The beginning of the group can be dated to 1990. It arose from the ruins of punk trio Hrdinové Nové Fronty ("The Heroes of the New Front", H.N.F.). The frontman of XIII. Století, Petr Štěpán, says:
It is logically only one genre, which can grow up from punk past, without declining their music from the past.
During evolution, the membership of the group changed many times, but the original members of singer Petr Štěpán and drummer Pavel Štěpán have remained with the group throughout.
The most important part of the group's activity is the concerts, well known as "monstrosity" shows. The longevity of the gothic group is remarkeable in the Czech Republic.
During their years they have released many albums. The first was a CD Amulet with a fresh guitar sound. The second was an album with a more "pop" sound, Gotika. These two albums were released by the company Monitor. Then XIII. Století started co-operation with the company Happy Music and released through them three dark gothic albums - the energetic Nosferatu, Werewolf and Ztraceni v Karpatech.
XIII. Století became very popular in Poland and Slovakia, especially after their attendance at the Gothic Fest in Bolkow in 1999. Their popularity grew, not only in Poland but in Italy and other European countries.
The activities of Petr Štěpána are very diverse - from appearance in theatre to writing books. He is an author of The Book of Nosferatu - Vampire Bible.
Between 2001 and 2003 there was long pause in their musical output, but the band is now back again.
Elizabeth
XIII. Století Lyrics
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Noci plné temných tanců píseň nepoznáš
Nahé tělo vzýváš rudou koupelí
Temné tóny varhan věže hradu hlídají
Elizabeth - tvá krvavá cesta Bohu hříchem se zdá
Elizabeth - si hledaná, milovaná
Elizabeth - jsi hledaná, milovaná
Zrozená si v horách temné Transylvanie
Moc a křídla draků ve tvých žilách koluje
Prastarý je národ který zrodil sestru svou
Jsi jeho bílé svědomí dcera temnot kráčí tmou
Elizabeth - tvá krvavá cesta Bohu hříchem se zdá
Elizabeth - jsi hledaná, milovaná
Elizabeth - tvá krvavá cesta Bohu hříchem se zdá
Elizabeth - jsi hledaná, milovaná
Jméno je tvým štítem a domov sklepením
Chladný kámen náhrobkem jen jméno tvé nic víc
Moc a síla věčná co se v krvi ukrývá
Pokořené vrásky času v tváři nepoznáš
Elizabeth - tvá krvavá cesta Bohu hříchem se zdá
Elizabeth - jsi hledaná, milovaná
Elizabeth - tvá krvavá cesta Bohu hříchem se zdá
Elizabeth - jsi hledaná, milovaná
Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth
The song "Elizabeth" by XIII. Století tells the story of a woman named Elizabeth who is shrouded in mystery and darkness. The lyrics speak of her as fading away like a black orchid in the morning, and not knowing the song of the night's dark dances. She is said to invoke her naked body with a red bath, while the dark tones of the organ watch over the towers of her castle. The lyrics continue to describe Elizabeth's dark origin, born in the mountains of Transylvania with dragon wings in her veins. She is the conscience of her ancient people, walking into the darkness as the daughter of darkness itself.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Elizabeth - your bloody path seems sinful to God" and goes on to say that she is sought after and loved. Even though she is born with the powerful and eternal strength that flows through her veins, the song suggests that she is ultimately alone with only her name as a shield and her home as a dungeon. The wrinkles of time will not be noticed in her face due to her submissive strength.
The song portrays Elizabeth as a powerful and mysterious figure, wrapped in darkness and shadow. The use of the organ music and the red bath evoke an eerie and unsettling image of her, while the use of the phrase "bloody path" links her to a murky and secretive past that further adds to the disturbing atmosphere of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Jako černá orchidej vždy k ránu uvadáš
Like a black orchid, you wither every morning
Noci plné temných tanců píseň nepoznáš
You don't know the song of the dark dances in the nights
Nahé tělo vzýváš rudou koupelí
You invoke a red bath with your naked body
Temné tóny varhan věže hradu hlídají
The dark tones of the organ are guarded by the towers of the castle
Elizabeth - tvá krvavá cesta Bohu hříchem se zdá
Elizabeth - your bloody path seems like a sin to God
Elizabeth - si hledaná, milovaná
Elizabeth - you are sought after, loved
Zrozená si v horách temné Transylvanie
You were born in the dark mountains of Transylvania
Moc a křídla draků ve tvých žilách koluje
Power and wings of dragons run through your veins
Prastarý je národ který zrodil sestru svou
An ancient nation that gave birth to its own sister
Jsi jeho bílé svědomí dcera temnot kráčí tmou
You are its white conscience, daughter of darkness walking in the dark
Jméno je tvým štítem a domov sklepením
Your name is your shield, and your home is a basement
Chladný kámen náhrobkem jen jméno tvé nic víc
The cold stone is just a tombstone, nothing more than your name
Moc a síla věčná co se v krvi ukrývá
Eternal power and strength hidden in the blood
Pokořené vrásky času v tváři nepoznáš
You don't recognize the humble wrinkles of time on your face
Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth
Writer(s): Petr Stepan
Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.