Elegeion arose from the ashes of the underground Australian Black Metal band Greydawn in 1995 under the name Transcendence, consisting of Anthony Kwan and James Wallbridge. Although Elegeion's style predominantly reflects that of mournful doom, many of the early tracks were in fact written and played in black metal style throughout 1993-1994 with Greydawn.
1996 saw the release of the demo of epic proportions "Induction to eternal rest..." which gave rise to interest from several European labels, tape traders and magazines worldwide. 1997 saw the demo's release on MCD by Candlelight Records under the title "Odyssey into darkness" and the new band name Elegeion. The EP was aptly described as "gothic / classical metal with the emphasis on trance-like, hypnotic riffs with powerful operatic female vocals and mournful violins". Subsequent reviews and advertising followed in both mainstream and underground fanzines worldwide. Sales of the demo were in excess of 2000 units.
In 1998/99, rehearsal and demo tapes of the new album were recorded. In 2000, differences in musical direction resulted in Elegeion consisting solely of Anthony, although past collaborations with James still feature in recent works. With a lack of Australian musicians who sympathized with this direction in music, the rest of the line up consists of Dieudonnee on vocals and session musicians on drums / percussion, cello and violin. Having undying passion and conviction behind the concept and direction of Elegeion, Anthony believes that working solo with selected musicians who are masters of their trade has proven to be the strongest and most effective line-up yet.
The year 2000 saw Elegeion travel interstate and enter the supreme Nesci Recordings studio for two months to record the ultra-emotive epic album "Through the Eyes of Regret". Recorded, mixed and produced by the eccentric old man Tony Nesci, of Henry Rollins, Chalice and Long Voyage Back fame, the album has a world standard production, full of warmth and character.
In 2002, Elegeion recorded an as yet unreleased single entitled "For Blacker Things", featuring a temporary regression back to black metal roots, with guest vocals by ex-Greydawn and Hellspawn vocalist Morbius Warseth.
2003-2004 saw a creative collaboration with Dieudonnee and former member James, which resulted in Elegeion re-entering Nesci Studios in March to record their 3rd epic "The Last Moment". The album takes you deeper into the bands unrelenting descent into the boundless pit of despair. And, although like the Loch ness Monster, this band rarely raise their heads above the black murky depths to bring an offering to the surface, you will see that this new chapter in the Elegeion journey is well worth the wait. It features supreme artwork by Travis Smith of Katatonia, Death and Opeth fame, Justin Hartwig from Chalice on lead guitar and exceptional violin and cello passages.
The quest of Elegeion is to transcend all existing boundaries of aestheticism, capture the darkest of all emotions and delve through the forgotten recesses of the mind. This music is for those seeking to surpass the musical ambit and redefine its boundaries. Although this quest may never be ultimately achieved, it will never be abandoned. Hopefully, it can only inspire and temporarily satisfy the ears of those searching for the ultimate emotive experience...but until then, listen...
Heaven's Torment
Elegeion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hiding in the wounds
Heaven though you were an angel
Desperately concerned
How did you know you weren't the one for me?
It's my choice to be alone now
Sick inside
With every tear that you offer?
How can I let you go?
When I need you to
Lie with me
Cry with me
Die with me
Stay with me
Dream with me
Confide in me
Bleed with me
Confused in silence, innocent
Holding onto the inside
Of the wound
Heaven left me to my torment
Sent to die
When you're waiting, I'm nothing
But an empty prayer
How can I turn away
With every tear that you offer?
How can I let you go?
When I need you to
Lie with me
Cry with me
Die with me
Stay with me
Dream with me
Confide in me
Bleed with me
The lyrics of Elegeion's song Heaven's Torment explore the intricacies of a complicated relationship. On the surface, it seems that the singer has found someone he cares about deeply, but circumstances have made it impossible for them to be together. The first stanza sets the scene by revealing that when the singer found his love interest, they were innocent and hidden away, like a wound. He believed they were an angel, but something was holding them back. The singer is then left confused by the fact that his lover seems to know that they can't be together, and he's left alone with his pain.
The chorus of the song is where the singer reveals the depth of his feelings. He asks how he can turn away from someone who is in pain and needs him so badly. Despite being unable to be together as a couple, the singer needs his lover to be with him in other ways. He wants them to lie with him, cry with him, die with him, stay with him, dream with him, confide in him, and bleed with him. These lyrics suggest that the singer's desire for his lover goes beyond physical attraction and is more about the emotional bond they share.
The second verse adds more detail to the story by showing that the singer himself is also suffering. Heaven has left him to his torment, and he feels like an empty prayer when he's waiting for his lover. This line suggests that he's struggling with his faith or spirituality and that his lover was a source of comfort in a time of need. Ultimately, the lyrics of Heaven's Torment express the pain of being unable to be with someone you care about deeply and the emotional toll that takes on a person.
Line by Line Meaning
When I found you, you were innocent
When I met you, you were pure and untainted
Hiding in the wounds
You were hiding in your pain and suffering
Heaven thought you were an angel
Even the divine believed you to be an angelic being
Desperately concerned
I was greatly worried and anxious about you
How did you know you weren't the one for me?
I wonder if you sensed that we weren't meant to be together
It's my choice to be alone now
I have made the decision to be on my own at this point
Sick inside
I am deeply troubled and disturbed inside
How can I turn away
With every tear that you offer?
How can I ignore you and your pain when you offer me your tears?
How can I let you go?
When I need you to
How can I move on from you when I still need you?
Lie with me
Cry with me
Die with me
Stay with me
Dream with me
Confide in me
Bleed with me
Be there for me in every way possible; be my companion in all aspects of my life
Confused in silence, innocent
Holding onto the inside
Of the wound
Feeling lost and innocent, holding onto the pain within
Heaven left me to my torment
Sent to die
Even though I am suffering, it feels like heaven has forsaken me and left me to die
When you're waiting, I'm nothing
But an empty prayer
When you are hoping for me to come to you, I feel as though I am nothing but a prayer with no substance
Contributed by Jayce C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.