Isole started up under the name Forlorn back in 1990 with two sole members Crister and Daniel. Some demo tapes were recorded under the 90's. Then the band went into hibernation a couple of years mostly because troubles with members quitting or living elsewhere. In 2003 record label I Hate Records contacted them and wanted to sign Forlorn, and we wanted a fresh start after the hibernation and changed name to Isole. A debut album "Forevermore" was released in early 2005 and was followed up with a 7" "The Beyond" in the beginning of 2006. The second album "Throne of Void" with a little bit darker sound than the critically acclaimed debut "Forevermore" and was released summer 2006. In 2008 they released the utterly slow and mournful "Bliss Of Solitude". "Silent Ruins", out February 2009, is their second album released by Napalm Records. "Silent Ruins", continues to forge forth in the tradition of the previous albums. The swedes once again indulge in their heart-sickened and somber brand of Doom Metal that only finds solace in a perfectly placed portion of deadly black epic. Profound compositions, hypnotic arrangements, and heavy flowing riffs, that not unlike molten lava slowly yet inexorably pull the listener down into its depths, are the core elements comprising this album. Gustavo Sazes (Firewind, Serenity) once again lends his artistic know-how to graphically convey a feeling of utter despair and isolation, while Peter In de Betou (Amon Amarth, Draconian, Arch Enemy) takes on the darkly work's mastering responsibilities. Rarely before have hopelessness and despair found such an elegant and becoming sound, making "Silent Ruins" a dark jewel that will not only appeal to the die-hard Doom Metal fan.
Black Hours
Isole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coldness sweeps my soul
All lies in
Silence
Far below
The starry sky
A forlorn journey
From where
Have I come?
Is this all
There will be?
My memories
Are leaving scars
Please lift this pain
Off from my heart
Desperate hours of black
With this pain devouring
All my strength
To go on
All my will
To exist
My memories
Are leaving scars
Please lift this pain
Off from my heart
The lyrics to Isole's song Black Hours express feelings of loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. The first verse sets the mood with the endless plains of grey, which represents a bleak and empty landscape. This is accompanied by the coldness that sweeps the author's soul, symbolizing a profound sense of emptiness and loneliness. The mention of silence evokes a sense of emptiness and isolation. The starry sky is used to express the singer's distance from the rest of the world.
The second verse expresses a feeling of being lost and aimless, as the singer is on a path to nowhere without knowing where they came from or where they are going. The repetition of the phrase "Is this all there will be?" emphasizes the sense of hopelessness and resignation. The pain of the memories leaving scars is a reference to the singer's past, and the need to lift this pain off from their heart shows vulnerability and longing for relief.
The chorus describes the desperate hours of black, which could be interpreted as moments of depression and despair where the pain is devouring all the strength, and the will to go on is disappearing. The author is asking for help and relief, with a plea to lift the pain off their heart. The repetition of the phrase "my memories are leaving scars" is a reminder of the past's influence and the need to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Endless plains of grey
I am in a desolate place with no hope or joy.
Coldness sweeps my soul
My inner self is numb to any emotion or feeling.
All lies in silence
There is no sound or activity around me.
Far below the starry sky
I feel disconnected from the beauty and vastness of the universe.
A forlorn journey
I am traveling alone with no direction or purpose.
On a path to nowhere
There is no destination or goal in my journey.
From where have I come?
I am unsure of my past or what led me to this point.
Is this all there will be?
I question if my existence will always be this empty and meaningless.
My memories are leaving scars
The pain and trauma from my past is affecting me deeply and causing me harm.
Please lift this pain off from my heart
I wish for my emotional wounds to heal and for the pain to dissipate.
Desperate hours of black
I am in a state of desperation and despair that feels all-consuming.
With this pain devouring all my strength
The agony I feel is draining me of all energy and vitality.
To go on, all my will to exist
It takes all my effort and determination to keep going and find a reason to live.
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.