Formed by Claes Strängberg and his brother Per in 2004, Immanu El was joined by Michael Persson and Emil Karlsson soonafter where they began to work on their first release.
The band name, Immanu El, is a play on words (of sorts) on the Hebrew Bible's prophecy of Immanuel, the prophesied Messiah, and the Semetic word for God, El (deity), and "with us" (Immanu). The band's name takes on even deeper meaning in light of the Judeo-Christian philosophies of Jesus being simultaneously the Jewish Messiah and God in one.
After touring, supporting such bands as Logh and Loney, Dear they got the chance in 2005 to play a set on the 'Rookie Stage' in the Hultsfred Festival; an opportunity for unsigned bands to perform at a major event.
They released their first EP titled Killerwhale, before being signed to And the Sound Records in 2006. The following year, Immanu El recorded and released their first full-length album They'll Come, They Come. Building on the success of their first album they released their second album Moen in 2009, followed by In Passage in 2011.
Conquistador
Immanu El Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
fails your speech
your eyes
wanders off
despite your skills
you shiver like a leaf
behind your walls
behind your words
In time
we are floating and fading like a dream
in time
we are woken by morning light
By now
you've reached your top
alone you
fought your war
despite your strength
all you conquered
turns to dust
Inside
like when spring breaks
your ice is melting off
inside
you are closer to clear away your weight
The lyrics to Immanu El's song Conquistador provide an introspective look at the internal struggle of an individual, highlighting the idea that despite external conquests, triumphs or strengths, one may still feel weak, vulnerable, and uncertain. The verses focus on the individual's demeanor- their voice fails, eyes wander, and they shiver despite their skills. In the chorus, the lyrics shift to a broader perspective, focusing on the inevitability of time and how it causes us to float and fade like a dream, only to be woken by morning light. The lyrics also symbolize the idea that time heals and that everything ultimately fades away, including the things we may have conquered.
By the second verse, the lyrics of Immanu El's "Conquistador" focus directly on the individual, reminding them that despite all of their efforts and achievements, in the end, everything they conquered turns to dust. The metaphor emphasized by the line, "like when spring breaks, your ice is melting off," alludes to the idea of personal transformation and rebirth, as we shed the old parts of ourselves to make way for a newer and more evolved version. Ultimately, the song's meaning comes full circle as it brings the focus back on the individual and their ability to clear away their weight and find inner strength and clarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Your voice
The way you speak
fails your speech
Is not conveying what you intend to communicate
your eyes
Your gaze
wanders off
Looks away aimlessly
despite your skills
Even though you have abilities
you shiver like a leaf
You're nervous and trembling
behind your walls
You're hiding who you truly are
behind your words
Your statements don't express your real thoughts
In time
As time goes by
we are floating and fading like a dream
We are moving forward and disappearing like a vague memory
in time
Eventually
we are woken by morning light
We wake up to the new day and what it brings
By now
At present
you've reached your top
You've achieved the highest point
alone you
Without others
fought your war
Struggled against adversaries
despite your strength
Even though you're powerful
all you conquered
Everything you won
turns to dust
Eventually disappears
Inside
Within yourself
like when spring breaks
Like ice melting after cold weather
your ice is melting off
Your coldness is fading away
inside
Your inner world
you are closer to clear away your weight
You're getting closer to overcoming your burdens
Contributed by Xavier I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.