The early Soliloquium releases were classic death/doom metal music, influenced by early Katatonia, Paradise Lost and October Tide. Time saw the band getting more experimental, incorporating elements from genres like shoegaze, post-rock and progressive rock. The band got signed and released debut full-length "An Empty Frame" in 2016 on U.S. label Transcending Records. The second album "Contemplations" came out in 2018.
Soliloquium links:
https://soliloquium.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/soliloquiumband
https://www.deathdoom.com
Chains
Soliloquium Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The price I wouldn't pay for a moment of calm
A strong will confined in a withering shape
Kicking and screaming perpetually
Many thoughts, many seasons passed
Countless hours spent in turmoil
Beyond the inner twists, what truly remains of me?
In endless search for what's missing beneath
A creeping sense of desperation
The twisted faces in the periphery
A reluctant smile, facade of the unseen
Spiralling thoughts of what could have been
The intoxicating moments when I gaze into a world of colours
This flicker of life is a haven, yet the ultimate of insults
Nothing remains of intuition and instinct, core and essence
I am but a machine, the martyr of my own creation
At the heart of what could have been
In light of what I've become
I feel betrayed
The glimmering surface is rid with holes
The song "Chains" by Soliloquium is a deep exploration of the struggles of someone who is dealing with both a chemical imbalance and the existential crisis that comes along with it. The lyrics are full of emotion and introspection. The opening lines of "Chemical imbalance and its furious thrusts, the price I wouldn't pay for a moment of calm" convey the unbearable pain and chaos that the singer is experiencing.
The lyrics then delve into the internal struggles that the singer faces regularly. The line "Many thoughts, many seasons passed, countless hours spent in turmoil" highlights the internal battle that the singer fights with himself constantly. The lyrics suggest that there is something missing within the singer as the line "In endless search for what's missing beneath" indicates a sense of emptiness and aimlessness.
The singer's struggle with their own identity and the conflict between their true self and their created persona is evident in the lines, "I am but a machine, the martyr of my own creation." This suggests that the singer has created a facade of who they are, despite not being true to themselves. The song ultimately ends on a somber note, with the line "The glimmering surface is rid with holes" implying that the singer's outward appearance is flawed and full of holes.
Line by Line Meaning
Chemical imbalance and its furious thrusts
The uncontrollable emotions caused by a chemical imbalance in my brain.
The price I wouldn't pay for a moment of calm
I would refuse to sacrifice my intense emotions for a brief period of tranquility.
A strong will confined in a withering shape
My determination is trapped in a body that is slowly deteriorating.
Kicking and screaming perpetually
I am constantly struggling and fighting against my own thoughts and emotions.
Many thoughts, many seasons passed
I have gone through numerous mental and emotional struggles throughout my life.
Countless hours spent in turmoil
I have endured a great deal of mental and emotional suffering.
Beyond the inner twists, what truly remains of me?
Beyond my complex thoughts and emotions, I wonder who I really am at my core.
Is peace only found in the endgame?
I question if true peace can only be achieved in death.
In endless search for what's missing beneath
I am constantly searching for something that I feel is missing within myself.
A creeping sense of desperation
I feel a slowly increasing sense of hopelessness and despair.
The twisted faces in the periphery
I perceive distorted and unsettling images in my surroundings.
A reluctant smile, facade of the unseen
I put on a fake smile to hide my true feelings and thoughts from others.
Spiralling thoughts of what could have been
I am constantly ruminating on the past and the possibilities of what could have happened.
The intoxicating moments when I gaze into a world of colours
The fleeting moments of happiness that I experience are so alluring and addictive.
This flicker of life is a haven, yet the ultimate of insults
Although my brief moments of happiness are a refuge, they ultimately make my overall suffering feel more unbearable.
Nothing remains of intuition and instinct, core and essence
My true self and inherent qualities seem to have vanished or been buried deep beneath my mental and emotional struggles.
I am but a machine, the martyr of my own creation
I feel like a mere robot, or a victim of the negative thoughts and emotions that I have created for myself.
At the heart of what could have been
The center of my current suffering lies in the possibilities of what could have happened differently in the past.
In light of what I've become
Considering how much I have changed and suffered, I am disappointed in my current state.
I feel betrayed
I feel like my body and mind have betrayed me by causing me so much pain and turmoil.
The glimmering surface is rid with holes
Even though I may seem okay on the surface, there are many underlying issues and struggles that I am dealing with.
Contributed by Cole G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.