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Vast Oceans Lachrymose

by While Heaven Wept

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James Taylor
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James Taylor This is an amazing album. It shows the power of this band at its most epic. The epic 1st track is enough to send you crashing from the top of the mountain to the waves below.

I simply love this album. It has all the epic doominess that makes this band great, but harmonies and flowing rhythms accentuated by tight guitar work and keyboards that don't overwhelm.

This album ranks among the very few that will have a permanent place in my listening rotation. Favorite track: The Furthest Shore.
thijs3010
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thijs3010 Simply one of the most beautiful albums ever made. Period. Favorite track: The Furthest Shore.
Stumgar
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Stumgar A wonderful album, beautiful in its bittersweet, yet hope-filled emotional tides.

It's an amazing piece but Of Empires Forlorn will always hold a special place for me. It was the first I heard and it shepherded me through darkness.
Bruce
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Bruce I can't adequately describe how good this album is or what it's come to mean to me in a very short period of time. Suffice to say that on first listen I was completely mesmerized and that feeling hasn't subsided. Simply incredible. Favorite track: To Wander The Void.
Miguel Kennedy
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Miguel Kennedy I LACTATE SO HARD WHEN I HEAR THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Favorite track: The Furthest Shore.
SIR LIEBLING CHIHUAHUA SNEEN
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SIR LIEBLING CHIHUAHUA SNEEN The 3rd album by this awesome band. A bit faster in pace in some places than the previous 2 albums but still absolutely amazing progressive doom metal!!! Get this at any cost!!!!!!!
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    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    HRR098/IK016/Maniac-16, limited to 600 copies, gatefold cover, 180g black vinyl, 8 page booklet, 2nd edition: 180g special coloured vinyl (PMS), lim. 500. GERMAN IMPORT

    Includes unlimited streaming of Vast Oceans Lachrymose via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.
So long ago, I set out to sea, forsaken by god and man Visions of passion, glory and gold beckoned from distant lands I left behind all I had known, aspiring to live, love, and conquer Unaware that these futile pursuits would only yield a drifting sepulchre Desperate I have traversed The seas of Sorrow Aimlessly drifting for many a year, cursing this fated endeavor Hopeless, I accept that the solace I've sought will elude me forever Straining against the maelstrom unbound, my limbs frailed and broken Splintered apart after storm upon storm, my heart and hopes have sunken Desolate I have succumb to the seas of Sorrow Tortured memories of sailing and searching, finding and failing Eroding the will to further resist the waves' violent churning Bereft of strength I've lost hold of the dream now sinking in sorrow Falling helpless to the waters raging below For a fleeting moment I clutched the debris of my vessel now flotsam a futile attempt of an overcome man to fend off the ocean I know it is hopeless when I see the approach of the conquering wave that has come to carry me to my watery grave Washed ashore, succumb to the sea the waves force upward my lifeless eyes to watch the sun set for the last time Only in death, would peace be mine
2.
A million miles from everything the emptiness is everywhere the lone and level sands stretch as far as I can see Nothing but the hollowed eyes of skulls and ancient bones despair remains of those who wandered this wasteland vast before me Fatigue and famine render every step a tribulation Beneath the blistering sun sabulous winds just a mockery Lost within an infinity of dust and desolation The vultures circling overhead await my lonely expiry Maintaining this course to nowhere I have traveled so far Far beyond the valley's carnage and death's silent repose Compelled to journey onward by the calling of the morning star Haunted by visions and voices, memories or madness providence only knows I can't remember when or how I'd first lost my way Thirsting even a tear of solace knowing naught will ever come Siren celestial have mercy on me allow my flesh into dust decay and carry my soul far beyond this damned and forsaken kingdom I fell to my knees as the last trace of strength slowly faded away with stone in throat I knew I'd never reach the hallowed and promised land I conceded my carcass a vulture's feast, my soul eternal umbrae Once a king, now nameless, forgotten, swallowed by the seas of sand
3.
Living Sepulchre (1995, 2005, 2009) I gave myself until there was nothing left of me Yet I never said no when you needed me You never knew or cared how fragile I really was I scream but you cannot hear me So if you wonder why I've vanished to the hell of myself Year after year I've built these walls and finally sealed myself inside Without air Without light I close my eyes You're screaming but I cannot hear you Betrayed, abandoned by those I loved the most Vessel (1993, 2004, 2008) Stranded upon a desperate shore, afraid that the sea could wash all of our dreams away into it's everflowing infinity... or do these tides hold for us sanctuary? Tonight, will you sail away with open arms and eyes ablaze? Believe...in me... With passion I've built this vessel for us to wander these oceans that rage within each other and though the waves, as if to resist, will arise If we have faith, ne'er will we capsize Tonight, will you sail away with open arms and eyes ablaze? Believe...in me... Guided by our hearts aflame like the stars above The journey to heaven begins with this deepest of loves Have faith without fear, open your heart, breathe and believe Together we'll find our peace somewhere across the seas Tonight we will sail away with open hearts and eyes ablaze Believe...in me...
4.
Vast Oceans Lachrymose (1994, 2001) Instrumental "I set my heart out to sea, hoping someday my love would return to me, yet the years have passed like waves, and I have fatigued with age, in lachrymal oceans vast, deserts of time have washed away The passage of time implies progression, yet I've become stone, watching worlds dying, negating the solace I've never known" Epilogue (2003) Instrumental

