunnel
17. Up to Netzach
18. Floating Back
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Hammond organ, Grand piano
Piotr Wawrzeniuk # Drums, Vocals
Guest Musicians
Jonas Mellberg # Guitars, Keyboards
Lars Rosenberg # Bass
Dan Swanö # Vocals
Tobias Sidegård # Vocals
Peter Tägtgren # Guitars
Gottfried Koch # Guitars (acoustic), Grand piano
Bettina Stumm # Vocals
Raphaela Mayhaus # Vocals
Marie-Thérèse Kübel # Vocals
Ergin Onat # Vocals
Klaus Bülow # Vocals
Joachim Gebhardt # Vocals
Vovin *1998*
1. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
2. Birth of Venus Illegitima
3. Wine of Aluqah
4. Clavicula Nox
5. The Wild Hunt
6. Eye of Shiva
7. Black Sun
8. The Draconian Trilogy: The Opening
9. The Draconian Trilogy: Morning Star
10. The Draconian Trilogy: Black Diamonds
11. Raven of Dispersion
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards
Guest Musicians
Tommy Eriksson # Guitars
Wolf Simon # Drums
Waldemar Sorychta # Guitars (additional)
Siggi Bemm # Guitars (additional)
Lorentz Aspen # Hammond organ
Ralf Scheepers # Vocals
Martina Hornbacher # Vocals
Jan Kazda # Bass
Sarah Jezebel Deva # Vocals
Petra Stalz # Violin
Eileen Küpper # Vocals
Angelika März # Vocals
Dorothee Fischer # Vocals
Anne Tributh # Vocals
Gregor Dippel # Vocals
Max Cilotek # Vocals
Javier Zapater # Vocals
Jochen Bauer # Vocals
Heike Haushalter # Violin
Monika Malek # Viola
Gesa Hansen # Cello
Alois Kott # Double bass, Contrabass
Crowning of Atlantis *1999*
1. The Crowning of Atlantis
2. Mark of Cain
3. Clavicula Nox
4. Crazy Nights (Loudness cover)
5. From the Dionysian Days
6. Thor (Manowar cover)
7. Seawinds (Accept cover)
8. To Mega Therion (live)
9. The Wings of the Hydra (live)
10. Black Sun (live)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Tommy Eriksson # Guitars
Jan Kazda # Bass, Guitars
Wolf Simon # Drums
Guest Musicians
Martina Hornbacher # Vocals
Sarah Jezebel Deva # Vocals
Jochen Bauer # Vocals
Kim Blomkvist # Bass
Cinthia Acosta Vera # Vocals
Petra Stalz # Violin
Angelika März # Vocals
Jörg Bräuker # Vocals
Gesa Hangen # Cello
Monika Maltek # Viola
Eileen Küpper # Vocals
Heike Haushalter # Violin
Sami Karppinen # Drums
Anne Tributh # Vocals
Waldemar Sorychta # Guitars
Ralf Scheepers # Vocals
Cosima Russo # Vocals
Deggial *2000*
1. Seven Secrets of the Sphinx
2. Eternal Return
3. Enter Vril-Ya
4. Ship of Luna
5. The Invincible
6. Deggial
7. Emerald Crown
8. The Flight of the Lord of Flies
9. Flesh of the Gods
10. Via Nocturna (Part 1 and 2)
11. O Fortuna (Carl Orff cover)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Johan Niemann # Bass
Sami Karppinen # Drums
Guest Musicians
Hansi Kürsch # Vocals
Jan Kazda # Guitars (acoustic)
Waldemar Sorychta # Guitars (acoustic)
Alexander Schimmeroth # Piano
Angelika März # Vocals (choir)
Dorothee Fischer # Vocals (choir)
Eileen Küpper # Vocals
Anne Tributh # Vocals (choir)
Georg Hansen # Vocals
Miguel Rosales # Vocals (choir)
Jörg Bräuker # Vocals
Javier Zapater # Vocals (choir)
Heike Haushalter # Violin
Petra Stalz # Violin
Monika Malek # Viola
Gesa Hangen # Cello
Konstantin Wienstroer # Contrabass
Annette Gadatsch # Flute
Stefanie Dietz # Oboe
John Ellis # French horn
Volker Goetz # Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Dietrich Geese # Tuba, Sousaphone, Trumpet
Daniel Häcker # Orchestral drums
Secret of the Runes *2001*
1. Ginnungagap (The Black Hole) (Prologue)
2. (Old) Midgård
3. Asgård (The Bifrost Bridge)
4. (Call of) Jotunheim
5. Schwarzalbenheim (Svartalfheim) (Gold der Unterwelt)
6. Ljusalfheim (The Shining Ones)
7. Muspelheim (Gudaskymning)
8. Nifelheim (Dimmornas värld)
9. Vanaheim (Seed of Ing)
10. Helheim (Den dimhöljda)
11. Secret of the Runes (Epilogue)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Johan Niemann # Bass
Sami Karppinen # Drums, Percussion
Guest Musicians
Kristina Hansson # Coloratura soprano
Anna-Maria Krawe # Vocals (choirs)
Anna Artursson # Vocals (choirs)
Henrik Holmberg # Vocals (choirs)
Patrik Forsman # Vocals (choirs)
Joakim Berg # Vocals (choirs)
Josef Cabrales-Alin # Violin
Malin Samuelsson # Violin
Johan Morén # Violin
Linda Svedrup # Viola
Niklas Sjunnesson # Viola
Monica Jönsson # Cello
Sareidah Hildebrand # Flute, Alto flute, Piccolo
Erik Rodell # Oboe, English horn
Henrik Blixt # Bassoon, Contrabassoon
Mikael Sörensen # Trumpet, Fluegelhorn
Ayman Al Fakir # French horn, Wagner tuba
Kristina Borg # French horn
Rune Bodin # Trombone
Marika Schönberg # Vocals
Erika Andersson # Vocals (choirs)
