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.
Inside Your Arms
Zeraphine Lyrics
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Drive your thoughts away and dismiss
The incomprehensible lies that they'll never stop to tell about us
When bridges are burning behind us, I don't mind
It's their polarization that I'll never understand
We're laughing into their affected face
And if we fall we take them with us
Isn't it all a question of trust?
The secrets are changing for their ultimate goal
And predestination's a joke
Hold me if we're falling inside your arms
Keep the wrong directions out
The anchor's ripped off, we're flying above
All the disillusions
Haven't you seen the wire they've stretched
Maybe it worked if we were well matched
But we don't stumble back on our way
Give us just one good reason to stay
The world is still turning, but it can't be the same
While everyone's searching for his perfect private fame
They say we should take the consequence
With a flavor of self-recompense
But if there's one thing we can stand
It's to keep our pure lives in our hand
There's nothing to change at all in retrospect
Impunity keeps us alive
The song "Inside Your Arms" by Zeraphine describes a sense of isolation and frustration felt by the singer, as they try to ignore the lies and judgments of others. They encourage themselves to not think about the negative opinions of others and instead focus on trusting their own instincts. The bridge burning behind them represents past mistakes or relationships that they are choosing to leave behind. The singer mocks those who try to bring them down and offers a sense of solidarity with others who may also feel misunderstood or rejected.
The chorus offers a sense of comfort and safety, as the singer calls out for someone to hold them while they feel like they are falling. The lyrics suggest that facing challenges together with someone you trust can help us overcome our doubts and fears. The metaphorical image of the "anchor ripped off" suggests a sense of freedom or liberation from old patterns or routines. The song ends with a sense of acceptance and defiance as the singer confidently declares that they will keep their "pure lives" in their own hands, refusing to be swayed by others' opinions.
Line by Line Meaning
Try not to breathe, don't think about this
Ignore what they say and avoid letting it affect you
Drive your thoughts away and dismiss
Push away any negative thoughts and don't dwell on them
The incomprehensible lies that they'll never stop to tell about us
People will continue to spread lies about us that we can't control or understand
When bridges are burning behind us, I don't mind
I'm okay with leaving people and situations in the past
It's their polarization that I'll never understand
I can't comprehend why people become divided over certain topics or issues
We're laughing into their affected face
We're not taking their opinions or actions seriously and instead, finding humor in it
We joined the game in too many ways
We've involved ourselves in various situations that have caused us trouble
And if we fall we take them with us
If we fail, it will also impact and bring down those who have caused us harm
Isn't it all a question of trust?
Ultimately, everything comes down to whether or not we trust those around us
The secrets are changing for their ultimate goal
People are keeping secrets to achieve their own personal goals
And predestination's a joke
The idea of fate or destiny is not something the singer believes in
Hold me if we're falling inside your arms
I need you to be there for me if I'm struggling or experiencing hardship
Keep the wrong directions out
Don't let negative influences or distractions steer us off course
The anchor's ripped off, we're flying above
We're free from the things that were holding us back and moving forward
All the disillusions
All the false beliefs or hopes we had previously
Haven't you seen the wire they've stretched
Have you not noticed the problems and obstacles in our path?
Maybe it worked if we were well matched
Perhaps we could have overcome these problems if we were more compatible
But we don't stumble back on our way
We don't give up or let setbacks hold us back
Give us just one good reason to stay
We need a compelling reason to continue on this path
The world is still turning, but it can't be the same
The world is constantly changing and evolving, and we have to adapt to that
While everyone's searching for his perfect private fame
People are looking for their own individual success and recognition
They say we should take the consequence
People are telling us to accept the outcome of our actions
With a flavor of self-recompense
In a way that allows us to make up for our mistakes or misdeeds
But if there's one thing we can stand
We believe in standing up for our own principles and values
It's to keep our pure lives in our hand
We want to maintain control over our own lives and stay true to ourselves
There's nothing to change at all in retrospect
Looking back, there's nothing we would have done differently
Impunity keeps us alive
Being able to act without punishment or consequence is what allows us to keep going
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MANUEL SENGER, MARCELLUS PUHLEMANN, MICHAEL NEPP, NORMAN SELBIG, SVEN FRIEDRICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind