Tristania was a Norwegian gothic metal band formed in 1996 by Morten Veland… Read Full Bio ↴Tristania was a Norwegian gothic metal band formed in 1996 by Morten Veland, Einar Moen and Kenneth Olsson. Tristania's music is usually classified as gothic metal with death influences, due to its strong tie and legacy within the gothic metal history. Their songs largely dealt with dark and sentimental topics, including depression, sadness, suicide, love, absence, and anger. The band had not had any known activity from 2016 to October 2018, when they announced that they would perform at 70000 Tons of Metal in early 2019. In 2022, they announced they had disbanded.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristania_(band)

Studio albums
Widow's Weeds (1998)
Beyond the Veil (1999)
World of Glass (2001)
Ashes (2005)
Illumination (2007)
Rubicon (2010)
Darkest White (2013)

Fate
Tristania Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been trying to participate
in masquerades
The throne's been empty for too long
Paradise for those who play along
and the fortunate ones

I've been listening to the voice
at night

And he is right
I am the chosen one
And my shepherd, he has paid my ride
I will go with a smile

I've been begging for the public eye
Now watch me fly
Can you see what I've become
So expose me - I shall be released
When the flesh paints the street

I was walking through the valley of
the living dead
Did not count the tears I shed

Always chasing those elusive dreams
A drop of blood in the stream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tristania's song "Fate" describe a desire to participate in masquerades and a longing to fill the empty throne, in hopes of securing paradise for oneself. The lyrics then shift to a narrator listening to a voice at night, who claims they are the chosen one. The singer believes the voice and claims their shepherd has paid their ride, indicating they are ready to go where they need to with a smile. The lyrics then move to the singer begging for the public eye before declaring that they have become something worth exposing, and they will be released when their flesh hits the street. The song ends with the singer discussing walking through the valley of the living dead, never counting the tears they've shed, and constantly chasing elusive dreams, leaving a drop of blood in the stream.

The lyrics to "Fate" by Tristania leave plenty of room for interpretation. On the surface, the song seems to be a commentary on the desire for power and a willingness to do whatever it takes to obtain it. The singer seems to believe that they are the chosen one and is willing to go to great lengths to gain the public's attention. However, once they have become what they believe is worth exposing, they are ready to die ("when the flesh paints the street").

The song may also be seen as a metaphor for the pursuit of success at all costs. In this interpretation, the singer represents someone who has been chasing their dreams, but has left a trail of tears and blood in their wake. They are constantly pushing themselves to their limits and will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, even if it means sacrificing their own well-being or morality.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been trying to participate in masquerades
I have been trying to blend in and act like others, not revealing my true self, living in disguise, hiding behind a mask.

The throne's been empty for too long Paradise for those who play along and the fortunate ones
No one has occupied the throne of power for a long time, those who play along with the game of power will be rewarded with the heavenly pleasures, and the lucky will succeed in their endeavors.

I've been listening to the voice at night And he is right I am the chosen one And my shepherd, he has paid my ride I will go with a smile
I have been hearing a voice in the silence of the night, and the voice is telling me the truth. I am the chosen one to fulfill a higher purpose or destiny. My guide has prepared me, and I will go joyfully and without fear.

I've been begging for the public eye Now watch me fly Can you see what I've become So expose me - I shall be released When the flesh paints the street
I have been seeking public attention, and now that I have it, I will use it to soar high and achieve great things. Dare to expose my true identity, and I will feel liberated, and I will leave a mark on this world.

I was walking through the valley of the living dead Did not count the tears I shed Always chasing those elusive dreams A drop of blood in the stream
I was wandering in the land of the soulless, where people live only to exist, Where I cried oceans of tears, never able to rest or get a glimpse of my goals, similar to a drop of blood in the stream.

Contributed by Elijah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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