Blackguard as a viable entity was officially born with the addition of vocalist and born frontman Paul Ablaze in October 2004 to Profugus Mortis' ranks, followed a month later by bassist Étienne Mailloux, with both bringing the necessary dynamics to the band's sound and clarity to the group's collective vision. Staying true to their black-metal roots, the new Profugus Mortis turned their sights on a brutal new interpretation of Scandinavian folk metal.
“This comes to us naturally," says Ablaze, "and we’re definitely the sum of our parts. What’s going on around us influences us to a certain degree, of course, but in the end we’re putting our own spin on it and giving the band its own defining characteristics. Before we came in, the band’s sound was a lot more progressive black metal; there were a lot of riffs and tempo changes. But we’ve gone in a much more straightforward direction since then. I guess we took on a power-metal and a straight-up folk-metal influence along the way."
Wasting no time, they issued a four-song self-produced demo in March 2005, passing out free copies at metal shows in Montreal. In July that same year, Profugus Mortis played the Xtreme Distortion Fest in Montreal with KATAKLYSM and UNEXPECT, winning the coveted slot as Best Unsigned Band at the event. That success translated into a support slot with SODOM and FINNTROLL, which in turn earned Profugus Mortis the opportunity to open for YNGWIE MALMSTEEN at the request of Quebec's Capital du Metal.
Since then, Blackguard (still known as Profugus Mortis at the time) has supported and toured with numerous acts equally respected the world over, including LACUNA COIL, CATAMENIA, WARBRINGER, BEHEMOTH, THERION, INTO ETERNITY, ENSIFERUM, THE AGONIST, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN and VOIVOD. Added to this noteworthy rogue's gallery are Canadian tours with the Finnish godfathers of folk metal, MOONSORROW, and more recently QUO VADIS.
Profugus Mortis' first official foray as professional recording artists came in the form of the aptly titled ...So It Begins in March 2007. More a collection of songs showcasing the band's past and their new direction, the album became the best- and fastest-selling album in their label Prodisk's history. The album also signaled the beginning of the end of what was considered by many fans and press people alike to be the one element that made Profugus Mortis unique; in January 2008 violinist Emilie Livernois was given the boot, leaving a hole in the band's sound. Rather than listen to the naysayers, the band raised its middle finger and brought in former GOTHERFALL guitarist Kim Gosselin. It was a perfect match made in hell.
"One of the things that suffered was having a stronger rhythm," Ablaze says of Livernois' violin having been a focal point. "If Terry was doing a lead and Emilie was doing a lead and Jonathan (Leduc/keyboards) was doing his own little thing, the songs could end up sounding pretty weak. It’s absolutely fantastic having Kim in the band now, because he beefs up the songs like crazy. The first time we jammed…we sounded like a frickin’ beast (laughs)."
That beast, now known as Blackguard, has been unleashed. Their major label debut—entitled Profugus Mortis as a tribute to their past—is an outing that has brought diehard fans and (until now) ignorant folk-metal followers up short. Capitalizing on the best moments offered up on ...So It Begins, the new album is a folk-metal onslaught that redefines the genre and raises the bar to an all-time high. Just as important, if not more so, the new material sees a revamped and hungry Blackguard coming into their own as a live act that cannot be ignored.
If all the world is a stage, it belongs to Blackguard—starting now.
Check out the [url=http://[officialsite]www.victorymerch.com/store/Blackguard]Blackguard merch store.
Farewell
Blackguard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll never say if we only knew, every moment was something new.
This is farwell and not goodbye, we'll meet again in time
Until then whatever you heart desires is what I hope you'll find
And when you're done, giving this world hell
The round's on us for all the stories you'll tell
Until then, our hearts go with you.
This is farewell and not goodbye!
Though we're parting and you go alone, what the future holds but no one know
May the memories keep you warm, our hearts go out with you.
Although I may not understand now
What prompting you to leave
One day I'm sure I'll see this is your life, this is your path!
This is your journey and this is your fight!
And I know you'll give it all you got
This fight is nothing to the wars we've fought
Now raise a glass to the journey and the path you tread
To the peace you seek and the journeys end.
The lyrics to Blackguard's "Farewell" speak of the bittersweet nature of parting ways with someone, but looking forward to future reunions. Time is fleeting, and the song acknowledges the importance of cherishing every moment, expressing regret that we often fail to do so. The chorus reassures the departing individual that though they are leaving, it is not forever. The hope is that they will find what they are looking for and return with exciting stories and memories to share. The lyrics also show admiration for the individual's courage to pursue their own path in life, acknowledging it as a fight that is worth giving one's all.
The theme of the song is reminiscent of a farewell to a loved one, likely on a journey or about to embark on a new chapter in their life. However, the lyrics can also apply to the broader context of living in the present and taking advantage of every opportunity to grow, learn, and leave our mark on the world. It speaks to the universal truth that we all possess a unique journey and that we must embrace and persevere through its challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Time truly slips away, from a minute to a thousand days
Time passes quickly, whether it's a minute or a thousand days.
We'll never say if we only knew, every moment was something new.
We never know in the moment that every moment is something new and special.
This is farwell and not goodbye, we'll meet again in time
This is not the end, we will see each other again in the future.
Until then whatever you heart desires is what I hope you'll find
I hope you find whatever it is that you truly desire until we meet again.
And when you're done, giving this world hell
When you're finished living your life to the fullest and making an impact in this world.
The round's on us for all the stories you'll tell
We'll buy everyone a drink to celebrate all of the wonderful stories you'll have to share.
Until then, our hearts go with you.
We will always keep you in our hearts until we see you again.
Though we're parting and you go alone, what the future holds but no one know
Although we are separating and you are on your own path, we can't predict what your future holds.
May the memories keep you warm, our hearts go out with you.
We hope the memories we've shared will keep you comforted and know that our hearts are always with you.
Although I may not understand now, What prompting you to leave
Even though I may not understand why you are leaving now.
One day I'm sure I'll see, this is your life, this is your path!
One day I'm sure I will understand that this is your journey and you must follow your own path.
This is your journey and this is your fight!
This is your journey in life and the obstacles and challenges you face are yours to overcome.
And I know you'll give it all you got
I know that you will put in all your effort and give it your all.
This fight is nothing to the wars we've fought
This challenge is small compared to the hardships we've endured in the past.
Now raise a glass to the journey and the path you tread
Let us all toast to the path you are taking in life and the journey ahead.
To the peace you seek and the journeys end.
Cheers to finding inner peace and a successful end to your journey.
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@QcHsBjorn
THIS IS SO GOOD!!
@nickbroider8698
Production and instrumentals are fantastic. Singers not my fav
@thomasradford9830
yeah idk why he did fries for like the whole thing. I feel like Johan Hegg style vocals woulda been better for this type of track.
@georgementoriopurgana5969
MY GODNESSS
@bobmcadoo261
Children of Bodom JR. Lol