The band started out playing death metal. They changed their style after their first demo tape Introduction in 1992, became a classical/medieval/metal band and produced two albums dealing with the seer Michel de Notredame in the dark days of The Black Plague in Europe. The album And Thou Shalt Trust... The Seer marked their breakthrough in 1997. After their second album Awaking The Centuries, they toured through Mexico twice. They are quite famous and well known in South America, almost more so than in Germany. In 2004 they released their third album Eppur si muove; the theme of which is about the life of the famous Italian scholar Galileo Galilei.
Just before their album Awaking The Centuries the band had its highest number of musicians at 21. Currently the ensemble consists of 16 musicians. All their songs are written by vocalist and guitarist Asis Nasseri.
An album named Grimm was announced for release by the end of 2012, although still hadn't been released by 2023.
Current Musicians:
Asis Nasseri - Vocals, Guitar (1991-)
Luz Marsen - Drums, Kettledrums (1991-)
Fiffi Fuhrmann - Tenor, Crumhorn, Bassoon (1994-)
Hans Wolf - Piano, Harpsichord, Keyboards, Organ (1994-)
Steffi Hertz - Viola (1994-)
Michael Stapf - Violin, Piccolo (1994, 2000-)
Claudio Quarta - Guitar (2000-)
Veronika Kramheller - Soprano (2003-)
Susanne Ehlers - Soprano (2004-)
Tom - Tenor
Johannes Schleiermacher - Cello (2004-)
Ivica Percinlie - Contrabass (2004-)
Michael Schumm - Timpani, Bells, Classical percussion (2004-)
Giacomo Astorri - Bass (Infernal Angels)
Ingrid Nietzer - Piano, Harpsichord, Keyboards, Organ
Manuela Kraller - Soprano (Xandria, Nagor Mar)
Ally Storch-Hukriede - Violin (Ally the Fiddle)
Patricia Krug - Cello
Ferinda - Cello
Anna Batke - Flute
Catalina - Flute
Linda Antonetti - Oboe, Flute
Andreas Fuchs - French horn, Percussion
www.haggard.de
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On These Endless Fields
Haggard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In clad and chain armor
March into battle
Man against man
Sword against sword
Hammer and axe against shield
Mortal screams pierce the cold air
As steel meets flesh and the strong rule the weak
And then, a great rains set in
And but for a moment it seemed
As if all the blood had been cleanse by the Gods
The lyrics of Haggard's song "On These Endless Fields" depict a war zone where knights on horseback, clad in heavy armor, march into battle. Man fights against man, swords, hammers, and axes clash against shields in a war that has left the fields endless. The banners fly high as the screams of mortals pierce the cold air, and the strong rule the weak as steel meets flesh.
The song seems to capture the essence of a medieval battle, portraying the violence, chaos, and bloodshed that accompany such an event. However, the song also implies a certain amount of nihilism, suggesting that the fighting may be pointless, and the battlefield never-ending. The war has reduced the fields to an endless plain of blood and destruction, and even though the storm may come and wash the blood away, the violence is never truly over.
Overall, "On These Endless Fields," is a powerful commentary on the senselessness of war and the brutality of human conflict. Through its lyrics, Haggard has captured the essence of a medieval battlefield and woven it into a tale of death, destruction, and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Their horses heavy
The horses used by the soldiers are sturdy and well-built.
In clad and chain armor
The soldiers are wearing protective armor made of metal plates and chain links.
March into battle
The soldiers are moving forward towards the battle zone with focused determination.
Man against man
The battle is fought between individual soldiers who are determined to overpower their opponents.
Sword against sword
The soldiers are using sharp swords to strike against their opponents' swords and inflict damage.
Hammer and axe against shield
Some soldiers are using powerful hammer and axe strikes to break through the shields of their opponents.
Let the banners fly high
The victorious soldiers are raising their banners high to celebrate their triumph over their enemies.
Mortal screams pierce the cold air
The sounds of dying soldiers screaming in pain can be heard in the chilly atmosphere of the battle zone.
As steel meets flesh and the strong rule the weak
The soldiers who are skilled and strong in their combat abilities are dominating over their weaker opponents as they strike with their steel weapons.
And then, a great rains set in
Suddenly, a heavy rain shower begins to pour from the skies.
And but for a moment it seemed
For a brief time, it appeared as though something important was about to happen.
As if all the blood had been cleanse by the Gods
It seemed like the rain was washing away all the bloodshed and viciousness of the battle, as if the Gods were purifying the land.
Contributed by Maya K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.