Bernd Seeberger (vocals/keyboards), Larsen Beattie (guitars), Christian Reichel (bass guitar) and Marek Karakasevic (drums).
With this formation Cryptic Wintermoon played a few local concerts. At the end of 1994 Bernd Seeberger decided to leave the band because of personal reasons. Ronny Dörfler, the vocalist of a local Thrash band called Terrible Somnium took the place behind the Cryptic Wintermoon microphone. Later drummer Marek had been replaced with the former Terrible Somnium guitar player Alexander Pöhlmann. With this line-up the band recorded the demo-tape "Voyage Dans La Lune" in August 1995, which was mainly sold in the underground. As Ronny decided to concentrate on his part as singer, Andrea Walter came into the band to play the keys.
Musicial and personal differences between Christian Reichel and the rest of the band almost lead to the end of Cryptic Wintermoon. So the split in summer of 1996 was unavoidable. Christian Ender took upon the part of the bass and background vocals. A second guitar player, Jochen Kressin, completed the line-up.
In March 1997, the MCD "Cryptic Wintermoon" was recorded in the Frost studios in half a year later in October the MCD was published without a label. In the same month, Jochen decided to study and was no longer possible for him to play with Cryptic Wintermoon. He was replaced by Michael Schürger. In this formation the band played a lot of concerts in Germany with bands like Desaster, Night In Gales, Purgatory, Agathodaimon, Ancient Rites, Impending Doom... And managed to make a name in the underground as a Black/Death/Thrash Metal band.
In autumn 1998, Cryptic Wintermoon released a split EP with the band Lord Astaroth, containing “Shadowland” (re-recorded) and “Beyond The Night”. The split EP was distributed by Perverted Taste Records. Because of still no label deal, a promo-tape with four songs was recorded. After that tape, Ars Metalli offered a contract in December 1998. And so the recordings for the long player "The Age Of Cataclysm" started in May 1999 in the famous Frost studios, which had developed into a professional studio. In November the album was released. It contained eleven songs with 60 minutes playing time. “The Age Of Cataclysm” got best results Metal magazines like Rock Hard (9 of 10 pts), Heavy Or What (10 of 12 pts). After the recordings Christian Ender decided to give up active music and Alexander Pöhlmann had to give up because of his eardrum. Both were replaced by Jens "Jason" Löhner (bass) and Andreas "Goatie" Schmidt (drums) known from the Death Metal band Violation.
Cryptic Wintermoon finally quit the record deal with Ars Metalli cause the label didn’t pay anything and also didn’t do shit for the band.
Again without deal a new 5 track promo CD was recorded and later on the complete "A Coming Storm" album; the band managed to sign a deal with Massacre Records. After the recordings of the album, the bass player Jason lost interest in the band and the music, and was replaced by Gary Kietz. “A Coming Storm” was released in May 2003 and got again very good reviews: 8,5/10 RockHard, 10/12 Heavy Oder Was, 89/100 Metalreviews.com…
After the release of "A coming Storm" the new guy on the Bassguitar had to drop out of the band because he wasnt able to play Bassguitar anymore cause of a serious injury. A new Bassplayer was found in the 18 year old Nicolaj Rüster woh also plays guitar in the Band "Angelus Mortis".
Discography
Voyage Dans La Lune Demo, 1995
Cryptic Wintermoon EP, 1997
Franconian Frost Split, 1998
The Age of Cataclysm Full-length, 1999
A Coming Storm Full-length, 2003
of Shadows...And the Dark Things You Fear Full-length, 2005
Down Below
Cryptic Wintermoon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Within 2.5 hours we'll reach the aim at least
We started late in the afternoon from home
In order to put into effect the task assumed
Flying straight into the twilight high up in the air
Within the utter darkness we will be there
Carrying a load that will bring nothing but disease
By pressing only one button the bombs get released
We're approaching guided by motor noise
Left behind England and an inner voice
Tells us that maybe it's the last time that we see
Our land and our homes laying down there so silently
My heart is torn apart for no answer I can find
But Coventry and London still burn in my mind
I cannot comprehend but also never forget
What lunatic flight takes place in my head
Down below the rushing planes
Sleeps an unsuspecting land in peace
And while the miles get more and more
The unrest within increases like never before
Then finally straight ahead of us appeared
A silhouette shown by the moon so weird
In this clear night the target so easily to find
But not just them also we were in good sight
Upon command the deadly burden was thrown off
Into the houses crushed that explosive stuff
(just tiny) twinkling lights down there tell us from
What in reality is a gigantic firestorm
Sieh hinunter dort wo sie wie Fackeln brennen
Schreiend durch die glühende Phosphorhölle rennen
Kellerwände tanzen schaurig im Splitterbombentakt
Asche Staub und Trümmer regnets zornig herab
The opening lyrics of Cryptic Wintermoon's song "Down Below" present the listener with the geo-coordinates of the singer's location followed by a declaration that they will reach their destination within 2.5 hours. The song then takes a dark turn as we learn that they have set out on a mission to drop a load of bombs that will release a deadly disease. The eerie and somber mood is heightened by the fact that they are flying into the darkness of twilight to complete their task. The singer shares the inner turmoil and emotional struggle they are feeling as they approach their target. They recognize that the land below sleeps in peace, unaware of the impending doom coming their way. The singer is haunted by the images of Coventry and London burning and feels powerless to comprehend the senseless act of violence they are a part of. As they approach their target, the moon provides enough light to see the silhouette of their target easily. The singer drops the bombs that result in a catastrophic firestorm and widespread destruction. The final lyrics of the song describe the horrific aftermath on the ground, as people are screaming, buildings have collapsed, and debris is raining down.