Carl Rahmqvist # Vocals
Anna Rodell # Violin
Åsa Åkerberg # Cello
Thomas Karlsson # Vocals
Lemuria *2004*
1. Typhon
2. Uthark Runa
3. Three Ships of Berik Part 1: Calling to Arms and Fighting the Battle
4. Three Ships of Berik Part 2: Victory!
5. Lemuria
6. Quetzalcoatl
7. The Dreams of Swedenborg
8. An Arrow from the Sun
9. Abraxas
10. Feuer Overtüre / Prometheus entfesselt
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Johan Niemann # Bass
Guest Musicians
Michael Schmidberger # Vocals
Anna-Maria Krawe # Vocals
Tomáš Černý # Vocals
Ulrika Skarby # Vocals
Karolína Vočadlová # Vocals
Jana Bínová-Koucká # Vocals
Jitka Tomšíčková # Oboe
Petra Čermáková # Horn
Jens Nyborg # Balalaika, Domra
Sven Lindblad # Balalaika
Kavi Björqvist # Balalaika
Richard Evensand # Drums
Steen Rasmussen # Mellotron, Organ (hammond)
Mats Levén # Vocals
Piotr "Docent" Wawrzeniuk # Vocals
Peter Mossman # Narration
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra # Orchestra
Kühn Mixed Choir # Vocals (choirs)
Sirius B *2004*
1. The Blood of Kingu
2. Son of the Sun
3. The Khlysti Evangelist
4. Dark Venus Persephone
5. Kali Yuga, Part 1
6. Kali Yuga, Part 2
7. The Wondrous World of Punt
8. Melek Taus
9. Call of Dagon
10. Sirius B
11. Voyage of Gurdjieff (The Fourth Way)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Mandolin
Kristian Niemann # Guitars, Mandolin
Johan Niemann # Bass, Mandolin
Guest Musicians
Anna-Maria Krawe # Vocals
Jana Bínová-Koucká # Vocals
Ulrika Skarby # Vocals
Tomáš Černý # Vocals
Richard Evensand # Drums, Gong
Jaromír Bélor # Vocals
Michael Schmidberger # Vocals
Steen Rasmussen # Organ (Hammond)
Jitka Tomšíčková # Oboe
Lars Sømod Jensen # Organ (church)
Petra Čermáková # French horn
Mats Levén # Vocals
Piotr Wawrzeniuk # Vocals
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra # Orchestra
Kühn Mixed Choir # Vocals (choirs)
Gothic Kabbalah *2007*
Disc 1
1. Der Mitternachtslöwe
2. Gothic Kabbalah
3. The Perennial Sophia
4. Wisdom and the Cage
5. Son of the Staves of Time
6. Tuna 1613
7. Trul
8. Close Up the Streams
Disc 2
1. The Wand of Abaris
2. Three Treasures
3. Path to Arcady
4. TOF - The Trinity
5. Chain of Minerva
6. The Falling Stone
7. Adulruna Rediviva
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards
Kristian Niemann # Guitars, Keyboards
Johan Niemann # Bass, Guitars
Petter Karlsson # Drums, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals (choirs)
Guest Musicians
Mats Levén # Vocals, Guitars
Snowy Shaw # Vocals
Katarina Lilja # Vocals
Hannah Holgersson # Vocals
Jonas Samuelsson-Nerbe # Vocals
Anna Nyhlin # Vocals
Karin Fjellander # Vocals (choral)
† Ken Hensley # Hammond organ
Joakim Svalberg # Hammond organ
Rolf Pilotti # Flute
Stefan Glaumann # Tambourine
Sitra Ahra *2010*
1. Introduction / Sitra Ahra
2. Kings of Edom
3. Unguentum Sabbati
4. Land of Canaan
5. Hellequin
6. 2012
7. Cú Chulainn
8. Kali Yuga III
9. The Shells Are Open
10. Din
11. Children of the Stone: After the Inquisition
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards
Thomas Vikström # Vocals
Nalle Påhlsson # Bass
Christian Vidal # Guitars
Johan Kullberg # Drums, Percussion
Guest Musicians
Linnéa Vikström # Vocals
Marcus Jupither # Vocals
Mika "Belfagor" Hakola # Vocals
Petter Karlsson # Vocals
Lennart Östlund # Cymbal
Liine Carlsson # Vocals
Anneli Lindfors # Vocals
Merit Kvist # Vocals
Anna Sellberg # Vocals
Matilda Wahlund # Vocals
Hedvig Hasselström # Vocals
Susanna Reuter # Vocals
Astrid Robillard # Vocals
Daniel Svensson # Vocals
Markus Pettersson # Vocals
Love Bergman # Vocals
Anton Ljungqvist # Vocals
Peter Ljung # Grand piano, Hammond organ
Martin Rask # Vocals
Erik Westanskog # Vocals
Hans Gardemar # Accordion
Johan Dornwall # Vocals
Mats Öberg # Harmonica
Chris Laney # Guitars
Staffan Astner # Guitars (acoustic)
Mattias Olsson # Analog synthesizers, Vocals
Anders Nyström # Vocals
Felix Pomo # Vocals
Julius Modin # Vocals
Dag Sandegren # Vocals (choirs)
Petter Östling # Vocals (choirs)
Hedda Most # Vocals (choirs)
Sonia Danielsson Tolstoy # Vocals (choirs)
Alice Eskiizmirliler # Vocals (choirs)
Mika Bergström # Vocals (choirs)
Minna Braconier # Vocals (choirs)
Emma Westlund # Vocals (choirs)
Ida Yilmaz # Vocals (choirs)
