[I’m far from the first person to note that the art for Sorin, Grim Nemesis looks like a heavy metal album cover. Between that observation, the musical genre’s predilection for fantasy themes (such as Blue Öyster Cult’s “Black Blade,” inspired by the works of Michael Moorcock), and last week’s excellent Magic Story installment “Stone and Blood” by Kelly Digges, I had the inspiration I needed for today’s article.
The false document literary technique is one I’ve used before, but never quite like this…
…and on that note, please enjoy the lyrics for the debut release by Grim Nemesis, “The Nahiri EP.” — JDB]
1. Prisoners of Zendikar
I stood on trembling ground and watched Eldrazi devastate
I gave a cold-eyed girl a sword and left her to her fate
Retreated with a Vampire to the highlands of Akoum
My home of Zendikar was not as safe as I’d assumed
My mentor met a Dragon he had known for centuries
They spoke without emotion of a world’s calamities
The Spirit Dragon turned to me! A cruel decision loomed
His plan to save the Multiverse required a plane to doom
Butcher, Gyre, and Aeons Torn
World-destroyers from afar
Harm the Multiverse no more
Prisoners of Zendikar
Forty years to shape the stone
Lure them in from planes unknown
Triple spell, a magic lock
Three Eldrazi sealed in rock
Butcher, Gyre, and Aeons Torn
World-destroyers from afar
Harm the Multiverse no more
Prisoners of Zendikar
Home or tomb? A world in pain
Sorin left… I must remain…
Butcher, Gyre, and Aeons Torn
World-destroyers from afar
Harm the Multiverse no more
Prisoners of Zendikar
Harm the Multiverse no more
Prisoners of Zendikar!
2. Stone and Silver
I lived for centuries among my kind
I taught them forging stone and learned of love
Immortal body but a weary mind
I sank and let the living pass above
Eldrazi once imprisoned bent the bars
The greatest trapped and yet the world aswarm
I woke to great Akoum’s reopened scars
A crumbling jail that I had given form
Within the Eye of Ugin all was still
Above I sensed a boulder smash a wall
A sacrifice I’d made to Sorin’s will
I closed my eyes and sent a wordless call
A Zendikari warden’s urgent cry
My mentor Sorin Markov? No reply…
I stood atop a mountain near a place
Where I was named a prophet to a god
I cleansed a hedron of the Vampires’ trace
When all was right, I left for Innistrad
I landed near a silver monolith
And Sorin came to me beneath the moon
He mocked my sacrifice, his promise myth
But I refused to be dismissed so soon
My lithomancy had the upper hand
Until his twisted Angel interfered
A silver prison stronger than the land
I screamed betrayal! Then I disappeared
Just let me leave and I will say goodbye
My jailer Sorin Markov? No reply…
3. The World in My Mind
I am falling
Through the nothingness around me
The gravity won’t take me anywhere
Solitary
No light or warmth, no dirt or wind
It reeks of Sorin Markov and despair
Silver prison
I wish I could hold a pebble
I’d even choose the Blind Eternities
I’m determined
Until I’m free to act again
I’ll bide my time and live in memories
How long will I be prisoner
What does my sentence even mean
I’m not close to understanding
And I cannot even dream
But I long for retribution
The day I see my plans unwind
I can keep my bitter counsel
Only if I keep my mind
Teeth of Akoum
The mighty mountains of the north
The great volcano’s glass can slash the skin
Crown of Ondu
With Valakut the blazing jewel
I used to climb and meditate within
Not alone now
The briefest brush of Demon wings
Did Sorin Markov see them as a threat
Raucous madness
A terrified cacophony
Not even that could lead me to forget
How long will I be prisoner
What does my sentence even mean
I’m not close to understanding
And I cannot even dream
But I long for retribution
The day I see my plans unwind
I can keep my bitter counsel
Only if I keep my mind
Twisted Angel
Why are you in Nahiri’s lair
Now you see me
I won’t be first to break the stare
How long will I be prisoner
What does my sentence even mean
I’m not close to understanding
And I cannot even dream
But I long for retribution
The day I see my plans unwind
I can keep my bitter counsel
Only if I keep my mind
Yes I
Will keep
My mind
4. Harbinger
Free, free, suddenly
Solid ground under my hands and knees
Air, air, I must breathe
Burning my lungs but I feel the need
Light, light, Angel’s beam
Cuts on my palms, didn’t know I bleed
Flee, flee, desperately
Scramble to the Blind Eternities
My powers are diminished
But I’m no simple Kor
My tale is far from finished
Here’s what I have in store
Harbinger
I carry more than tidings
Harbinger
I’ve had time to weigh your sins
Harbinger
Innocence gone forever
Harbinger
I’m the bleeding from within
Back to Zendikar
Eye of Ugin and hedrons shattered
Nomads meet me there
Tell me the only news that matters
Bala Ged is gone
The jungles reduced to chalky Wastes
I see Ulamog
Ruin in his wake and lives erased
My hope has been extinguished
Revenge is left to me
Two more Eldrazi Titans
I know where one should be
Harbinger
I carry more than tidings
Harbinger
I’ve had time to weigh your sins
Harbinger
Innocence gone forever
Harbinger
I’m the weeping from within
“As Zendikar has bled, so will Innistrad…”
“As I have wept, so will Sorin…“
“This I swear, on the ashes of my world…”
Harbinger
I carry more than tidings
Harbinger
I’ve had time to weigh your sins
Harbinger
Innocence gone forever
Harbinger
I’m the bleeding from within
I’m the weeping from within
I’m the screaming from within