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
Sweet Art Thou
Theatre of Tragedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
wilt thou my sister of merciful troth be?
I shall attempt the halter of thy life make less lighten'd!
I shall climb the yew
Will it subdue me or not
Swooning emotions smite my bosom
Oh! but ne'er alas;
Fro many another a lass
Lodge here fore'ermore
Dodge thither sable of yore!
A narrow dell hath now for me turn'd into a broad land
A land rich with fields of the Simbelmyne.
Sonorous to my ears are the words form'd by thy tongue;
Conquer me! - Waylay me! - Swathe me 'twixt thy arms!
Make me sense the wine which is drunk by queens,
And let it flow white and full in taste o'er my lips.
Make me sense the wine which is drunk by kings,
And let it flow red and full in taste o'er my lips.
A dais'd bridge o'er the ghyll,
In which a river bottomless -
I would have drowned,
Yet thou drewest me out soaking!
Save thou art not yet all parched
Eavesdroppest ye: A wee drop,
I can hear it! I can feel it!
Whence it comes I can only deem,
Yet I will not tarry idly!
Lest this for me is a gay dream:
Let it adamant be
A dream that will sojourn eternally
Empty the flagon in me!
In which theatre I will act!
The lyrics of this song, Sweet Art Thou by Theatre of Tragedy, appear to be telling a story of a person who is seeking the love and affection of their sister, or someone close to them who they see as pure and kind. The singer is asking their sister to allow them to help alleviate the hardships and struggles of life that she may be facing. They use symbolism in their language, such as "attempt the halter of thy life" which could represent attempting to ease the weight of her burdens. Additionally, there is mention of the yew tree that the singer attempts to climb. This could represent the journey or challenge that the singer must face in order to help their sister.
The singer expresses their admiration of their sister, describing their emotions as "swooning" and "sonorous" when listening to her speak. They long to be enveloped in her arms and experience the same pleasures that kings and queens do when indulging in wine. The singer is deeply moved by their sister's kindness and seems to desire nothing more than to be allowed to show their affection and gratitude.
Overall, these lyrics appear to be a depiction of a person who is longing for love and connection with someone they deeply care for. The use of poetic language makes the lyrics somewhat abstract, but the theme of seeking affection and understanding is clear.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay still patient
Remain calm and patient
wilt thou my sister of merciful troth be?
Will you be my sister of loyal mercy?
I shall attempt the halter of thy life make less lighten'd!
I will try to make your burdened life easier!
I shall climb the yew
I will climb the tree
Will it subdue me or not
I wonder if it will overpower me
Swooning emotions smite my bosom
My heart is overwhelmed with emotions
I have in aptness depriev'd thy eyrie
I have deprived you of your home
Oh! but ne'er alas;
But never mind;
Fro many another a lass
For many other women
Lodge here fore'ermore
Will always stay here
Dodge thither sable of yore!
Avoid the darkness of the past!
A narrow dell hath now for me turn'd into a broad land
A small valley seems much bigger now
A land rich with fields of the Simbelmyne.
A place of beauty and prosperity
Sonorous to my ears are the words form'd by thy tongue;
Your words are beautiful to me
Conquer me! - Waylay me! - Swathe me 'twixt thy arms!
Overwhelm me with your love!
Make me sense the wine which is drunk by queens,
Let me feel the luxury experienced by royalty
And let it flow white and full in taste o'er my lips.
And let it pass over my lips and satisfy me
Make me sense the wine which is drunk by kings,
Let me feel the power experienced by kings
And let it flow red and full in taste o'er my lips.
And let it pass over my lips and empower me
A dais'd bridge o'er the ghyll,
A bridge over the deep ravine
In which a river bottomless -
Where a bottomless river flows
I would have drowned,
I would have perished there
Yet thou drewest me out soaking!
But you saved me, even though I was soaked
Save thou art not yet all parched
Unless you are completely dried up
Eavesdroppest ye: A wee drop,
Listen: A small drop
I can hear it! I can feel it!
I can perceive it with my senses
Whence it comes I can only deem,
I can only guess where it is from
Yet I will not tarry idly!
But I will not just sit and wait!
Lest this for me is a gay dream:
In case this is just a happy dream for me:
Let it adamant be
Let it be true and unchanging
A dream that will sojourn eternally
A dream that will last forever
Empty the flagon in me!
Drink with me until we are empty!
In which theatre I will act!
Where I will express myself!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind