Ice Ages is an electro-industrial project from Vienna, Austria, founded in … Read Full Bio ↴Ice Ages is an electro-industrial project from Vienna, Austria, founded in 1994 by Richard Lederer, known for darkwave band Die Verbannten Kinder Evas and black metal band Summoning.
In 1997, the first Ice Ages album, titled "Strike the Ground", was released. In contrast to the orchestral and melancholic atmosphere of Die Verbannten Kinder Evas or the fantasy world of Summoning, this project takes a more aggressive and darker turn.

The second album to be released on Napalm Records in late 2000, "This Killing Emptiness", follows the style of the debut. However, it boasts of a superior sound quality and a more mature writing style that blends ominously with the ever-present deep and distorted voice (and sometimes raw and clearer voice) of Richard Lederer.

In opposite to other releases of the electro scene, the rhythmical structure is more complicated and the tunes are more polyphonic. The aim of Ice Ages is to follow its own typical dark, melodic and sluggish way, and not to follow any modern trends.

After some serious problems with his other projects his whole musical productivity got a huge undesired rest. Anyway this time was not lost, during that time Richard started to deal very intensely with new software synthesizers (mainly with "Reaktor 5") to get more sound possibilities and a wider flexibility of sound creation for Ice Ages. Filled with all those experiences he started to create the new songs in a short time and finally after a delay of 7 years the new album "Buried Silence" is almost completed. The lyrics are again written by Grom, but this time they are especially written for the music, having not existed before and adapted to the music as on the last album.

The new songs follow the style of "This Killing Emptiness"; they are again very dark, slow, and melodic, with a heavy distorted drum-sound, but this time maybe using rougher melodic sounds in most songs and also even increasing in the complexity of the rhythms. the new album will be released end of june again under napalm records.

Essential Loss
Ice Ages Lyrics

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Unseen is what you are
Though unveil before the juices of scorn
Consume your sad remains
No purpose has promised you salvation

[Refrain]
A big restless struggle evolves
A desperate game

No way to resist

And as I am watching you die
My limbs are tied up
My spirit revolts

[Strophe]
Reckless the gratefulness
It?s grinding on every pure decision
Reason obliterate
The towers of further inclinations

[Refrain]
A big restless struggle evolves
A desperate game
No way to resist

And as I am watching you die
My limbs are tied up
My spirit revolts

A big restless struggle evolves
Eradicate now
Oh failure so sweet

And as I am watching you die
The universe glows
The essential loss

[by Lorenz Graf]

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Ice Ages's "Essential Loss" express the feeling of invisibility and being unrecognized or undervalued by others, despite being laid bare before them. The following line speaks of the "juices of scorn" consuming the person's "sad remains," suggesting that this lack of recognition has led to feelings of failure, defeat, and despair. The refrain delves into the bigger picture of the person's predicament, suggesting that they are caught in a desperate struggle in which they can see no way out.

The second verse adds to this sense of hopelessness, with the lyrics suggesting there is no point in trying to pursue one's goals or ambitions as there is no guarantee of success. The phrase "reckless gratefulness" speaks to a feeling of futility in trying to do the right thing or make good decisions. As the refrain repeats, the words "no way to resist" become more ominous, emphasizing the inescapability of the situation - whatever it may be.

The final verse introduces a new element, as the singer notes that they are watching someone else die as they remain tied up and powerless to intervene. The universe "glows" and there is an "essential loss," which could be interpreted as the loss of this person's life and a sense of emptiness left in their wake.

Overall, "Essential Loss" explores themes of powerlessness, despair, and the struggle to stay afloat in difficult circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

Unseen is what you are
You are invisible, obscured from sight

Though unveil before the juices of scorn
However, when exposed to the criticism of others, you become visible

Consume your sad remains
The negativity erodes your emotional state

No purpose has promised you salvation
No goal or objective will bring you salvation

A big restless struggle evolves
A significant, ongoing battle ensues

A desperate game
A hopeless fight for survival

No way to resist
You have no ability to fight back

And as I am watching you die
As you face defeat and failure

My limbs are tied up
I am powerless to act

My spirit revolts
My inner self is protesting