Satan's Fall

Mercyful Fate's 'Satan's Fall' is a dark and atmospheric song that delves into themes of evil, satanic rituals, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a nightmarish journey undertaken by seven satanic preachers, who are on a mission to deliver the blood of a newborn child. The imagery of 'long black coats' and 'bats leaving their trees' sets a chilling tone, evoking a sense of dread and foreboding as the preachers head towards their ominous destination.

The song's narrative is steeped in occult symbolism and references to satanic lore. The mention of '666' and 'the beast' directly alludes to the biblical number of the beast, a symbol of ultimate evil. The preachers' mission is portrayed as a dire and urgent task, with the success or failure of their mission determining the fate of Satan himself. The repeated refrain 'Home come home' suggests a call to return to a place of dark power, reinforcing the sense of an impending, malevolent event.

As the song progresses, the lyrics describe a journey across the river Styx, a reference to Greek mythology where the river separates the world of the living from the underworld. The preachers' encounter with Charon, the ferryman of Hades, and the sight of a castle rising high on the other shore, further enhance the song's dark and mythological atmosphere. The final lines, 'You better escape, you've got to escape, You cannot escape,' convey a sense of inescapable doom, leaving the listener with a lingering feeling of unease and the realization that the forces of evil are ever-present and relentless.