Their debut album "Elyria" was released in 1993 and was followed by "Annwyn, Beneath The Waves" in 1996, in part a concept album based around the four elements. 1999 saw the release of their third album, "Evidence of Heaven". In 2001, "Vera Causa" a 2 CD set featuring a live permormance and various rarities was released. "The Burning Season" followed in 2004, and featured a more rock oriented formula. They continued to explore the boundaries of Gothic Rock with their 2009 album, :ankoku butoh: , an album which saw them delve into far-east Asian aesthetics.
Faith and the Muse currently live in Los Angeles, California, USA. Their website is http://www.mercyground.com
Plague Dance
Faith and the Muse Lyrics
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The horror that a hero may inspire when a hero falls and all the secrets of a life
Flood in and slink away the terror breath in breast gone too sane
Closing the gap between heaven and earth
Failure succeeds at last to bring you down
Persuaded somehow to undergo dissection to promote the legend
A Tantarian Lamb torn piece by piece the prayers released
Divine or diabolical the vacant face of youth
Powdered and rouged the Monster in its place Playing god on stage
So talented at wretchedness search Cities of Refuge
All eyes dim past the empty seat of the honored guest
The lyrics of Faith and the Muse's Plague Dance describe the fall from grace of a hero, whose secrets flood in and terrify them to the point of losing their sanity. The ragged dances they suffer represent the payment owed to nature for their previous triumphs. Despite their previous successes, failure ultimately brings them down. The hero is persuaded to undergo dissection to promote their legend, a process that leaves them torn apart piece-by-piece like a sacrificial lamb. The lyrics suggest that there is a fine line between the divine and the diabolical, and that the hero's face, which was once seen as vacant, becomes monstrous after their descent.
The song also discusses the concept of playing God on stage and being talented at wretchedness. The lyrics mention searching for Cities of Refuge, which may refer to the Old Testament practice of providing protection for those who unintentionally caused harm. The final lines of the song describe how all eyes fade away from the honored guest's empty seat, suggesting that the hero is ultimately forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Suffer the ragged dances the supreme debt to Nature
Endure the unrefined movements that must be performed as payment to the natural cycle of life and death.
The horror that a hero may inspire when a hero falls and all the secrets of a life
The terror that a fallen hero can evoke when their life's hidden truths are exposed.
Flood in and slink away the terror breath in breast gone too sane
The overwhelming fear that rushes in and then recedes, while the person's once-calm breaths become erratic.
Closing the gap between heaven and earth
The act of bridging the chasm that lies between the divine and the mundane.
Failure succeeds at last to bring you down
Inevitably, repeated failure will result in a final, crushing defeat.
Persuaded somehow to undergo dissection to promote the legend
Convinced by some means to endure scrutiny in order to elevate their public persona.
A Tantarian Lamb torn piece by piece the prayers released
A sacrificial lamb painfully and slowly taken apart as the observers pray for its release from suffering.
Divine or diabolical the vacant face of youth
The pure countenances of young people may be either heavenly or sinister in nature.
Powdered and rouged the Monster in its place Playing god on stage
The hideously transformed creature assumed its role as deity and executed its will before an audience.
So talented at wretchedness search Cities of Refuge
Experts at performative distress might seek out protective havens from their real-life tribulations.
All eyes dim past the empty seat of the honored guest
All the attention fades away from the once-respected individual's vacated spot.
Contributed by Alexander M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.