Undercurrent
Ihsahn Lyrics
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Blurred reflection
Heaven's mirror
Calm awaiting
Like glass until it breaks
Like glass until it breaks
Peaceful silence
Pressing void
Moving shadows
In the melody
Like glass until it breaks
Like glass until it breaks
No ships set sail on this ocean
No longing gaze from the shores
No screams drowning in (septic) storm
But echoes of remorse
A formless drift was sculpture
Sorrow bound, the sunken tower
World is broken
Long lost kingdom
This wrecking Atlantis
Now beyond the prominent sun
The call of crystal waves
The (crops) of crimson fire
As the ocean drinks the sun
Deep deep down
The mouth of pandemonium opens wide
Deep deep down
Where there's 'naught but pain
Where there's 'naught but pain
'naught but pain
'naught but pain
'naught but pain
The lyrics to Ihsahn's song "Undercurrent" suggest a deeper meaning beyond just the surface level. The first stanza describes a serene scene of a "quiet surface" and a "heaven's mirror," but it is followed by an acknowledgement that everything is fragile and can break like glass. This idea of fragility is also present in the second stanza, which describes a peaceful silence but notes the pressing void and moving shadows as part of the melody. These contrasting ideas of calm and uneasiness come together to create a sense of tension and impermanence.
The third stanza takes a darker turn, describing an ocean with no ships or longing gazes, but rather echoes of remorse. The idea of loss and sorrow becomes more prominent with the lines, "A formless drift was sculpture/Sorrow bound, the sunken tower." The following lines, "World is broken/Long lost kingdom/This wrecking Atlantis," paint a picture of a fallen world or civilization. The final stanza includes vivid imagery of the mouth of pandemonium opening wide in the depths of the ocean, where there is nothing but pain.
Overall, the lyrics of "Undercurrent" convey a sense of transience and uncertainty, while also exploring themes of loss and darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Quiet surface
The surface of the ocean is still and quiet
Blurred reflection
The reflection of the sky in the ocean's surface is blurry
Heaven's mirror
The ocean is a reflection of the sky, like a mirror
Calm awaiting
The ocean is waiting for something to happen in a calm manner
Like glass until it breaks
The calm ocean is like a piece of glass that will shatter if disturbed
Peaceful silence
The quiet of the ocean is peaceful
Pressing void
The stillness of the ocean creates a feeling of emptiness
Moving shadows
The shadows of the clouds move across the surface of the ocean
In the melody
The ocean creates a melody with its sounds and movements
No ships set sail on this ocean
There are no ships currently sailing on this ocean
No longing gaze from the shores
No one is waiting on the shore for ships to arrive
No screams drowning in (septic) storm
There are no screams from people in a storm on the ocean
But echoes of remorse
The ocean echoes with feelings of regret
A formless drift was sculpture
The ocean's movements and shape can create a beautiful, fluid sculpture
Sorrow bound, the sunken tower
The ocean holds the remnants of a sunken tower that is now associated with grief
World is broken
The world is not perfect and has its flaws
Long lost kingdom
There was once a kingdom that was lost and now forgotten
This wrecking Atlantis
The ocean is like the legendary sunken city of Atlantis
Now beyond the prominent sun
The ocean is beyond the sun's reach
The call of crystal waves
The sound of the ocean's waves is clear and pure, like crystal
The (crops) of crimson fire
The ocean reflects the red colors of the sunset like a crop of fire
As the ocean drinks the sun
The sun sets into the ocean, like it is being consumed
Deep deep down
In the depths of the ocean
The mouth of pandemonium opens wide
The depths of the ocean can be a place of chaos and disorder
Where there's 'naught but pain
The depths of the ocean is a place of suffering and sorrow
Where there's 'naught but pain
The depths of the ocean is a place of suffering and sorrow
'naught but pain
The depths of the ocean is a place of severe pain and hopelessness
'naught but pain
The depths of the ocean is a place of severe pain and hopelessness
'naught but pain
The depths of the ocean is a place of severe pain and hopelessness
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
COUNT GRIM SET
[Verse 1]
Quiet surface
Blurred reflection
Heaven's mirror
Calm awaiting
[Refrain]
Like glass until it breaks
Like glass until it breaks
[Verse 2]
Peaceful silence
Pressing void
Moving shadows
In the melody
[Refrain]
Like glass until it breaks
Like glass until it breaks
[Verse 3]
No ships set sail on this ocean
No longing gaze from the shores
No screams drowning in septic storm
But echoes of remorse
[Verse 4]
A formless drift was sculpture
Sorrow bound, the sunken tower
World is broken, long lost kingdom
This wrecking Atlantis
[Verse 5]
Now beyond the prominent sun
The call of crystal waves
The crops of crimson fire
As the ocean drinks the sun
[Verse 6]
Deep, deep down
The mouth of pandemonium opens wide
Deep deep down
When it's not that beast
When it's not that beast
Not that beast
Terence Aaron
Ihsahn is a madman. His talent in blending genres (Jazz, Prog, Black Metal) is phenomenal.
U.V. S.
Andy Rehfeld?
Justin Turnbow
Friggin rights! I wish him and Maynard would do somethin...
Johannes Hellstrand Frøshaug
love the album after. the songs "On the Shores", "Undercurrent" and "The Barren Lands" are insane!!
Proud Heretic
I just bought this album last week, and I love it. One of my favorite things about this album is that even though the saxophone is nearly unheard of in todays music, especially in black metal, it's not a gimmick. The saxophone is treated with respect, and used well. The leitmotif really ties the album together.
DesecrationSmile52
Ihsahn's solo albums are amazing, and this one is insane. I love the saxophone work; it's so different than what everybody else is doing but it works so well and adds so much. And yes, this should have a million views.
antonio610
Damnit Ihsahn, I bought the album just so I could finally see the lyrics, and there's no freaking lyrics.
COUNT GRIM SET
[Verse 1]
Quiet surface
Blurred reflection
Heaven's mirror
Calm awaiting
[Refrain]
Like glass until it breaks
Like glass until it breaks
[Verse 2]
Peaceful silence
Pressing void
Moving shadows
In the melody
[Refrain]
Like glass until it breaks
Like glass until it breaks
[Verse 3]
No ships set sail on this ocean
No longing gaze from the shores
No screams drowning in septic storm
But echoes of remorse
[Verse 4]
A formless drift was sculpture
Sorrow bound, the sunken tower
World is broken, long lost kingdom
This wrecking Atlantis
[Verse 5]
Now beyond the prominent sun
The call of crystal waves
The crops of crimson fire
As the ocean drinks the sun
[Verse 6]
Deep, deep down
The mouth of pandemonium opens wide
Deep deep down
When it's not that beast
When it's not that beast
Not that beast
- The1trueharf -
5:34 Some of those fast riffs that hurt to much when I played them. 😹 This song built my strength for lower strings for sure. 🤘
Vincent Twitchell
One of the most beautifully written and performed songs I have had the priviledge of listening to. I have been a fan of Ihsahn's work for over a decade, but he is truly at the apex of his talent on this album. Not to downplay his other work, but everything comes together so well on this one. Too bad there are no lyrics available...