Zeraphine is a gothic alternative band from Berlin, Germany, formed in 2000… Read Full Bio ↴Zeraphine is a gothic alternative band from Berlin, Germany, formed in 2000 by Sven Friedrich (vocals, programming, lead song writing) and Norman Selbig (guitars) from the then-defunct Dreadful Shadows.

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.

Sterne sehen
Zeraphine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ein kurzer Glanz in Deinem Lächeln
- ein Augenblick
Zu kurz um alles auszusprechen
Und Worte geben nichts zurück

Dein Duft wird auf mich warten
Falls ich zurückkehren kann
Vergiss nicht, einzuatmen

Nur dann und wann

Und schon seh' ich Dich verschwinden
Als hätt' ich Dich nie gekannt
Können Jahre überwinden
Was geschah

Kannst Du die Sterne sehen
Brennt der Himmel nur für Dich
Kannst Du durch's Feuer gehen
Und die Glut verbrennt Dich nicht

Noch spür' ich Deine warmen Hände
Zum letzten mal
Unaufhaltsam bricht am Ende
Was unser Leben war

Dein Duft hat wohl auf mich gewartet
Doch die Sinne sind zu taub
Was haben wir erwartet ?

Zum Abschied reich' ich Dir die Tränen
Als Erinnerung an mich
Und das Blut in meinen Venen
Gefriert

Kannst Du die Sterne sehen
Brennt der Himmel nur für Dich
Kannst Du durch's Feuer gehen
Und die Glut verbrennt Dich nicht

Kannst Du der Welt vergeben
Wirst Du jemals glücklich sein
Lebst Du ein neues Leben

Oder ist es Dir zu
klein

Overall Meaning

In Zeraphine's song Sterne Sehen, the lyrics center around a longing for someone who has disappeared from the singer's life. There's a poignant wistfulness expressed throughout the song, with the singer yearning for even just a brief moment in time to see the person they miss again. The opening lines set the mood for the rest of the song, with the singer acknowledging that there was a brief moment in the past when they had the chance to speak their heart to the other person, but the opportunity passed before they knew it. As much as they long for that moment back again, they also acknowledge that words alone would not be enough to mend the distance between them now.

The song paints vivid imagery, with references to scent and touch, creating a multi-sensory experience for the listener. There's a sense of desperation in the lyrics, with the singer clinging to memories and hoping that somehow their paths might cross again. However, the song ends on a bittersweet note, with the realization that sometimes life pulls people apart and there's nothing left to be done but to hold onto the memories and move forward.

Line by Line Meaning

Ein kurzer Glanz in Deinem Lächeln - ein Augenblick
A fleeting moment of happiness reflected in your smile

Zu kurz um alles auszusprechen Und Worte geben nichts zurück
Too brief to express everything and words are insufficient

Dein Duft wird auf mich warten Falls ich zurückkehren kann Vergiss nicht, einzuatmen Nur dann und wann
Your scent will remain for me if I can come back; don’t forget to breathe it in, but only occasionally

Und schon seh' ich Dich verschwinden Als hätt' ich Dich nie gekannt Können Jahre überwinden Was geschah
I already see you disappearing, as if I never truly knew you; can years overcome what has happened?

Kannst Du die Sterne sehen Brennt der Himmel nur für Dich Kannst Du durch's Feuer gehen Und die Glut verbrennt Dich nicht
Can you see the stars? Does the sky burn only for you? Can you walk through fire without being burned by the flames?

Noch spür' ich Deine warmen Hände Zum letzten mal Unaufhaltsam bricht am Ende Was unser Leben war
I still feel your warm hands for the last time; inevitably, our life together breaks apart

Dein Duft hat wohl auf mich gewartet Doch die Sinne sind zu taub Was haben wir erwartet ?
Your scent may have been waiting for me, but my senses are numb; what did we expect?

Zum Abschied reich' ich Dir die Tränen Als Erinnerung an mich Und das Blut in meinen Venen Gefriert
As a farewell, I give you my tears as a memory of me; the blood in my veins freezes

Kannst Du der Welt vergeben Wirst Du jemals glücklich sein Lebst Du ein neues Leben Oder ist es Dir zu klein
Can you forgive the world? Will you ever be happy? Are you living a new life, or is it too small for you?

Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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