Alchemy was the medieval forerunner of chemistry, concerned with the transmutation of matter - in particular with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir (cure-all). While overwhelmingly rejected in relation to the modern physical sciences, alchemy continues to hold relevance to many for its esoteric spiritual interpretations and as a lingua franca symbology for representing psychological motifs.[citation needed]
Poets of the Fall make numerous overt and subtle references to alchemy, most notably with the title and artwork of the 2011 compilation album Alchemy Vol. 1. The seemingly all-encompassing thematic nature of the three trilogies along with Marko expressing in interview that they wouldn't do anything on that scale of complexity again[citation needed] could also constitute a Magnum Opus.
The Alchemical Process
The goal of the alchemical process is to transform/transmute a raw, disorganised substance of little value into one of great value and purity. Gold is one interpretation of this end goal, but it can also be seen as a more vague "treasure", immortality or wholeness. The catalyst of this process is known as the Philosopher's Stone - an ironically common item that lies unrecognized and unappreciated.
The process consists of four (or three) steps, with both a chemical meaning and a spiritual/psychological one:
- Nigredo/Melanosis (blackening, shadow)
The putrefaction or decomposition of a substance. In psychology, this step is synonymous with the "dark night of the soul", when one confronts their inner shadow - an amalgam of everything one suppresses. The onset or bubbling up of chaos.
- Albedo/Leukosis (whitening, anima/animus)
Purification, the washing away of imperfections. Lunar light brings clarity, revealing the chaotic shadow to be separate.
- Citrinitas/Xanthosis (yellowing, wise elder) - commonly omitted
The water that used to wash is dried to reveal what lies beneath. External lunar light is seen to be a reflection of internal solar light. Awakening.
- Rubedo/Iosis (reddening, self)
All of the pieces play their part together and this choir is revered in exaltation.
You might notice that these colours are used prominently by PotF, for instance in the colour scheme of False Kings, the three cars in the Late Goodbye MV or the plectrums that Olli, Jaska and Jani use on tour, often sold as merchandise.
Alchemy Vol. 1
The album artwork on Alchemy Vol. 1 features complex alchemical symbolism on the front and back covers.
Front Cover
Alchemy Vol. 1's key artwork is of an ouroboros in red on white. The ouroboros is a snake, worm or dragon eating its own tail and traditionally symbolises a recurring cycle, repetition and/or infinity. The creature resembles a Chinese dragon and has two crowns - one at the top above its head and one over its body to the right of the image. The second crown and lower part of the body have descending red smudges. There is a gap in the tail on the left side. Oroborous symbolism was used by the alchemists in association with pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone and likened to the Yin and Yang of Taosim (which can be seen on the cover of Signs of Life), the end result of Taijitu - which resembles the Lollipop from Carnival of Rust.
Back Cover
The album's back cover is laid out as an alchemical transmutation circle with the expressed intention of transmuting the track listing into the name of the album, represented by a symbol that is also used for the Fall season. This is the only season that doesn't include the symbol for Sun. Spring and Late Summer have the same symbol, as do Winter and Early Summer. Fall appears to have a blood stain while Winter appears to be on fire or smudged. The looped track listing (like the oroborous) fits the sentiment behind No End, No Beginning, the album's last track.
Other Releases
Choice Millionaire
The track mentions "red suns" and "baby suns". In alchemy, red suns symbolise Rubedo. In context then, "baby suns" may refer to a sort of zeroth stage occurring before the alchemical process begins with Nigredo. This would coincide with numerous references to a primordial "playground" in the works of Marko Saaresto, including his band's name in the 90s.
You're Still Here
The opening line "Mercury rises in its skyscraper cell", can be interpreted with the astrological/alchemical meaning of mercury as an agent of change, always in flux, i.e. "rising and falling in rhapsody".
Moonlight Kissed
The line "For my words are the salt of lust on that ivory skin" may be combining Chess symbolism (chess pieces were once made of ivory) with an alchemical interpretation of the word salt - i.e. "the baseness and materialist stability of lust".
Chasing Echoes
The line "You still light up my soul like a burning halo" may relate to Haloarchaea, which require high salt (body) concentrations to grow and can respire using sulphur (soul).
Nothing Stays the Same
The line "Been doused in elixir to numb my pain" may be using the word elixir in the alchemical sense, i.e." elixir of life" - a concoction resulting from using the philosopher's stone.
Old Gods of Asgard - Rebirth: Greatest Hits
The Backstage Rock Shop listing for Rebirth describes the compilation as being Old Gods of Asgard's "Magnum Opus".[citation needed]
Phoenix Effect - Broken Promises
Aside from the name Phoenix Effect and the band's logo (designed by Marko) implying a connection to alchemy, Marko wrote the lyrics to Broken Promises which features the line "A quest for gold that yielded lead". This is the alchemical process inverted.
Marko Saaresto
Marko is a trained practitioner of Five Elements Acupuncture[citation needed], "Five Elements" referring to the classical elements of Chinese Alchemy - Earth, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal. This may explain the use of five seasons on the back cover of Alchemy Vol. 1 rather than the western four, as in alchemy seasons correlate to elements.