Beyond Dawn was a Norwegian band composed of Espen Ingierd, Petter Haavik, … Read Full Bio ↴Beyond Dawn was a Norwegian band composed of Espen Ingierd, Petter Haavik, Tore Gjedrem, and Einar Sjursø. Initially playing an unorthodox style of avant-garde doom metal, their sound gradually evolved through stages of experimental pop, gothic folk, psychedelic, and ultimately airy electropop. They are described on their official website as "Norway's Best & Least Selling Act", which most likely insinuates Beyond Dawn's distinct artistic integrity being connected with their relative lack of commercial success.

After two demo tapes in 1990 and 1991, the band were picked up by French label Adipocere Records, which made possible the band's first two commercial releases, 1993's Up Through the Linear Shades 7" and 1994's Longing For Scarlet Days EP. In 1995, Beyond Dawn released their critically acclaimed full length debut Pity Love on Candlelight Records. Soon after, the band began work on an album intended to be a departure from the doom metal music they were becoming known for, but their record label was less than pleased with the band's drastic change in sound and they were soon in search of a new label. They eventually signed with Misanthropy Records and released Revelry in 1998 to more critical praise. Beyond Dawn eventually resumed work on the would-be 1996 album and, after adding additional material and overdubs, released In Reverie in 1999 on Eibon Records, which would also be reissued in 2005 with two bonus tracks included. During the latter half of 1999, they released Electric Sulking Machine on the Peaceville label, which soon became a favorite amongst fans and remains sought after due to its limited pressing.

Due in part to the limited commercial success of Frysh, the band went on hiatus in 2003 to focus on other projects. Some time later, several tracks from Frysh were remixed by various electronic and EBM artists and released in the form of the double LP We're Down With Species of Any Kind in 2005. The band remains on an indefinite hiatus.

When Beauty Dies
Beyond Dawn Lyrics

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In a cold room, nothing breathes
No light can reach when beauty dies
In a dead field, nothing grows
No life can be sown when beauty dies

In my heart, no love is for real
Where no grief can be healed
When beauty dies, dies

When beauty dies

In a dead field, nothing grows
(Nothing grows)
No life can be sown
(Can be sown)

In a dead field, nothing grows
(Nothing grows)
No life can be sown
(Can be sown)

When beauty dies, dies
When beauty dies in my life
No light is for me in my life

No light is for me in my life

No light is for me in life
No light is for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beyond Dawn's "When Beauty Dies" paint a bleak picture of a world without beauty or light. The song connects the idea of physical decay with emotional emptiness, suggesting that without beauty there is no life. The first verse depicts a cold room where nothing breathes and no light can reach, emphasizing the absence of life and vitality. The second verse focuses on a dead field where nothing grows and no life can be sown, suggesting that without beauty there is no potential for growth or renewal.

The chorus builds on this idea, repeating the phrase "when beauty dies" as a kind of mantra. The singer speaks of their heart where "no love is for real" and "no grief can be healed," reinforcing the connection between emotional and physical decay. In this context, beauty is not just about aesthetics, but about the sustaining power of life and love.

The song has a haunting quality, with a repetitive structure and sparse instrumentation that evokes the sense of emptiness and loss. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but could be seen as a meditation on the fragility of life and the importance of seeking out beauty and connection in a world that can often seem cold and sterile.

Line by Line Meaning

In a cold room, nothing breathes
The room is lifeless and devoid of any energy or action.

No light can reach when beauty dies
When something beautiful dies, there is an absence of light and brightness in the world around it.

In a dead field, nothing grows
Fields that have no life in them do not produce growth or plants.

No life can be sown when beauty dies
The death of something beautiful also means the end of future growth and creation.

In my heart, no love is for real
The death of beauty can also mean the death of love and emotional depth.

Where no grief can be healed
Without beauty, it becomes difficult to cope and find solace in mourning or grief.

When beauty dies, dies
Beauty can feel like an entity in itself, and its death can have a significant impact on the world around it.

When beauty dies in my life
The absence or loss of beauty can have a profound impact on personal experiences and emotions.

No light is for me in my life
The death of beauty can lead to darkness and emptiness, creating a sense of hopelessness.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EINAR SJURSO, ESPEN INGIERD, PETTER HAAVIK, TORE GJEDREM

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