In 2001, Rikard Sjöblom and David Zackrisson founded Beardfish together with Petter Diamant on drums and Gabriel Olsson on bass. Drummer Petter Diamant subsequently left the band, and was replaced by Magnus Östgren in 2002; flautist and keyboardist Stefan Aronsson also joined.
Robert Hansen replaced Gabriel on bass, and Beardfish recorded their debut album Från en plats du ej kan se in Stefan's studio in 2003. Stefan left the band shortly thereafter. Despite "Från en plats..." being released and passing by quite unnoticed, Beardfish continued to tour as a four-piece band, with Rikard replacing Stefan's role as keyboardist. The end of 2003 was a very productive period for the band, and saw several demos being recorded.
The year of 2004 was largely uneventful for Beardfish, although they did start recording a second album. After that, however, it took the band nearly a year to begin recording once again.
Come 2005, the band was to be found secluded in a cottage outside the town of Gävle, Sweden preparing to record the rest of the material for their upcoming album.
Björn Arnell, a friend of the band, lent them recording equipment, an arsenal of keyboards and effect pedals, and helped them set things up in an old and stately dining room near town.
The band has described this period as a truly beautiful process, and many songs were recorded, most of them live. So many, in fact, that Beardfish had to release a double album. The Sane Day, their 2 CD album, was released in December 2005.
Almost immediately the band started to rehearse new material, and throughout June and July of 2006 they recorded what became Sleeping in Traffic: Part One. The album was practically finished by the end of the summer, and Beardfish was also asked to play the ProgDay festival in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. After this trip, during which they met Gary Green of Gentle Giant, they recorded one more song, called Roulette, and declared the album finished.
A few labels contacted the band, among them InsideOut Music, who wanted to release the new album. Beardfish signed to InsideOut at the end of the year.
New material continued to be written and recorded, and "Sleeping in Traffic: Part One" was released to many positive reviews. Sleeping in Traffic: Part Two was released in 2008.
In 2009, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater invited Beardfish to tour with them on the Progressive Nation tour, which they readily accepted. Rikard Sjöblom said of this, "When we read on a website that Mike Portnoy had our album "Sleeping in Traffic: Part One" among his favorite releases of 2007, we just couldn't believe it and we were really happy about it! And now we once again gasp for air since we've been asked to join Progressive Nation 2009 together with Dream Theater (one of the biggest bands in this genre today!), Pain of Salvation (hey, fellow Swedes!!!) and Zappa Plays Zappa (being a HUGE Zappa fan myself, I think this is really cool!). Since we've only played the US once before we simply can't wait to come over and rock out!"
Unfortunately, due to the bankruptcy of SPV and Beardfish's label InsideOut, both Beardfish and Pain of Salvation had to drop out of the Progressive Nation tour for 2009.
Beardfish's fifth release Destined Solitaire is available July 28, 2009 through InsideOut Records.
Their Myspace page is http://www.myspace.com/beardfishband
Into The Night
Beardfish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My thoughts, pure and white like snow?
Here comes the long and dark night of my soul
And now I’m all alone
There is a deep dark hole now where my love once used to be
She set me free
This is the long and dark night of my soul
Yes, now I’m all alone
So I’ve erased myself, replaced my mind, it’s a clean slate
All I’ve felt and everyone I’ve ever known is gone
I feel the need to leave, just run straight into nowhere
There’s nothing left in this town but self-loathing
You think you know, think you can see who I am?
Don’t colour my sleeves with your narrow mind
I’m more than my hair or the clothes that I wear
I feel the need for a new way of thinking
So I surrender myself to me
When did they come and where did they go
My thoughts, pure and white like snow?
Here comes the long and dark night of my soul
And now I’m all alone
There’s a deep dark hole now where my love once used to be
She set me free
This is the long and dark night of my soul
Yes, now I’m all alone
(guitar solo: David Zackrisson)
Lost in the approaching night
Traces of summer, still warm and breezy
As the sun sets over the forest
The woods are dark, cold and damp
I’m alone in here, and though I can’t feel the presence of man
I feel something staring
I don’t the animals will harm me
But I know, they know I’m here
To them I am the predator
It’s man they’ve learned to fear
Suddenly a gun shot, then another
Someone is aiming at me
I throw myself behind a big old pine
My heart is beating like crazy
I can sense The Hunter, he’s behind me
I’m a deer in his eyes
I start to run and fear him fire once more
Maybe I’m too far away
(synth solo: Rikard Sjöblom)
The lyrics to "Into The Night" by Beardfish depict a character who is experiencing a deep sense of loneliness and emptiness after a breakup. The opening lines ask where the character's thoughts have gone, suggesting that they feel like they have lost a part of themselves. The repeated line "here comes the long and dark night of my soul" emphasizes the character's despair and sense of isolation. They feel like they are alone in a deep dark hole, with nothing left of the love that they once had. The character then describes erasing themselves and replacing their mind, wanting to start fresh and leave everything behind.
However, the character also expresses a desire to be seen for who they truly are, beyond their external appearance. They reject the idea of being defined by their clothes or hair, and instead want a new way of thinking. The final section of the lyrics takes a darker turn, with the character finding themselves lost in the woods and feeling like they are being hunted. They feel the eyes of animals watching them and sense danger closing in. This could represent a metaphorical hunt for the character's sense of self, as they try to find their place in the world.
Overall, "Into The Night" is a song that explores themes of loneliness, identity, and the search for meaning. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a character who is struggling to find their place in the world, and who feels isolated despite being surrounded by others.
Line by Line Meaning
When did they come and where did they go
Reflecting on the confusion and uncertainty of when certain thoughts or emotions entered and left one's mind and life.
My thoughts, pure and white like snow?
Questioning the purity and truthfulness of one's thoughts.
Here comes the long and dark night of my soul
Anticipating and acknowledging a period of emotional darkness and despair.
And now I’m all alone
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others and oneself.
There is a deep dark hole now where my love once used to be
Feeling the emptiness and loss after losing someone who was once deeply loved.
She set me free
Acknowledging that the person who left was able to provide a sense of freedom and liberation, despite the pain of their absence.
This is the long and dark night of my soul
Reiterating the sense of despair and emotional darkness mentioned earlier in the song.
So I’ve erased myself, replaced my mind, it’s a clean slate
Feeling the need to start anew and rid oneself of previous thoughts and experiences to create a fresh start.
All I’ve felt and everyone I’ve ever known is gone
Acknowledging the sense of loss and disconnectedness from one's past.
I feel the need to leave, just run straight into nowhere
Feeling the desire to leave one's current situation and surroundings, without necessarily having a clear destination.
There’s nothing left in this town but self-loathing
Feeling a sense of disgust and disconnection from one's current surroundings and community.
You think you know, think you can see who I am?
Questioning and challenging the assumption that others can truly understand and see one's true self.
Don’t colour my sleeves with your narrow mind
Rejecting others' attempts to label or define one's identity and experiences with their own limited perspective.
I’m more than my hair or the clothes that I wear
Asserting that one's identity and worth is not determined solely by one's appearance or external factors.
I feel the need for a new way of thinking
Desiring a shift in perspective and approach to life and one's experiences.
So I surrender myself to me
Embracing and accepting oneself, flaws and all, and being willing to explore and discover one's true self.
Lost in the approaching night
Feeling a sense of fear and uncertainty as darkness approaches.
Traces of summer, still warm and breezy
Reflecting on and holding onto the positive memories of a past summer, despite the current situation.
As the sun sets over the forest
Observing and experiencing the natural beauty of a forest as the day comes to an end.
The woods are dark, cold and damp
Describing the sensory experience of being in a dark and humid forest.
I’m alone in here, and though I can’t feel the presence of man
Feeling isolated and disconnected from human presence, despite being in a natural environment.
I feel something staring
Feeling a sense of being watched or observed by an unknown presence.
I don’t the animals will harm me
Feeling unthreatened by the animals in the forest.
But I know, they know I’m here
Feeling observed and acknowledged by the animals in the forest.
To them I am the predator
Acknowledging that, in the context of the animals in the forest, one is a predator or a potential threat.
It’s man they’ve learned to fear
Reflecting on the human-driven fear that many animals have towards humans.
Suddenly a gun shot, then another
Experiencing the sound and fear of gun shots in the forest.
Someone is aiming at me
Feeling targeted and hunted by another human in the forest.
I throw myself behind a big old pine
Taking quick action to protect oneself by hiding behind a large tree.
My heart is beating like crazy
Feeling a strong sense of fear and adrenaline in response to the situation.
I can sense The Hunter, he’s behind me
Feeling a sense of the presence and proximity of the hunter who is pursuing them.
I’m a deer in his eyes
Feeling the vulnerability and helplessness of being hunted and viewed as prey.
I start to run and fear him fire once more
Taking quick action to escape and avoid being shot by the hunter.
Maybe I’m too far away
Expressing hope that they have successfully escaped and are no longer within the hunter's range or sight.
Contributed by Carson D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
osirislink
One of my favs by beardfish. can't wait to see them at PN 09
rjciccone
fans of early '70s prog would love this -- great organ work!
Jeremy Anderson
This song is awesome!!!!!!
Elcio Santana
Muito bom!
Niv Haramati
Crazy good prog! so much fun moments
FRANCISCO LAVADORES
influyo mucho gentle giant, en este grupo magnifico
YourFurthestReaches
I would sell my soul and all my possessions (besides the drugs of course) if only that tour lineup existed..Dream Prog Concert!
Tim Mazzola
Honestly, I hear influences from pretty much ALL the big 70s prog bands.
Etienne D.
This is so genesis and this is so uncommon i like it a lot!!!!
MysteryClown000
Fucking rage all the time on that organ... I LOVE IT !!!!!!