Karnak is an ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile in Luxor, Egypt. Construction began around 2000 BC, and the complex was expanded over the following two millennia by successive pharaohs. It was one of the most important religious centres in ancient Egypt, primarily dedicated to the god Amun-Ra, but also containing temples devoted to Mut, Montu and other deities. Among its most prominent features are enormous stone pylons, obelisks, statues and the Great Hypostyle Hall, which contains 134 massive columns. Karnak has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis since 1979.

Karnak is also featured on the cover of “Rise Pantheon Dreams” (2002), a compilation album by the British gothic and doom metal band The Blood Divine. The cover photograph appears to show part of the temple’s Great Court, including the remains of its monumental pylon towers. In the background stands the distinctive Column of Taharqa, the only complete surviving column from a structure commissioned by Pharaoh Taharqa of the 25th Dynasty during the seventh century BC. Originally, the structure consisted of ten enormous papyrus-shaped columns, each approximately 21 metres high, arranged in two parallel rows. The surviving column stands in the Great Court, in front of the Second Pylon.

“Rise Pantheon Dreams” was released by Peaceville Records on 20 November 2002, several years after The Blood Divine had disbanded. The group featured former Anathema vocalist Darren White alongside musicians previously associated with Cradle of Filth. The compilation contains material from the band’s two studio albums, “Awaken” (1996) and “Mystica” (1997), together with previously unreleased and live recordings. White is also credited with the compilation’s cover artwork and design.

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