Both are from a small town called Aurland in Norway. Christer Andresen was founding member of the long-lived metal band Madam Curie (1988-1998). This band toured Norway a lot, but never released a proper album ever. Arild Aardalen was member of Protos Nemesis (techno-rock) and Alien Love Gardeners (pop-rock). During the summer of 2005, after having played in various bands and projects for about 10 years, Chris and Arild decided to embark on a musical project of their own. They wanted to focus primarily on the songwriting this time, and not so much the band concept. The goal was to write a great album, record it, and get it relesaed. Though the musical expression of Keldian was explored in different directions, they quickly ended up on a melodic and powerful style of metal heavily inspired by a lot of the legends from the 80's. After about two weeks of writing and pre-production recordings, a very rough demo-version of their debut album "Heaven's Gate" was finished. For different reasons, the project was now laid to rest for about a year. They picked up the ball again early summer 2006. With a fresh perspective, the demo-versions of the songs were revieved. Most of them were re-worked and a couple of them were cut from the record completely. Keldian is the first project by Christer and Arild. Christer played all the guitars and did the majority of the vocal work. Arild did all the keyboards and some vocal work, he also engineered and produced the album. Their debut album "Heaven's Gate" features Jorn Holen from the norwegian black-metal bands Vreid and Windir. He is friend with Christer since there high school days. Album also features Maja Svisdahl, Gunhild Matea Olaussen and Mats Rybo. Maja is a singer/songwriter in Norway. She makes folk/country/pop inspired music. She has a very beutiful voice. Gunhild is a violin player of norwegian band called black metal band "Pantheon I" and Mats is singer from "The Fabulous Lightbulb Society". The "Heaven's Gate" album is basic 80's Scandinavian beautiful hard rock and has a lot of good melody that hits your heart. "Heaven's Gate" was released in Japan with a Japanese edit of Plains of Forever (track 10) and Japan bonus track "Hope".
Blood Red Dawn
Keldian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With dreams all so petty and small
We'll keep you fighting our giants
Until you are nothing at all
You'll keep on dying in our wars
'Cause blood can turn dust into gold
You'll be defending our power
Snakes of the earth
I know that you are out there hiding
Snakes of the earth
I know that you have played us all for fools
Snakes of the earth
I know that you are out there hiding
Snakes of the earth
Awake the sleepers to a blood red dawn
Snakes of the earth
Empowered puppets in control
The governing stage has been set
As history plays out by our rules
Generations dismiss and forget
'Cause we have been here for a long time
We've mastered deception and fear
A kingdom with no flag or borders
With daggers and fangs everywhere
Snakes of the earth
I know that you are out there hiding
Snakes of the earth
I know that you have played us all for fools
Snakes of the earth
Your day of reckoning is coming
Snakes of the earth
Awake the sleepers to a blood red dawn
Snakes of the earth
So you'll keep on craving the circus
Until all your knowledge is lost
Disabled by poisonous comforts
A slave to the grind at any cost
One by one we'll lay siege to all freedoms
And finally to liberty's walls
You'll shed no tears when they crumble
No, you'll be demanding they fall
Snakes of the earth
Your day of reckoning is coming
Snakes of the earth
Awake the sleepers to a blood red dawn
Snakes of the earth
And we will tell our children of your deeds
Snakes of the earth
Your kind will never slither earth again
Snakes of the earth
We know that you are out there hiding
We know that you have played us all for fools
Your day of reckoning is coming
Awake the sleepers to a blood red dawn
Snakes of the earth
The lyrics of Keldian's song "Blood Red Dawn" delve into themes of manipulation, oppression, and resistance against those in power. The opening verses speak to the darkness and smallness experienced by individuals under the control of powerful forces. The imagery of fighting giants emphasizes the overwhelming nature of these oppressive forces, leading individuals to feel like they are being reduced to nothing. The notion that blood can turn dust into gold symbolizes the sacrifices and suffering endured in the pursuit of power and wealth, with individuals defending this power until there is nothing left but a drained and desolate world.
The repeated references to "Snakes of the earth" suggest a metaphorical portrayal of deceitful and cunning figures who manipulate and deceive others for their own gain. The lyrics speak to the realization that these deceptive forces have been operating in the shadows, preying on and misleading people for their own selfish motives. The call to "Awake the sleepers to a blood red dawn" conveys the awakening and rising up against these hidden manipulators, signaling a turning point where the truth is uncovered and justice is sought.
