From September 2003 until January 2004, the album "Abstract Senses" was recorded as a self production. Afterwards the band signed on the Dutch label New Aeon Media (sub-division of Karmageddon Media, ex-Hammerheart recs). The album Abstract Senses has been released during summer 2004.
After having played several gigs to promote the album with bands such as Epica, The Old Dead Tree, Dying Tears.... a second lead female vocalist, Marjolaine, joined the band in summer 2005.
The band is currently working on its second album.
Note: The band's name is Latin for "To (or Towards) Eternal Life"
Dementia
Ad Vitam Aeternam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stands up mankind little divine
and not sublime enough.
Between the unreal and the
material arises the incarnate man
little iridescent and Hell bends
down the persecuted little
idyllic and to afflicted.
lets himself go the frivolous pioneer
little brave and too imprisoned.
Between Heaven and Lucifer
digs his own grave the stiff
little devote and too grieved.
Between the volcanos and the waters
some burning and drowning truth,
perfidious and so disguised.
The muddy inessential on the
surface of consciousness,
toemented with reminiscence
of a life filled with bitterness.
Kind of dislocated puppet
adapting to hearing whisper,
the harsh scoffing of the imps
there, teeming with our steps.
Dearest Dementia, attracting all
our dull senses, such a foul elixir...
Rather than listening to the extatic
hymm of the lyric nymphs and
seraphins filling our spirit with delight.
Are we the mocked puppets of the evil
ones of this world? Sure, it is easier
to stumble than makind the filth better.
Dare you cut those devilish lianas off!
Let us raise up to the strings of the
divine harp and may you be recked
by the Eden angelical poet...
Enlightened volcanos and water full of
grace, in your mercy, hear my prayer...
Listen to the cold dream of your life...
From the throne of the dark, what a bliss
to exhume the stiff! Carpe noctem!
Between Eden and Hell
raises the persecuted a little
more idyllic and less afflicted.
Halfway materials and unreal
holds up the incarnate man a
little more iridescent and less blind.
Sursum mea terper orbem terrarum.
Dementia...
The lyrics to Ad Vitam Aeternam's song "Dementia" are a reflection on the duality of human existence - the space "between heaven and earth" where mankind stands, "little divine and not sublime enough." The song expresses the struggle of existing between the material world and an ethereal one, where the incarnate man is "little iridescent and Hell bends down." The lyrics suggest that humans are both persecuted and idyllic, alert and frivolous, brave and imprisoned.
The song introduces the idea that humans are dislocated puppets, adapting to the harsh scoffing of the imps, teeming with our footsteps, and attracting all our dull senses. The lyrics warn against becoming the mocked puppets of the evil ones in this world and urges individuals to cut off the devilish lianas and rise up to the strings of the divine harp. The song ends with a plea to the enlightened volcanos and water filled with grace to hear a prayer and listen to the cold dream of life.
"Dementia" is a song that reflects on the struggle of human existence, the battle between good and evil, and the longing for something more significant than what the material world offers.
Line by Line Meaning
Between Heaven and Earth
Stands up mankind little divine
and not sublime enough.
Humanity exists in the space between the divine and the mortal, possessing some aspects of divinity but falling short of true sublimity.
Between the unreal and the
material arises the incarnate man
little iridescent and Hell bends
down the persecuted little
idyllic and to afflicted.
Humans are caught between the intangible and the tangible, embodied in flesh but also possessing a subtle, shimmering quality that is oppressed and tormented by the harsh realities of existence.
Between the alert and the war
lets himself go the frivolous pioneer
little brave and too imprisoned.
Amidst the struggles of life, those who are carefree and adventurous often find themselves trapped and confined, unable to fully express their bravery and daring.
Between Heaven and Lucifer
digs his own grave the stiff
little devote and too grieved.
Humans are situated between good and evil, and those who are devout but excessively sorrowful may inadvertently harm themselves rather than truly serving a higher power.
Between the volcanos and the waters
some burning and drowning truth,
perfidious and so disguised.
Truth can be found in extremes, amidst danger and uncertainty, but it is often hidden and deceptive.
The muddy inessential on the
surface of consciousness,
toemented with reminiscence
of a life filled with bitterness.
The superficial, trivial concerns that occupy the human mind are often tinged with bitterness and regret, a reflection of past experiences that continue to haunt and torment.
Kind of dislocated puppet
adapting to hearing whisper,
the harsh scoffing of the imps
there, teeming with our steps.
Humans often feel disconnected and manipulated by unseen forces, forced to adapt to strange whispers and subjected to ridicule by malevolent entities lurking in their surroundings.
Dearest Dementia, attracting all
our dull senses, such a foul elixir...
Rather than listening to the extatic
hymm of the lyric nymphs and
seraphins filling our spirit with delight.
The alluring but disorienting effects of mental illness can distract us from the beauty and joy of life, which is expressed through music and other creative endeavors.
Are we the mocked puppets of the evil
ones of this world? Sure, it is easier
to stumble than makind the filth better.
Dare you cut those devilish lianas off!
Humans may feel like helpless puppets at the mercy of malevolent forces, but it is easier to succumb to negative influences than to actively resist and improve one's circumstances.
Let us raise up to the strings of the
divine harp and may you be recked
by the Eden angelical poet...
We should strive to align ourselves with divine inspiration and listen to the music of the heavens, allowing ourselves to be moved by the poetry of celestial beings.
Enlightened volcanos and water full of
grace, in your mercy, hear my prayer...
Listen to the cold dream of your life...
From the throne of the dark, what a bliss
to exhume the stiff! Carpe noctem!
Even amidst darkness and despair, it is possible to find moments of enlightenment and grace, allowing us to realize the true nature of our existence and seize the opportunities presented to us.
Between Eden and Hell
raises the persecuted a little
more idyllic and less afflicted.
Halfway materials and unreal
holds up the incarnate man a
little more iridescent and less blind.
Sursum mea terper orbem terrarum.
Dementia...
Humans exist in a state of flux between opposing forces, but by embracing their more idealistic and imaginative tendencies, they can find a greater sense of clarity and purpose in their lives.
Contributed by Taylor J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.