Their first album, 'Receiving Tomorrow' was accompanied with a lot of shows in The Netherlands supporting Epica, Kamelot and Autumn.
In 2006 they released their second album "Surreal" but instead of touring they worked on their third Album "Equilibrio".
Equilibrio is a Rock Opera written by Xystus and performed live with the USConcert in July 2008. Several other artists appeared in it like: Simone Simons (Epica), John Vooijs, Michelle Splietelhof and George Oosthoek. In 2009 the band released their first live DVD with of the Equilibrio show. It is a 3 disc box including the DVD disc with the live material and 2 CD's containing the audio of the same show.
Band-members
Ivo van Dijk - Drummer
Bas Dolmans - Vocals & Rhythm guitar
Bob Wijtsma - Lead guitar
Luuk van Gerven - Bass
Former band-members
Mark Bremelmans - Bass
Joris van den Kerkhof - Synths
Official Website
www.xystus.nl
Last Breath
Xystus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is it...
My life is frail and bruised
I've never known what others knew
But now I know - what's left to do?
I've followed my path
Through sour & sweet
I've been told...
Guided by faith
Diegu, Death:
Look at me
And see my eyes being dimmed
Grab my hand
I'm not sure I can withstand
Death:
Some tend to give while others take
It matters not: there is no escape
Diegu:
All that remains is for me to die
To follow through to the other side
Death:
Aaargh... What is this?
I can't take you down?!
This cannot be!
No one defies me!
Diegu:
I've never felt more alive:
Rising up in front of Death's eyes
Diegu, Death:
Grab my hand
And feel my strength within
Look at me
And we see a new beginning
Diegu:
I seldom smile,
Often I cry...
The sour-sweet of tears, seldom I taste
My lips are dry
When Death passed me by
It flashed before my eyes
I've seen how we will thrive
My heart is filled with hope
I won't be overthrown
I must not feel afraid - oh no I won't!
Death:
It is I who holds the Sceptre of Death
Heed my words Diegu: I will smother
Your very last breath
The song Last Breath by Xystus is about a character named Diegu who reflects upon his life and comes to the realization that he needs to die. He has never known what others knew but has followed his path through the sour and sweet, guided by faith. As he acknowledges the end, he confronts Death, which is personified in the song. Death tries to take him, but surprisingly, Diegu rises up in front of Death's eyes, defying Death and not giving in. The song ends with Death vowing to smother Diegu's last breath.
The lyrics describe a powerful internal struggle that Diegu must have been going through. He has seemingly lived a long and unfulfilling life that has left him wanting more. He is faced with the harsh reality that there is no escape from Death and that he has to follow through to the other side. However, his newfound strength and hope allow him to face Death head-on and ultimately overcome it.
The song also delves into the theme of faith, which seems to have guided Diegu throughout his life. It is through this faith that he gains the strength to confront Death and come out victorious. The idea of life after death is also explored, suggesting that there is a new beginning waiting for Diegu after his physical body has died.
Line by Line Meaning
This is it...
I am at the end of my life.
My life is frail and bruised
My life has been difficult and painful.
I've never known what others knew
I have not had the same experiences as others.
But now I know - what's left to do?
I know what I must do with the rest of my life.
I've followed my path
I have followed my own unique journey.
Through sour & sweet
Through both the good and bad times.
Travelled along without questioning all
I have not questioned everything that has happened to me.
I've been told...
I have been given guidance and advice.
Guided by faith
I have been following my beliefs and convictions.
Look at me
Pay attention to me.
And see my eyes being dimmed
See that I am close to death.
Grab my hand
Take my hand.
I'm not sure I can withstand
I am unsure if I can continue living.
Some tend to give while others take
Some people are givers while others are takers.
It matters not: there is no escape
It does not matter, we all must face death eventually.
All that remains is for me to die
The only thing left for me is to pass away.
To follow through to the other side
To cross over to the afterlife.
Aaargh... What is this?
Death is surprised that he cannot take the person's life.
I can't take you down?!
Death is struggling to take the person's life.
This cannot be!
Death cannot believe what is happening.
No one defies me!
Death is used to being in control and feared by all.
I've never felt more alive:
The person feels more alive than ever before.
Rising up in front of Death's eyes
The person is defying death and living in spite of it.
And feel my strength within
Feel the person's inner strength and resilience.
And we see a new beginning
Together, the person and Death see the possibility of a fresh start.
I seldom smile,
I rarely feel happy.
Often I cry...
I often feel sad and emotional.
The sour-sweet of tears, seldom I taste
I do not experience both happiness and sadness often.
My lips are dry
I am emotionally drained and exhausted.
When Death passed me by
When I faced death.
It flashed before my eyes
My life passed before my eyes.
I've seen how we will thrive
I have seen that there is hope for us to continue living and thriving.
My heart is filled with hope
I feel hopeful and optimistic.
I won't be overthrown
I refuse to be defeated by Death.
I must not feel afraid - oh no I won't!
I will not let my fear control me.
It is I who holds the Sceptre of Death
Death is the one who controls who lives and dies.
Heed my words Diegu: I will smother
Listen to me, I will take your life.
Your very last breath
The last breath of your life.
Contributed by Jake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
gunslinger072
I would love to sing like Bas, but sadly I sound a lot more like George. Oh well, great song!