Created by Barre Gambling and Jesse Haff in 1996, Daylight Dies is often noted as one of the first American bands of their kind to exhibit a strong Scandinavian metal sound. The majority of the metal underground first became aware of Daylight Dies with their demo "Idle" which was released on Tribunal Records in 2000 and featured original vocalist Guthrie Iddings. Egan O'Rourke joined as the bassist in 2001. The band then signed to Relapse Records in 2002 and released their debut album "No Reply". Daylight Dies toured Britain, Ireland, Belgium and The Netherlands in 2003 with Katatonia, and the United States and Canada with Lacuna Coil in support of the album. After the tour, vocalist Guthrie Iddings left and was replaced by Nathan Ellis. Charley Shackelford also joined as a second guitarist. In late 2005, Daylight Dies signed to Candlelight Records. They released their second album "Dismantling Devotion" in March 2006. Daylight Dies played to capacity crowds in New York city on July 13th and 14th 2006 as direct support for Emperor. The band premiered their first music video for the song "Lies that Bind" on August 9th 2006, which was later accepted by VH1 and MTV. Later that year, they embarked on a 4 week North American tour with Moonspell and Katatonia.
The band entered the studio in December 2007 to begin recording their third album "Lost to the Living". Like "Dismantling Devotion", the album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. It was released on June 24, 2008. A month prior to the albums release, the band toured with Candlemass across the U.S.
This band creates a style of melodic doom rarely heard outside of Europe, and does so with such proficiency that one may be surprised to discover their American origin.
Cathedral
Daylight Dies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
of failure
a testament
to an unfailing will
against the sky stands our cathedral
a picture of our isolation
in the dark we must build an answer
measured symmetry
belies desperation
an attempt to write in stone
the dreams of the young
against the sky stands our cathedral
a picture of our isolation
in the dark we must build an answer
a pillar to our fleeting solace
against the sky stands our cathedral
clutching at the passing time
it was built to be an answer
take from it what you can
The lyrics to Daylight Dies's song "Cathedral" speak to the human desire to build something lasting, despite the inevitability of impermanence. The song portrays the titular cathedral as a monument to failure, but also as a testament to an "unfailing will" to create something enduring. The construction of this cathedral is viewed as a desperate attempt to write "the dreams of the young" in stone, a symbol of our isolation and disconnection from the natural world. In the darkness of our lives, we must build an answer to our deepest questions and fears.
The measured symmetry of the cathedral belies a sense of desperation, as if its builders were grasping at something intangible, a fleeting solace that they hope to capture in stone. The cathedral stands against the sky, a beacon of human achievement, but also a reminder of our mortality and the impermanence of all things. The lyrics suggest that the cathedral was built to be an answer to our deepest existential questions, but that we must take from it what we can, as it too will eventually crumble and fade away.
Overall, the lyrics to "Cathedral" are a meditation on the human desire to create something lasting in a world that is always changing. It is a reminder that even our greatest achievements are ultimately fleeting, and that the answers we seek can only be found within ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
a monument
A structure built in memory of something or someone significant
of failure
A reminder of past mistakes and shortcomings
a testament
An evidence or proof of something that was once there
to an unfailing will
To the persistence and determination that drove its construction
against the sky stands our cathedral
Our grand cathedral stands tall, visible and imposing against the backdrop of the sky
a picture of our isolation
Symbolizes how we are confined within our own thoughts and feelings, detached from the world outside
in the dark we must build an answer
In trying, uncertain times, we must find a solution even when everything seems unclear
measured symmetry
The well-balanced and proportioned appearance of the cathedral's architecture
belies desperation
Contrary to the accurate depiction of the struggle and effort required to build the structure
an attempt to write in stone
An effort to make something permanent, unchanging and everlasting
the dreams of the young
The aspirations and wishes of the younger generations who will inherit what we leave behind
a pillar to our fleeting solace
A source of temporary refuge from the struggles of life
clutching at the passing time
Desperately trying to hold on to something that is not meant to last
it was built to be an answer
The cathedral was constructed with the hopes of providing a solution or relief from the pains of life
take from it what you can
A reminder that the cathedral holds different meanings for different people, depending on their experiences and perspectives
Contributed by Victoria S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yay
It's hard to describe, but this band captures the Death / Doom Metal sound better than any other band for me. The guitars are just crushing, I hope they make more albums!
S BO
They are really good. Maybe try Mournful Congregation - june frost
Niloy
Draconian!
todd tizzod
Novembers Doom
bmx687
Koroar what about slumber?
DeathlikeSilence
These guys definitely deserve more recognition. Their sound is pretty damn good.
Krondelo
They have become my favorite band!
The Meadowlark Minute with Paul Meadowlark
Krondelo Me too. I honestly think they are the greatest of all time.
JustTiff
the lyrics just speak to me in so many levels. i love the line ,"in the dark we must build an answer". i love this band!
Tal Adler
Every winter I come back to this album. Pure magic!