STORY
The song “Of War and Flames”, which gives the album its title, is rooted in Egyptian mythology and centers around the fearsome goddess Sekhmet. She is known as the goddess of war, plague, and healing, and represents a divine force that embodies both destruction and restoration.
According to myth, Sekhmet was created by the sun god Ra to punish humanity. She unleashed her wrath through fire and scorching desert winds, burning her enemies with her breath. Her image represents the blazing rays of the sun and the dry, relentless heat of the desert. The song’s lyrics vividly portray her as a lioness of vengeance, adorned in red and surrounded by silken flames, bringing both terror and divine power.
From Bloodlust to Peace
The song also retells one of the most iconic stories about Sekhmet. As her bloodlust spiraled out of control and threatened to destroy all of humanity, Ra devised a plan to stop her. He tricked her into drinking a vast amount of beer dyed red to resemble blood. Thinking it was the blood of her enemies, she drank it, fell into a deep sleep, and her rage was calmed. This moment marks the restoration of balance between destruction and peace, delivering a powerful message that resonates through the final verses of the song.
The lyrics capture this transformation with lines like “Her wrath seemed so endless until one day Ra tricked her mind”, painting a vivid picture of the thin line between divine fury and divine mercy.
Majestic Sound for a Mythic Tale
Musically, “Of War and Flames” combines the driving energy of power metal with the grandeur of symphonic elements. A majestic choir enhances the epic scale of the composition, making it feel like an ancient ritual brought to life through sound. The intensity of the rhythm, the soaring vocals, and the layered orchestration reflect the power and chaos associated with Sekhmet’s legend.
Listeners are drawn into a world of fire, vengeance, and transformation — a sonic journey through mythological history. The song does not simply recount a story, it immerses the audience in it, blending ancient imagery with modern musical force.
A Visual and Musical Centerpiece
Sekhmet is also featured on the album’s artwork, shown entering her own temple surrounded by blazing fires. This visual connection reinforces the central role of this myth and its symbolism throughout the entire album.
“Of War and Flames” stands as a defining piece in Alterium’s discography. It encapsulates the album’s themes of power, fury, and redemption, offering fans a rich fusion of storytelling and metal mastery.
Behind the Song
Lyrics
Lady dressed in red
And silken flames
With scorching desert winds
And burning breath
She slays the mortals
Goddess of the war
And raging flames
Emblem of the solar rays
With deadly warmth
And power
Her bloodlust never ends
Not even after the revenge
Surrender to her rage
See, the blood of the fallen, blood of the fallen
Made the Nile run red - made the Nile run red
And her wrath seemed so endless
Until one day Ra tricked her mind
Mistress of the dread
A lioness
The One Before Whom Evil Trembles
Vengeful queen of slaughter
Fooled by Ra
She drank the blood
Which was beer dyed in red instead
The peace has been restored
Her bloodlust never ends
Not even after the revenge
Surrender to her rage
See, the blood of the fallen, blood of the fallen
Made the Nile run red - made the Nile run red
And her wrath seemed so endless
Until one day Ra tricked her mind
See, the blood of the fallen, blood of the fallen
Made the Nile run red - made the Nile run red
And her wrath seemed so endless
Until one day Ra tricked her mind