Grazia Gasperoni # Vocals (choirs)
Kristin Jansson # Vocals (choirs)
Sander Wellmar # Vocals (choirs)
Gustav Eriksson # Vocals (choirs)
Hanna Ekström # Violin
Aleksander Sätterström # Violin
Anders Forsman # Violin
Hanna Viklund # Violin
Victoria Lundell # Violin
Anna-Karin Reuterhall # Violin
Anna Manell # Viola
Pär Lindqvist # Viola
Erik Holm # Viola
Cecilia Linne # Cello
Beata Söderberg # Cello
Anna Dager # Cello
Karl Olandersson # Trumpet
Ida Freij # French horn
Magnus Franzen # French horn
Waldemar Sorychta # Guitars
Eva-Tea Lundberg # French horn
Elinor Berg # French horn
Fredrik Ruud # Trombone
Olav Holmquist # Trombone
Staffan Findin # Trombone
Jan Bengtsson # Flute
Erik Rodell # Oboe, English horn
Henrik Blixt # Bassoon
Jesper Skarin # Percussion (snare drum)
Robert Iversen # Percussion (snare drum)
Niklas Andersson # Timpani
Snowy Shaw # Vocals
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Les fleurs du mal *2012*
1. Poupée de cire, poupée de son (France Gall cover)
2. Une fleur dans le cœur (Victoire Scott cover)
3. Initials B.B. (Serge Gainsbourg cover)
4. Mon amour, mon ami (Marie Laforêt cover)
5. Polichinelle (France Gall cover)
6. La Maritza (Sylvie Vartan cover)
7. Sœur Angélique (Annie Philippe cover)
8. Dis-moi poupée (Isabelle cover)
9. Lilith (Léonie Lousseau cover)
10. En Alabama (Léonie Lousseau cover)
11. Wahala Manitou (Léonie Lousseau cover)
12. Je n'ai besoin que de tendresse (Claire Dixon cover)
13. La licorne d'or (Victoire Scott cover)
14. J'ai le mal de toi (Betty Mars cover)
15. Poupée de cire, poupée de son (France Gall cover)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards, Organ
Nalle Påhlsson # Bass
Johan Kullberg # Drums
Thomas Vikström # Vocals
Christian Vidal # Guitars, Sitar (electric)
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Guest Musicians
Johanna Najla # Vocals
Mattias Torrel # Guitars (acoustic)
Stefan Jernståhl # Accordion
Erik Rodell # Oboe
Rolf Pilotti # Flute
Johan Norin # Trumpet
Staffan Findin # Trombone
Magnus Werner # Trombone
Kristoffer Siggstedt # Trombone
Magnus Wretblad # Horn
Johan Ahlin # Horn
Ida Freji # Horn
Eva-Tea Lundberg # Horn
Pär Lindqvist # Viola
Anna Manell # Viola
Natalia Migdal # Violin
Lars Wehlin # Violin
Isa Holmesund # Violin
Hanna Ekström # Violin
Fredrik Syberg # Violin
Anders Åkered # Violin
Snowy Shaw # Vocals
Tove Törngren # Cello
Anna Dager # Cello
Mattias Olsson # Keyboards, Mellotron, Percussion
Mari Paul # Vocals
Beloved Antichrist *2018*
Disc 1 - Act I
1. Turn from Heaven
2. Where Will You Go?
3. Through Dust, Through Rain
4. Signs Are Here
5. Never Again
6. Bring Her Home
7. The Solid Black Beyond
8. The Crowning of Splendour
9. Morning Has Broken
10. Garden of Peace
11. Our Destiny
12. Anthem
13. The Palace Ball
14. Jewels from Afar
15. Hail Caesar!
16. What Is Wrong?
17. Nothing but My Name
Disc 2 - Act II
1. The Arrival of Apollonius
2. Pledging Loyalty
3. Night Reborn
4. Dagger of God
5. Temple of New Jerusalem
6. The Lions Roar
7. Bringing the Gospel
8. Laudate Dominum
9. Remaining Silent
10. Behold Antichrist!
11. Cursed by the Fallen
12. Resurrection
13. To Where I Weep
14. Astral Sophia
15. Thy Will Be Done!
Disc 3 - Act III
1. Shoot Them Down!
2. Beneath the Starry Skies
3. Forgive Me
4. The Wasteland of My Heart
5. Burning the Palace
6. Prelude to War
7. Day of Wrath
8. Rise to War
9. Time Has Come / Final Battle
10. My Voyage Carries On
11. Striking Darkness
12. Seeds of Time
13. To Shine Forever
14. Theme of Antichrist
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards,
Sami Karppinen # Drums
Björn Nalle Påhlsson # Guitars, Bass
Thomas Vikström # Vocals
Christian Vidal Guitars
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Johan Kullberg # Drums
Guest Musicians
Chiara Malvestiti # Vocals
Marcus Jupither # Vocals
Erik Rosenius # Vocals
Melissa Ferlaak # Vocals
Ulrika Skarby # Vocals
Lydia Kjellberg # Vocals
Samuel Jarrick # Vocals
Linus Flogell # Vocals
Kaj Hagstrand # Vocals
Matilda Wahlund # Vocals
Karin Fjellander # Vocals
Mikael Schmidberger # Vocals
Linnéa Vikström # Vocals
Anastasia Dreyer # Vocals
Anna Belova # Vocals
Ekaterina Shamina # Vocals (choirs)
Lyudmila Mikhailova # Vocals (choirs)
Maria Chekrkchieva # Vocals (choirs)
