The group of Thosians introduce Sine and the Spirit Usher to Ja'roque, a mystic/shaman covered in soil, ash and muck, who is able to teleport people via a ritualistic ceremony around a fire fueled by coal, with gems, obsidian and crystals thrown in. This is the “Ceremony of Fire,” in which the participants dance, chant and sing in a circle around the fire, encouraging Ja'roque to approach the fire and breathe in its smoke and then exhale it into the cavern thereby transforming the smoke into a mind altering magical concoction and inebriant. When the group awakens, they wonder where they are and whether they've been transported deeper into the planet, closer to the planet's core where the Thosians believe their god resides. The last thing Sine, the Spirit Usher and the Thosians recall is Ja'roque and his sister Ja'vere telling them, "Do what you will do," and "will what you do do."
lyrics
Part I: The Fire Is Stoked
The fire is stoked
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Here we've convoked
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Our chant evokes
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
This crazy bloke
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Breathe in the smoke
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Try not to choke
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
This is not a joke
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
You're our only hope
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Unlike other folk
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Soil, ash, and muck
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Throw off the yoke
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Your dance invokes
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Minds be awoke
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Exhale the smoke
Ja'roque, Ja'roque
Part II: Where Have We Awoke?
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Exhales the smo-oh-oke
Deeper we go-oh-o
Into the belo-ow
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Where have we awoke?
Will we ever know?
And where did you go?
Ja'ro-oh-oh-oh-oque
Is this a jo-oh-oke?
You've brought us to the fore?
Closer to planet's core?
Part III: Do What You Will Do
Do you what you will (do)
Do you what you will (do)
Will what you do (do)
Will what you do (do)
Do you what you will (do)
Will what you do (do)
credits
from Down Below World,
released February 1, 2024
Artwork by Cyane Tornatzky
REPTIEL is a psychedelic indie prog rock band from San Francisco that practices the art of ceremonial musick, delving deep into their communal unconscious to write songs about ancient legends, fantasy worlds and distant planets.
Big, clanging psych-rock from this Arizona outfit fuses monk-like vocals with slow-winding guitars for songs that feel like strange hymns. Bandcamp New & Notable May 2, 2016