Then in early 1998, Christian had to be replaced due to the chemistry between him and the rest of the band. After getting a tip from a friend about a very talented singer Christian was replaced and Morifade found a new one in Stefan Petersson. During the writing process of the bands first album also Fredrik had to leave the band due personal issues. The band decided to record the album as a quartet.
The first full-length album “Possession of Power” was recorded in different sessions between June and August in 1999 at Wet Paint Studio in Norrköping, Sweden and released in November the same year. The press praised the album and it was given tremendously good reviews from all over the world. Some months after the release two new members were found in Fredrik Eriksson (ex- Tad Morose) and Adrian Kanebäck (ex- Nephenzy). With this line-up Morifade also began to gain a lot of gigs both in Sweden and Europe.
In the month of May 2000 the band entered the Los Angered Recording Studio with owner, engineer and producer Andy La Rocque (well-known from King Diamond). This time to record some songs for a new MCD entitled “Cast a Spell” and “Judas”, a cover song for a tribute to Helloween (The Keepers of Jericho Part I). After the recording several major problems began with their label and the band decided to leave immediately.
Besides the writing of new material for their second full-length album, Morifade was now in search for a new record label. Promo-CD’s was sent over the world and the band was in contact with many great labels. Finally the band decided to sign with Hammerheart Records (Now Karmageddon Media) in The Netherlands. During this time Adrian left the band in lack of interest and due to personal issues. The band soon found a replacement in Kim’s younger brother Robin Arnell.
In July 2001 the recording of the second full-length album “Imaginarium” started. Satisfied with result of the last MCD the band entered the Los Angered Recording Studio again. The recording was finished in August but due to some re-mixes of the album it wasn’t released before April 2002. Even this album got really good response from the world. With “Imaginarium”, Morifade was for the first time introduced to the Japanese audience. The company King Records released the album in Japan.
The recording of the new album DOMI<>NATION took place for the third time in Los Angered Recording studio, it started in January 2003 and ended with the mixing in April the same year. However, all vocals and choirs are recorded in a studio called Monogram Recordings in Stockholm. This album is heavier than any of the albums that Morifade have released before. It’s a concept album based on two novels, “1984” by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Briefly, the concept is about the surveillance society that we’re approaching more and more. DOMI<>NATION is released in January 2004. In mid 2004 Stefan decided to leave Morifade, he was soon replaced by Kristian Wallin.
In Martyria
Morifade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Lyrics: J. Johamsson / S. Petersson)
Guilty for nothing, treason took place
The Caesar’s effacing thy grace
Once a commander but life’s turning fast
Into a dark world you’re cast
[PRE CHORUS 1]
Enter the great arena
Raise thy sword, the martyr you are
Kill or be killed at once
[CHORUS]
When your fate is in the light
In a dome of watching eyes
You fight to keep thy honour
But you can’t forget the lies
Pride once lost…the holocaust
The entrance to martyria
Gone are the days of imperial fame
When pride rose along with your name
Your future was lost in the merciless raid
When your loved ones were brutally slayed
[PRE CHORUS 2]
Here you stand embraced with pain
There’s no retreat or shelter
Keep thy trust, there’s glory to find
Fight with no fear in mind
CHORUS
See through the lies
I’m your destined sacrifice
For the glory of Rome
Forevermore…I’m coming home
CHORUS
In Morifade's song "In Martyria," the lyrics depict a story of a once honorable and successful commander who has fallen out of grace and finds himself in a dark world of betrayal and injustice. The lyrics evoke a sense of sadness and tragedy, as the singer is accused of guiltless crimes and is sentenced to fight in the great arena, a place where innocence and mercy hold no place. The lyrics use powerful metaphors and imagery, such as "Once a commander but life's turning fast, into a dark world you're cast," highlighting the sudden and tragic fall from grace that the singer has faced.
The song has a two-part pre-chorus which adds to the anticipation and tension that the listener experiences. In the first pre-chorus, the singer is paying the price for the crimes he did not commit, and in the second pre-chorus, he stands embraced with pain and has no other choice but to fight with no fear in mind. The chorus, which is repeated twice, is a powerful reminder of the singer's fate and the struggles he faces in the arena while fighting to keep his honor. The lyrics express that despite his fall from grace, the singer is still fighting for the glory of Rome and will do what it takes to come home.
Line by Line Meaning
Guilty for nothing, treason took place
You are accused of a crime you did not commit, yet you have been charged with sedition against the ruler.
The Caesar’s effacing thy grace
The ruler is erasing all of the good you have done in the past and eroding your reputation with others.
Once a commander but life’s turning fast
You were once a respected leader, but now circumstances have changed and you are losing everything quickly.
Into a dark world you’re cast
You are being forced into a world of darkness and despair, with little hope for redemption.
Pay the price for guiltless crimes
You are being punished for crimes you did not commit, and must pay a great price for this false accusation.
Enter the great arena
Your fate will be decided in a great arena, where you will have to fight for your life in front of many onlookers.
Raise thy sword, the martyr you are
You must fight and die for what you believe in, becoming a martyr for your cause.
Kill or be killed at once
You have no choice but to fight to the death against your opponent, who is also fighting for their own survival.
When your fate is in the light
Your destiny is on full display for everyone to see, as you fight in an open arena with many eyes upon you.
In a dome of watching eyes
You are being watched by many people in a large arena, where your every move and action is scrutinized.
You fight to keep thy honour
You are fighting to maintain your personal integrity and reputation, even in the face of overwhelming odds against you.
But you can’t forget the lies
Despite your best efforts, you are unable to forget the falsehoods that have been spread about you, making it even harder to keep fighting.
Pride once lost…the holocaust
If you lose your pride and sense of self-respect, you will suffer a great catastrophe and lose everything you once held dear.
The entrance to martyria
Your struggle and self-sacrifice in the arena represents the way to become a true martyr and symbol of courage.
Gone are the days of imperial fame
You have lost the glory and admiration that once accompanied your position as a leader in the great empire.
When pride rose along with your name
You were once proud of your achievements and accomplishments, but now you are forced to confront the reality of your situation and fight for your life.
Your future was lost in the merciless raid
Your once-promising future has been destroyed by a brutal and merciless attack, leaving you with nothing but darkness and uncertainty.
When your loved ones were brutally slayed
Your family and loved ones were killed in a violent and inhumane manner, adding even more pain and anguish to your already difficult situation.
Here you stand embraced with pain
You are standing in the arena, surrounded by pain and suffering, with no escape or relief in sight.
There’s no retreat or shelter
You cannot run away or find any safe place to hide, as you are constantly fighting for your life in an open arena.
Keep thy trust, there’s glory to find
It is important to keep your faith and trust in yourself, as this may lead to a greater sense of glory and satisfaction in the end.
Fight with no fear in mind
Even though you are surrounded by danger and uncertainty, it is important to continue fighting with no sense of fear or hesitation.
See through the lies
It is important to use your discernment to look beyond the falsehoods and deceptions that surround you, and remain true to your own beliefs and values.
I’m your destined sacrifice
You are destined to be a sacrificial lamb, giving up your own life to advance the cause you believe in.
For the glory of Rome
Your ultimate sacrifice is being made for the good of the great empire and its people, in the hopes of preserving the noble ideals that once made it great.
Forevermore…I’m coming home
After your sacrifice, you will be going to a place of eternal rest, where you will find peace and comfort for all eternity.
Contributed by Julian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.