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
Poppæa
Theatre of Tragedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A funeral thou'lt hark, swarth murderess - the Devil,
Thine feral grith with me, Poppæa, be Hell's hap;
Waylaid the beldame bawd, the niggard: Laughing tragedy.
And the wench doth bawdness to blow,
Stay my adamant -
Suffer me to transfix thee;
Let me dawt thine twain -
And, twine 'hem apart.
Of marrow, do na mell; I am Morelle -
The bosom'd Titivil; travail me; a fáin,
Subdue me with thine lote in oneness - make haste yet,
Displode me in a font - Poppæa, do what thou wilt.
And the wench doth bawdness to blow,
Stay my adamant -
Suffer me to transfix thee;
And the wench doth bawdness to blow,
Let me dawt thine twain -
And, twine 'hem apart.
The song "Poppæa" by Theatre of Tragedy is a dark and eerie glimpse into the twisted desires of someone who is consumed by obsession and lust. The lyrics are full of references to death and Devil worship, as the singer pleads for the attention and affection of a powerful and seductive woman named Poppæa. The song begins with a dream of a funeral, which the singer sees as a sign that Poppæa is calling out to him. He refers to her as a blest temptress and a swarth murderess, acknowledging her dangerous and deadly nature but still yearning for her to be his companion in Hell. The chorus repeats a plea for Poppæa to submit to his desires, with the lyrics describing his desire to "transfix" and "dawt" her. The song ends with a final plea for Poppæa to do as she wishes with him, to "displode" him in a font and bring their union to fruition.
The song may be inspired by the historical figure of Poppaea Sabina, the wife of the Roman Emperor Nero who was known for her beauty, scheming, and ambition. Poppaea was rumored to have been poisoned by Nero, which could explain the references to death and murder in the lyrics. The song also alludes to Devil worship and the idea of willingly consorting with dark forces, which was a common theme in Gothic and metal music in the 1990s when the song was released. Overall, the lyrics paint a disturbing picture of a mind consumed by twisted desires and willing to do anything to fulfill them.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream of a funeral, blest temptress - behest me! -
I yearn for death, oh divine seductress - command me! -
A funeral thou'lt hark, swarth murderess - the Devil,
You will oversee my demise, dark killer - the Devil,
Thine feral grith with me, Poppæa, be Hell's hap;
May your wildness imprison me, Poppæa, and be Hell's fortune;
Waylaid the beldame bawd, the niggard: Laughing tragedy.
Murdered the old prostitute, the miser: A tragic chuckle.
And the wench doth bawdness to blow,
And the woman offers prostitution to perform oral sex,
Stay my adamant -
Stop my resistance -
Suffer me to transfix thee;
Allow me to penetrate you;
Let me dawt thine twain -
Let me fondle your breasts -
And, twine 'hem apart.
And separate them.
Of marrow, do na mell; I am Morelle -
Do not interfere with my deepest desires; I am Morelle -
The bosom'd Titivil; travail me; a fáin,
The voluptuous Titivil; torment me; I long,
Subdue me with thine lote in oneness - make haste yet,
Overwhelm me with your passion and become one with me - hurry,
Displode me in a font - Poppæa, do what thou wilt.
Burst me into pieces - Poppæa, do as you please.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ser.vel.2511
The voice of this girl is hypnotizing...
@FKJBSDK
Ser. Vel. You must be new to this
@FKJBSDK
Hi How are ya welp not at all if i must say and glad for you to find this band even if they are long since disbanded in 2010
@CarlosLopez-oc9nh
Liv Christine has a dream voice, I really miss Theater of Tragedy, she left after a bit but yes her voice is amazing.
@funnytime5680
Liv kristine
@jspeary
Classic! I used to worship this album. Even as a black metal fan!
@HSNFX
actually you can't " not worship " this album
even when you justin bieber fan
@eytner
The best album from that band
@deadlynightshade1658
Beautiful song. Recently I can't stop listening to gothic metal bands. Theatre Of Tragedy, Tristania, The Gathering, Type O Negative... I'm in love with this kind of music ❤
@AnathemaAnathema-sk9nb
Im a metalhead guy and i still remember that album when it came out i had in cassette if you are interested in gothic music i have a list for you i suggest to listen to . Hear from you soon.