Band's History
Until now the Czech Republic hasn’t exactly been in the spotlight of the international Heavy Metal Scene. But with the expansion of the European Union towards the east, more and more bands from those countries will find it easier to establish themselves. One of the first ones to tick all the boxes of becoming a potentially great name in the classical Symphonic Metal scene is SYMPHONITY.
Back in 1994 guitarist Libor Krivak and drummer Tomas Suchacek formed a band called OTTER, which was renamed NEMESIS a few years later after the lineup had changed several times. An experienced singer was found in Vilem Majtner and it was with him that the band recorded their debut album, "Goddess of Revenge" on the Italian label, Underground Symphony in 2003. The Japanese label Hot Rockin' bought the licence for the album in the same year for the Japanese market. During 2003 the band was joined by keyboarder Ivo Hofmann, found their bass player Tomas Celechovsky the next year and after that, NEMESIS played their first international gigs. 2005 started off badly when the band's co-founder Tomas Suchacek decided to leave, but fortunately, he was quickly be replaced by Martin Skaroupka. In the same year the band was given the chance to open for NIGHTWISH in Zilina. This, their biggest performance until then, was a great success. However, during the preparations for their new album, singer Vilem Majtner surprisingly left the band. Making the most from a bad situation, the lads decided to use the opportunity for a reshuffle. They changed the band's name fromNEMESIS to SYMPHONITY and in the LUCA TURILLI and ex-DIONYSUS singer Olaf Hayer they found a suitable vocalist who met all their high musical demands. The German-Czech Entente was a paradigm of harmony, a fact that was not overlooked by Limb Music Products, who offered SYMPHONITY a contract straight away.
Give Me Your Helping Hand
Symphonity Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inner movement one can live
Rule is to take but not to give
You saw a dawn banishing night
Did what you thought was right
To revive the world that is in need
Home was a shelter, now you are displaced
Bring the storm for those in disgrace
Now starts the game
And the scene is drowned in grey
Where fate decides who is hunter, who is prey
Our hands were joined, in unity we knelt still
But as a trenchant blade is the world surreal
Our reconciliation burning in my heart
Is now torn apart, like Judas I feel
It's not my will what must be done
I'm not the only one
Oath is the bound that holds me down
A wheel of time signs "the die is cast"
Grinds men into dust
And you shall burn in stake at last
In my wild dreams I hear breaking ice
Water's arms do embrace, baptize
Tongues of fire devour your cries
Life for a life, but it's path becomes now vain
Who will hear my pray
Redeemer twice betrayed?
Our hands were joined, in unity we knelt still
But as a trenchant blade is the world surreal
Our reconciliation burning in my heart
Is now torn apart, like Judas I feel
The lyrics of Symphonity's "Give Me Your Helping Hand" explore themes of belief, unity, betrayal, and ultimately, the struggle between good and evil. The opening lines, "Where is the passion of belief, Inner movement one can live, Rule is to take but not to give," speak to the loss of conviction and the tendency to be self-absorbed in a world where society prioritizes individual success over helping others. The contrast between the dawn banishing night and the displaced character who becomes hunted and chased reminds the listener of the struggle for survival in a harsh world, where standing up for what is right is not always rewarded.
The lyrics reference the wheel of time, a common theme in ancient Greek philosophy, which symbolizes the inevitable passage of time and the cyclical nature of human existence. The singer of the song is torn between doing what is right and fulfilling an oath that has bound them. The references to Judas betraying Jesus point to the idea of the ultimate betrayal, illustrating the consequences of not adhering to one's beliefs, and choosing the path of self-interest. The closing lines, "Redeemer twice betrayed?" suggest that even those who seek redemption may be betrayed by others or by their own weaknesses.
Line by Line Meaning
Where is the passion of belief
The singer questions why people lack enthusiasm and strong convictions.
Inner movement one can live
An internal will or motivation can drive a person's actions and existence.
Rule is to take but not to give
Some individuals prioritize their own gain and selfishness over generosity towards others.
You saw a dawn banishing night
A new beginning, with potential to replace the darkness of the past, presented itself.
Did what you thought was right
The person took action based on their own sense of morality, despite potential opposition or judgement from others.
To revive the world that is in need
The singer aims to make the world a better place and help others.
Home was a shelter, now you are displaced
The person's sense of stability has been lost and they are now in an unfamiliar, uncomfortable situation.
Tools of order that hunt you and chase
The individual is being pursued and threatened by figures of authority, who they perceive as oppressive and unjust.
Bring the storm for those in disgrace
The singer desires punishment for those who have wronged others and caused harm or shame.
Now starts the game
A new conflict or challenge has arisen, marking a turning point.
And the scene is drowned in grey
The circumstance seems bleak and hopeless, with little differentiation or optimism.
Where fate decides who is hunter, who is prey
The situation has become unpredictable and uncontrollable, with everyone's fate undefined.
Our hands were joined, in unity we knelt still
People were united in a shared goal or cause, standing together as one.
But as a trenchant blade is the world surreal
Despite efforts to create a harmonious world, it can still be vicious and unforgiving.
Our reconciliation burning in my heart
The hope for unity and peace is a strong desire for the singer, one they feel deeply in their emotions.
Is now torn apart, like Judas I feel
Their hopes have been ruined and they feel betrayed, like the biblical character Judas Iscariot.
It's not my will what must be done
The singer is powerless and forced to do something they don't want to.
I'm not the only one
Others are also involved or affected, sharing the burden of responsibility.
Oath is the bound that holds me down
A promise or commitment is preventing the singer from acting in accordance with their own wishes or beliefs.
A wheel of time signs 'the die is cast'
The course of history has been set and cannot be changed.
Grinds men into dust
Time is a powerful force that can wear down and ultimately destroy individuals.
And you shall burn in stake at last
The consequences of their actions will catch up to them, potentially resulting in severe punishment or death.
In my wild dreams I hear breaking ice
The singer experiences vivid dreams where something old and frozen is being shattered, signaling a change.
Water's arms do embrace, baptize
Water, which symbolizes rebirth and renewal, can embrace and cleanse people's sins.
Tongues of fire devour your cries
The agony and screams of those who are being punished for their mistakes or wrongdoings are being consumed by flames.
Life for a life, but it's path becomes now vain
Seeking revenge or justice by harming others ultimately results in nothing worthwhile.
Who will hear my pray
The person feels alone and unheard, wondering if anyone is listening to their plea for help or guidance.
Redeemer twice betrayed?
The singer wonders if even their savior or source of hope has betrayed them, leaving them without salvation.
Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.