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.
State Of The Moment
Zeraphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What did you see there at the top '�� if your eyes were shut
A boundless chazm made of darkness, pain and fear
Are you afraid to raise your hands?
Follow me
Can I ever melt the distance in your eyes
That keeps me far away from you
If you take the gory way to truth
I'll follow you
I'm getting closer, don't try to hide again
There's no shelter we're all alone 'so open your eyes
Spread your arms and jump with me into the void
Into the sad reversal of you
Follow me
The lyrics to Zeraphine's song State Of The Moment explore themes of fear, pain, and the journey towards self-discovery. The opening lines invite the listener to reflect on their own internal struggles, asking if they have attempted to "climb the wall inside" themselves. The subsequent line, "What did you see there at the top if your eyes were shut," suggests that the journey inward is not always comfortable or easy. The "boundless chasm made of darkness, pain, and fear" represents the unknown, and the singer's fear of what they might find there. The line "Are you afraid to raise your hands?" symbolizes a reluctance to engage with the difficult emotions and negative energy that may lie within.
The chorus of the song speaks to the desire for connection and closeness with another person, in spite of the barriers that may exist. The line "Can I ever melt the distance in your eyes that keeps me far away from you" speaks to the sense of isolation that can arise when one feels disconnected from others. The next line, "What means 'safe' and what is 'real' in your disguise", highlights the need for authenticity and vulnerability. The singer is asking if the person they are addressing is truly being themselves, or if they are hiding behind a facade of safety.
Overall, State Of The Moment is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the struggles we all face on the road to self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you tried to climb the wall inside yourself
Have you ever attempted to explore the depths of your own being?
What did you see there at the top '�� if your eyes were shut
If you were to close your eyes and visualize the summit, what would you envision?
A boundless chazm made of darkness, pain and fear
Would the peak reveal a seemingly never-ending abyss of despair, agony, and terror?
Are you afraid to raise your hands?
Do you fear exposing your vulnerability and showing your true self to the world?
Follow me
Together we can confront what lies within and aid each other in finding a sense of peace and understanding
Can I ever melt the distance in your eyes
Is it possible for me to bridge the emotional gap that keeps us apart?
That keeps me far away from you
Can I ever break down the barriers that keep us from truly connecting?
What means 'safe' and what is 'real' in your disguise
What constitutes as genuine and what only serves as a cover-up for your inner turmoil?
If you take the gory way to truth
If you delve deep into the darkest recesses of your being, facing difficult truths along the way
I'll follow you
I'll always be here to support and guide you, no matter how treacherous the path may be
I'm getting closer, don't try to hide again
We're making progress, don't retreat back into your shell of self-doubt and isolation
There's no shelter we're all alone 'so open your eyes
We must confront our deepest, most vulnerable selves without the safety net of external distractions and support
Spread your arms and jump with me into the void
Let go of your fears and uncertainties and jump into the unknown with me, trusting in the process
Into the sad reversal of you
We must face the uncomfortable truths and buried emotions that have led to our current state of being
Follow me
Together we can work towards overcoming our internal struggles and attaining a sense of understanding and peace
Contributed by Bella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.