Their earlier albums have provided a great deal of influence to the gothic metal genre. The band was one of the first ones who made use of contrasting vocals - male bass vocals and death growls and female soprano singing.
On their first three albums (Theatre of Tragedy, Velvet Darkness They Fear, Aégis) Theatre of Tragedy presented lyrics written predominantly in Early Modern English, a precedent to modern English used in and around Shakespearean times.
Starting from the album Musique, however, the band made drastic changes to their style, which became significantly inspired by electro-rock and electro-pop, abandoning Early Modern English lyrics writing, heavier guitar riffing and death growls in the process. This style change was consequently continued on the following album, Assembly.
After a long break and after changing the female vocalist due to musical differences, and furthermore their management and the record label, Theatre of Tragedy released their new album Storm, the first one with their new singer, Nell Sigland (from The Crest).
On this album, the electronic influences are reduced again in favour of simplicity and naturalism. According to Hein Frode Hansen, Storm is to be seen as the missing link between Aégis and Musique.
The new album Forever is the World, reverts back to the gothic metal roots, but keeps the atmospheric metal styling of Storm. The band said the album was very much written by Nell as well as other band members, moreover it was partially written before Storm was. It is seen to be more organic than their last 3 albums and has been both praised and criticised by fans, though most publications seem to praise it from being different to the symphonic metal that is very much popularised in today's music industry.
The band split on October 2nd, 2010, exactly 17 years after forming. The final curtain show was played in Stavanger, Norway and was recorded live for a later DVD release.
Final lineup:
* Raymond István Rohonyi - Vocals & Programming
* Nell Sigland - Vocals - (The Crest)
* Frank Claussen - Guitars
* Vegard K. Thorsen - Guitars
* Lorentz Aspen - Keyboards
* Hein Frode Hansen - Drums - (ex-Phobia)
Former members:
* Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull - Vocals - (Leaves' Eyes, Liv Kristine, Atrocity (guest), Cradle of Filth (guest))
* Tommy Lindal - Guitars
* Tommy Olsson - Guitars
* Pål Bjåstad - Guitars
* Geir Flikkeid - Guitars
* Eirik T. Saltrø - Bass
Albums:
1995 - Theatre of Tragedy
1996 - Velvet Darkness They Fear
1998 - Aégis
2000 - Musique
2001 - Closure: Live
2002 - Assembly
2003 - Two Originals (Compilation)
2006 - Storm
2009 - Forever is the World
Singles and EPs:
1994 - Theatre of Tragedy Demo (Demo)
1996 - Der Tanz Der Schatten (Single)
1997 - A Rose for the Dead (EP)
1998 - Cassandra (Single)
2000 - Image (Single)
2001 - Machine (Single)
2001 - Inperspective (EP)
2002 - Let You Down (Single)
2002 - Envision (Single)
2006 - Storm (Single)
2010 - Addenda (EP)
Official site: www.theatreoftragedy.com
Envision
Theatre of Tragedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He tries, but doesn't understand
He calls on a different phone-line
No one that he knows
An out of focus acquaintance
Speaking in a silent parlance "Remember me", breaks the silence
A recurring line again
Can't see that he's stranded
He's just moving/going somewhere
He just can't stand this feeling no more He feels the blood run through his veins
Tries to get up, be young again
His face in the bathroom mirror
Someone looks at him
His undisputed kind of self-love
Weaker than it used to be like "Don't forget me", breaks the silence
A different life begins
He's looking for something
Can't see that he's stranded
He's just moving/going somewhere
He just can't stand this feeling no more Looks in the mirror, feels the snag
Packs his bag and picks a map "Don't forget me", seems inapt
He doesn't want to know "Don't forget me"
He's looking for something Can't see that he's stranded
He's just moving/going somewhere
He just can't stand this feeling no more
He's waiting for something
Becoming a vision
He's just moving/going somewhere
He just can't stand this feeling no more.
The lyrics of Theatre of Tragedy's song Envision seem to convey the story of someone who is lost and trying to find their way back to themselves. The singer of the song has lost touch with their own identity and is trying to reclaim it, yet they find themselves stuck in a limbo-like state where everything seems out of focus and unfamiliar.
The first stanza of the song portrays this confusion and sense of isolation quite effectively. The singer is trying to see and understand, but can't seem to do so. They reach out to someone they vaguely remember, but it seems that even that person is a stranger now. The repetition of the line "He's looking for something/Can't see that he's stranded" highlights the singer's confusion and desperation to find their way back.
The second stanza of the song is a bit more hopeful. The singer is trying to get up and be young again, but they are confronted with their older self in the bathroom mirror. The line "His undisputed kind of self-love/Weaker than it used to be" suggests that the singer's self-esteem and self-image have diminished over time. They are trying to reclaim their confidence and sense of self, but it seems to be an uphill battle.
Overall, Theatre of Tragedy's Envision is a poignant and introspective song that explores the struggle to find oneself. The repetition of certain phrases underscores the singer's confusion and desperation, while the underlying melody evokes a sense of melancholy.
Line by Line Meaning
He tries to see, although he can't
Despite his efforts, he is unable to comprehend his surroundings
He tries, but doesn't understand
His attempts to make sense of his situation are futile
He calls on a different phone-line
He reaches out to someone he does not know
No one that he knows
He is alone and without familiar support
An out of focus acquaintance
The person he contacts is unclear and unknown to him
Speaking in a silent parlance 'Remember me', breaks the silence
The person he contacts speaks in a manner that is unclear, but their message is clear: they want to be remembered
A recurring line again
He is haunted by a repeated pattern or phrase
He's looking for something
He has a desire, a goal, a purpose
Can't see that he's stranded
He is unaware that he is lost, confused, or stuck
He's just moving/going somewhere
He is taking action, but without a clear destination
He just can't stand this feeling no more
He is overwhelmed and desperate for change
He feels the blood run through his veins
He is experiencing a rush of emotion or adrenaline
Tries to get up, be young again
He longs to recapture his youth, to feel alive and free
His face in the bathroom mirror
He takes a moment to reflect on himself and his situation
Someone looks at him
He encounters another person, who observes him with either curiosity or judgment
His undisputed kind of self-love
He has a confidence in himself that goes unquestioned
Weaker than it used to be like 'Don't forget me', breaks the silence
Although he once had a strong sense of self-worth, it is now diminished, and he is reminded of someone who wants to be remembered
A different life begins
He is starting a new chapter or making a major change
He's waiting for something
He is anticipating an event or outcome that will shape his future
Becoming a vision
He is transforming himself, evolving into something new
Packs his bag and picks a map
He is preparing for a journey, both physical and emotional
'Don't forget me', seems inapt
The request to be remembered feels irrelevant to his current situation
He doesn't want to know 'Don't forget me'
He resists the idea of clinging to the past, even if it means forgetting someone important
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AvaRosss
One of my all time favorites. <3333
@Astray-yf1jp
Woah. Make me remember when I was playing GTA when i was young, driving taxi all around the city with these songs. Thanks :)
@alfredogonzalez2857
In which GTA this song is included?
@AlexandrePorto
LoL about people calling this pop. You don´t get it, they created a new style, it´s some kind of sci-fi metal.
@lievcocijo167
synthpop ...cyberpunk...
@mrojas28cr
It is called electrodark :) I love it!
@demonkoryu
The best song for ragequitting life, if you ask me.
@infirmusisdrums
nice song :)! <3
@iononsoleggere9065
I think that Musique was far superior than Assembly.... but hell how I miss that kind of creativity ina a metal band. It takes iron balls to risk your career producing this stuff. And ToT did it well!
@israelguilnet4216
ya únanse. la agrupación original y de gira mundial