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.
Wenn du gehst
Zeraphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Du liegst schon lange hier
Und atmen fällt so schwer
Für einen Augenblick fällt Licht auf Dein Gesicht
Doch die Wolken sind zu schnell für Dich
Wenn Du gehst
Kehrst Du nie zurück
Unfassbar schön
Wenn Du gehst
Bleibt ein Teil zurück
Und nie erlischt
Dein Stern für mich
Und die Erinnerung an längst vergangene Zeit
Zerklüftet unser Hirn und unsere Ewigkeit
Der Kampf ist lange schon verloren, die Zeit steht still
Von Dunkelheit bist Du erfüllt
The lyrics of Zeraphine's song "Wenn du gehst" (When You Leave) depict the sadness and helplessness of someone who is watching a loved one slowly slip away, presumably in their final moments. The first verse describes the physical state of the person who is lying still, struggling to breathe and seemingly lost and detached from their surroundings. Even when there is some hope of light shining on their face, the clouds move too fast to let it touch them.
The chorus reflects the finality of the situation, with the realization that when the person leaves, they will never return from their world that is "unfassbar schön" (unimaginably beautiful). While a part of them might remain with those left behind, their star will never truly fade away. The second verse adds a layer of emotional complexity, as memories of the past intertwine with the present and make the reality of loss all the more painful. Despite the defeat and the stillness of time, the person is filled with darkness.
Overall, the song captures the raw emotions of loss and grief, portraying the bittersweet intersection of holding onto someone dear and eventually letting them go.
Line by Line Meaning
Deine Blicke wandern ziellos im Raum umher
You are lost in thought, aimlessly staring into space
Du liegst schon lange hier
You have been here for a long time
Und atmen fällt so schwer
Breathing has become difficult
Für einen Augenblick fällt Licht auf Dein Gesicht
For a moment, light falls on your face
Doch die Wolken sind zu schnell für Dich
But the clouds move too quickly for you to enjoy the light
Wenn Du gehst
When you leave
Kehrst Du nie zurück
You will never come back
Aus Deiner Welt
From your world
Unfassbar schön
Incomprehensibly beautiful
Bleibt ein Teil zurück
A part of you remains
Und nie erlischt
And it never fades
Dein Stern für mich
Your star in my eyes
Und die Erinnerung an längst vergangene Zeit
And the memory of a long-forgotten time
Zerklüftet unser Hirn und unsere Ewigkeit
It fragments our minds and our eternity
Der Kampf ist lange schon verloren, die Zeit steht still
The battle has long been lost and time stands still
Von Dunkelheit bist Du erfüllt
You are filled with darkness
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nadine Kottke
Die Stimme einmalig. Der Text sagt alles und man fühlt sich verstanden. Die Instrumente und die Melodie dazu Perfekt. Der Song berührt einfach nur die Haut, Herz, Gedanken und die Seele. Die Seele die man dank diesem Song endlich und immer wieder in desen Tränen Frei lassen kann. Vielen Dank für eure Musik. Und das Ihr all eure Arbeit und Gedanken auf Cd´s gepresst habt.
Be aHa
Fast unfassbar - schön!!!
Danke 💚💜💙
Anja bom bom
Wahnsinns Text ♥
Вера Перова
Nostalgie! Ich weine 💔
Be aHa
@MIGEL GLORIA, my sad dearest BRO 🎶🎶🎶🐣
💚💜💙💋💗
MIGEL GLORIA
ich auch..
fladius14
wundervoller text einfach ein traum
Kasia7475
Klasse!
Enrico Lange
Awww!!!???? Wunderschöner Song
Shirley Otto
Wahnsinn, passt voll....