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.
Remaining desires
Zeraphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just as if nails have pierced my hands to the floor
I’m unable to move
I stare at the ceiling, but it’s blank
Are my pictures completely removed?
But your aura is still around
And I drown in the scent of your skin
There’s just this blackness around your face
Pathetic creeds without reliance
I can’t fullfill the remaining desires
Inherit the ill of a dead alliance
I can’t fullfill the remaining desires
In your tears I’ve lost my way
So I prowl in the depth of your mind
Should I leave you or should I stay?
But it’s really too late to rewind
When the borders are so tight
That you choke on their poisonous breath
And I can’t bear to let you go
By now I’m inconceivably missing you
Pathetic creeds without reliance
I can’t fullfill the remaining desires
Inherit the ill of a dead alliance
I can’t fullfill the remaining desires
I can’t fullfill the remaining desires
The lyrics of Remaining Desires by Zeraphine explore the feelings of a person who is unable to move on from a past relationship. The imagery used in the song suggests that the person is trapped in their emotional pain, as if their hands have been nailed to the floor. The singer's inability to move is mirrored in their inability to let go of the memories of their past relationship. They are haunted by the scent of their lover's skin and cannot escape the aura that still surrounds them. The blackness around their lover's face suggests a sense of loss and emptiness, as if they have lost their former self.
The chorus of the song, "Pathetic creeds without reliance, I can't fulfill the remaining desires, Inherit the ill of a dead alliance," reflects the singer's frustration and sense of hopelessness. They feel as though they are stuck in the past, unable to move forward and fulfill their remaining desires. The "ill" of the "dead alliance" is the emotional pain and baggage that the singer has inherited from their previous relationship. They feel trapped and unable to let go, despite the toxic nature of the relationship.
Overall, Zeraphine's Remaining Desires is a haunting and emotional exploration of the pain of a broken relationship. The imagery used in the song creates a sense of being trapped and unable to move on, and the chorus reflects the singer's feelings of hopelessness and frustration. The song is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact that past relationships can have on our lives, and the difficulty of letting go and moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Just as if nails have pierced my hands to the floor
I feel trapped and unable to move, as if I am nailed to the ground
I’m unable to move
I am paralyzed and unable to take action
I stare at the ceiling, but it’s blank
I am feeling empty and hopeless as I look up at the ceiling
Are my pictures completely removed?
I wonder if all reminders of you have been erased from my life
But your aura is still around
Even though you are not physically present, I still feel your energy
And I drown in the scent of your skin
The thought of your scent overwhelms me and takes over my senses
When I close my eyes again
As I retreat into my thoughts
There’s just this blackness around your face
All I see is darkness when I try to picture your face
Pathetic creeds without reliance
Empty beliefs without any foundation to support them
I can’t fulfill the remaining desires
I am unable to satisfy the remaining wishes that I had in relation to us
Inherit the ill of a dead alliance
I am burdened by the negative fallout of a relationship that is no longer alive
In your tears I’ve lost my way
I am lost in emotion and unable to navigate my way due to your tears
So I prowl in the depth of your mind
I am consumed with thoughts of you, constantly searching for answers
Should I leave you or should I stay?
I am torn between staying in a situation that is causing me pain or leaving and facing the unknown
But it’s really too late to rewind
The past cannot be changed, no matter how much I wish it could be undone
When the borders are so tight
The limits have been set and I cannot break free from them
That you choke on their poisonous breath
The constraints are suffocating and harmful to our relationship
And I can’t bear to let you go
Despite the difficulties, I cannot bring myself to end things with you
By now I’m inconceivably missing you
My longing for you is beyond what I can even comprehend
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Excell Betsabe Castillo Sanchez
Me encanta esta canción !!!! Saludos desde Morelia Michoacán México <3.
78monka
Amazing track!!!
Lucipher69
Love it!
Klara Robles
Wonderful 🖤🖤🖤
Anja Weisse
very awesome ♥
Mel B
WOW,Love this song!! THX!!
KasiaMK
Ich liebe diese Stimme. Schönes Lied.
Octavio Sanchez
I'M mexican
Kisses for you
Jo Lemos
Thank for this video. Greatings from Brazil
Akasha Lorenz
Thank you Mitsy, your Videos are greatful ;-)