about

"Vast Oceans Lachrymose" was the 3rd full-length album from While Heaven Wept, originally released via Italy's Cruz Del Sur Music in 2009. It is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the band's career and was indeed something of a worldwide phenomenon. Like all of our albums, it is meant to be heard as a whole, hence the grouping of certain songs to insure continuity. "Single" versions are available elsewhere, but none of our releases have ever been intended to be taken piecemeal...it is ALWAYS about the complete journey.

credits

released November 3, 2009

“Vast Oceans Lachrymose” was:

Composed And Arranged By: Tom Phillips

Performed By: Jim Hunter - Bass
Rain Irving - Lead and Harmony Vocals
Scott Loose - Guitars
Tom Phillips - Guitars, Keyboards
Michelle Schrotz - Keyboards
Trevor Schrotz - Drums

Recorded By: Chris Salamone at Salamone's Recording Studio in Fredericksburg, Virginia between April 2005 and August 2009 with additional recording by Rain Irving at Raintrax Studio between April 2009 and August 2009

Produced By: Tom Phillips and Chris Salamone

Mastered By: Chris Salamone at Salamone's Recording Studio in Fredericksburg, Virginia in September 2009

Band Photography: Michael Rivera, Photography by Public Image
www.photographybymichaelrivera.com

Additional Photography: Tom Phillips

Original Cover Art By: John Martin (1789-1854)

Original Art Credits: YAG23601 #80 Christ Stilleth the Tempest, 1867 45:Storm on the Sea of Galilee, 1867 by Martin, John (1789-1854) York Museums Trust (York Art Gallery), UK PERMISSION REQUIRED FOR NON PUBLISHING USE English, out of copyright

Art Concept And Designs By: Jim Hunter and Tom Phillips

Band Logo By: Tamara Abarzua

Graphics, Digital Treatments, and Layout By: Mauro Berchi

Website Design and Maintenance: Stergiani Motsiou

Published By: Vast Music Lachrymose, LLC

All Songs Copyright 2010 Vast Music Lachrymose

Band Websites: www.whileheavenwept.com, www.facebook.com/whileheavenwept

Dedications:

Although "To Wander The Void" is as deeply personal as all WHW compositions, it is also something of a tribute to Fates Warning - one of our earliest influences, whose rich musical legacy still continues
to inspire us to this day.

"Vessel" is dedicated to THE ONE...no matter how near or far, together or apart, with undying love

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While Heaven Wept Woodbridge, Virginia

While Heaven Wept has existed in various forms since 1989 and co-founding guitarist/composer Tom Phillips has been the one constant for the past 30 years. Since the beginning, there has been a wide range of influences, transcending forms, styles, and genres from epic metal to kosmiche musik, prog to neo-romanticism. ... more

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