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Notes
Heretic's Doom serves as an antonym for the title track, Orthodox. It warns of the dangers of departing from the true faith in vain pursuit of followers or notoriety. Eventually, the truth catches up, and God will not be mocked.
For the arrangement and overall sound, I was heavily inspired by Lord of the Rings, especially the line "drums.. drums in the deep," and the rapid, frantic "doom doom doom doom" drumming and chanting heard during the Mines of Moria sequence in Fellowship of the Ring.
Lyrics
[whispered]
Anathema
Maranatha
[Verse 1]
You built your tower from a fractured creed,
Stones of hatred, bound by pride.
A crown of ashes, a mind deceived,
You call it light, but cannot see the truth
[Pre-Chorus]
O hollow voice that split the flame,
O severed branch that scorned the root
[Chorus]
Doom doom doom doom, heretic’s doom
The truth you fled now thunders near.
Doom doom doom doom doom, heretic’s doom
Fate of the heart that would not hear.
[Interlude]
[Instrumental]
[Verse 2]
You forged a gospel shaped like you,
A broken idol for a broken lord.
But can the lie absolve the wound?
Can pride endure the righteous sword?
[Pre-Chorus]
O drifting star that left its home,
O self-anointed prophet mute
[Chorus]
Doom doom doom doom doom, heretic’s doom,
The truth you fled now thunders near.
Doom doom doom doom doom, heretic’s doom,
Fate of the heart that would not hear.
[Bridge (chant cadence, slow, weighty)]
Mercy called — you barred the door.
Wisdom wept — you could not kneel.
The choir fades as judgement roars
What once was hidden must be revealed.
[Final Chorus (bigger, slower, crushing)]
Doom doom doom doom heretic’s doom,
Thorns of false prophecy burn in fire
Doom doom doom doom doom, heretic’s doom,
The end of all self-forged desire.
[Interlude]
[Instrumental]
[Chorus]
Doom doom doom doom, heretic’s doom,
The truth you fled now thunders near.
Doom doom doom doom doom, heretic’s doom,
Fate of the heart that would not hear.
[Outro - multi-part choir over deep drums]
Doom Doom Doom Doom
Doom Doom Doom Doom
Doom Doom Doom Doom
Doom Doom Doom Doom
[Instrumental]
[Ending]