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
Play
Theatre of Tragedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Making chit-chat, this and that, from the bits
Consumed, perfumed, detracts the room despite
Glowing, knowing she can head for the limelight
She's too rich for her men
She won't stay, what a shame
A shame
She exists for the game
A shame
Tricky repertoire
Words flying 'round
Picky seminar
Bound to be drowned in the sound
Sticky shirt and tie
Play 'Bottoms Up' in the bar
Icky, fly guy, why,
She's nastier by far
It's appeasing how she wanna flaunt her fur
His mind's but a blur
He's derailing from his train of thought
Doing not what he ought and was taught
He's trying to flick quick, but she waged the pages stick
Someone must have gone click, click, click, click
Can't see what's new, he doesn't have a clue
Of what to do with the woman he thought that he knew
She's too rich for her men
She won't stay, what a shame
A shame
She won't fit in his world
She exists for the game
A shame
The song "Play" by Theatre of Tragedy depicts a powerful and dominant woman who is the epitome of wealth and status. The opening lines, "She fills the rich kitsch niche where she sits / Making chit-chat, this and that, from the bits" paint a picture of a woman who is comfortable amongst the upper echelons of society, engaging in superficial small talk with other wealthy individuals. Her presence is hard to ignore, as she is "consumed, perfumed" and "glowing", and yet somehow manages to detract from the room with her overpowering aura.
The chorus of the song reveals that this woman is too powerful to be contained by any man. She is "too rich" for them, and she exists purely for the thrill of the game. She won't fit into their world because it doesn't offer her enough excitement or challenge. The lyrics suggest that she is always on the move, and her motivations are constantly shifting, making it impossible for her to stay in one place for too long.
The second verse describes the woman's effortless charm and ability to manipulate those around her. She has a "tricky repertoire" of conversation topics, but the words are "flying 'round" too fast for anyone to keep up. She is seen as sticky, icky, and fly by those who don't understand her complex nature. The singer of the song struggles to keep up with her ever-changing whims and moods, and her unpredictability ultimately proves to be too much for him.
Line by Line Meaning
She fills the rich kitsch niche where she sits
Sitting amongst the wealthy, she indulges in excessive and gaudy luxury.
Making chit-chat, this and that, from the bits
Casually gossiping and making small talk, but never truly discussing anything of substance.
Consumed, perfumed, detracts the room despite
Her excessive use of perfume and consumption of all things lavish draws attention away from others in the room.
Glowing, knowing she can head for the limelight
Radiating confidence, she is aware that she can easily become the center of attention.
She's too rich for her men
She is too wealthy and indulgent for her romantic partners to keep up with her lifestyle.
She won't stay, what a shame
Her inability to remain in relationships is a disappointment for those who cannot keep up with her luxurious lifestyle.
She won't fit in his world
Her excessive wealth and indulgence make it difficult to relate to others who do not share her lifestyle.
She exists for the game
Her existence revolves around indulging in the thrill of luxury and attention-seeking behavior.
Tricky repertoire
Her behavior and actions are difficult to predict and entirely self-serving.
Words flying 'round
She speaks recklessly, without much consideration for others or the impact of her words.
Picky seminar
She is selective about who she associates with and uses her network to her own benefit.
Bound to be drowned in the sound
Her behavior and indulgence will ultimately lead to her isolation and loneliness.
Sticky shirt and tie
The appearance of wealth and status, but lacking substance or true character.
Play 'Bottoms Up' in the bar
Indulging in excess and hedonism, without regard for the consequences.
Icky, fly guy, why,
Questioning the motives and intentions of others who try to indulge in her lifestyle without the means or ability to do so.
She's nastier by far
Secretly despicable and cruel, only interested in satisfying her own selfish desires.
It's appeasing how she wanna flaunt her fur
She takes great pleasure in showing off her wealth and luxury, even if it may be perceived as excessive or distasteful.
His mind's but a blur
He is unable to process or understand her behavior and lifestyle, leaving him in a confused and dazed state.
He's derailing from his train of thought
The excess and indulgence of her lifestyle is disrupting his ability to think clearly or with purpose.
Doing not what he ought and was taught
Abandoning the principles and values he was raised with, he indulges in hedonism and self-serving behavior in an attempt to keep up with her.
He's trying to flick quick, but she waged the pages stick
He is attempting to move swiftly and avoid getting stuck in her indulgent behavior, but she continues to trap him in her luxurious lifestyle.
Someone must have gone click, click, click, click
It is unclear who or what is responsible for her behavior and actions, but it is clear that they are not entirely genuine or sincere.
Can't see what's new, he doesn't have a clue
He is unable to see beyond the surface-level indulgence and luxury, and does not truly understand or appreciate her character or values.
Of what to do with the woman he thought that he knew
He is unable to reconcile his previous perceptions and experience of her with the excessive and indulgent person she has become.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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