Anastasia Polyanina # Vocals (choirs)
Darya Mikhailova # Vocals (choirs)
Ksenia Krasikova # Vocals (choirs)
Mikhail Nor # Vocals (choirs)
Daniil Jurilov # Vocals (choirs)
Artemy Menshikov # Vocals (choirs)
Nikita Mikhailov # Vocals (choirs)
Gleb Kardasevich # Vocals (choirs)
Dmitry Volkov # Vocals (choirs)
Mikhail Yurkus # Vocals (choirs)
Grigory Pyankov # Vocals (choirs)
Peter Ljung # Grand piano, Hammond organ
Micke Nord # Guitars (slide)
Leviathan *2021*
1. The Leaf on the Oak of Far
2. Tuonela
3. Leviathan
4. Die Wellen der Zeit
5. Aži Dahāka
6. Eye of Algol
7. Nocturnal Light
8. Great Marquis of Hell
9. Psalm of Retribution
10. El Primer Sol
11. Ten Courts of Diyu
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards
Nalle Påhlsson # Bass
Thomas Vikström # Vocals
Christian Vidal # Guitars
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Guest Musicians
Marco Hietala # Vocals
Mats Levén # Vocals
Noa Gruman # Vocals
Björn Höglund # Drums
Fabio "Wolf" Amurri # Keyboards
Ally Storch # Violin
Jonas Öijvall # Hammond organ
Snowy Shaw # Drums
Taida Nazraić # Vocals
Hellscore # Vocals (choirs)
Chiara "Dusk" Malvestiti # Vocals
Rosalía Sairem # Vocals
EP
Time Shall Tell *1990*
Side A
1. Time Shall Tell
2. Dark Eternity
Side B
3. Asphyxiate with Fear
4. A Suburb to Hell
Line-up
Erik Gustafson # Bass
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Vocals
Peter Hansson # Guitars
Oskar Forss # Drums
Les Épaves *2016*
1. L'amour est bleu (heavy version) (Vicky Leandros cover)
2. Nous ne sommes pas des anges (France Gall cover)
3. La Fermeture éclair (Delphine cover)
4. Ah-Hem-Ho-Hu-Err (Christine Pilzer cover)
5. L'amour est bleu (mellow version) (Vicky Leandros cover)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Keyboards, Organ
Nalle Påhlsson # Bass
Johan Kullberg # Drums
Thomas Vikström # Vocals
Christian Vidal # Guitars
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Guest Musicians
Mari Paul # Vocals
Live Album
Live in Midgård *2002*
Disc 1
1. Ginnungagap
2. Invocation of Naamah
3. Birth of Venus Illegitima
4. Enter Vril-Ya
5. Riders of Theli
6. Symphony of the Dead
7. A Black Rose
8. The Return
9. Baal Reginon
10. Flesh of the Gods
11. Seawinds (Accept cover)
12. Schwarzalbenheim
13. In the Desert of Set
Disc 2
1. The Wings of the Hydra
2. Asgård
3. The Secret of the Runes
4. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
5. Summernight City (ABBA cover)
6. Beauty in Black
7. Seven Secrets of the Sphinx
8. The Wine of Aluqah
9. Raven of Dispersion
10. To Mega Therion
11. Cults of the Shadow
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Vocals
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Johan Niemann # Bass
Sami Karppinen # Drums
Guest Musicians
Sarah Jezebel Deva # Vocals
Maria Ottoson # Vocals
† Johanna Mårlöv # Vocals
Jari-Petri Heino # Vocals
Risto Hämäläinen # Vocals
Anders Engberg # Vocals
Live Gothic *2008*
Disc 1 (CD)
1. Der Mitternachtslöwe
2. Schwarzalbenheim
3. The Blood of Kingu
4. The Falling Stone
5. An Arrow from the Sun
6. Deggial
7. Wine of Aluqah
8. The Perennial Sophia
9. Son of the Sun
10. Son of the Staves of Time
11. Birth of Venus Illegitima
12. Tuna 1613
13. Drum Solo
14. Muspelheim
Disc 2 (CD)
1. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
2. Ginnungagap
3. Grand Finale
4. Lemuria
5. The Wand of Abaris
6. Nightside of Eden
7. To Mega Therion
8. Thor (The Powerhead) (Manowar cover)
Disc 3 (DVD)
1. Der Mitternachtslöwe
2. Schwarzalbenheim
3. The Blood of Kingu
4. The Falling Stone
5. An Arrow from the Sun
6. Deggial
7. Wine of Aluqah
8. The Perennial Sophia
9. Son of the Sun
10. Son of the Staves of Time
11. Birth of Venus Illegitima
12. Tuna 1613
13. Drum Solo
14. Muspelheim
15. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
16. Ginnungagap
17. Grand Finale
18. Lemuria
19. The Wand of Abaris
20. Nightside of Eden
21. To Mega Therion
22. Thor (The Powerhead) (Manowar cover)
23. Drum Battle in Holland
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Johan Niemann # Bass
Petter Karlsson # Drums
Guest Musicians
Snowy Shaw # Vocals
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Mats Levén # Vocals
Katarina Lilja # Vocals
The Miskolc Experience *2009*
