Mantle
GAEREA Lyrics


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Birth opens the gate of death
Between the sentence lies the path of life
Traveled by all sentient beings
All are born
All will die

The unnameable state determined by illness
Stockpile of gathered karmas
We must pass through this enviable state
Feeling that something is oddly off

In extremis believers
Surreal poetic flaw

Terrifying, fascinating, magnificent mystery
Everything achieved 10000 years ago
Dictated on a snuff tape
With a conflicting end
Impenetrable, forbidden vest of lies

The sounds and smells
That made me forget
A cheap solution
To block our regrets
Sailing alone
The frozen rivers
Surrounded by legions of souls
But yet all alone
Trapped within
This solitude world
Haunted by memories of foretime
Running miles
With nowhere to go
A meaningless life
A Broadway show

Screaming for help
Does anyone hear?
Echoes in our heads
What does serenity mean?
Hope is an illusion
An optimist's prediction

Overall Meaning

In GAEREA's song "Mantle," the lyrics explore the existential themes of life, death, suffering, and the human condition. The opening lines, "Birth opens the gate of death, Between the sentence lies the path of life," suggest that birth is the beginning of a journey that ultimately leads to death, and that the meaning of life is found in the space between these two inevitabilities. This path is traveled by all sentient beings, highlighting the shared experience of existence and mortality.


The lyrics then delve into the concept of an "unnameable state determined by illness" and a "stockpile of gathered karmas." These lines suggest a state of suffering and discomfort brought about by illness or negative experiences, which is something that all individuals must endure. The mention of feeling that "something is oddly off" implies a sense of unease and disconnection from one's surroundings.


The song then shifts gears to describe believers in a state of extremis, painting a picture of surreal poetic imperfection. This suggests that even in moments of intense devotion or vulnerability, there is an incompleteness or flaw that permeates our existence.


The lyrics further explore the mystery and fascination of life and its achievements, including the idea that everything we accomplish in our lives has already been dictated on a "snuff tape" with a conflicting end. This implies a sense of predetermined fate or an ultimate paradox in our endeavors.


Overall, the lyrics of "Mantle" present a complex and introspective reflection on the human experience, highlighting the fragility and fleeting nature of life, our shared struggles, and the enigmatic and perplexing aspects of existence.


Line by Line Meaning

Birth opens the gate of death
The beginning of life leads to the inevitability of death


Between the sentence lies the path of life
Life exists within the journey between birth and death


Traveled by all sentient beings
Every living being experiences this journey


All are born
Every living being enters existence


All will die
Every living being will eventually cease to exist


The unnameable state determined by illness
An indescribable condition caused by sickness


Stockpile of gathered karmas
An accumulation of actions and consequences


We must pass through this enviable state
We are obligated to endure this desirable or envied condition


Feeling that something is oddly off
Sensing that something is strangely wrong


In extremis believers
Those who have strong faith even in the most extreme circumstances


Surreal poetic flaw
An artistic imperfection with a dreamlike quality


Terrifying, fascinating, magnificent mystery
A mixture of fear, intrigue, and awe-inspiring wonder


Everything achieved 10000 years ago
All accomplishments from the distant past


Dictated on a snuff tape
Recorded on a cassette tape that symbolizes death or destruction


With a conflicting end
Having a contradictory or opposing conclusion


Impenetrable, forbidden vest of lies
An impenetrable and prohibited layer of falsehoods


The sounds and smells
Auditory and olfactory sensations


That made me forget
Causing me to temporarily lose awareness


A cheap solution
An inexpensive resolution or remedy


To block our regrets
In order to hinder our feelings of remorse


Sailing alone
Navigating through life in solitude


The frozen rivers
Metaphorical waterways that are stagnant or motionless


Surrounded by legions of souls
Being encompassed by countless spirits or individuals


But yet all alone
However, still feeling isolated


Trapped within
Confined or imprisoned by


This solitude world
The world of isolation or solitariness


Haunted by memories of foretime
Tormented by recollections of the past


Running miles
Covering great distances


With nowhere to go
Having no destination or purpose


A meaningless life
An existence devoid of significance


A Broadway show
A theatrical production epitomizing grandeur or spectacle


Screaming for help
Desperately calling out for assistance


Does anyone hear?
Is there anyone listening or paying attention?


Echoes in our heads
Repetitions of thoughts or memories within our minds


What does serenity mean?
How can we define or understand tranquility?


Hope is an illusion
Believing in a positive outcome is deceptive or unreal


An optimist's prediction
A hopeful perspective or forecast from someone with a positive attitude




Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@cringelorddivine9337

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Birth opens the gate of death
Between the sentence lies the path of life
Traveled by all sentient beings
All are born
All will die

[Verse 2]
The unnameable state determined by illness
Stockpile of gathered karmas
We must pass through this enviable state
Feeling that something is oddly off

[Pre-Chorus]
In extremis believers
Surreal poetic flaw

[Chorus]
Terrifying, fascinating, magnificent mystery
Everything achieved 10000 years ago
Dictated on a snuff tape
With a conflicting end
Impenetrable, forbidden vest of lies

[Verse 3]
The sounds and smells
That made me forget
A cheap solution
To block our regrets
Sailing alone
The frozen rivers
Surrounded by legions of souls
But yet all alone
Trapped within
This solitude world
Haunted by memories of foretime
Running miles
With nowhere to go
A meaningless life
A Broadway show

[Outro]
Screaming for help
Does anyone hear?
Echoes in our heads
What does serenity mean?
Hope is an illusion
An optimist′s prediction



All comments from YouTube:

@seasonofmist

Gaerea comments: "A terrifying, fascinating and magnificent mystery of how, between all forms of random life, we were the chosen ones to suffer, to carry a burden we never truly recognize as our own to keep and die for. An ultimate poem of how life dances an endless "Valsa" with death, unmasked, falling in love for their creations as the floor is made out of bone fragments."

@Fernthestoic

Profound...

@heidrunpyschny1439

Undankbar sehr eine gute

@DanielWilliams-bm2xt

It may sound trite, but I was really into black metal for a long time, 1990s - 2010. Maybe I got tired of it. Maybe it just got mundane or, worst of all, normal. Gaerea is bringing me back to the beauty and the power. Thank you.

@4evam3

Damn you guys, I was already so fucking depressed... but this shit hurts

@jinagibson6818

🤧

5 More Replies...

@jasonysco6358

Something about the atmosphere Gaerea creates when they perform touches the darkest part of my soul, the pain I've carried within my heart throughout my years on this earth, the loss, the pain, the love, the hate all of it finds a voice through their music, I will forever love this band.

@julienberger4554

The best way to describe it, I totally agree

@opticwiddly5263

Probly the asmodee sigil masks

@jasonysco6358

Asmoday, the God of Lust, Violence Anger, Revenge, and so many other Human Traits, His Sigil represents the Epitome of the Human Being,
I believe Gaerea understands this quite well.

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