His music has been described as a blend of gothic rock, industrial, metal, EBM and 80’s influences into a modern, melodic electro-rock sound. Some reviewers have described it as “Gothtronica” while Anders simply refers to it as “Electronic Rock”.
Regardless of the genre you wish to classify his music, the listeners continue to grow worldwide on a daily basis. In 2007 Anders was nominated for “Band of the Year” by Gothic Beauty Magazine readers alongside Lacuna Coil, Skinny Puppy, and an artist he lists as one of his earliest influences, Gary Numan.
Over the last few years, his fan base has crossed over into the horror film genre, where he has contributed music to over 12 films. The Horror network, FearNet.com referred to Anders’ work as “wickedly inventive” while Pseudopod.org, the world’s premier horror fiction podcast has used Anders’ "Bloodletting On the Kiss” as their show opening for the past 4 years.
Anders has performed at many festivals and dark music events such as Convergence, The Ann Rice Halloween Ball, Black Sun Festival, Goth Stock, Eccentric Festival, Cirque Macabre, Bar Sinister and multiple performances at the infamous “Dracula’s Ball” event in Philadelphia.
In 2008, Anders’ single, “There Will Be Blood” climbed to the top 20 of the German Alternative Music (or DAC) Charts, which prompted him to pursue more opportunities outside the USA. In 2009, he signed with Danse Macabre Records in Europe. His first official worldwide release “Infinite Gaze to the Sun” is expected to be released in January of 2010.
on BC now - http://andersmanga.bandcamp.com/album/old-haunts
Empire On the Sun
Anders Manga Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Personal palace from everyone
No doors to keep you from returning
Your footsteps are the path I take
I stood here once before I found you
The center of another day
Static trance and drifting slow
A memory of my only lover
No equilibrium, no control
I stood here once before I found you
The center of another day
Building an empire on the sun
Personal palace from everyone
I stood here once before I found you
The center of another day
The sacrament that sends me flying
My empire on the sun away
The lyrics to Anders Manga's "Empire on the Sun" speak to the concept of self-created identity and the construction of a personal utopia. The first verse describes the building of an "empire on the sun" as a personal palace that is free from the constraints of society. The idea of "no doors to keep you from returning" suggests the idea of an ultimate escape, where the individual can create their own reality without fear of judgment or rejection. The lyrics suggest that these personal utopias are created by an individual's "footsteps," or the choices they make in their journey through life.
The second verse speaks to the loneliness and sense of aimlessness that accompanies the search for this personal utopia. The line "static trance and drifting slow" evokes a sense of being stuck in one place, unable to move forward in the same way that the earth seems to revolve around the singer. The reference to the singer's former lover adds to the sense of loneliness and desperation in the search for an identity. The words "no equilibrium, no control" suggest that the search for a personal paradise is fraught with uncertainty.
Overall, "Empire on the Sun" is a song that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the search for identity. The lyrics suggest that creating a personal paradise is a difficult, lonely, and uncertain process, but one that is ultimately rewarding if the individual is able to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
Building an empire on the sun
Attempting the impossible, with great ambition and blind idealism.
Personal palace from everyone
A self-centered desire, ignoring the needs and wants of others.
No doors to keep you from returning
A fear of commitment and a desire to keep options open.
Your footsteps are the path I take
Following in someone else's footsteps, losing your own identity and agency.
I stood here once before I found you
Reflecting on a past self and realizing how much has changed since meeting someone else.
The center of another day
Feeling like the center of attention or focus, but only for a short period of time.
Watching the earth revolve around me
Feeling a false sense of power or control over the world.
Static trance and drifting slow
Feeling stuck and unsure of how to move forward in life.
A memory of my only lover
Pining for a lost love, and feeling like it was the only real one.
No equilibrium, no control
Feeling unstable and out of control, like everything is falling apart.
The sacrament that sends me flying
Finding a source of euphoria or escape that brings temporary relief from life's problems.
My empire on the sun away
Leaving reality behind for something brighter and more idealistic, even if it is fleeting.
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.