Disc 1 (CD)
1. Clavicula Nox
2. Symphony No. 9 (Excerpt) (Dvořák)
3. Vedi! Le fosche notturne spotigle (from "Il trovatore") (Verdi)
4. Dies Irae (from "Reqiuem") (Mozart)
5. Symphony No. 3 (Excerpt) (Saint-Saëns)
6. Notung! Notung! Niedliches Schwert! (from "The Ring") (Wagner)
7. Overture (Excerpt) (from "Rienzi") (Wagner)
8. Der Tag ist da, Pt. 2 (from "Rienzi") (Wagner)
9. Herbei! Herbei!, Pt. 1 (from "Rienzi") (Wagner)
Disc 2 (CD)
1. Blood of Kingu
2. Sirius B
3. Lemuria
4. Eternal Return
5. Draconian Trilogy
6. Schwarzalbenheim (Svartalfheim) (Gold der Unterwelt)
7. Via Nocturna
8. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
9. Grand Finale (Postludium)
Disc 3 (DVD)
1. Clavicula Nox
2. Dvorak: Excerpt from Symphony No. 9
3. Verdi: Vedi! Le fosche notturne spotigle from Il trovatore
4. Mozart: "Dies Irae" from Reqiuem
5. Saint-Saens: Excerpt from Symphony No. 3
6. Wagner: "Notung! Notung! Niedliches Schwert!" from the Ring
7. Wagner: Excerpt from the Overture from Rienzi
8. Wagner: Second Part of "Der Tag ist da" from Rienzzi
9. Wagner: First Part of "Herbei! Herbei!" from Rienzi
10. Blood of Kingu
11. Sirius B
12. Lemuria
13. Eternal Return
14. Draconian Trilogy
15. Schwartsalbenheim
16. Via Nocturna
17. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
18. Grand Finale
19. Documentary
20. Therion Goes Classic - Bucharest
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars
Johan Niemann # Bass
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Petter Karlsson # Drums
Guest Musicians
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Judit V. Molnar # Vocals
Andras Molnar # Vocals
Gergely Boncser # Vocals
Sandor Zoltan # Leader of Miskolc Bartok Choir
Choir of Miskolc National Theatre # Vocals (choirs)
Zsolt Regos # Leader of Choir of Miskolc National Theatre
Miskolc Symphony Orchestra # Orchestra
Markus Stollenwerk # Conductor
Miskolc Bartok Choir # Vocals (choirs)
Mats Levén # Vocals
Video
Celebrators of Becoming *2006*
Disc 1 (DVD)
1. Intro
2. Blood of Kingu
3. Uthark Runa
4. Seven Secrets of the Sphinx
5. Asgård
6. Son of the Sun
7. Invocation of Naamah
8. Typhon
9. Draconian Trilogy
10. Flesh of the Gods
11. Schwarzalbenheim
12. Ginnungagap
13. In Remembrance
14. Wild Hunt
15. The Invincible
16. Melez
17. Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
18. The Khlysti Evangelist
19. Siren of the Woods
20. Quetzalcoatl
21. Wine of Aluqah
22. Cults of the Shadow
23. To Mega Therion
24. Iron Fist (Motörhead cover)
25. Outro
Disc 2 (DVD)
1. Soundcheck Guadalajara
2. Before Show
3. Stage Excerpt Seven Secrets / Atlantis / Siren
4. After Show
5. Blood of Kingu
6. Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
7. A Day in La Paz
8. Wine of Aluqah
9. Seven Secrets of the Sphinx
10. Black Sun
11. Wine of Aluqah
12. Black Funeral
13. Khlysti Evangelist
14. Uthark Runa
15. Asgård
16. The Crowning of Atlantis
17. The Invincible
18. Melez
19. Uthark Runa
20. Backstage
21. Uthark Runa
22. Typhon
23. Cults of the Shadow
24. Siren of the Woods
25. Iron Fist
26. Caffeine
27. Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
28. Cults of the Shadow / To Mega Therion / Black Funeral / Iron Fist
29. Russian Anthem
30. I Wanna Be Somebody
31. Black Funeral
32. Iron Fist
33. Singing à Capella in the Dark
34. Drumming in the Dark
Disc 3 (DVD)
1. Seven Secrets of the Sphinx
2. The Invocation of Naamah
3. Cults of the Shadow
4. Birth of Venus Illegitima
5. In the Desert of Set
6. Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
7. Wine of Aluqah
8. To Mega Therion
9. Pandemonic Outbreak (1992)
10. A Black Rose (1993)
11. The Beauty in Black (1995)
12. To Mega Therion (1996)
13. In the Desert of Set (1997)
14. Birth of Venus Illegitima (1998)
15. Summernight City (2001)
16. The Golden Embrace
17. Comments by the director of "Golden Embrace"
18. Drums and guitar
19. Mandolin test of harmonies
20. Mandolin recordings
21. Piotr Entfesselt
22. Dreams of Piotrenborg
23. Recording orchestra
24. Chris follow notes
25. Harpsichord close up
26. Recording choir
27. Recording tenor
28. Recording Hammond organ
29. Introducing the mellotron
30. Recording mellotron
31. Close up upon and soundcheck of church organ
32. Recording church organ
