Therion

Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band from Upplands Väsby, Sweden, active since 1988. It is founded by Christofer Johnsson and begins under the name Blitzkrieg before taking the name Therion, which comes from Celtic Frost’s album To Mega Therion. The phrase means “The Great Beast” in Greek and is associated with Aleister Crowley.

Style and development

The band starts in death metal and later develops a style that combines metal with orchestral arrangements, including choirs and classical musicians. In live settings, it also uses full orchestras at times. This musical shift makes Therion one of the early bands associated with the development of symphonic metal. Its music often uses lyrical themes drawn from mythology, occultism, magical practices, and ancient traditions and texts.

Line-up and membership

The group’s membership changes over time and includes Erik Gustafsson, Oskar Forss, Peter Hansson, Christofer Johnsson, Matti Kärki, Piotr Wawrzeniuk, Andreas Wallan Wahl, Tommy Eriksson, Fredrik Isaksson, Jonas Mellberg, Lars Rosenberg, Sarah Jezebel Deva, Sami Karppinen, Johan Niemann, Kristian Niemann, Richard Evensand, Petter Karlsson, Johan Koleberg, Nalle Påhlsson, Thomas Vikström, Christian Vidal and Lori Lewis.

Albums

Therion’s studio albums include Of Darkness..., Beyond Sanctorum, Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas, Lepaca Kliffoth, Theli, A'arab Zaraq – Lucid Dreaming, Vovin, Crowning of Atlantis, Deggial, Secret of the Runes, Lemuria, Sirius B, Gothic Kabbalah, Sitra Ahra, Les Fleurs du Mal, Beloved Antichrist, Leviathan, Leviathan II and Leviathan III.