Floridian extreme metallers ORDER OF ENNEAD have finished recording their new album, An Examination Of Being.

An Examination Of Being features nine tracks which expand on the intensity and complexity of the band's self-titled debut album.

Order Of Ennead vocalist/guitarist Kevin Quirion gives a track-by-track explanation of the lyrics and themes of An Examination Of Being:

"I know most people don't read lyrics these days, but this is for the ones who do. Order Of Ennead's new album, An Examination Of Being, wasn't intended to be a concept album, but since all of the subject matter is on the same topic it lends itself to being one. Below is a brief description of the lyrical content...

'The Concept Of Our Extinction' - This first track introduces the topic that’s interwoven throughout the entire album, the end of one’s self. “Time marches on, This known from birth, We are all pawns, Such is the fate of man”. With these words all is touched upon, life to death, but the human mind has the need to explore further the concepts of self and try to rationalize that which is existence. “Filling the void as my life’s destroyed, Acceptance of fate, Await the end of time”, touches on the topic that we find distractions to keep ourselves occupied until these final days.

'The Scriptures Of Purification' - After accepting the inevitable end, some feel a need to purify the conscience or cleanse the soul, if it exists. “Call upon intuition, A voice of purity, The scriptures of purification, Your being will guide the way”, these words suggest listening to your inner voice for guidance. How many times have you had that “gut feeling” that you didn’t listen to and ended up regretting? “Dissolve subjugation” is a reference to religion that will be mentioned in the following track.

'Lies Upon The Lips Of Judas' - Any time life is examined religion seems to get mentioned. The name Judas comes from the one who betrayed Jesus in the bible. This song turns the table on the religions of the world by calling them Judas and Jesus gets played by the masses. “You will not deceive us” is repeated in the lyrics, showing those that are “believers” that we will not fall victim to their lies and that they have no more of an explanation of existence then the next cult. Judas has relevance to the Christian church, but this blankets all religions.

'This Mortal Journey' - "The reason of creation, The purpose of life, Return of our creators, Awaiting deliverance”. Here we seek answers from the ones that came before us. Maybe they had some knowledge that got lost? The Ennead is mentioned here, but when they are referenced it puts a name to the ones that created man and gave man knowledge and life. Ennead doesn’t have a meaning to most people and no ties like a word such as god. We are called Order Of Ennead, but we don’t worship the Ennead, that would be contradictory to all of the subject matter.

'...In The Mirror' - “Stare at the sun so I can breathe, Shock myself back to reality”. With all of this contemplation it can way you down so our character has stared into the sun to come out of this coma. He also stares at his reflection and begins a journey inward. There are references to the living and deceased in these lyrics and that is to remind the listener that even though this is “An Examination Of Self” that everyone that has ever lived goes through the same journey.

'An Examination Of Being' - This is the title track of the album so therefore all of the ideas explored on the album are touched upon. “I examine my being and question faith, I seek life’s meaning and my place in it all”. This is the mantra of an agnostic. Some say that agnostics are atheists that can’t commit, but this is not true. Agnostics are those that have come to the conclusion that “Man can’t know of existence, We lack the sight, the sight to see”.

'Conduits To Eternity' - “Look past veil of time, Grasp finite to gain sight”. This track explores the idea of time, ubiquity and all that is in the universe. By being alive, we are all part of the same collective. I know this concept “isn’t very metal”, but everything that is in existence is of the same beginning. “Shed the flesh, Embrace the collective”. These words are saying that we are all here and will all pass on, what seems important today will be a memory tomorrow. When you imagine the Earth spinning in the darkness of space, you have a tendency to look at life in a different perspective.

'A Portal To Rapture' - This track and the previous one go hand in hand lyrically. “Avoid the light or cease to grow” is another reference to religion. When seeking an understanding of the universe, religion impedes your evolution. “Release the mind, Find inner meaning”. These words come to the conclusion that no matter how much exploring you do, you’ll never find the final answer so come up with something that makes you want to live on. “Release the body, Leave possessions behind”. We aren’t our possessions. We are more than the things we own. Monetary wealth does not equal happiness.

'A Betrayal Of Self' - This is the last track on the album and uses the metaphor of clouds and blackness as a reference to our fate. “I try to live on, but my body betrays”. This is the main idea of the song. We have a want to live longer then we can, but our body won’t let us. It’s betraying our intentions, our self."

Listen to the new track 'The Concept of Our Extinction' here.

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of Order Of Ennead in the studio below.