1) Salamandra is a Power Metal band from Czech Republic (Ostrava), with lyr… Read Full Bio ↴1) Salamandra is a Power Metal band from Czech Republic (Ostrava), with lyrics in English language.
Salamandra was founded by guitarist Pavel Slíva, who had been realized in speed and melody-metal. Debut release Twilight of Legends was recorded in October 1998 in the studio Citron and released in 1999. Since then Salamandra has shown no sign of stopping releasing Skarremar in 2000, Great Moravian Elegies in 2004, Faces of Chimera in 2007, Time to Change in 2010. In 2012 lineup changes were made and a new singer introduced. In 2014 Imperatus the 6th album was launched.

2) Salamandra was a Latvian pomp metal band of the late 1980s that is best remembered as featuring Jānis Gūža (Johnny Salamander) and Ēriks Budēvics (Hameleoni) in its lineup.

3) Salamandra is Drum n' Bass from Russia staring by the female DJ and singer Anna Salamandra
She has participed as a singer in the russian drum and bass project Noize Draft too.

Working with: Phetsta (Bad Robot), TKO, Task Horizon, DubAlley, DJon, Andrey Burtaev (Electrosoul System), PBK, Modemellow, High Rankin, Comitet, Noize Draft, Alex Pusher, MC Akmula & others

4) Salamandra is a latin rock/pop band from Ypacarai, Paraguay.

Imperatus
Salamandra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Slave I became against my will
Faith I lost in God
Et imperatus
Life I save with bloody shield
Fight I have to hard
Et Santiagus

Squall of the merciless crowd

Calls for my fall
Greets the emperor
Thumb down is shown only once
I must save my bare life
Evoke the terror

I will fight till I die
And I never look back
Unable to worry and unable to care
My name, is carved in a colosseum
I'm a Persian, et imperatus
The one who waits for the signal
Who cares about
If I live or die?
I am a gladiator
The one who fears of the signal

Slave I became against my will
Faith I lost in God
Et imperatus
Life I save with bloody shield
Fight I have to hard
Et Santiagus

I will fight till I die
And I never look back
Unable to worry and unable to care
My name is carved in a colosseum
I'm a Persian, et imperatus
The one who waits for the signal
Who cares about
If I live or die?
I am a gladiator
The one who fears of the signal

I will fight till I die
And I never look back
Unable to worry and unable to care
My name is carved in a colosseum
I'm a Persian, et imperatus
The one who waits for the signal

Who cares about
If I live or die?
I am a gladiator
The one who fears of the signal

Faith I lost in God
I save my own life

I will die in fight
I try too hard

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Salamandra's song "Imperatus" depict the struggles and identity of a gladiator fighting for his life in the brutal arena. The singer reveals that he has been forced into slavery against his will, becoming a mere object of ownership. This situation has led him to lose faith in God, questioning the existence or benevolence of a higher power in the face of such immense suffering. The repetition of "Et imperatus" further emphasizes the oppressive control exerted over him.

The lyrics go on to describe the challenging circumstances the gladiator faces in the arena. He must fight relentlessly, using a bloodied shield as his only means of defense. The merciless crowd surrounding him eagerly awaits his downfall, cheering for the emperor and calling for his defeat. The reference to the thumb gesture in ancient Roman arenas represents the ultimate verdict of death or sparing of the gladiator's life. In this battle for survival, he must evoke a sense of terror in order to stand a chance.

The singer acknowledges the inevitability of his fight until death, refusing to look back or be burdened by worries and concerns. His name becomes etched into the colosseum, symbolizing his identity being permanently connected to the arena and the life-or-death battles fought within it. Despite being from Persia, he becomes known as "et imperatus" - the one who waits for the signal, showing his status as a gladiator unimportant to the spectators.

The lyrics also touch upon the internal conflict faced by the gladiator. It becomes clear that he is torn between his own survival instincts and a fear of the signal that marks his fight. The constant balance between life and death becomes a deeply haunting experience for him.

Towards the end of the song, the singer reflects on the loss of faith in God, highlighting the desperation to save his own life. The lyrics reveal his acceptance that death is a likely outcome, as he tries his best in the brutal fights. The repetitive emphasis on trying hard demonstrates the gladiator's determination and resilience, painting a vivid image of the intense and demanding nature of his existence.

Line by Line Meaning

Slave I became against my will
Forced into a life of servitude against my wishes

Faith I lost in God
My belief and trust in God has been shattered

Et imperatus
And commanded

Life I save with bloody shield
I protect my own life with a shield covered in blood

Fight I have to hard
I struggle to fight with all my strength

Et Santiagus
And Santiago

Squall of the merciless crowd
The fierce roar of the heartless crowd

Calls for my fall
They desire my defeat

Greets the emperor
They cheer for the emperor

Thumb down is shown only once
The gesture of disapproval is displayed only once

I must save my bare life
I must protect my own life