The song also touches upon the concept of societal conditioning and control, highlighting how individuals are kept distracted and complacent through superficial comforts and illusions of freedom. The imagery of laying siege to freedoms and watching liberty crumble suggests a dystopian future where autonomy and rights are eroded, and individuals become complicit in their own subjugation. The defiant tone in the lyrics reflects a rallying cry for resistance and a refusal to accept oppression, with a warning that those in power will face consequences for their actions.
In the final verses, the lyrics declare a reckoning for the manipulative forces, promising that their deeds will be exposed and their reign of deceit will end. The call to awaken the sleepers signifies a call to awareness and action, urging individuals to rise up against the forces that seek to control and deceive them. Ultimately, "Blood Red Dawn" paints a vivid picture of a world where hidden influences manipulate and oppress, but also holds a message of defiance and hope for a future where truth and justice prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll keep you yearning in darkness
We will manipulate you to always desire more in a state of ignorance
With dreams all so petty and small
Your aspirations will be insignificant and easily manipulated
We'll keep you fighting our giants
We will make you fight battles that are not truly yours
Until you are nothing at all
Until you are completely consumed and powerless
You'll keep on dying in our wars
You will continue to be a casualty in our self-serving conflicts
'Cause blood can turn dust into gold
We value power and wealth even if it comes at the cost of life
You'll be defending our power
You will be forced to protect the power of those in control
Until the earth is all drained, dead and cold
Until the world is exploited and destroyed for our gain
Snakes of the earth
Deceitful and manipulative forces that lurk among us
I know that you are out there hiding
Awareness of the hidden agendas and schemes of these forces
I know that you have played us all for fools
Realization that we have been deceived and manipulated by these entities
Awake the sleepers to a blood red dawn
Rousing people from their obliviousness to the harsh reality
Empowered puppets in control
Individuals manipulated and controlled by those in power
The governing stage has been set
The authority and dominance of those in control is established
As history plays out by our rules
The narrative of history is dictated by those in power
Generations dismiss and forget
People are conditioned to overlook and ignore the truths of the past
We have been here for a long time
Those in power have maintained their position for ages
We've mastered deception and fear
Their control is rooted in manipulation and intimidation
A kingdom with no flag or borders
A realm of power that transcends traditional boundaries
With daggers and fangs everywhere
Dangerous and harmful influences are pervasive in this realm
So you'll keep on craving the circus
You will continue to be distracted by superficial entertainment
Until all your knowledge is lost
Until you are stripped of your wisdom and understanding
Disabled by poisonous comforts
Rendered powerless by comforts that ultimately harm you
A slave to the grind at any cost
Forced into a cycle of labor and servitude regardless of the consequences
One by one we'll lay siege to all freedoms
Systematically stripping away individual liberties and rights
And finally to liberty's walls
Until even the concept of freedom is under attack
You'll shed no tears when they crumble
You will not mourn the loss of freedom when it is taken from you
No, you'll be demanding they fall
Instead, you will unknowingly support the destruction of your own liberty
And we will tell our children of your deeds
Future generations will learn of the injustices and manipulations of the past
Your kind will never slither earth again
The deceitful and controlling forces will be eradicated
We know that you are out there hiding
Awareness of the hidden agendas and conspiracies at play
We know that you have played us all for fools
Understanding that we have been deceived and taken advantage of
Your day of reckoning is coming
The time for those in power to face consequences approaches
Awake the sleepers to a blood red dawn
Rouse the people from their unawareness to face the harsh reality ahead
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Arild Aardalen, Christer Andresen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nabuchadnezar
This should have 400 millions of views, not just 4 hundred! Masterfuly done. Here´s hoping the when all is said and done, the snakes will be dealt with once and for all. Nah, that is just wishful thinking. New ones will always be ready to take their place. But if the sleepers realize the truth, there may be hope for humanity yet.
TQS
@Janshevik If they were more famous, they would not have the freedom to make a song such as this. They would be forced to put out self-degrading slop.
Janshevik
they're not promoting themselves enough :/
Alpha Giga
Keldian is criminally under rated
Darkziom
This deserve millions of views
Luis Avalos
Great melody , guitar riff, lyrics !! Man this a classic
Simon Soffer
Genious lyrics, prophetic.
Floyd's Records
Hey guys! Great song from a great band. I've been listening to Outbound all week long, and "Broadside" is on a couple of my playlists. Can't wait for album 5!
Best,
Floyd Samson
Floyd's Records
Outbound is by far my favorite metal album ever, man! And you listed some great songs there. "Sundancer" was the first song of theirs I ever heard. Great track.
Jan Bartoš
Outbound, Never Existed, Broadside, Blood Red Dawn, Sundancer, my top 5 by Keldian.