Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio: the sensual magic of erotic dark folk

Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio (ORE), a neofolk /dark folk project from Stockholm, Sweden, started their career in 1993 under the name Ordo Equilibrio. Later "Rosarius" was added to the name.The name Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio can be translated to "Order of the Rose and the Balance" from Latin (See Ordo Templi Orientis).

The band is currently composed of its founding member and vocalist Tomas Pettersson, and Rose-Marie Larsen.

The musical ambitions of the band seem to be to create a dark ambient soundscape. To this goal a wide range of instruments are used, including acoustic guitars, percussions, and piano, together with all sorts of sound-aggregating devices combined with projected imagery. Lyrics are delivered, typically by Petterson himself, in a performance including spoken word and traditional song.

In its sombre lyrics, Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio combines seemingly incompatible polarities, such as creation and destruction, dark and light, joy and sorrow, sex and war often using Christian and specifically Catholic symbols.

All in all this results in a very hypnotic, seductive, mysterious, erotic, ritual,  dark folk with reminiscence of ancient greek bacchanals, roman orgies, late mediaeval paintings and the great romantic authors.

This is a song for hate and devotion

For all of you, who mean nothing to me

We dance in nights of broken glass

Where stars collide and dreams collapse

Time will tell, it always does

Priests and whores, cum with us

You hope to see, but never will

The world will burn, and we stand still

Time won't die, it never has

For bitter and worse, no things last

"You are my imbecile, my idiot lover

I am the one you want, unlike the others"

Corrosion came, and touched my face

One kiss in vain, refrained to hate

I kiss your eyes, one last goodbye

When lust has seized, all love must die

The end is near; hope is gone

Let's fade and fall; what's done is done

"You are my imbecile, my idiot lover

I am the one you want, unlike the others"

One, is for liberty
Two, is for evil
Three, is an orgy
Four, is forever

There are circles of forever, made of fire made of stone
There are circles of a lifetime, made of silver made of gold

Five, is a star
Six, is for the beast inside
Seven, is for the plunging of gods
Eight, is where it all begins again....

One, is for the soul
Two, is for the women
Three, is and orgy
Four, is forever

There are circles of forever, made of fire made of stone
There are circles of a lifetime, made of silver made of gold

Five, is for the sun
Six, is for lust
Seven, is for the fallen angel
Eight, is where it all begins again....

There are circles of forever, made of fire made of stone
There are circles of a lifetime, made of silver made of gold

Oh... haven't you learned anything... you must laugh!

Umbra et Imago: Gothic Erotic to the extreme

German gothic erotic band Umbra et Imago has been around since  1991. From the beginning, Umbra et Imago have been picking up Sigmund Freud's idea that sexuality was the center of our being. They processed sadomasochistic fantasies through their cynic lyrics. According to the band, this theme was chosen because it represents the most intellectual form of sexuality If you are among the lucky ones who have seen them perform during one of their short club tours, you will have been impressed or even stunned by their live show incorporating BDSM acts and complex pyrotechnics.

If you are able to see passed the kinky theatrics, you will have to admit that Umbra et Imago musically is a real good band.  They have released 10 albums and scored a number of modest hits.

Umbra et Imago has announced retiring a number of times in the past years.  Maybe after this year Umbra et Imago's mastermind Mozart will call it quits for good.
But until then try to enjoy one of their live shows, if you haven't had the chance yet. It will be a one in a lifetime experience.

Please browse Youtube to discover the music and theatrics of Umbra et Imago. Be aware that Umbra et Imago videos may contain adult content.

Recommended songs:

 Ein letztes Mal, Lieber Gott, Kleine Schwester, Feuer und Licht, Hôrst du mein Rufen and of course the Falco cover Rock Me Amadeus. Check www.umbraetimago.de for the latest news.