Chapel's inspiration for the name Demians came from the novel Demian by author Hermann Hesse, and his musical inspiration came from a variety of artists and sources, ranging from Radiohead to Tori Amos to ambient music.
Chapel plays all instruments and performs all vocals on the first two Demians studio albums, though he performs live with a full band. All Demians releases have been self-produced and recorded in Chapel's home studios, the locations of which have changed from album to album.
Demians' first studio album Building an Empire was released on May 19, 2008 to positive reviews. The success of Building an Empire led Chapel to assemble a live band with Gaël Hallier (drums) and Antoine Pohu (bass), and they subsequently were granted opening slots for several well-known rock and metal bands, including Oceansize, Anathema, Aviv Geffen, and Jonathan Davis of Korn. They toured throughout Europe, playing more than 40 shows in more than 12 countries.
The follow-up entitled "Mute" came out on June 28th, 2010. Chapel once again performed all instruments and vocals on the album, with two guests, Gaël Hallier playing drums on "Swing Of The Airwaves" and "Hesitation Waltz", and Lepolair playing electronics on the song "Porcelain".
Very different from its predecessor, the album once again gathered excellent reviews worldwide, and brought the band's music to a wider audience.
Nicolas Chapel chose not to tour after the release of the album, focusing on production works. He got involved in the soundtrack of the movie "L'Apprenti Père Noël" with French singer Arthur H, and is currently producing various artists in the studio he created during the recording sessions of "Mute".
In late 2010, he officially joined the Metal band Vetha as their bass player, with fellow bandmate Gaël Hallier as their drummer.
Fred Mariolle officially joined Demians as a guitar player after the release of "Mute".
In June 2011, the band announced that they have started working on their third album and a dvd to be released in the Spring of 2012, the members of the live band being now involved in the recording process.
Discography
Building an Empire (2008)
Mute (2010)
Untitled new album, TBA (2012)
Band members
Nicolas Chapel - vocals, guitar, piano, and all instruments on studio recordings
Antoine Pohu - bass guitar
Gaël Hallier - drums
Fred Mariolle - guitars
Sapphire
Demians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
from this inner cage i made my body
my son is staring at a sun that's still to come
but go figure it all
was it worth searching far beyond?
scratching the surface
from this inner grave i built my country
but go figure it all
was it worth waiting for so long
to become the stone?
follow me here, i'm on my way back
crimson, we've become the stone and my time may come
to see the man i've become
and follow the child inside until he's grown up
before he goes away
memories and expectations
all is moving in so similar ways
small rooms or huge surroundings
there's no use when you are the missing
i think i'm getting used to the fear of getting used to you
i think we're getting used to the fear of living for two
follow me here i'm on my way back home
you can bury me here or take my hand back stronger
The song "Sapphire" by Demians tells a story about the inner struggles of a person who feels trapped in a cage built by themselves. The first verse talks about how the singer has made their body an inner cage from which they are feeding the machine. This can be seen as a metaphor for being stuck in a routine or job that is draining and takes away from their true passions. The next line mentions their son staring at a sun that's still to come, which could mean that they don't want their son to be trapped in the same cycle they are in.
The second verse shifts to talk about an inner grave the singer has built, maybe to bury their feelings or emotions. They mention finally finding the one they belong with and the question of figuring it all out after waiting for so long. The lines "to become the stone" could mean that they have become hardened and emotionless due to the walls they have built around themselves. The singer then calls out to follow them, as they head back, and says that they have become the stone. This could indicate that they have overcome their internal struggle and become stronger.
The chorus talks about memories and expectations and how everything is moving in similar ways. The line "there's no use when you are the missing" could mean that even though they are physically present, they feel like something is missing. The last two lines of the song suggest that the singer is getting used to the fear of living with someone else, and then asks to be buried where they are or taken back home stronger.
Overall, "Sapphire" is a song about overcoming internal struggles and becoming stronger through them. It talks about building walls and cages around oneself, but also finding love and figuring out what is truly important.
Line by Line Meaning
feeding the machine
Giving in to negative thoughts and emotions that feed the inner demons
from this inner cage i made my body
Being trapped in a self-made cage of negative thoughts and emotions that manifests in physical form
my son is staring at a sun that's still to come
Looking towards the future with hope and anticipation
but go figure it all
Despite everything, the situation remains inexplicable and difficult to comprehend
was it worth searching far beyond?
Questioning whether the search for something more was worth the sacrifice and struggle
scratching the surface
Only scratching the surface of one's potential and true self due to self-doubt and negativity
from this inner grave i built my country
Having built a life and identity around negativity and self-doubt
my love, i finally found the one i belong to
Finding self-love and acceptance through the struggle
was it worth waiting for so long to become the stone?
Asking if the wait and struggle to find self-love and acceptance was worth it, despite the hardened exterior it may have created
follow me here, i'm on my way back
Encouraging others to follow their path to self-love and acceptance, despite the struggle
crimson, we've become the stone and my time may come
Referring to the transformation of negative thoughts into something unbreakable, and acknowledging the impermanence of life
to see the man i've become
Reflecting on the journey of self-discovery and accepting oneself as they are
and follow the child inside until he's grown up
Encouraging the continued nurturing and growth of one's inner child, until they become the best version of themselves
before he goes away
Before the inner child fades away and is lost forever
memories and expectations
Reflecting on past experiences and aiming for something better in the future
all is moving in so similar ways
Acknowledging the parallels between past and present experiences
small rooms or huge surroundings
No matter the setting or circumstance, the struggle remains the same
there's no use when you are the missing
No matter the effort, if self-love and acceptance is missing, the struggle will continue
i think i'm getting used to the fear of getting used to you
Becoming accustomed to the fear and self-doubt that was once overwhelming
i think we're getting used to the fear of living for two
Acclimating to the idea of living not only for oneself, but also for the betterment of another
follow me here i'm on my way back home
Leading others on the path towards self-love and acceptance, towards a place of true belonging and comfort
you can bury me here or take my hand back stronger
The struggle may be difficult, but it can also make one stronger and more resilient
Contributed by Aria O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.