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.
Halbes Ende
Zeraphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ein 'für' ersetzt kein 'wider', gar nichts bewegt sich hier
Du warst das licht und der schatten zugleich
Spiegeln sich in augen wirklich die tränen der welt?
Hab ich geglaubt, es geht alles vorbei
Was ist schon der glaube, ist nicht alles nur schein
Ich hab immer versucht zu widerstehen
Und ich hör dich nicht mehr '�� und die nacht schläft so fest in meinen armen
Ein halbes ende
Eine neue flut spült mich fort
Die rettende hand ist nicht zu sehen
Halbes ende
Alles was ich will ist dein wort
Bevor wir im nichts untergehen
Ist alles schuld, was die lügen verdeckt
Wie lang hab ich gewartet, bis etwas sich regt
In der heißen glut verbrannt für ein sehnen nach mehr
Zurück bleibt nur die asche - verloren in dir
Und ich hör dich nicht mehr ' und die nacht schläft so fest in meinen armen
The lyrics to Zeraphine's song "Halbes Ende" convey a sense of hopelessness and despair. The singer seems to be struggling with a relationship that has ended and is feeling lost and alone. The opening line, "Ich hab gehofft, dass das eis mich noch trägt" (I was hoping that the ice would still carry me), suggests that the singer had hoped for some kind of support or stability but has been left adrift. The following lines, "Ein 'für' ersetzt kein 'wider', gar nichts bewegt sich hier" (A 'for' doesn't replace a 'against', nothing moves here), convey a feeling of stagnation and a lack of progress or resolution. The singer seems to be stuck in a place of emotional limbo and cannot move forward.
The chorus of the song, "Ein halbes ende, eine neue flut spült mich fort" (A half end, a new flood carries me away), speaks to the idea that even though something has ended, there is still a sense of uncertainty and upheaval. The singer is being carried away by a new flood, but there is no sense of safety or stability. The final line of the chorus, "Bevor wir im nichts untergehen" (Before we go under in nothingness), conveys a sense of impending doom or destruction. The singer is seeking some kind of assurance or comfort before everything falls apart.
Overall, the lyrics to "Halbes Ende" speak to the universal experience of heartbreak and loss. The singer is struggling to find a sense of closure or resolution, and the sense of uncertainty and fear is palpable throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich hab gehofft, dass das eis mich noch trägt
I hoped that the ice would still hold me.
Ein 'für' ersetzt kein 'wider', gar nichts bewegt sich hier
A 'for' does not replace a 'against', nothing moves here.
Du warst das licht und der schatten zugleich
You were the light and the shadow at the same time.
Spiegeln sich in augen wirklich die tränen der welt?
Do the tears of the world really reflect in the eyes?
Hab ich geglaubt, es geht alles vorbei
Did I believe that everything was going to end?
Was ist schon der glaube, ist nicht alles nur schein
What is faith, is not everything just an illusion?
Ich hab immer versucht zu widerstehen
I always tried to resist.
Solang es mir gelang konnt' ich nichts anderes sehen
As long as I succeeded, I couldn't see anything else.
Und ich hör dich nicht mehr '�� und die nacht schläft so fest in meinen armen
And I don't hear you anymore and the night sleeps so tightly in my arms.
Ein halbes ende
A half ending.
Eine neue flut spült mich fort
A new flood washes me away.
Die rettende hand ist nicht zu sehen
The saving hand is not in sight.
Halbes ende
Half ending.
Alles was ich will ist dein wort
All I want is your word.
Bevor wir im nichts untergehen
Before we drown in nothingness.
Ist alles schuld, was die lügen verdeckt
Is everything guilty that covers the lies.
Wie lang hab ich gewartet, bis etwas sich regt
How long have I waited for something to move.
In der heißen glut verbrannt für ein sehnen nach mehr
Burnt in the hot blaze for a yearning for more.
Zurück bleibt nur die asche - verloren in dir
Only the ashes remain - lost in you.
Contributed by Maria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.