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.
Falscher Glanz
Zeraphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vereint und zerbrochen wenn der endlose Kreis sich schließt
In Deinem Kopf tausend Namen die Gesichter dazu sind eins
Kannst Du mich hören wenn ich Dich finden will
Wird nichts Dich verändern
Bleibt falscher Glanz in Deinem Lachen wenn alles sich wendet
Bleibt falscher Glanz in Deiner Nähe
Kein Wort auf Deinen Lippen hat die Stille Dich nicht so gestört
Nur schwarz und weiß in Deinem Innern ist die Verteilung der
Schuld längst geklärt
Du wartest noch auf die Klarheit
Du vergisst Du bist mittendrin
Kannst Du mich sehen falls man Dich finden will
Wird nichts Dich verändern
The lyrics of Zeraphine's song Falscher Glanz depict a person who is broken and wounded, surrounded by shattered remnants of their life. Despite being united in their brokenness, they feel trapped in an endless cycle of pain and despair, with a multitude of names and faces whirling around inside their head. The listener is implored to ask if this person can hear them, and if they can, will it be enough to change their desperate situation.
The chorus of the song asks a poignant question - will there always be false glamour in this person's laughter, even as their world is turned upside down? Will the instability they feel when the world turns continue to shine a false light on their surroundings?
Falscher Glanz shows a person who is seeking a way out of their pain, their guilt, and their confusion. They exist in a world of black and white, where everything is either right or wrong, with no room for grey areas. The song's final line implores the listener to look closer, to see this person for who they truly are, and to ask whether this awareness will be enough to change their situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Du liegst in den Scherben Deine Wunden sitzen tief
You are lying in shards, your wounds are profound.
Vereint und zerbrochen wenn der endlose Kreis sich schließt
United and broken, when the endless cycle closes.
In Deinem Kopf tausend Namen die Gesichter dazu sind eins
In your mind, a thousand names and their faces blend into one.
Kannst Du mich hören wenn ich Dich finden will
Can you hear me when I look for you?
Wird nichts Dich verändern
Nothing will change you.
Bleibt falscher Glanz in Deinem Lachen wenn alles sich wendet
Does false brilliance remain in your laughter when everything turns?
Bleibt falscher Glanz in Deiner Nähe
Does false sheen persist in your proximity?
Du schwankst wenn die Erde Dich dreht
You waver when the earth spins you.
Kein Wort auf Deinen Lippen hat die Stille Dich nicht so gestört
The silence has not bothered you even though your lips are sealed.
Nur schwarz und weiß in Deinem Innern ist die Verteilung der Schuld längst geklärt
The distribution of guilt within you is already settled in black and white.
Du wartest noch auf die Klarheit
You're still waiting for clarity.
Du vergisst Du bist mittendrin
You forget that you are in the midst of it all.
Kannst Du mich sehen falls man Dich finden will
Can you see me if someone looks for you?
Wird nichts Dich verändern
Nothing will change you.
Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.