Formed in 2012, the band takes root in a raw depressive black metal, but now sheds all boundaries, taking inspiration from an array of additional dark atmospheres including the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and I.M. Banks, noir thrillers and horror movies. The band's excellent early recordings were gathered in the "Origins" compilation released in late 2016.
Exploring themes of borderline death states, aberrant afterlife worlds and strange mental disorders, the WHITE WARD sound spans the expansiveness of instrumental jazz and the depths of pitch black existential despair. After recording the first full-length album "Futility Report", WHITE WARD was signed to Debemur Morti Productions and now is primed to embark much further on the divergent sonic journey.
The band continues to evolve and change directions with their second release, “Love Exchange Failure”. Dark-jazz aesthetics appear more vibrant and deeper than ever before, while elements of blackened death, prog, and black metal scream out in an intense fury over vicious blast beats, courtesy of new drummer Noctum! Lyrical themes explore new dimensions, diving into the abyss of human psyche instead of creating Lovecraft-inspired worlds.
In June 2022, the Ukrainian Black Metal innovators are prepared to unleash their third album, “False Light”, incorporating and intertwining various influences into a potent and dystopian mix. “False Light” is an indispensable record from a stunning band at the top of their game.
Phoenix
White Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unless the last tear drops down
The last drop of human blood disappears
Thousands of years will pass in a row
Until this place gets well again
Being well-healed
It will produce the plague one more time
Repeating the circle
Frigid birds fly onward the north
Surpassing the distance and gravity
They yet don't know that there is no home
No place to build a nest
The rest no longer matters
The sacred land fell prey to fire
And someone's evil will
A burning forest will never make them cry
Arsonists, parasites
Their bellies are always hungry
Their eyes are blind with the shine of gold
No miracle worker can fix their wounds
They are too heavy to wear
I hope you are in a better place
Your murderer doesn't care
Never stay aside
Even if they follow you
Never stay aside
Even if they reach you
Never stay aside
Even if they trap you
Never stay aside
Even if they murder you
Never stay aside
Even if they follow you
Never stay aside
Even if they reach you
Never stay aside
Even if they trap you
Never stay aside
Even if they murder you
No miracle worker can fix their wounds
They are too heavy to wear
I hope you are in a better place
The lyrics to White Ward's song "Phoenix" delve into themes of destruction, renewal, and the resilience of the human spirit. The song begins by stating that it will never be quiet again unless some catastrophic event occurs, symbolizing the chaos and turmoil of life. The mention of tears and human blood disappearing implies a state of desolation and loss. The lyrics suggest that it will take thousands of years for this place to heal and be well again, but even then, it will eventually succumb to another plague, perpetuating a never-ending cycle.
The second verse introduces the image of frigid birds flying north, unaffected by the troubled world they leave behind. These birds are ignorant of the fact that there is no home or safe place for them to build a nest, symbolizing a lack of refuge and stability. The phrase "The sacred land fell prey to fire / And someone's evil will" expresses the idea that destruction has befallen a once-hallowed place at the hands of malicious intent.
The following lines criticize those who perpetuate destruction and greed. Arsonists and parasites are described as constantly hungry, driven by their insatiable desires for wealth and power. The reference to their blind eyes suggests that they are oblivious to the consequences of their actions. No miraculous intervention can heal their wounds or change their destructive behavior. The lyrics then express a longing for a better place for the listener, acknowledging that their murderer does not care about their well-being.
The repeating chorus serves as a rallying cry, urging the listener to never stay aside or remain passive in the face of adversity. Regardless of whether others follow, reach, trap, or even murder them, the song urges resilience and a refusal to be subdued. Echoing the sentiment from earlier, no miracle worker can fix their wounds because they are too heavy to bear, indicating that it is up to individuals to find strength within themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
It will never be so quiet here again unless we all fall
This place will never experience peace again unless we all face our downfall together
Unless the last tear drops down
Unless the final drop of sorrow falls
The last drop of human blood disappears
The final trace of human suffering vanishes
Thousands of years will pass in a row
Countless millennia will come and go
Until this place gets well again
Until this place regains its health and harmony
Being well-healed
Being completely rejuvenated
It will produce the plague one more time
It will unleash disaster once more
Repeating the circle
Continuing the cycle
Frigid birds fly onward the north
Cold birds soar towards the north
Surpassing the distance and gravity
Defying distance and gravity
They yet don’t know that there is no home
They are unaware that there is no place to call home
No place to build a nest
No place to create a stable dwelling
The rest no longer matters
Everything else becomes insignificant
The sacred land fell prey to fire
The sacred land became a victim of fire
And someone’s evil will
And the malicious intent of someone
A burning forest will never make them cry
A forest engulfed in flames won't evoke their sympathy
Arsonists, parasites
Those who start fires, those who exploit
Their bellies are always hungry
They are endlessly craving and greedy
Their eyes are blind with the shine of gold
Their obsession with wealth blinds them
No miracle worker can fix their wounds
No miracle worker can heal their deep wounds
They are too heavy to wear
Their wounds are too burdensome to bear
I hope you are in a better place
I hope you have found peace in another realm
Your murderer doesn’t care
The one who took your life feels no remorse
Never stay aside even if they follow you
Never remain indifferent even if they pursue you
Never stay aside even if they reach you
Never stay silent even if they catch up to you
Never stay aside even if they trap you
Never remain inactive even if they ensnare you
Never stay aside even if they murder you
Never stay complacent even if they kill you
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
luminatov
This band is truly a hidden gem of Ukrainian music
Edward Hunter
Favourite track on the album. Together with Leviathan and Cronus 👍
Arsh Dhange
Dont forget Silence circles! The rest of the songs are kinda meh but those 4 are elite
Remon
@Arsh Dhange bruh false light is fucking fantastic. The rest of the songs are pretty good too. But those 5 standout for me.
hvitekristesdød
Album of the year. Slava Ukraine
Joe Benson
Why do you support the people that fought alongside Germany against the Soviets in the 1940s?
White Ward
@Joe Benson
🤡🤡🤡
Flammifer
@Joe Benson
🤡🤡🤡
foka zachodniopomorska
@Joe Benson Joe, don't be a reason for people to believe stereotypes about Americans
mootkickee
this band is something else entirely. only new to the party with these guys, but the new album is out of this world good. it’s like shade empire had a baby with agalloch, and anathema is their step brother. new album is an absolute masterpiece. album of the year material 🙌🏼