I came across the Finnish band Insomnium just the other day. Scandinavian death metal may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it, and these guys in particular are very melodic. But, more importantly, I resonate quite deeply with the philosophy of the band. Here’s their beautiful song, Shadows of the dying sun, from their album of the same name:
http://youtu.be/ORxMdOZpKM8
Some might see something depressing in the naturalistic/materialistic view of the world spoken of in the song. And it certainly can be sad to think that we only have a finite time to live. But at least we get to live! Asking for more than that is asking for more than everything. Some see something magnificent in our mortality, and I’m certainly one of them.
Shadows Of The Dying Sun
– Insomnium –
We’re nothing more than shadows
Light scatter of the dying sun
Just particle beams in passing
Waves riding the eternal dark
We’re nothing more than shadows
Mere remnants of the distant past
Animated sparks of energy
Bursting flames of the end
And far upon the skies
Lies the truth within
We are shadows of the dying sun
Children of infinity
Always gazing to our past
We are dust of the stars
And I feel it in my heart
And I know it in my mind
That’s all there is, ever will be
We’re nothing more than shadows
We grow tall then fade away
We’re vessels for a surging power
With solar fire in our veins
We’re nothing more than shadows
Flares blazing in a blink of an eye
We’re nothing more than shadows
Glimmers of hope against the black sky
And far upon the skies
Lies the truth within
We are shadows of the dying sun
Children of infinity
Always gazing to our past
We are dust of the stars
And I feel it in my heart
And I know it in my mind
That’s all there is, ever will be
We’re the dust of the stars…
