Lethean River

Tristania's song 'Lethean River' is a haunting and poetic exploration of themes such as memory, oblivion, and the passage of time. The title itself references the Lethe, one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld, whose waters cause forgetfulness. This sets the stage for a journey through a landscape of dreams and forgotten secrets, where the boundaries between life and death, consciousness and unconsciousness, are blurred.

The lyrics are rich with metaphors and imagery, invoking a sense of melancholy and introspection. Phrases like 'streams of argentine across eyelids are drawn' and 'gesture of an argentine moisture' suggest tears or perhaps a silvery, dreamlike quality that pervades the song. The repeated invocation of 'thy secrecies' and 'clandestines' hints at hidden truths and the mysteries of the subconscious mind. The use of 'argentine' (meaning silver) adds a layer of ethereal beauty, contrasting with the darker themes of forsakenness and lethargy.

The song also delves into the concept of time and its impact on the human soul. Lines such as 'ardency of life forsakened' and 'time will gather this source of thy secrecies' reflect a sense of lost vitality and the inexorable march of time. The 'swarthy hours' and 'profound and prolix' sleep suggest a deep, almost eternal slumber, where one is estranged from the 'utility' of life. The final plea to the 'Lethean river' to carry the speaker beneath its waters encapsulates the desire for release from the burdens of memory and existence, seeking solace in the embrace of oblivion.

'Lethean River' is a complex and evocative piece that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with memory, loss, and the passage of time. Its rich, poetic language and darkly beautiful imagery create a powerful emotional landscape that resonates long after the music fades.