The group was founded in 1997 by Tharen (Abigor, Amestigon, ex-Heidenreich, Dominion III, Graumahd) as an opportunity to step away from his usual genre (black metal) and experiment with a different approach to express attitudes and feelings. With Elisabeth Toriser (ex-Abigor, ex-Antichrisis, Dominion III, Soulhunt, Graumahd), who took over the vocal responsibilties in 1998, Dargaard was able to successfully complete the recording of their debut album, "Eternity Rites", released by Napalm Records under the Draenor Productions banner in October 1998.
In August 1999 the duo returned in the studio to record a second full-length. "In nomine aeternitatis" was released in March 2000 and remains within Dargaard's signature style and promise to prove once again their undeniable skill in creating superior melodies and atmosphere. June 2001 welcomed Dargaard's third recording effort, "The Dissolution of Eternity". This album has been described as having reached a milestone in innovative darkwave.
Dargaard's latest full length release, "Rise and Fall", was released in March 2004 and was featured in various magazines as album of the month. It offers a magical sound experience characterized by impressive compositions. Atmospheric, enigmatic darkwave melodies embedded in bombastic choirs and orchestral arrangements are transformed into impressive works of art by the bewitching voice of Elizabeth Toriser.
Official website: http://dargaard.at/mainpage.htm
Ave Atque Vale
Dargaard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias
Ut te postremo donarem munere mortis
Donarem munere mortis
Et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem
Quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum
Heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi
Nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum
Tradita sunt tristis munere ad inferias
Accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu
Multum manantia fletu
Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale
Ave atque vale...
The lyrics to Dargaard's song Ave Atque Vale depict a scene from ancient Rome where a man has journeyed through many lands and seas to arrive at a funeral for his brother. He laments that he cannot speak to the silent ashes of his brother since fate has taken him away. He cries out in anguish that it is unfair that his brother was taken from him. The man then offers his brother a gift, the gift of death, as he lays his offerings on the tomb. The gift of death was viewed as a way of reuniting the living with the dead in the afterlife. The final lines of the song are a sad goodbye to the brother, with the phrase Ave Atque Vale, meaning "Hail and Farewell," representing a final goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectus
After traveling through many lands and seas
Advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias
I arrive here for your funeral, my brother
Ut te postremo donarem munere mortis
So that I may give you the final gift of death
Donarem munere mortis
This final gift of death
Et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem
And to speak uselessly to your ashes
Quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum
Though fate has taken you away from me
Heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi
Oh, my poor brother unjustly taken from me
Frater adempte mihi
My brother taken from me
Nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum
And yet now, in the meantime, I perform the ancient rites of our ancestors
Tradita sunt tristis munere ad inferias
To lay you to rest with this sad funeral rite
Accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu
Accept these tears of brotherly love
Multum manantia fletu
These tears flowing endlessly
Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale
And forever, my brother, hail and farewell
Ave atque vale...
Hail and farewell...
Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.