Mephisto Walz has an accomplished discography, having released several well respected full-length albums (most notably through Cleopatra Records).
The band's lineup (as stated on their myspace):
Barry Galvin: Vocals and Text, guitars, bass, drums, synth, assorted anything else's
Sara Reid: Vocals and Text
Myriam Galvin: Vocals and Text
Past members:
Christianna: Vocals and Text
Johnny Tyndal: Additional Text
Johanne Schuman: bass
Stevyn Grey: drums
William Faith: bass
David Glass: drums
Orlando: live guitar
Tony Havoc: drums
In 2002, The Fossil Dungeon was proud to release the limited edition signature CDR single entitled "Nightingale", showcasing the band's latest recording efforts. This new exclusive song (extended version), along with a new track entitled "Witches Gold," is available for the first time as a limited and luxorious gatefold 7inch EP and limited CD.
The "Nightingale" single exemplified that Mephisto Walz is still a very active band and that they remain one of the most appreciated artists within the gothic rock genre. The album, "Insidious" released in 2004 reinforces its presence as a leading ethereal rock ensemble.
March 2011: New album "IIIrd Incarnation" is out.
On this "3rd Incarnation" of Mephisto Walz , Barry added vocals to his repertoire, with Sara Reid collaborating on some tracks. The first reviews are very positive and this release is already identified as one of the best Mephisto Walz album.
www.mephistowalz.com
Dear Familiar Phantoms
Mephisto Walz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I find as early to my clouded sight ye shone
Shall I attempt this once to seize and bind ye
Still o'er my heart is that illusion thrown
Are we still standing
Or if further we're ascending
And sway me from your misty shadow zone
My bosom thrills with youthful passion shaken
From magic airs that round your march awaken
All is turning...
Trees and rocks with grinning faces
All is whirling...
Wandering lights that spin in mazes
Of joyous days you bring the blissful vision
The dear familiar phantoms rise again
And like an old and half-extinct tradition
Renewed is pain with mournful repetition
First love returns with friendship in his train
And names the good whose cheating fortune tore them
Now life tracks his devious labyrinthe chain
And left me to deplore them
The lyrics of Mephisto Walz's song Dear Familiar Phantoms describe the experience of the singer being visited by hovering forms, which he perceives as phantoms from his past. He acknowledges that they are likely an illusion, but he is still drawn to them and feels their presence in his heart. The phantoms bring back memories of joyous days, but also renew the pain of lost relationships and the deplorement of the paths his life has taken. The singer is shaken by the experience and feels a range of emotions, from passion to sorrow to confusion.
The song's overall theme is the human experience of nostalgia and the tension between the past and the present. It highlights the struggle to reconcile with pain and loss while trying to move forward, and the way that memories can both heal and harm us. The use of whimsical, macabre imagery creates an otherworldly atmosphere that reflects the idea of the phantoms as a surreal and intangible presence that haunts the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Again you come he hovering forms
The familiar phantoms have returned once again
I find as early to my clouded sight ye shone
Their presence is as vivid as it was before, despite my unclear vision
Shall I attempt this once to seize and bind ye
Will I try, just once, to capture and control them?
Still o’er my heart is that illusion thrown
I am still under the spell of their illusion
Are we still standing
Am I still grounded in reality?
Or if further we’re ascending
Or are we being lifted higher into their world?
You crowd more near then be the reign assigned ye
They come closer, exerting their power over me
And sway me from your misty shadow zone
They lead me away from the safety of the real world, into their own misty realm
My bosom thrills with youthful passion shaken
I am filled with a stirring, youthful passion in their presence
From magic airs that round your march awaken
Their presence seems to activate the magic in the surrounding atmosphere
All is turning… Trees and rocks with grinning faces
Everything around me is spinning, with nature taking on a sinister, unnatural aspect
All is whirling… Wandering lights that spin in mazes
The lights and energy around me are chaotic, spinning out of control
Of joyous days you bring the blissful vision
They remind me of happier times and bring a vision of bliss
The dear familiar phantoms rise again
The beloved but haunting familiar spirits are back once more
And like an old and half-extinct tradition
Their presence is like an old custom that is slowly dying out
Renewed is pain with mournful repetition
Their return only brings back the pain and sadness I felt before
First love returns with friendship in his train
The spirit of my first love is one of the familiar phantoms, accompanied by the spirits of our mutual friends
And names the good whose cheating fortune tore them
My lost love and friends are remembered, whose promising futures were cut short by cruel destiny
Now life tracks his devious labyrinthe chain
Life leads me down its twisting, confusing pathways
And left me to deplore them
Leaving me to mourn the loss of my loved ones and the confusion of life
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@squishgam8659
Again you come ye hovering forms
I find as early to my clouded sight ye shone
Shall i attempt this once to sieze and bind ye
Still o'er my heart is that illusion thrown
Are we still standing
Or if further we're ascending
You crowd more near then be the reign assigned ye
And sway me from your misty shadow zone
My bosom thrills with youthful passion shaken
From magic airs that round your march awaken
All is turning...
Trees and rocks with grinning faces
All is whirling...
Wandering lights that spin in mazes
Of joyous days you bring the blissful vision
The dear familiar phantoms rise again
And like an old and half-extinct tradition
Renewed is pain with mournful repetition
First love returns with friendship in his train
And names the good whose cheating fortune tore them
Now life tracks his devious labyrinthine chain
And left me to deplore them
Submit lyrics correction →
@BikiniDeathSquad
Probably the greatest gothic rock song. Simply stunning.
@gilbertflores4341
This is the song that turned me on to Gothic music 🎶 The vox and guitar are simply amazing 👏 All hail to Mephisto! Ty dj Phenix from KSYM radio for changing my life !
@voodooopaque6357
This takes me on another realm
@thesecretpolyglot7652
This song brings a unique Atmosphere.
It is Murky, Dark and also climbs the walls of my Memories .
Thanks for making such a Sing like this.
It deserves a wine 🍷🍷...
Cheers girls, minxes, ladies, women in general.
Good to listen together.
Hail 🤟🏻🌙
@noinim
Their 1986 mini-album was release on an Italian label called Supporti Fonografici (catalog number: SF 010). This release features a male singer named Jorque (aka Creature). All of the songs will be familiar as they were later re-recorded with Christiana and Bari on vocals.
@leovarney2538
beautiful music ... reminds me the old days where the nostalgia comes over me
@morgannaseth8272
It takes me away.... i travelled to million times ago.
@squishgam8659
Again you come ye hovering forms
I find as early to my clouded sight ye shone
Shall i attempt this once to sieze and bind ye
Still o'er my heart is that illusion thrown
Are we still standing
Or if further we're ascending
You crowd more near then be the reign assigned ye
And sway me from your misty shadow zone
My bosom thrills with youthful passion shaken
From magic airs that round your march awaken
All is turning...
Trees and rocks with grinning faces
All is whirling...
Wandering lights that spin in mazes
Of joyous days you bring the blissful vision
The dear familiar phantoms rise again
And like an old and half-extinct tradition
Renewed is pain with mournful repetition
First love returns with friendship in his train
And names the good whose cheating fortune tore them
Now life tracks his devious labyrinthine chain
And left me to deplore them
Submit lyrics correction →
@MAD-mo4te
Qué hermosa voz tiene mi mujer Christiana Leonard!
@TALLERPROMOCION
Wowww, hace años de años que no oia este tema, pucha me ha hecho entrar en una melancolía, este es el verdadero dark gotico de aquellos tiempos en lima tan gris...ya no veo eso ahora.....!