After the acclaimed goth rock band Dreadful Shadows decided to split and go their separate ways, Sven and Norman collaborated with ex-Dreadful Shadows producer Thommy Hein on a project called Helix. However, since the Helix name was under copyright by another band, they were forced to rename themselves Zeraphine - taken from the Hebrew bible's concepts of the 'seraph' (or seraphim), which is a class of angel in traditional Judaism. This concept was purposely taken as an ironic gesture, given Sven's lyrics are often critical of organized religion. Once Zeraphine, the band signed onto the Drakkar Entertainment record label.
Originally, additional band members Manuel Senger (guitars), Michael Nepp (bass), and Marcellus Puhlemann (drums) joined the project as studio musicians. This changed after their debut album was released, and each member began contributing music and ideas to all following releases.
Zeraphine's debut album, 'Kalte Sonne' (2002), gained notoriety for it's lyrics; unlike Dreadful Shadows, whose songs were written entirely in English, Sven elected to pen an album completely in German, citing that "I simply tried to transfer my style of writing to my mother tongue and I liked it quite a lot. I always thought it would be impossible." Their following album, 'Traumaworld' (2003), saw Sven return to English, with only two songs written in German. Tonally, the album's lyrics were harsher, as the band drew inspiration from their feelings on the Iraq war. However, when it came to promoting the album, the more upbeat 'Be My Rain' (2003) was chosen as the single. A music video was made for 'Be My Rain' (consisting of live footage), and a limited promo CD was released, featuring album, radio, and club mixes of the title track, and a cover of the Depeche Mode song 'In Your Room'.
In 2004, Zeraphine joined HIM on an acclaimed tour of Europe, which exposed the band to an even wider audience. In anticipation for the tour, Zeraphine hit the studio again to record the single 'New Year's Day' (2004), featuring a cover version of the U2 song, and two other original tracks. Promptly after the tour finished, Zeraphine again entered the studio and churned out another single, 'Die Macht In Dir' (2004), which promised a full album at the beginning of the following year; The single, as well as the title track, consisted of alternative versions of 'Kaltes Herz', 'Die Macht In Dir', (and on the limited edition release) 'Until I Finally Drown'. 'Blind Camera' (2005) was released with a positive response by both fans and critics, and sent Zeraphine on the road once more, headlining their own trip across Europe. A particular point of well-reception was the balance in German and English lyrics - nearly half the songs on 'Blind Camera' are written in German. The record itself was written as a semi-concept album, dealing with themes such as perception and reality.
In 2006, Zeraphine announced that they were severing their ties with their label, Drakkar Entertainment, so that they could have more creative control over their next record. 'Still' (2006), released on the Phonyx Records label (a record label managed by the band themselves, and producer Thommy Hein), was handled with noticeably less 'polish' than their previous albums. This was per the band's decision to move to a less studio-oriented, more live sounding style of recording. Two editions of the album were released, a regular and an enhanced version; the enhanced featuring an additional song, and the music video (and outtakes) to the title track and single, 'Still'. The record's title is meant to represent both it's German and English meanings, commenting on the duality of the album's lyrical content.
The band was decidedly less active in 2007, when Sven and Norman rejoined Dreadful Shadows for live shows exclusively. Also during this time, Sven began working on a side project, an electronic solo project titled Solar Fake. A compilation album was also released during this time, titled 'Years in Black' (2007), by Phoynx Records and Drakkar Entertainment; It contained songs from all four albums, and while no unreleased material was put on it (an update on their official website cited such an act as a 'fan rip-off'), the currently out-of-print radio mix of 'Be My Rain' was added in place of the album version. Zeraphine continued to tour and do festivals throughout 2007 and 2008, with a few new songs slipping into setlists during the later half of 2008.
As of March 2009, it is rumored that the band is working on a fifth album.
Du fragst nicht mehr
Zeraphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Der Abgrund, so nah und es hämmert in deinem Kopf
Du spürst nur noch die Kälte unter deiner Haut
Doch auch der Sturm verweht die Gedanken nicht
Den lebenslangen Kampf
Und auch der Regen löscht die Tränen nicht
Du wagst nicht, dich zu bewegen, dein Herzschlag verlangsamt sich
Die Stunden vergehen, doch es bleibt kalt
Doch auch der Sturm verweht die Gedanken nicht
Den lebenslangen Kampf
Und auch der Regen löscht die Tränen nicht
Und dein Gesicht verbrennt
Du fragst nicht mehr, was sollte sich jetzt noch ändern?
Du fragst nicht mehr, denn du trägst die Antwort in dir
Du kannst nichts mehr hören, das Rauschen ist längst verstummt
Dein Körper gespalten - fast alles bleibt
Du fragst nicht mehr, was sollte sich jetzt noch ändern?
Du fragst nicht mehr, das Blatt kann sich nicht mehr wenden
Du fragst nicht mehr, welchen Weg du gehen sollst
Du fragst nicht mehr, denn du trägst die Antwort in dir
The song "Du Fragst Nicht Mehr" by Zeraphine is a poetic expression of the feeling of hopelessness and despair that takes over when life becomes unbearable. The lyrics begin with a vivid image of a person standing on the edge of an abyss and feeling the icy coldness under their skin. The storm rages in their head, and they can't shake off the overwhelming sadness that grips them.
The second verse talks about the passage of time as the person remains trapped in their despair, unable to move or change their situation. Even the rain fails to wash away their tears, and their face feels like it's burning from within. The chorus repeats the title phrase, "Du Fragst Nicht Mehr" (You Don't Ask Anymore), which suggests that the person has given up on seeking answers or solutions to their problems.
The final verse describes a feeling of detachment from the world around them as if everything has become muted and distant. The person's body feels split in two, and they have resigned themselves to the fact that nothing can change. The answer they seek is within themselves, and they have accepted their fate.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of deep emotional pain and the struggle to overcome it. It is a powerful expression of the human condition and the feeling of being trapped in a situation beyond one's control.
Line by Line Meaning
Der Abgrund, so nah und es hämmert in deinem Kopf
You are standing at the edge, with the sound of pounding in your head
Du spürst nur noch die Kälte unter deiner Haut
You have become numb to the cold on your skin
Doch auch der Sturm verweht die Gedanken nicht
Den lebenslangen Kampf
Und auch der Regen löscht die Tränen nicht
Und dein Gesicht verbrennt - es brennt
But even the storm cannot erase your thoughts, your lifelong struggle, and the rain cannot wash away your tears as your face burns
Du wagst nicht, dich zu bewegen, dein Herzschlag verlangsamt sich
Die Stunden vergehen, doch es bleibt kalt
You dare not move, your heart rate slows down, and hours pass, yet the cold remains
Du fragst nicht mehr, was sollte sich jetzt noch ändern?
Du fragst nicht mehr, denn du trägst die Antwort in dir
You no longer ask what could change now, for you carry the answer within yourself
Du kannst nichts mehr hören, das Rauschen ist längst verstummt
Dein Körper gespalten - fast alles bleibt
You can no longer hear, drowned out by the silence, your body shattered, and almost everything remains
Du fragst nicht mehr, das Blatt kann sich nicht mehr wenden
Du fragst nicht mehr, welchen Weg du gehen sollst
Du fragst nicht mehr, denn du trägst die Antwort in dir
You no longer ask which way to go, the leaf cannot turn anymore, for you carry the answer within yourself
Contributed by Landon R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.