The band's name is old German and means "Stillest Hour" or "Calmest Hour" and traces back to a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, in which he refers to his deepest and calmest (and at the same time his most terrible) moments as the „Stillest Hour"...
The music of Stillste Stund has often been described as versatile, complex and progressive with many breaks, but on the other side it also has a lot of catchy elements. Stylistically, it might be classified best as Dark Wave mixed to Electro-Gothic with industrial and neo-classical influences as well as chamber music. The music combines electronic and acoustic elements with dark, music score-like atmospherical sounds, supported by expressive male and female vocals. The mood often swings from one extreme to another, sometimes melancholy, sometimes brutal, but always with a strong and intense impact.
Discography:
* Ein Mensch, ein Ding, ein Traum (2000)
* Ursprung Paradoxon (2001)
* Biestblut - Zwei in Einem (Ein Gedankenkonstrukt in 7 Szenen) (2003)
* Blendwerk Antikunst (2005)
* Von Rosen und Neurosen - Eine erlesene Sammlung grausamster Albträume (2008)
Links:
http://www.stillstestund.de
http://www.myspace.com/stillstestund
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillste_Stund
Ananke
Stillste Stund Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Die Macht, die Dich durch´s Leben führt?
Weißt Du es denn nicht lange schon,
Freiheit ist nur eine Illusion.
Fühlst Du die Leere in jedem Atemzug?
Hörst Du die Stimme, die Deinen Namen ruft?
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Du bittersüße Lust.
Hast Du Dich nicht schon oft gefragt,
Was passiert, wenn Du es wagst,
Deinen eignen Weg zu gehen,
Nicht mehr in Reih und Glied zu stehen?
Siehst Du die Zeichen, tief in der Dunkelheit?
Hör Deine Seele, die nach Vollendung schreit!
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Lass mein Leben los!
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Verfluchter Mutterschoß!
Bist Du nicht oft nachts aufgewacht,
Hast stundenlang nur nachgedacht,
Über den Faden, der sich durch´s Leben spinnt,
Die Zeit, die wie Sand durch Finger rinnt?
The lyrics to Stillste Stund's song Ananke delve into the idea of fate and the power that guides us through life. The first stanza asks if the listener has ever felt the force that leads them through their existence. It questions the concept of freedom and proposes the idea that it is merely an illusion. This is followed by a mention of emptiness and a voice calling out the listener's name. All of these elements suggest the idea of predestination and a lack of control over one's life.
The chorus further emphasizes this theme, with the repeated words "Ananke, Ananke, Ananke," which is an allusion to the Greek goddess of inevitability and necessity. The titular character is depicted as bringing death to the singer's love while also being a bittersweet temptation.
The second stanza continues to explore the idea of breaking free from predestined paths and questioning the norm. The mention of seeing signs in darkness and a soul calling out for completion echoes the first stanza's themes of fate and lack of control. The chorus returns as a plea to be released from the grip of fate, with powerful lines such as "Lass mein Leben los!" (Let go of my life!)
Overall, Stillste Stund's Ananke is a haunting exploration of the idea of fate and the power that guides our lives. The lyrics ultimately suggest a struggle to break free from predetermined paths and live a life of true freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Hast Du sie nicht schon oft gespürt,
Have you not often felt it,
Die Macht, die Dich durch´s Leben führt?
The power that leads you through life?
Weißt Du es denn nicht lange schon,
Don't you know it for a long time,
Freiheit ist nur eine Illusion.
Freedom is just an illusion.
Fühlst Du die Leere in jedem Atemzug?
Do you feel emptiness with every breath?
Hörst Du die Stimme, die Deinen Namen ruft?
Do you hear the voice calling your name?
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Bringst meiner Liebe Tod!
Bringing death to my love!
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Du bittersüße Lust.
You bittersweet pleasure.
Hast Du Dich nicht schon oft gefragt,
Haven't you often wondered,
Was passiert, wenn Du es wagst,
What happens if you dare,
Deinen eignen Weg zu gehen,
To go your own way,
Nicht mehr in Reih und Glied zu stehen?
No longer stand in line?
Siehst Du die Zeichen, tief in der Dunkelheit?
Do you see the signs deep in the darkness?
Hör Deine Seele, die nach Vollendung schreit!
Hear your soul screaming for completion!
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Lass mein Leben los!
Let go of my life!
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Ananke, Ananke, Ananke,
Verfluchter Mutterschoß!
Cursed mother's womb!
Bist Du nicht oft nachts aufgewacht,
Haven't you often woken up at night,
Hast stundenlang nur nachgedacht,
Have been thinking for hours,
Über den Faden, der sich durch´s Leben spinnt,
About the thread that spins through life,
Die Zeit, die wie Sand durch Finger rinnt?
Time that slips through fingers like sand?
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.