The song "Where Churches Once Burned" by Unleashed tells a story of a battle and the reclaiming of lands by a group of people. The song portrays a scenario where a war has ended, and they are now marching again across the northern lands. The lyrics suggest that their aim is to take back everything that was once given to them, village by village and land by land. The reference to the "cross of terror" being set on fire indicates their rejection of Christianity and their intent to destroy churches. The mention of their fathers' vengeance suggests a historical context where their ancestors may have faced oppression or forced conversion by Christians. The line "behold the rule of Thor" signifies their desire to restore their traditional Norse pagan beliefs and practices. The song emphasizes their determination to drive out the influence of Christianity and "White Christ" from their lands. They express their intention to burn down churches, symbolizing a rejection of the religion imposed upon them and a reclaiming of their cultural heritage. By reinstating the "Hammer," a reference to Mjölnir, the sacred hammer of Thor, they are seeking to revive their ancient religious practices and values. The chorus repeats the phrase "Where churches once burned, now behold the rule of Thor," emphasizing the transformation from the dominance of Christianity to the resurgence of their native beliefs. Overall, the song "Where Churches Once Burned" conveys a message of defiance against the encroachment of Christianity and the reclaiming of their cultural identity and heritage through the revival of their pagan faith.
