Elis began their musical career under the name Erben der Schöpfung in 2000. In 2001, they released their first single Elis as well as their debut album Twilight. The band has appeared live at the Wave Gotik Festival in Leipzig, among others, has held on to favorable positioning on the DAC-Charts, and has remained well represented in the scene's press. Germany's Orkus Magazine, for example, featured Erben der Schöpfung as their top newcomer act of the month. This choice was later more than confirmed by the publications readership, who extended the honor by choosing the band as their Newcomer of 2001.
Following their split with Oliver Falk, the band re-emerged in 2003 under the new alias Elis. Produced at Mastersound Studio by Alexander Krull (Atrocity, Leaves' Eyes), "God's Silence, Devil's Temptation" was simultaneously released on Napalm Records with the re-release of Erben der Schöpfung's 2001 debut Twilight.
Soon after the release of their debut album, Elis focused their energy on writing new material for their second offering. Between their song writing and recording duties, they found time to tour in a headlining capacity with label mates Eisheilig and The Vision Bleak. The tour took them to Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium.
In March 2004 they returned to the studio, under the guidance of band manager and producer Alexander Krull once more, to record the twelve new tracks featured on their second album. Released in October 2004, Dark Clouds in a Perfect Sky, showed a maturation of the band's sound. A video clip for the album's opener, Der letzte Tag, was included with the release as well.
The Dark Clouds tour took place in April 2005. Elis played in Germany, Austria, and Belgium, and were supported by Visions of Atlantis and Lyriel. The band offered a preview of the new material during festival performances at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen and M'era Luna Festival. Further opportunities for the fans to experience the new album live were planned for October, as the band embarked on a European Tour with Atrocity, Leaves' Eyes, and Battlelore. This tour ended with a performance at the Metal Female Voices Fest 3. This concert wasn't just the last of this little tour, it also was the last concert with guitarist Jürgen Broger, who left the band amicably soon after.
The third release from Elis, a concept album titled Griefshire was planned for release in late 2006 or early 2007. The band wanted to complete a tour with Leaves' Eyes and Atrocity, but unfortunately on July 8, 2006 Sabine died of a cerebral hemorrhage. An announcement on the band's official website has stated that the album would be released in Sabine's memory. A further announcement in September stated that the band would continue with a new singer.
Griefshire was released in Europe on November 24, 2006 on Napalm Records. The North American release date was January 16, 2007. On December 28, 2006 it was finally announced that the new female singer is the Austrian metal singer Sandra Schleret, former vocalist of Dreams of Sanity and Siegfried, and guest singer on some Samael's albums.
After that, they started a tour that took them for the first time to Mexico (as guest stars for the Festival Oscuro event in August of 2007).
In order to show how Sandra's voice would appear on the next studio album, the band released the Maxi-CD Show Me The Way on November 2, 2007 in Europe and on November 6, 2007 in the United States, that features Sandra Schleret on the two new versions of the song Show Me The Way as well as three non-album tracks from Griefshire recording sessions, still with Sabine Dünser's voice.
Latest album Catharsis was released on November 27, 2009 by Napalm Records.
Sandra Schleret left the band in summer 2011.
Her replacement was Simone Chrisinat.
In late February 2012, Simone Christinat announced to the rest of the band that she would would be departing from the band, due to increased stress. A few days later, the band opted to call it quits.
Official site: www.elis.li
Der letzte Tag
Elis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Als die Sonne die Erde zum Glühen brachte
Und die Menschen sich nach der Nacht sehnten,
Nach den Schatten
Und der Linderung ihrer Qual:
Die Luft steht stickig still
Die Erde in der Hitze bebt
Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual
Schweiss rinnt von der kalten Stirn
Fieber tobt im weissen Leib
Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual
Auf sanften Flügeln schwebt die Nacht herbei
Der letzte Tag
Schliesst dunkle Augen mit weichem Flügelschlag
Auf sanften Flügeln schwebt die Nacht herbei
Die leise Klag
Schwindet ungehört, da sie nichts vermag
Staub liegt in der heissen Luft
Das Atmen fällt ihm schwer
Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual
Flehend an seinem Bette wacht
Die Geliebte wartend auf die Nacht
Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual
Auf sanften Flügeln schwebt die Nacht herbei
Der letzte Tag
Schliesst dunkle Augen mit weichem Flügelschlag
Auf sanften Flügeln schwebt die Nacht herbei
Die leise Klag
Schwindet ungehört, da sie nichts vermag
Es geschah in der Zeit
Und endlich kam die Nacht
"Der letzte Tag" (The Last Day) is a melancholic and brooding song by Elis that depicts a moment of human agony and desperation. The song opens with a description of a time when the sun is blazing hot, and people are seeking refuge from the unbearable heat and pain. The lyrical persona describes the still and stifling air as the earth trembles with the heat. There is no relief from the oppressive heat, and the only companion is the sweat that trickles down the cold forehead. The chorus introduces a new character, the night. The night is personified as a saviour, who comes to close the dark eyes of the suffering and offer a soft winged embrace. The song describes the night as a silent and gentle presence that brings a sense of relief to those who are clinging to life.
The second stanza of the song offers more insights into the suffering that the lyrical persona and their beloved are experiencing. The air is thick with dust, making it hard to breathe. There is no escape from the heat, and the only solace is waiting for the night to come. The lover is pleading at the bedside, waiting for the night to bring relief. The night is portrayed as a time of fading complaints and inner turmoil as it gently puts an end to life.
The song is deeply emotional and captures the pain, and fear that arises with human mortality. The lyrics bring to life the ultimate acceptance of death as a quiet and gentle friend who brings an end to suffering. The song also highlights the eternal dichotomy between light and dark as well as how one often longs for that which they don't have.
Line by Line Meaning
Es geschah in der Zeit, Als die Sonne die Erde zum Glühen brachte Und die Menschen sich nach der Nacht sehnten, Nach den Schatten Und der Linderung ihrer Qual:
It happened in the time when the sun illuminated the earth and humans longed for night, shadows, and relief from their suffering.
Die Luft steht stickig still Die Erde in der Hitze bebt Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual Schweiss rinnt von der kalten Stirn Fieber tobt im weissen Leib Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual
The air lies stagnant, the earth quakes with heat, and there is no relief for the suffering - sweat drips from cold foreheads and fever rages through white bodies, but there is no breeze to bring comfort.
Auf sanften Flügeln schwebt die Nacht herbei Der letzte Tag Schliesst dunkle Augen mit weichem Flügelschlag Auf sanften Flügeln schwebt die Nacht herbei Die leise Klag Schwindet ungehört, da sie nichts vermag
The night arrives on gentle wings, bringing an end to the last day - it closes dark eyes with a soft flutter. The night arrives on gentle wings, and the quiet lament fades away unheeded, as it has no power.
Staub liegt in der heissen Luft Das Atmen fällt ihm schwer Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual Flehend an seinem Bette wacht Die Geliebte wartend auf die Nacht Kein Windhauch lindert die Qual
Dust hangs thickly in the hot air, making breathing difficult, and there is still no relief for the suffering. The lover waits by the bedside, desperately pleading for relief, but the breeze still refuses to come.
Es geschah in der Zeit Und endlich kam die Nacht
It happened in that time, and finally the night arrived.
Contributed by Isaiah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.