In 1998, the band wanted to increase its strength by adding new members: another keyboards player, Hylgaryss, a percussionnist/bassist, Sombre Cÿr and a violinist, Eliane joined Dark Sanctuary. Together, they recorded the first album, "Royaume mélancolique" and made their first concert in September 1998 near Paris.
In November 1999, they signed with Wounded Love Records and after the second violinist Marguerite joined, they recorded their second album, "De lumière et d'obscurité", which was released in November 2000. But, right after their recording sessions, Marquise Ermia left the band to carry on her studies, and a new singer, Dame Pandora, thus joined Dark Sanctuary.
Their third album, "L'être las - L'envers du miroir" was recorded in March 2002 and released at the beginning of 2003, few months after the release of a two-track single. This album, which has had a huge success in France and Germany, definitely established Dark Sanctuary as one of the greatest bands in this musical style.
After few concerts in France, the band returned to Germany in order to record its 4th album, "Les mémoires blessées". This album was released in early 2004 and confirmed Dark Sanctuary's own style while providing a deeper maturity, as well as new musical horizons.
The same year, the band was on tour in Europe, including a memorable date at the Wave Gothik Treffen, in the majestic Leipzig's theatre.
Then the year 2005 began with a major event, their first compilation, "Thoughts: 9 Years in the Sanctuary" was released on the US label Projekt; it summarizes no less than 9 years of career.
The other event of the beginning of this year is Dark Sanctuary's appearance in the tribute to Dead Can Dance, "Summoning of the Muse: A Tribute to Dead Can Dance", also released on Projekt.
In July 2005 Dark Sanctuary went back to Germany to record their fifth opus at the E-Klangschmiede Studio. Consequently, their new album "Exaudi vocem meam, Part I" is scheduled for November 2005.
The year 2006 promises to be rich too as the sequel of this opus, "Exaudi vocem meam, Part II", as well as concerts are announced.
As of 2009, they will be on an indefinite hiatus. They have finished recording, and shall be releasing, a collaborative effort with Victoria Francés titled "Dark Sanctuary".
Official site: http://www.dark-sanctuary.com
Vie Ephémère
Dark Sanctuary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuyant l'incision
Mon choix est irrévocable
Et mystique sera son aboutissement
Je ne peux expliquer,
Si j'ai peur de rester,
Ou bien peur de partir
A l'idée de trépasser
Tout cela va si vite
Est-il trop tard?
Vais-je mourir?
La nuit m'entoure
Serais-je remercié de ce courage
Serais-je gracié pour ce départ
Je défie la mort naturelle
J'échappe enfin à la vie éphémère, oubliant le sang
Fuyant l'incision
Mon choix est irrévocable
Et mystique sera son aboutissement
Je ne peux expliquer,
Si j'ai peur de rester,
Ou bien peur de partir
Mais je frémis
A l’idée de trépasser
Tout cela va si vite
Est-il trop tard?
Vais-je mourir?
La nuit m'entoure
Serais-je remerciée de ce courage
Serais-je graciée pour ce départ
Je défie la mort naturelle
J’échappe enfin a la vie éphémère
The lyrics of Dark Sanctuary's "Vie Éphémère" portray the uncertainty and fear that one experiences in the face of death. The singer is contemplating their decision to die, feeling both afraid to stay alive and afraid to let go. The idea of mortality is described as something that happens quickly, surrounded by the darkness of the night. The singer wonders if their bravery will be acknowledged or if they will be given mercy for their decision to commit suicide. The ultimate goal of this choice is to escape the fleeting and temporary nature of life, represented by the image of blood and incision that is left behind.
The lyrics are written in a way that is open to interpretation, making it difficult to decipher the exact meaning behind each line. However, the overall message is clear - that life can be fleeting and uncertain, and that death can provide a sense of release from the struggles of living. The use of metaphors like blood and incision to represent the pain of living adds to the emotional depth of the song, creating a hauntingly beautiful portrait of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Oubliant le sang
Forgetting the violence of death and the spilled blood
Fuyant l'incision
Running away from the pain of being cut open
Mon choix est irrévocable
My decision to leave this life is final and irreversible
Et mystique sera son aboutissement
And the end result of my journey will be mysterious and inexplicable
Je ne peux expliquer,
I cannot explain
Si j'ai peur de rester,
If I am afraid to stay alive
Ou bien peur de partir
Or if I am afraid to die
Mais je frémis
But I shudder and tremble
A l'idée de trépasser
At the thought of passing away
Tout cela va si vite
Everything happens so quickly
Est-il trop tard?
Is it too late?
Vais-je mourir?
Will I die?
La nuit m'entoure
The darkness surrounds me
Serais-je remercié de ce courage
Will I be thanked for my bravery?
Serais-je gracié pour ce départ
Will I be forgiven for leaving?
Je défie la mort naturelle
I am defying natural death
J'échappe enfin à la vie éphémère,
Finally, I am escaping this fleeting life
Oubliant le sang
Forgetting the violence of death and the spilled blood
Fuyant l'incision
Running away from the pain of being cut open
Mon choix est irrévocable
My decision to leave this life is final and irreversible
Et mystique sera son aboutissement
And the end result of my journey will be mysterious and inexplicable
Je ne peux expliquer,
I cannot explain
Si j'ai peur de rester,
If I am afraid to stay alive
Ou bien peur de partir
Or if I am afraid to die
Mais je frémis
But I shudder and tremble
A l’idée de trépasser
At the thought of passing away
Tout cela va si vite
Everything happens so quickly
Est-il trop tard?
Is it too late?
Vais-je mourir?
Will I die?
La nuit m'entoure
The darkness surrounds me
Serais-je remerciée de ce courage
Will I be thanked for my bravery?
Serais-je graciée pour ce départ
Will I be forgiven for leaving?
Je défie la mort naturelle
I am defying natural death
J'échappe enfin a la vie éphémère
Finally, I am escaping this fleeting life
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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