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
Illusions
Theatre of Tragedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reverberating distantly
Some have moments that they can’t subdue
Some take part in the electric blue
Look away…
He watched the lines and the curvature
She stayed the moment with a glimpse and a frown
She took the fates by surprise
She was the model for the end of days
Some have moments that they can’t subdue
Some take part in the electric blue
Look away…
These are the days now
This season will change us
Be someone, trust no-one
Vicious circle, never ending
These are the days now
This season will change us
This breakdown, disruption
Ease the pain now, please start ending
Disarrayed and renewed
And everything’s electric blue
Polarised and dismayed
When everything else is just untrue
Everything’s electric blue
Everything’s untrue
The Theatre of Tragedy's song "Illusions" is a song that takes the listener on an emotional journey. The lyrics are intriguing and beg for interpretation. The song appears to be a love story that has taken a turn for the worst. It speaks of memories that are half-forgotten, reverberating distantly. The singer of the song seems to be struggling with these memories, and some of these moments feel impossible to subdue. The electric blue mentioned in the song may refer to a feeling of excitement or potential that has yet to be realized.
The chorus of the song asks the listener to “look away,” potentially pointing to the idea that the singer wants to move on from this relationship or memory that they are struggling with. The verses in the song describe a woman who seems to be the model for the end of days. This woman is described as someone who took the fates by surprise, perhaps implying that this end of days comes from her actions. The lyrics also mention a season that will change us, a breakdown, and disruptions, all of which suggest that the singer is undergoing some significant change. The lines "be someone, trust no-one" could imply that the singer has been hurt before and is now trying to protect themselves.
Overall, the song is full of vivid imagery and emotional themes that the listener can interpret in different ways. The guitar in the background helps to create a moody and haunting atmosphere, which complements the tortured lyrics of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Decode the half forgotten memories
Unravel memories that are only partially remembered
Reverberating distantly
Echoing faintly in the back of one's mind
Some have moments that they can’t subdue
Certain people have memories that they can't forget and move on from
Some take part in the electric blue
Some individuals are swept away by the intense emotions and passions of life
Look away…
Don't pay attention to the chaos and madness of it all
He watched the lines and the curvature
Observing every detail of her physical form
And traced her silhouette
Outlining the contours of her body with his eyes
She stayed the moment with a glimpse and a frown
She captured the moment by glaring at him briefly with disapproval
She took the fates by surprise
She defied fate and expectations by doing something unexpected
She was the model for the end of days
She was a symbolic representation of the apocalypse or end of the world
These are the days now
The present is characterized by a certain mood or atmosphere
This season will change us
The current period of time will have a transformative effect on our lives
Be someone, trust no-one
Try to be someone of significance, but be cautious and skeptical of others
Vicious circle, never ending
A cycle of harmful or negative events that seems to be infinite
This breakdown, disruption
The current chaos and disorder that is causing distress and instability
Ease the pain now, please start ending
Put an end to the suffering and trauma as soon as possible
Disarrayed and renewed
Feeling confused and uncertain, but also experiencing a sense of rebirth or renewal
And everything’s electric blue
Everything seems to be charged with intense emotions and energy
Polarised and dismayed
Opposing forces or ideologies are causing confusion and fear
When everything else is just untrue
When everything else feels or seems to be false or meaningless, these intense emotions are the only reality
Everything’s electric blue
Everything is characterized by intense passion and emotion
Everything’s untrue
The world seems to be filled with lies and deception
Contributed by Asher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.