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
Rise and Fall
Dargaard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once an honoured knight
Of the order of Solamnia...
He built a stronghold, tall and proud,
In the shape of his order's sign.
Long time ago, he was disgraced from the gods,
For failing his duties to restore order in the realm.
Let his minions kill his wife.
The gods threw a fiery mountain
On the city of Istar,
To punish the arrogance of the high priest.
To The Catavlysm, to the end of the world.
"noctem, redde tuae, dux bone, patriae!"
Dawning in the lands of the damned.
A new morning went by
In the darkened halls of the fallen one;
As many others did.
Condemned to await the end of all days,
Guided by the cries of banshees.
Dead and forgotten mortals,
A life without light,
A life without the warmth of blood.
Rise and fall - an empire to lose
Fall and rise - a cataclysm to come
Rise and fall - the sea changed blood red
Fall and rise - for a new order
The lyrics of Dargaard’s song “Rise and Fall” tell a tale of Lord Soth, a once respected knight of the order of Solamnia who was later banished from the gods for failing in his duty to restore order in his realm. Soth’s story takes a twist when he finds love with an elven maid and, in an act of cruelty, allows his minions to kill his wife. As punishment for his arrogance, a fiery mountain was thrown on the city of Istar by the gods. The fallen Soth is now condemned to await the end of all days, guided by the cries of banshees, without light, warmth or the joys of life. The song effortlessly provides insight into the cause-and-effect of arrogance, betrayal, and reward.
The lyrics are bursting with symbolism and metaphors; each line carries an intense and unique meaning. The phrase, “Rise and fall - an empire to lose, fall and rise - a cataclysm to come,” is particularly noteworthy. It refers to a cycle of destruction and rebirth, a pattern of events that has occurred throughout history since the beginning of time. It is a reminder that nothing lasts forever, for every rise, there is a fall, and for every fall, there is a rise. The phrase ‘sea changed blood red’ is another symbol of destruction, an implication of the aftermath of the end of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord Soth,
The subject of the song, Lord Soth, is introduced.
Once an honoured knight
Lord Soth was once a revered knight.
Of the order of Solamnia...
He belonged to the order of Solamnia.
He built a stronghold, tall and proud,
Lord Soth constructed a grand fortress.
In the shape of his order's sign.
The fortress was designed in the form of the Solamnia symbol.
Long time ago, he was disgraced from the gods,
Lord Soth fell out of favor with the deities a while back.
For failing his duties to restore order in the realm.
This happened because he failed to bring about peace and stability in the land.
He found the love of an elven maid,
Lord Soth fell in love with an elf maiden.
Let his minions kill his wife.
Tragically, he allowed his followers to kill his spouse.
The gods threw a fiery mountain
The divine beings hurled a blazing mountain.
On the city of Istar,
The mountain hit the city of Istar.
To punish the arrogance of the high priest.
The high priest's hubris was the reason for this punishment.
To The Catavlysm, to the end of the world.
This event led to the world's cataclysmic end.
"noctem, redde tuae, dux bone, patriae!"
This is a Latin phrase that is translated as 'Return the night to your homeland, O good leader!'
Dawning in the lands of the damned.
The dawning (or start) of something new in a cursed land.
A new morning went by
Time passes with another sunrise.
In the darkened halls of the fallen one;
This event occurs in the dark halls of 'the fallen one' (presumably Lord Soth).
As many others did.
This is not an isolated event, as many others have suffered a similar fate.
Condemned to await the end of all days,
Those who have fallen are doomed to await the world's end.
Guided by the cries of banshees.
Banshees' wails lead the condemned.
Dead and forgotten mortals,
The people who are dead and forgotten.
A life without light,
This is a life without light and goodness.
A life without the warmth of blood.
This is a life without the vital warmth provided by blood.
Rise and fall - an empire to lose
The empire is destined to alternately rise and fall, and it is on the brink of ruin.
Fall and rise - a cataclysm to come
The empire's downfall is inevitable, and soon a catastrophic event will occur.
Rise and fall - the sea changed blood red
The seas will be stained red due to the many casualties caused by this event.
Fall and rise - for a new order
This event will usher in a new regime to replace the fallen empire.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEXANDER OPITZ, ELISABETH TORISER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Syhleen
magnifique... tout simplement.
Dynasty Girl
God I grew up on the Dragonlance books (avid Raistlin fangirl) this song brings so many memories and now I want to read the books all over again. Poor Lord Soth on one hand I feel sorry for him on the other he got what was coming
DRAGOTH BELMONT
this is 1 off the best master pieces of a song ever dreamed in a human heart..just makes me think about the end of the world..& the sky fill with angels..fighting & taking away all demons that once destroy humanity..that is how deep this song makes me feel..but is very apocaliptic at the same time
Drakersen
i want a new album :( it's been quite a while 6 years of the same cd, i know there's a 3 years lap between their work, and i don't get tired of their albums, but i want something new from them love you Elisabeth <3
Daniel Kubicek
@Tagg Xero ouch
True, but ouch
Tagg Xero
So how is 15 years going?
gleb202
Awesome song!
Jessika Gomes
So intense!... I Love it!
Aleksander Mosingiewicz
Ok, so in spite of harkening to heavy-metal aestethics (which I'm not a fan of) this piece of music is simply breath-taking, period.
Joseph Easley
Hey everybody, I highly recommend that you read the DragonLance Chronicles, especially the twins trilogy, 'cause that is what this song is about. Uber epic! :)