Knochenhaus

[rankispanki]

The thing that got me interested in Janus in the first place was actually Jeremy, the webmaster of Herzeleid.com It wasn't even intentionally... but on their forums there was a topic about "epic" songs. In other words, really long and really good songs. Everyone was giving their suggestions as to the best epic song, and Jeremy said "Janus - Der Fluesterer im Dunkeln". Sounded interesting... so I downloaded it, and I've been in love ever since!

I was reading the English translation of SH over at Hotel Eden... and I realized it was actually a story of some sort, what with the epilog and prolog and such. I asked a few people and they confirmed it... but, I never really fully understood the story, I guess josh.posh was right when he said translated lyrics loose their magic... or maybe I'm not looking for the meaning hard enough =P

Any details on SH's story meaning, concept, backround, etc. to help me understand it would be much appreciated... danke!

[Jrgen]

It might be a bit confusing that the first chapter is the last of the story.
Unter dem Eis is Mr Drowns death.
So the story begins with Mein Krankes Herz (or Tag für Tag if you have Hundstage).

It's about the relationships between a prostitute named Veronica, Mr Drown(the main character) and his brother.

[rankispanki]

ahhh, now with Hundstage its even more confusing!

I have Hundstage, so where would Kopf in Flammen and Bruderkuss be placed in relation to the story?

And if Unter dem Eis is Mr. Drowns death... is Rorscach and Gescheitert Mr. Drown talking, or is it more of a narrative "set the scene" kinda thing?

[Borderline]

The Doctor is also in the story included....

[Jrgen]

Yes, Rorschach and Gescheitert are Mr Drown talking/thinking.
You can see where Kopf in Flammen and Bruderkuss would be placed in the booklets.
The dates are written after the titles.
Or you could look here:  http://schlafendehunde.de/htmldocs/chronikindex.htm

[Traumtänzer]

Well Bruderkuss takes place after Mr Drown discovers that Veronica and his brother have fallen in love. It's his realization, that his beloved brother cares more for her, than for him.
Du hast mich verraten = You have betrayed me.
He is in a dire situation. The woman he loves and his beloved brother are in love witth each other and where does that leave him? He knows, that he could end that situation if he told his brother the whole story but he fears, that his brother would accuse him of trying to seperate the two.
In his eyes his brother is a pristine being unlike Veronika or himself. (->Reptil: "Du hast die Beine breit gemacht, für Dreck wie mich jede Nacht = roughly translarted "You let yourself be used by jerks like me")

Kopf in Flammen on the other hand is a scene that takes place at the doctors house. Or rather shortly after his last visit at his doctor.
In this song it becomes definitely clear that Mr. Drown is insane. He is detached from his positive emotions and revels in his obsessions.

Well so much for my little comment. I hope that it is of some use for you and that you can now understand the concept behind the songs.

[rankispanki]

Whoa... thank you very much, I understand it now... great story, great album!

[carrion]

I don't think that "Kopf in Flammen" takes place AFTER Mr. Drown's visit to this Doctor, since the song is IMO a quite intermediate chronological description of the Doctor's murder. I rather think of it like one part of Mr. Drowns brain simply observes what is happening, yet unable to interfere. This can be backed by lines such as "Etwas schlägt uns an die Wand" ("Something makes us hit the wall") when it is clearly Drown himself wrestling with the Doctor.
And the line from "Repil" is far too great to be translated other than as literally as possible.
"You've spread your legs for dirt such as me every night".
My 2 cents.