Where The End Begins

In 'Where The End Begins,' Sopor Aeternus delves into the complex emotions surrounding love, loss, and the human tendency to avoid pain. The song opens with a reflection on the narrator's early life, where they consciously chose to distance themselves from worldly pleasures. This decision was made to shield themselves from the inevitable pain that comes with losing those pleasures. The lyrics, 'I trained myself not to enjoy / Any of the vain things that might come,' highlight a deliberate attempt to build emotional resilience by avoiding attachment.

However, the song takes a poignant turn as the narrator reveals that this strategy was ultimately flawed. Despite their best efforts to avoid pain, they inadvertently fell in love. The line, 'But the beast has many faces / And by accident / I fell in love,' serves as a powerful metaphor for the unpredictable nature of human emotions. Love, often seen as a 'beast,' can manifest in unexpected ways, catching even the most guarded individuals off guard. This realization underscores the futility of trying to control or suppress natural human experiences.

Sopor Aeternus, known for their dark, gothic aesthetic and introspective lyrics, uses this song to explore the paradox of avoidance. The attempt to evade pain by not forming attachments only leads to a different kind of suffering. The song suggests that love and loss are intrinsic parts of the human experience, and trying to avoid them can result in missing out on the profound connections that make life meaningful. Through this narrative, the artist invites listeners to embrace the full spectrum of emotions, acknowledging that pain and joy are often intertwined.