The Finnish folk music band Ratatosk was founded in 2013 as a s… Read Full Bio ↴RATATOSK
The Finnish folk music band Ratatosk was founded in 2013 as a small ensemble, and all of the six
members joined 2014 when they started performing together on a more regular basis. All members
of Ratatosk have different musical backgrounds. Some have classical training, others are jazz
musicians, and others have played in blues, rock or punk bands.
Ratatosk’s genre could be
described as nordic folk music with influences from rock, classical music, medieval music, jazz and
many other styles. We perform old folk melodies and medieval church songs, and our own newly
written material. We perform mostly in Swedish (since the members are from Swedish speaking
areas of Finland), but we also have songs in Finnish and Latin on the repertoire.
The name Ratatosk comes from Nordic mythology. Ratatosk is the name of a squirrel who runs
along the branches of the life tree Yggdrasil. Ratatosk brings messages from the giant Eagle
Hräsvelg, sitting on the highest top of the tree, to the ancient dragon Nidhögg who is chewing on
the deepest root, and to everyone in between. The squirrel thereby has got access to all different
worlds. The band chose to call ourself Ratatosk, since we mix music from different musical worlds.
It is also a statement for a multicultural society.
MEMBERS
Ratatosk consists of:
Frank Berger - vocals, hurdy gurdy, harmonium and jaw harp
Jonathan Fagerström - drums
Jennie Högberg - recorder, crumhorn
Simon Karlsson - guitar, harmonium
Matilda Nordström - bass
Cecilia Åminne - vocals, harmonium and jaw harp
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Buy the latest release here: http://ratatosk.bandcamp.com
Ratatosk is originally a mischievous squirrel from Norse mythology, but in this context is some guy called Rhodri Viney.
He has previously performed and released music under the names Teflon Monkey and Broken Leaf, along with being a major player in bands such as Right Hand Left Hand and Vito. He has also played live and on record with Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, Sophia, The Secret Show, Brave Captain, Cymbient, Little My and others far too numerous to mention.
The music of Ratatosk can be summed up in two words – miserablism and minimalism. If the initial motif is sufficiently sad and melancholy to bring a tear to the eye, then it’s explored and expanded upon with an almost zen-like repetition, using layered guitars, vocals, keyboards, melodica, musical saw, zither and pedal steel.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/ratatoskisnow#ixzz0wbFAdune
www.myspace/ratatoskisnow
Damnati Ad Bestias
Ratatosk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not in our haunted eyes
Despair is within these walls, while round our ears an empire falls
To be treated with ambivalence is absolutely of no consequence
When death's concerned you'll do anything; I've killed friends to avoid dying
Which way will the thumb turn in this bloody coliseum
Where weakness would be frowned upon; cowards wouldn't last here long
Entire lives of slavery... nothing left but infamy
"We vow to endure, to be burned, to be bound
To be beaten and to be killed by the sword"
I have fought tooth and nail only to hear my fallen brethren wail...
The lyrics of Ratatosk's song "Damnati Ad Bestias" paint a vivid picture of a harrowing and desperate situation. The opening lines suggest a search for freedom, which is elusive and unseen in their haunted eyes. The haunting atmosphere is further emphasized by the despair that permeates within the walls, as an empire collapses around them. The singer feels the weight of this crumbling world and recognizes that being treated with indifference ultimately holds no significance. In such dire circumstances, the fear of death's arrival becomes all-consuming, leading to drastic measures like betraying even friends to avoid it.
The lyrics then delve into the brutal setting of a coliseum, where the turning of the thumb decides the fate of individuals. Weakness is scorned upon and cowards would not last in such an unforgiving environment. The characters in this song have endured lives of slavery, leaving behind only infamy. The repeating of the phrase "Despair is within these walls, while round our ears an empire falls" further emphasizes the bleakness and hopelessness of their situation.
The closing lines bring forth a vow of endurance, despite the pain and suffering. The singer reveals their own struggles, fighting fiercely, but ultimately being met with the sounds of fallen comrades in agony.
Overall, "Damnati Ad Bestias" is a powerful and introspective song that explores themes of despair, sacrifice, and the brutal realities of a crumbling society.
Line by Line Meaning
Who would know where freedom lies?
Who truly understands the essence of freedom?
It's not in our haunted eyes
We may appear haunted, but freedom is not reflected in our eyes
Despair is within these walls, while round our ears an empire falls
Despair consumes us as we witness the collapse of an empire
To be treated with ambivalence is absolutely of no consequence
Being treated with indifference holds no importance in our reality
When death's concerned you'll do anything; I've killed friends to avoid dying
In the face of death, one is willing to sacrifice even friendships to survive
Which way will the thumb turn in this bloody coliseum
In this brutal arena, the judgment of life or death hangs in the balance
Where weakness would be frowned upon; cowards wouldn't last here long
In this place, weakness is despised, and cowards meet a swift end
Entire lives of slavery... nothing left but infamy
We have known only a life of enslavement, leaving us with nothing but a notorious reputation
Despair is within these walls, while round our ears an empire falls
Despair continues to consume us amidst the crumbling empire
"We vow to endure, to be burned, to be bound
To be beaten and to be killed by the sword"
We pledge to endure the torment of burning, being bound, and subjecting ourselves to beatings and death by the sword
I have fought tooth and nail only to hear my fallen brethren wail...
I have fought relentlessly, but all I hear are the anguished cries of my fallen comrades
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Rhodri Viney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind