1. Slaves To The Pyre

Passing under the divine bodies
hanging under the sacred grove
that adjoins the temple
Uppsala putrefaction a sign of god's approval

Suffocating holy odour of the dead blessing
the believers until the seasons end god of the gallows
observing from within asgard watching as they make
their way preparing to send this slave into
the spirit world to accompany her master and celebrate
with the glorious dead

Her last days spent feasting drinking and having
sex with her master's friends volunteering for a heathen death
hail the gods who bring up the winds making the flames
more intense decreasing the time for crossing over lowered
and restrained strangled with a rope overwhelmed and struggling
to breathe a ritual dagger plunged into the chest

Warm blood floods the lungs an unbroken gaze
upon the face quiet and peaceful as the body is consumed by flames.

2. The Gridiron

Searing the flesh as fat spills
onto the ground coals crackle and spark
whilst the flames grow higher

Preparing your soul for the eternal fires awaiting
your arrival gridiron glowing red hot
the skin burning away turning muscles black

A candle lit by god's grace that shall never be
extinguished using fire to exercise their ire

The remains of morality branded on the frame
the punishment of infidels marked in the holy name
abolishing the wide spread disease of heresy

3. The Red Theatre

Low thunder of the widow's blade rattles deep
within the bones of those gathered to witness the performance

Straps tightened under the arms and head
placed within a perfect circle preventing movement
in any way roars of revenge devour the squires of mercy

Stumbling across the platform intoxicated from a heartening draught
screaming in support of the decree the crowd awaits in the shadow of the guillotine

An assistant pulls the ears to keep the skin on the neck
taught sun glistens on the edge feverishly awaiting the drop

Blade quickly released administering justice to keep the peace save your...
the last words uttered just before the head severed falls into a basket of iron

A fountain of blood soaks the assistant
as the body is pushed into a leather lined basket
final breath of life expelled from the lungs
state sanctioned depravity upholding
the laws of liberty equality and fraternity

4. Pressing To Plead

Taken back to the cell confined to a low dungeon
which no light can enter laid upon your back strapped
down spread eagle that there will be iron set
upon your body as great as you can bear and greater

Fed three morsels of barley on the first day of questioning
weights added on pressing to plead still no crimes
admitted or denied three drinks if water to sustain life
through the day weights piling high upon the chest
respirations becoming quick and shallow pressure
too intense for the body to sustain

Mind failing under the pain the plate of iron collapses
into the lungs and heart ending the trial from which neither side has won

5. Tyburn Field

A voice of foul festivity hangs in the air devouring
the squires of mercy trembling near the gibbet gathering
in the shadow of the gallows a stifling silence overcomes
the crowd as the deadman makes his first appearance on the scene

Roars of support for the king demanding revenge on the traitor
death is what they need to satisfy their hunger noose placed slowly
around the throat a final gaze moves across the crowd

Forty thousand strong all anxious for the drop rows
of corpses fill the elm trees where they will remain for months

6. Durance Vile

The dying's clothing alive and in motion
with vermin all chained together no need
for a warden disease chokes and deprives
air resting in puddles of infectious pus

Unstoppable shaking consumes the mind and body
staring into the faces if the dead as they are drug
around the room flaying off strips of skin and placing
it on them welcoming the infections disease hastening final release

7. Lingering Existence

Sadistic inclinations left unchecked by an absolute power
interested in obtaining the truth traditional methods
fail to provide the desired effect

Torture a penalty in itself
as a prelude to execution

Small cuts and stab wounds help ensure
a lingering end importance falls on the note
that the victim shall fell himself die

Hung upside down legs spread wide saw slides
between the thighs struggling and screaming
fills the merciless executioner's eyes
choking and vomiting on your blood flowing like caligula's wine

8. Cast Into Torment

Placed in a large iron hop hinged in two halves hands
bound behind the back forced to kneel on the lower
half with the executioner straddling the victim

Turning and tightening the screw clamping down
the other section immovable agonizing pain begins anew

Pressing the body evercloser sweat and tears
fill the eyes a slow swelling of the throat muffling
the cries chest against the knees stomach against the thighs
spine slowly dislocated breastbone and ribs obliterated

9. Verdrinken

Restrained fastened to a plank outside world cut
off from witnessing the judgement set forth upon thee cloth
placed over the mouth eyes roll back blood rushes
to the head consciousness fading continuous stream of water
poured in forcing the material down the throat cloth
removed and set to start again while uncontrollably choking

Head dropped downward with a struggling force
swallowing up the breath from all screaming and pleading
clamping the lips together verdrinken mouth reopened
with an iron and set in place then sensation of drowning
being a suffocating pain water reingorging itself
quickly flows choking the groans for help
from the rapid expansion body distorted and swollen
from the rapid expansion body distorted and swollen

10. Punishment Without Mercy

Blades open up the flesh cutting deep
into the jaw and cheek forced to drink
large quantities of wine members tied with a lute string

Slicing the throats of the victims wife and children
before him so he knows his seed also dies
with a sadistic twist hot embers replace their eyes

Pleasing the congregation members intense pressure
is applied so the victim can slowly feel himself die

A confession extracted by force death glazes over the eyes
turns and stares toward the sky as blood floods
the throat torment with death not quick enough
cursing the killers with his final breath

11. Methods Of Execution

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