The first formation is composed by Jon Brännströmm (vocals and guitar), Fredrik Holmstedt (drums) and Johnny Johanssen (electric and acoustic guitars). Anna-Lena Svanborg (vocals and bass) joins the band in the sequence.
The first recording is the 1994 demo “Fade”, that finds its way to Desperate Fight Records, which releases the four track EP “Outbound”, in 1995.
In 1996 the first full-length album, “The Way of the Dying Race”, is released. After that, Brännströmm leaves the band and joins Refused. Tobias Willig takes over the vocals and Mikael Forsgren takes over the second guitar. Other sources say Bränströmm had already joined Refused in 1994.
In 1997 the second full-length, “Daybreak Chronicles”, is released. Soon after, Mikael and Anna-Lena leave the band, being replaced by Mattias Lindmark and Lena Andersson.
The band’s last recording is a 7’’, “Of Light and Darkness”.
* Band name context *
The word “purusam” comes from the sanskrit “purusha”, which means the universal spirit. The vedic (hindu) gods are seen as differentiated representations of that spirit, which the human mind creates.
* Analysis *
Inspired by the title of the band’s last recording, “Of Light and Darkness”, it could be said that the two full-length albums express that contrast. “The Way of the Dying Race” is connected to darkness through the greater aggressiveness, felt both on the instruments and lyrics. “Daybreak Chronicles” is connected to light through the greater mellowness and search for beauty. However, both elements are always present, one backing up the other.
Some fans don't understand the reason why Purusam is so unknown to a wider scope of metal and hardcore listeners. The band's quality is perceptible to anyone that enjoys the combinations of those genres. Perhaps, in the future, the band could be rescued from obscurity, letting a larger audience enjoy its sound.
Doom
Purusam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe tomorrow it has arrived
And this holy war has come to an end
The time for regret is getting closer
Somehow I knew we would lose this fight
So as the sun goes down, so does life
We are all condemned
Why do people cling to life
When we know that we can't live forever
The lifes and dreams getting weaker
It's only hope that keeps me alive
I thought this holocaust had come to an end
The scent of death now surrounds me
But like the seasons I will be back
Because I refuse to leave this pain this hell
Solo: Johnny
Solo: Mikael
We are all condemned
Why do people cling to life
When we know that we can't live forever
The lyrics of Purusam's "Doom" exude a sense of despair and hopelessness. The first few lines in the song speak of the days getting darker and the singer acknowledging that their quest for a holy war has ended- with defeat. As night falls, so does the will to live- with the singer revealing that they and everyone else are "condemned."
The existentialist topic of life's inevitability drives the remainder of the song. The singer asks why people continue to cling to life, knowing full well that each person's time on earth is finite. In the midst of a holocaust, the singer finds solace in the strength that hope can bring. The song concludes with a reflection that the singer will continue to fight- refusing to give in to the pain and misery that life brings.
Overall, the lyrics paint a bleak picture of life- with the inevitability of death coming across as a constant theme. The song seems to suggest that in spite of this, humanity should continue to hope- for without hope, life would be truly unbearable.
Line by Line Meaning
The days are now getting darker
The current days are becoming more sorrowful and unpleasant
Maybe tomorrow it has arrived
Perhaps the future that was prophesized is already upon us
And this holy war has come to an end
The war fought for a sacred cause has ended
The time for regret is getting closer
Increasingly, the moments of remorse are bearing down upon us
Somehow I knew we would lose this fight
It was already apparent that this battle would end in defeat
So as the sun goes down, so does life
Just as the sunset signifies the end of the day, so too does it signify the end of life
We are all condemned
All of us are fated to meet an unhappy end
Why do people cling to life
For what reason do individuals hold tightly to the concept of existence
When we know that we can't live forever
If we understand that eternal life is impossible to attain
The lifes and dreams getting weaker
Both our livelihoods and aspirations are becoming feeble
It's only hope that keeps me alive
The sole motivation that sustains me is the belief that there's a chance for a better future
I thought this holocaust had come to an end
I believed that the catastrophe had concluded
The scent of death now surrounds me
I'm now enveloped in an atmosphere of dying and decay
But like the seasons I will be back
Just like the cyclical nature of the year I will return
Because I refuse to leave this pain this hell
I will not submit to departing from this place of torment and suffering
We are all condemned
We all share the same destiny of facing a bleak future
Why do people cling to life
What is the incentive for people to want to remain alive
When we know that we can't live forever
When it's clear to us that we cannot achieve immortality
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.