The song "Down Below" is a commentary on the devastation caused by war and the innocent lives lost in the process. Cryptic Wintermoon's use of cold, calculated coordinates highlights the inhumanity and lack of empathy that can occur during wartime. The descriptions of cities burning and the devastation of innocent people allow the listener to relate to the pain and suffering caused by needless destruction. The song is a reminder that war is not a solution, and it is always the innocent that suffer the most.
Line by Line Meaning
51° north / 7° east
Coordinates of the location where the singer is flying to
Within 2.5 hours we'll reach the aim at least
Estimated time for arrival at the target location
We started late in the afternoon from home
Narrator's team began their mission later than planned
In order to put into effect the task assumed
Narrator and team's mission is to carry out a task
Flying straight into the twilight high up in the air
Narrator's team is flying into the sunset at a high altitude
Within the utter darkness we will be there
Narrator's team will arrive at the target location at night
Carrying a load that will bring nothing but disease
Narrator's team is carrying a payload of bombs containing biological weapons
By pressing only one button the bombs get released
Narrator's team can release the bombs with a single button push
We're approaching guided by motor noise
Narrator's team is guided by the sound of their aircraft's engine
Left behind England and an inner voice
Narrator's team left England with a sense of doubt
Tells us that maybe it's the last time that we see
Narrator's team may not survive their mission
Our land and our homes laying down there so silently
Narrator's team is leaving behind their homes and country
My heart is torn apart for no answer I can find
Narrator is conflicted about the mission and unsure of its purpose
But Coventry and London still burn in my mind
Narrator remembers the bombings of Coventry and London in World War II
I cannot comprehend but also never forget
Narrator cannot understand the destruction caused by the bombings
What lunatic flight takes place in my head
Narrator's thoughts are chaotic and irrational
Down below the rushing planes
Narrator's team is flying over the target area
Sleeps an unsuspecting land in peace
The target area is unaware of the impending attack
And while the miles get more and more
Distance between the singer's team and the target area is increasing
The unrest within increases like never before
Narrator's internal conflict and guilt intensifies
Then finally straight ahead of us appeared
Target location comes into view
A silhouette shown by the moon so weird
The moonlight reveals an eerie image of the target location
In this clear night the target so easily to find
It is easy for the singer's team to identify the target location
But not just them also we were in good sight
The target location is not the only one visible, the artist's team is also visible
Upon command the deadly burden was thrown off
The team releases the bombs as directed by the order
Into the houses crushed that explosive stuff
The bombs destroy the target area
(just tiny) twinkling lights down there tell us from
The singer sees small lights in the target area despite the destruction
What in reality is a gigantic firestorm
The lights are actually a massive fire started by the bombs
Sieh hinunter dort wo sie wie Fackeln brennen
Schreiend durch die glühende Phosphorhölle rennen
Kellerwände tanzen schaurig im Splitterbombentakt
Asche Staub und Trümmer regnets zornig herab
German lyrics describing the horrific destruction and chaos caused by the bombs
Contributed by Madison F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Raven SixK
Such an underrated band with so many great songs. Love Cryptic Wintermoon ♥
Krall
Cryptic Wintermoon always gives me the shiver
agonyofsorrow1349
Just wanna say it again ..... I LOVE this song!
agonyofsorrow1349
LOVE this song and video <3
linda white
love this
kayzad11
After looking at this video. I have one thing to say... No one won the war
Berzerk793
I have no fear now when i know that CW's NEW CD ROCKS!!!!!
mike lubin
Still rocking it
Uncanny
Great song and so the next one - One of your sons is coming home!
agonyofsorrow1349
Amazing! Cryptic Wintermoon is awlays great! Why is here B-17 in the vid instead of Bf-109?