In these formative days, the clan’s sound was raw and primitive, but still hinted at a sense of sorrow, with lyrics focusing on the darker aspects of England’s history.
However, by Eostremonað of 2006, the clan’s music had developed both technically and melodically, and so Æðelwalh was recruited on synths. It was at this point that Wodensthrone truly began to resemble their current incarnation, growing both musically and conceptually.
After a number of live assaults, the clan self-recorded the song ’A Tribute To Our Glorious Dead’ on a 16-track, and thus the split 7" with fellow kinsmen Niroth was born. The clan also entered the studio to record 2 more songs, ’Scinlaeca’ and ’These Isolated Lands’ which would eventually emerge on the ’Over The Binding Of The Waves’ split CD with Folkvang (Belarus) on Ancient Nation records.
However, the clan still felt incomplete, and so comrade Eldbeorn joined the clan on guitar in the Blotmonað of 2006, completing the line-up and adding further depths of melody and savagery to the clan’s sound.
At the dawn of 2007, despite being hindered by personal circumstances, the clan re-entered the studio to record ’The Scouring’ and to put the finishing touches to their material for the split with Folkvang.
In Ðrimilcemonað of 2007 the clan were greatly honoured to appear live alongside Negura Bunget and Fen in the Sundered Lands; one of the defining moment’s in the band’s history. Later that month the clan also confirmed their alliance with Bindrune Recordings, and began focusing on their debut full length.
During the Weodmonað of 2007, Eldbeorn decided to leave the clan for personal reasons, and so Rædwalh, of That Hideous Strength, was asked to join in his stead. His addition to the band has cemented the twin guitar approach Wodensthrone values and feels best captures their spirit in the live setting.
While spending time with Negura Bunget in Ðrimilcemonað of 2007, the clan were made an offer to record their then-written debut album, Loss, in Romania. The summer* of 2008 saw that opportunity realised when Loss was recorded during a two week period at Negura Studios in Timisoara. With Huppogramos and Arioch at the studio helm, the band worked arduously in the oppressive heat of a Transylvanian summer to craft the album, ensuring that no fine details of their musical vision were undeveloped. During that fortnight, with no time to even begin to mix their opus, the clan worked late into every night to record their performances ready for the final masterstrokes, which were provided by Huppogramos, lasting into early 2009.
Like any work of art carefully crafted over a long period of time, Loss represents a journey as cathartic and rewarding as it was tiring and testing. And now it finally stands as a bold testament not only to the aforementioned journey itself but also as a majestic threnody to Old Albion. With its release, Wodensthrone intend to carve their own path through black metal and, while paying homage to the many muses of old, shed new light on the progressive wave of art they have come to represent.
Upon the clan’s return to their homeland, and after much consideration since their journey to Romania, it was decided that Æðelwalh would leave Wodensthrone both due to personal differences with the band and his impractical distance from the Sundered Lands, the spiritual home of the band. The clan recently announced that Árfæst is playing synths.
"Wodensthrone take their inspiration from Britain's forgotten
heathen past, creating epic, sorrowful pagan black metal."
http://www.myspace.com/wodensthrone
http://www.bindrunerecordings.com
First Light
Wodensthrone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am the creator
"In biting flame and burning ice
it shall begin again"
Whisper to me the name of the wind
be one with me
transcend the self
Let us hear the song of the ocean
and feel the weight of the sky
The heart opens as the eye closes
Pluck out and relinquish the 'I'
Ancestral warnings
etched into our souls
steer us from the darkness
that lies within us all
The serpent slumbers only lightly
Though he with one eye keeps vigil
Upon his throne once more
As it was, so it shall be again
The serpent slumbers only lightly
Though he with one eye keeps vigil
Upon his throne once more
As it was, so it is again
The song "First Light" by Wodensthrone opens with the description of the dawn, with the first ray of light caressing the sky. The lyrics then shift focus to the idea of creation, with the singer possibly identifying themselves as the creator. The line "in biting flame and burning ice, it shall begin again" hints at a cyclical nature of creation and destruction, where the song of the universe plays on.
Moving forward, the lyrics speak of transcending the self and becoming one with nature, where the wind whispers and the ocean's song is heard. The phrase "pluck out and relinquish the 'I'" suggests that the singer may be urging the listener to shed their ego and surrender to the natural world. The next few lines give importance to ancestral warnings and acknowledge the darkness that lies within every human soul.
The song ends with a reference to an ongoing cycle that involves a serpent. The last few lines mention that the serpent slumbers, but with one eye keeps vigil upon its throne, ultimately indicating that what was once shall be again. The serpent represents transformation and denotes the cyclical nature previously mentioned, with the idea of death and rebirth or change occurring in a never-ending loop, linking back to the dawn and first light imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
First light caresses the sky
The dawn of a new day begins with the soft touch of light on the horizon.
I am the creator
The singer claims to be the one responsible for bringing forth new life and resurrection.
"In biting flame and burning ice
it shall begin again"
The cycle of life, death, and rebirth will continue despite the destructive forces of nature.
Whisper to me the name of the wind
The artist seeks a spiritual connection with nature and requests guidance on their journey.
be one with me
to transcend the self
and become the whole
The artist desires to merge with the universe and transcend their individual identity to become part of a greater cosmic whole.
Let us hear the song of the ocean
and feel the weight of the sky
The singer calls for a deep connection with the earth and sky, to understand the vastness of nature and the universe.
The heart opens as the eye closes
By withdrawing from external stimuli, one can look inward and access the deep emotions and wisdom held within themselves.
Pluck out and relinquish the 'I'
Let go of the ego, which can hold one back from spiritual growth and connection with the universe.
Ancestral warnings
etched into our souls
steer us from the darkness
that lies within us all
The artist reflects on the wisdom of their ancestors, who warned against the dangers of giving into the negative aspects of human nature.
The serpent slumbers only lightly
Though he with one eye keeps vigil
Upon his throne once more
As it was, so it shall be again
The artist reflects on the cyclical nature of existence, imagining a serpent God who does not sleep soundly, always watching over the world and ready to unleash its power once more.
The serpent slumbers only lightly
Though he with one eye keeps vigil
Upon his throne once more
As it was, so it is again
The singer repeats the earlier stanza to reinforce the idea of the unending cycle of life and death.
Contributed by Addison J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rico453
'Ancestral warnings, etched into our souls, steer us from the darkness, that lies within us all...'
Bexigah Music Web
+Rico453 Thanks, mate! Be welcome!
Rico453
Amazing song!!!