Theatre of Tragedy was a gothic metal band, originally assembled in 1993 in… Read Full Bio ↴Theatre of Tragedy was a gothic metal band, originally assembled in 1993 in Stavanger, Norway by Hein Frode Hansen, Raymond István Rohonyi and Lorentz Aspen, together with Tommy Lindal, Pål Bjastad, and Liv Kristine.

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

Image
Theatre of Tragedy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You act a pansy, pushover
Who is that, something says your name
You seem chancy, moreover
Do live your fancy, go lower

The call is mine
I'm gonna get you up
The call is mine

I'm gonna get on top

On the skew, you're dancing all over
In a blue suit, orange pullover
You are the anti-fashion statement
I'm gonna get on top

You look like my old dog Rover
I'm gonna get you up
The call is mine
Spit teeth - I can hear you

Head crash - I can't see you
I feel your pounding me onto the street
I've learned to know the taste of concrete

Why don't you follow me?

I feel the blood gushing, crumbling away
Eyes flash - feels like electroshock
Street brash - time flies, tick-tock

I know this marks the end of my hey-day
Why don't you follow me

Overall Meaning

The song "Image" by Theatre of Tragedy contains lyrics that can be interpreted in different ways. It is possibly about a person who is being bullied or underestimated but is determined to prove their worth. The first verse seems to be addressed to someone who is acting weak, with lines like "You act a pansy, pushover" and "You seem chancy, moreover." The chorus, "The call is mine, I'm gonna get you up," suggests the singer wants to lift this person up and help them become stronger.

The second verse brings up imagery of someone dancing in a blue suit and orange pullover who is making an "anti-fashion statement." This person is likened to a dog named Rover, and the singer declares their intent to "get on top." The final lines of the song describe a physical altercation or attack, with the singer feeling blood gushing and crumbling away, and the words "street brash" and "ticking clock" invoking a sense of urgency and danger.

Overall, the lyrics of "Image" by Theatre of Tragedy are open to interpretation, but they suggest a message of empowerment and taking control of one's life. The desire to be on top and prove oneself is strong throughout the song, even in the face of violence or adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

You act a pansy, pushover
You behave timidly and weak-minded

Who is that, something says your name
Someone is calling out to you, but you're uncertain of who it is

You seem chancy, moreover
You appear to be taking risks unnecessarily

Do live your fancy, go lower
Indulge in your desires, go to a lower place

The call is mine
I am in control of this situation

I'm gonna get you up
I am going to lift you out of your current state

The call is mine
I am still in control

I'm gonna get on top
I will dominate this situation

On the skew, you're dancing all over
You are moving erratically and unevenly

In a blue suit, orange pullover
You are dressed like an anti-fashion statement

You are the anti-fashion statement
Your appearance is unconventional and rebellious