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.
Niemand kann es sehen
Zeraphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fehlt das warme licht, das noch schützend dich umgibt
Zitternd in deiner hand, ein bild aus alter zeit
Es zeigt dich unbeschwert, ein blick ist klar und weit
Die welt liegt ganz in weiß
Und niemand kann es sehen, wenn welten untergehen,
Verlass dich nicht auf tausend leere worte
Erwacht aus der einsamkeit, gelähmt, doch nicht besiegt
Und alles bleibt so nah, du hast es viel zu oft erlebt
Sind deine tränen kalt · gefroren, unbemerkt
Stumm für den augenblick, dein schrei ist längst verhallt
Und die welt bleibt schweigend kalt
Und niemand kann es sehen, wenn welten untergehen,
Verlass dich nicht auf tausend leere worte
Niemand hat's gesehen, dass deine welt vergeht
Warte nicht auf tausend leere worte
The lyrics to Zeraphine's song Niemand kann es sehen (Nobody Can See It) suggest a feeling of isolation and despair. The opening lines, "Have you used up the strength that closes your eyes, is the warm light that still surrounds you missing," create an image of a person who is exhausted and feels alone. They hold a picture from the past, showing themselves carefree, with clear and wide eyes, in stark contrast to their current state.
The chorus, "And nobody can see it when worlds are ending, don't rely on a thousand empty words," emphasizes the theme of feeling invisible and unheard in a world that is falling apart. The second verse continues this imagery, "Awaken from loneliness, paralyzed but not defeated, and everything remains so close, you've experienced it far too many times," painting a picture of someone who feels helpless and trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain.
The final lines, "Nobody saw that your world is falling apart, don't wait for a thousand empty words," suggest that the singer is now aware that no one can understand their struggles, and they can't rely on empty promises of help.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal feeling of being alone in one's struggles and the importance of finding inner strength during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Hast du die kraft verbraucht, die deine augen schließt
Have you exhausted the strength that closes your eyes?
Fehlt das warme licht, das noch schützend dich umgibt
Is the warm light that still surrounds and protects you missing?
Zitternd in deiner hand, ein bild aus alter zeit
In your hand, shaking, is a picture from another time
Es zeigt dich unbeschwert, ein blick ist klar und weit
It shows you carefree, with a clear and broad gaze
Die welt liegt ganz in weiß
The world lies completely in white
Und niemand kann es sehen, wenn welten untergehen,
And no one can see it when worlds come to an end
Verlass dich nicht auf tausend leere worte
Don't rely on a thousand empty words
Erwacht aus der einsamkeit, gelähmt, doch nicht besiegt
Awakened from loneliness, paralyzed but not defeated
Und alles bleibt so nah, du hast es viel zu oft erlebt
And everything remains so close, you have experienced it far too often
Sind deine tränen kalt · gefroren, unbemerkt
Are your tears cold, frozen, unnoticed?
Stumm für den augenblick, dein schrei ist längst verhallt
Silent for the moment, your scream has long since faded away
Und die welt bleibt schweigend kalt
And the world remains silent and cold
Niemand hat's gesehen, dass deine welt vergeht
No one has seen that your world is fading away
Warte nicht auf tausend leere worte
Don't wait for a thousand empty words
Contributed by Sydney I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.