33. Checking result of church organ recording
34. Planning mix
35. Mixing ”Son of the Sun”
36. Mixing ”Lemuria”
Disc 4 (DVD)
1. Paroxysmal Holocaust
2. Asphyxiate with Fear
3. Dark Eternity
4. The Return
5. Enter the Depths of Eternal Darkness
6. Pandemonic Outbreak
7. Dawn of Perishness
8. Baal Reginon
9. Wings of the Hydra
10. Melez
11. Symphony of the Dead
12. A Black Rose
13. Dark Princess Naamah
14. Let the New Day Begin
15. Dawn of Perishness
16. Black
17. Cults of the Shadow
18. To Mega Therion
19. Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
20. Black Sun
21. Enter Vril-Ya
22. Behind the Scenes: Before a Show
23. Riders of Theli
24. Niemann Brother Jam
25. To Mega Therion
26. The Wings of the Hydra
27. Behind the Scenes: After a Show
28. Seawinds
29. Asgård
30. Secret of the Runes
31. Summernight City
32. Beauty in Black
33. Behind the Scenes
Disc 5 (CD)
1. Blood of Kingu
2. Uthark Runa
3. Seven Secrets of the Sphinx
4. Asgard
5. Son of the Sun
6. Invocation of Naamah
7. Typhon
8. Draconian Trilogy
9. Flesh of the Gods
10. Schwarzalbenheim
11. Ginnungagap
Disc 6 (CD)
1. In Remembrance
2. The Wild Hunt
3. The Invincible
4. Melez
5. Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
6. The Khlysti Evangelist
7. Siren of the Woods
8. Quetzalcoatl
9. Wine of Aluqah
10. Cults of the Shadow
11. To Mega Therion
12. Iron Fist (Motörhead cover)
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars, Vocals
Johan Niemann # Bass
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Petter Karlsson # Drums
Guest Musicians
Mats Levén # Vocals
Karin Fjellander # Vocals
Risto Hämäläinen # Vocals
† Johanna Mårlöv # Vocals
Jari-Petri Heino # Vocals
Suvi Virtanen # Vocals
Erik Gustafson # Bass
Oskar Forss # Drums
Peter Hansson # Guitars
Andreas "Wallan" Wahl # Bass
Piotr "Docent" Wawrzeniuk # Drums, Vocals
Magnus Barthelson # Guitars
Fredrik Isaksson # Bass
Lars Rosenberg # Bass
Sami Karppinen # Drums
Adulruna Rediviva and Beyond *2014*
Disc 1
1. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
2. Son of the Sun
3. Midgård
4. Asgård
5. The Wine of Aluqah
6. Wisdom and the Cage
7. Kali Yuga I
8. Kali Yuga II
9. Kali Yuga III
10. Lemuria
11. Via Nocturna
12. An Arrow from the Sun
13. Typhon
14. Ginnungagap
15. Preludium
16. To Mega Therion
17. Cults of the Shadows
18. In the Desert of Set
19. Interludium
20. Nightside of Eden
21. Opus Eclipse
22. Invocation of Naamah
23. The Siren of the Woods
24. Grand Finale / Postludium
25. Adulruna Rediviva
26. Black Funeral (Mercyful Fate cover)
Disc 2
1. Sitra Ahra
2. The Wine of Aluqah
3. Typhon
4. Perennial Sophia
5. Hellequin
6. Nifelheim
7. Clavicula Nox
8. Voyage of Gurdjieff
9. Ljusalfheim
10. Dies Irae
11. Ginnungagap
12. Kali Yuga III
13. Call of Dagon
14. The Siren of the Woods
15. The Wild Hunt
16. Blood of Kingu
17. Lemuria
18. Abraxas
19. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
20. To Mega Therion
21. Quetzalcoatl
Disc 3
1. Special Features
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars
Nalle Påhlsson # Bass
Johan Kullberg # Drums
Thomas Vikström # Vocals, Flute
Christian Vidal # Guitars
Lori Lewis # Vocals, Keyboards
Johan Niemann # Bass
Kristian Niemann # Guitars
Petter Karlsson # Drums
Guest Musicians
Linnéa Vikström # Vocals
Ferdy Doernberg # Keyboards
Towe Wandegren # Vocals (backing)
Piotr Wawrzeniuk # Vocals
Snowy Shaw # Vocals
Messiah Marcolin # Vocals
Garden of Evil *2015*
1. J'ai le mal de toi
2. Une fleur dans le cœur
3. Poupée de cire, poupée de son (ending version)
4. Poupée de cire, poupée de son (opening version)
5. Via Nocturna
6. The Wondrous World of Punt
7. Poupée de cire, poupée de son
8. Je n'ai besoin que de tendresse
9. J'ai le mal de toi
10. Mon amour, mon ami
11. Initials B.B.
12. Interview with Christofer Johnsson
13. Short Film: Loris Final Day Touring with the Band
14. Making of "Initials B.B."
15. Making of "Mon amour, mon ami"
16. Making of "J'ai le mal de toi"
17. Making of "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" and "Je n'ai besoin que de tendresse"
18. Mon amour, mon ami (Director's cut)
19. Secrets
Line-up
Christofer Johnsson # Guitars
Nalle Påhlsson # Bass
Johan Kullberg # Drums
Thomas Vikström # Vocals, Guitars (acoustic)
Christian Vidal # Guitars
Lori Lewis # Vocals
Guest Musicians
Linnéa Vikström # Vocals
Stefan Jernståhl # Keyboards
Compilation
Lemuria / Sirius B *2004*
Disc 1
1. Typhon
2. Uthark Runa
3. Three Ships of Berik, Pt. 1: Calling to Arms and Fighting the Battle
4. Three Ships of Berik, Pt. 2: Victory!
5. Lemuria
6. Quetzalcoatl
7. The Dreams of Swedenborg
8. An Arrow from the Sun
9. Abraxas
10. Feuer Overtüre / Prometheus entfesselt
Disc 2
1. The Blood of Kingu
2. Son of the Sun
3. The Khlysti Evangelist
4. Dark Venus Persephone
5. Kali Yuga, Pt. 1
6. Kali Yuga, Pt. 2
7. The Wondrous World of Punt
8. Melek Taus
9. Call of Dagon
10. Sirius B
11. Voyage of Gurdjieff (The Fourth Way)
Atlantis Lucid Dreaming *2005*
1. In Remembrance
2. Black Fairy
3. Fly to the Rainbow (Scorpions cover)
4. Under Jolly Roger (Running Wild cover)
5. Symphony of the Dead (A'arab Zarag... mix)
6. Here Comes the Tears (Judas Priest cover)
7. The Crowning of Atlantis
8. Mark of Cain
9. Clavicula Nox (EP mix)
10. Crazy Nights (Loudness cover)
11. From the Dionysian Days
12. Thor (The Powerhead) (Manowar cover)
13. Seawinds (Accept cover)
14. Black Sun (live)
Theli / Vovin *2016*
Disc 1
1. Preludium
2. To Mega Therion
3. Cults of the Shadow
4. In the Desert of Set
5. Interludium
6. Nightside of Eden
7. Opus Eclipse
8. Invocation of Naamah
9. The Siren of the Woods
10. Grand Finale / Postludium
11. In Remembrance
12. Black Fairy (European Metal version)
13. Fly to the Rainbow (Scorpions cover)
14. Babylon
Disc 2
1. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
2. Birth of Venus Illegitima
3. Wine of Aluqah
4. Clavicula Nox
5. The Wild Hunt
6. Eye of Shiva
7. Black Sun
8. The Draconian Trilogy: The Opening
9. The Draconian Trilogy: Morning Star
10. The Draconian Trilogy: Black Diamonds
11. Raven of Dispersion
Blood of the Dragon *2018*
Disc 1
1. Fight Fire with Fire (Metallica cover)
2. The King (Accept cover)
3. Southbound (Thin Lizzy cover)
4. Witching Hour (Venom cover)
5. Green Manalishi (Fleetwood Mac cover)
6. Revelations (Live in Bogotá 2001) (Iron Maiden cover)
7. Black Funeral (Mercyful Fate cover)
8. Iron Fist (Motörhead cover)
9. Ivanubis Hollanda - Perennial Sophia (live)
10. Ivanubis Hollanda - Raven of Dispersion (live)
Disc 2
1. Ghost Warfare - An Arrow from the Sun
2. Antyra - Asgard
3. Revolted Masses - Baal Reginon
4. Remains - Genocidal Raids
5. Day 40 - Invocation of Naamah
6. Dark Letter - Kali Yuga. Part I
7. Whirlwind Storm - Liusalvheim
8. Theosophy - Pandemonic Outbreak
9. Theudho - Schwarzalbenheim
10. The Experiment no.Q - Seven Secrets of the Sphynx
11. Imperial Age - To Mega Therion
12. Elimi - The Blood of Kingu
13. Númenor - The Riders of Theli
14. Mare Infinitum - The Wand of Arabis
15. Frozen Ocean - The Wings of the Hydra
16. Majesty of Revival - Wisdom and the Cage
Cover Songs 1993-2007 *2020*
1. Fight Fire with Fire (Metallica cover)
2. Summernight City (ABBA cover)
3. Crying Days (Scorpions cover)
4. The King (Accept cover)
5. Witching Hour (Venom cover)
6. Southbound (Thin Lizzy cover)
7. Green Manalishi (Fleetwood Mac cover)
8. Revelations (Iron Maiden cover) (live)
9. Iron Fist (Motörhead cover) (live)
10. Black Funeral (Mercyful Fate cover) (live)
Boxed Set
The Early Chapters of Revelation *2000*
1. Of Darkness...
2. Beyond Sanctorum
3. Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas
Order of the Dragon *2017*
1. Of Darkness....
2. Beyond Sanctorum
3. Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas
4. Lepaca Kliffoth
5. Theli
The Nuclear Blast Recordings *2018*
1. Of Darkness...
2. Beyond Sanctorum
3. Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas
4. Lepaca Kliffoth
5. Live in Midgard - Part 1
6. Live in Midgard - Part 2
Singles
The Beauty in Black *1995*
The Siren of the Woods *1996*
Eye of Shiva *1998*
Wand of Abaris *2006*
Les Sucettes *2013*
Demos
Paroxysmal Holocaust *1989*
Beyond the Darkest Veils of Inner Wickedness *1989*
Rehearsal *1990*
Therion is Greek for "wild beast".
Back in the year 1987, Christofer Johnsson formed the metal band Blitzkrieg in Upplands Väsby, a suburb of Stockholm. What genre they played is discussed, as their influences mostly were major thrash bands, but they sounded more like the big extreme bands of that era. He was the bassist and vocalist. The line-up was complete with Peter Hansson on guitar and Oskar Forss on drums. This line-up, however, only lasted for two gigs when they decided to split up in early 1988. A few months later Chris started playing guitar instead and, influenced by Celtic Frost, he called the band Megatherion and played death metal. Peter Hansson played guitar in the new band as well. Later Oskar returned and bassist Erik Gustafsson joined. Erik had just left another Swedish underground death metal group called Dismember.
After a short while, the name was changed to Therion. With this line-up the two demos, the first EP and the first full-length were recorded, however, on the Paroxysmal Holocaust demo, Matti Kärki performed the vocals. Beyond the Darkest Veils of Inner Wickedness was the first Therion release Chris sang. The EP, Time Shall Tell, was nothing more than a demo recording that got released as a record instead of a cassette.
After the 1000 copies had sold, the bookstore bootlegged another 1000. Shortly after, they signed to Deaf Records where they released Of Darkness. This album consisted of songs that Chris had written in the '80s. The newer songs were saved for the forthcoming album. After this quite progressive death metal album, Therion signed to Active Records. Now the bass player, Erik, had to move back to his native country, the USA, so Chris had to play bass once again. The lyrical concept had changed from social issues to occultism. The record received very good reviews and the band was offered their first shows in Holland and Belgium.
Oskar, now awaiting his second child, chose to leave the band. Peter also stepped back due to health and musical reasons. A new line-up with Piotr Wawrzeniuk (from Chris' other band, Carbonized) on drums, Andreas Wahl on bass, and Magnus Barthelsson on guitar was formed.
This new line-up was the start of a new era. While Beyond Sanctorum was experimental, it was without any doubt death metal. Chris wanted to experiment more and go much further, with the result being Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas. This wild move of experimenting with jazz, industrial music, gothic chanting, '80s heavy metal, and so on in the traditional old school metal scene caused some disorder.
Therion was transferred from Active Records to the owners' new label, Megarock Records. Therion toured supporting Grave and Massacra as well as a couple of headlining shows in Germany. At this time there was nothing but work, work, and work for Therion.
Shortly Magnus and Andreas gave up on Therion. Fredrik Isaksson became the new bass player and Therion was once again a trio. Chris went off to record an album with the Swiss band Messiah. When he came back, Nuclear Blast wanted to sign Therion, however, there was still a contract for one album with Megarock, but the relationship between Megarock and Therion was so good that Therion was released without any financial claims.
The result was the 1995 album Lepaca Kliffoth, which was more experimental yet and featured soprano and bass-baritone vocals, more keyboards, more Persian influences, more melodies, Chris singing a newer more hardcore way. The final bounds to death metal had by now been cut off. They toured with Annihilator in Germany and went on a small headline voyage into South America with Tommy Ericsson on the second guitar. Fredrik's personal problems prevented him from touring, so Lars Rosenberg was hired as a session bassist. Now Piotr declared that he had problems with Fredrik, so Fredrik was fired. Then Lars was fired from Entombed and became the permanent bass player in Therion. Still, as they didn't sell too well, they didn't have the budget they needed, so Chris called up Nuclear Blast director Markus Steiger and explained the situation. "No more albums based on my vocals and I need two choirs, a better recording studio, two producers, and more time in the studio. If not I'd rather give up the band and stay happy with what I achieved so far". Luckily, Steiger approved. Ex-Unanimated guitarist Jonas Mellberg was brought in and Therion recorded their most important album ever.
Therion doubted that Theli would sell. Chris spoke to Piotr about it and said that this would be the final record, as it would be a flop just as every other Therion release. Piotr didn't want this to be the last record, but did accept the situation and started studying history instead. Dan Swanö performed some vocals on Theli as well as Chris, Piotr, and the two choirs. Jonas and Lars both had alcohol problems and during the recording of an Iron Maiden tribute song, Jonas left the studio without a word and would never come back to the band.
The sales doubled compared to Lepaca Kliffoth's in just a month. They were offered to tour with Amorphis. Theli was the successful breakthrough the band needed and was also the start of unimaginable stress.
The album had cost Nuclear Blast around 28.000 Euro to record, which was by far the highest in the history of Nuclear Blast, so Chris couldn't ask them to pay for the tour. He asked his friends to help him out. Tommy played drums this time as Piotr was occupied with his studies and Chris got in touch with some amateur singers to perform the songs live. Tobias Sidegård of Necrophobic got free beer on the tour to play guitar and Kimberley Goss was hired to play the keyboards and perform some backing vocals. During the tour, Lars' drinking problem got worse and the soprano and the tenor started taking drugs. At the end of the tour, they were all fired and not welcomed back.
The sales had increased so much that they were booked for a second tour, this time with Piotr and two professional sopranos. Andreas Wahl performed bass on this tour. Even so, the fans hungered to see the band. A third European tour was announced with Lake of Tears and Crematory with Therion headlining the tours outside Germany. This was all in one year!
The same year, A'arab Zaraq Lucid Dreaming was released. It was a strange album that consisted of a couple of Theli songs, covers, and a soundtrack Chris did for an art film called The Golden Embrace. Even with a new record deal, big budgets, and fans buying their albums, there was still one problem - there was no one but Chris in the band. He recorded Vovin with hired professional studio musicians in Wolf Simons and Jan Kazda. This was more of a solo album for Chris than a Therion album. Vovin marked the change into the later, more melodic Therion.
Once again, the sales doubled compared to those of the last album. The underground band that had struggled for its survival was now the best-selling band on Nuclear Blast. Sami Karppinen performed drums on the tours and was offered a permanent seat in the band. Parts of a planned mini-CD (Crowning of Atlantis) were recorded, but Nuclear Blast wanted to make it a full-length, so a couple of live songs were added and the album was released in 1999. Sami had good contacts among high-skilled musicians in Sweden and so Kristian Niemann joined the band as a guitarist. Later his brother, Johan, joined as a bass player.
While this was a full line-up and a completely new band, Chris had already written follow-up Deggial. The new band members didn't have much time or chance to contribute to the music.
Therion recorded their first concept album, Secret of the Runes, inspired by the Viking alphabet and mythology. The budget was mostly spent on building Therion's very own recording studio called Modern Art.
Secret of the Runes was yet again a more complex and melodic album, but the reviews varied. After the tour, Sami left the band to work full-time as a sound tech in the studio. Richard Evans was the new drummer. A few of the concerts during the tour ended up on Therion's first live album, Live in Midgard, which was released in 2002, the 15th year of Therion's life.
Now, Therion had put a lot of songs on the shelf and wanted to get rid of them. They had material for three albums and decided to release two of them at once, Lemuria and Sirius B. This was yet again a change. The albums were more bombastic than ever, a word that Nuclear Blast, ever since Therion's breakthrough, tries to associate every band with. The budget was higher than ever and more money was spent.
In total, 171 musicians and singers were involved in making the albums. The albums were released as a 2CD digibook for the price of one album and were followed by a massive European and South American tour. Also, the Niemann brothers had been busy writing more extreme songs, and so the Demonoid project was launched. After the Sirius B and Lemuria albums, plans for a six-disc DVD box containing two CDs, live shows, and a historical section were spread to the public. It was to be released in the spring of 2006.
In the meantime, Atlantis Lucid Dreaming, a collection of b-side material was released. In March 2006, Christofer Johnsson stated that he'd step down from the vocalist position and will not be singing at gigs anymore. The 2006 ProgPower Festival in England is supposed to be the last gig with him singing.
Because of Therion's affiliation with Thomas Karlsson, who started writing Therion's lyrics together with Christofer Johnsson in 1993 and who since 1998 writes all of them, there are a few books out related to Therion and the mythos Therion lyrics are made of. Mörk Magi, written by Tommy Eriksson, has only been released in Swedish and discusses the philosophy and aphorisms of Dark Magic. It advocates that one should see the positive sides of dark magic, turning the force it has into creativity instead of destruction. Eriksson lists relaxation practices and invocations as introductions to the dark magic, kabbala, and tantrism to the beginner.
Uthark was written by Thomas Karlsson and deals with runeology and rune magic. It discusses the Uthark theory, widely launched by professor Sigurd Agrell in the 1930s. Its base is that runes have more than their literal meaning. There's a dark and hidden secret magic side that only runemasters know of. The book is available in English and German, and a German limited edition came with the Secret of the Runes album.
Christofer Johnsson decided to stop singing in 2006. Former King Diamond drummer Snowy Shaw was announced as an additional session vocalist later that year.
In 2008, the entire permanent band line-up parted ways with Christofer Johnsson due to differences in opinion on the future direction of Therion's music.
On July 7th, 2010, Snowy Shaw left the band, then rejoined on August 25th of the same year. He left the band again in September 2012 to concentrate on his solo project.
Also in September 2012, Christofer Johnsson announced that Therion would take a few-year break from extensive touring so that he could concentrate on completing his metal opera. The opera, "Beloved Antichrist", was released in 2018.
Няма коментари:
Публикуване на коментар
Забележка: Само членове на този блог могат да публикуват коментари.