ALESANA - Catharsis

[@WTFGHOSTBOY]

Oh alesana sure does know how to confuse their fans with this story XD

[@HGBETG]

The end is here, and the trilogy is now over. Throughout this entire album, I had no fucking clue what was going on. I honestly still kinda don't. But near the end of this final song, I had a moment of clarity and developed a theory. What I suddenly realized is that The Emptiness was no dream, and The Artist did murder his Annabel. The loss of Annabel drove him mad. This album is about The Artist going through time, and murdering himself. Annabel did not stab him with the knife, he did it to himself. That, or he really did murder Annabel (Fatima) in The Emptiness and then the other part of her (Rusalka) went back in time and murdered The Artist (in the end of The Emptiness). But, that is only how I see it. I could be totally wrong. After all, I think the very end of this song suggests this entire Trilogy was just a story created by The Artist. Or maybe I'm just falling for the fiction? Either way, this was a magnificent album. This is exactly why Alesana is by far my favorite band. Sad seeing after half a decade later, and after all the twists and turns, the curtain has now closed on this beautiful masterpiece that has been The Annabel Trilogy.

[@HGBETG]

Now thinking more about it, I think I was correct about the first theory. The Artist was indeed the one who traveled back in time to kill himself for murdering Annabel. I have a feeling him traveling back in time was actually The Thespian we saw in The Emptiness. But, alas, it is merely a theory. I should not get too carried away with this~

[@HGBETG]

BlackSlumber 13 I completely knew everything that happened at face value for The Emptiness and APWTSIS, it's just this album threw me for a loop. Especially since I haven't read any story going along with this specific album, like the other ones. Nonetheless, thank you!

[@gilbertodiaz5458]

ThatOneGuy there are missing parts tough, I do believe you're right but let us not forget that "A place" is just a dream, it doesnt really fit into the history. Besides there's only one character, not an artist & 'bel but an artist/'bel with many names, so this character travels in time, but why and how? (Remember that according to "the emptiness" the history takes place in 1898). And finally there's someone who watches everything (maybe the beholder?) and is trapped in a mirror or a prism. Shit's confusing af, we shall wait for the booklet and hope that it shed light in this. (Sorry for my english)

[@KV000J]

Gilberto Díaz You have to remember the final line of "Fatima Rusalka" though. It was never just a dream. ;)

[@mirka6277]

ThatOneGuy Interesting theory, but how does the ending of The Emptiness where Annabel confesses to killing the Artist fit into it? Unless they really are the same person which I am still trying to get my head around.

[@bloodyreddy3562]

Well, this is my theory (I do really like to discuss this) Sorry for my bad english. I will begin now: Annabel and The thespian were a normal pair. Annabel was starting to see her beloved were becoming crazy by being so obssesed with his draws, making a world in his canvas. That's why: "A mirror never lies. They know. Everybody knows. Do you not see what they see? A mirror never lies. I see what they see. Everybody knows. Everybody knows" Annabel knew he will become sick and insane if he still obssesed with his creation because she an everybody saw how he become more sick through the pass of the years. Then, the artist appears. The artist knew if the Thespian hears Annabel and let go his creation he probably dissapear so The Artist saw Annabel like a dangerous fact for him. The artist, seeing this, start to talk to his creator, The thespian making him drive crazy and saying to him that his Annabel were bad, The artist was trying to persuade The thespian to make him eliminate the only thing who threat his existance, his Annabel. Maybe Fatima/Rusalka (The future Annabel) came back in time to stop the Thespian to kill Annabel because if he kills her, they will be trapped in a endless loop of revive and death. The artist knew he will born later in the same timeline of Fatima/Rusalka if she cames back to 1897 and tries to stop The Thespian of Kill Annabel, so The artist try to stop Fatima/Rusalka. When she cames, The artist fights with Fatima/Rusalka and makes her stabs herself with her own knife, that event distorts the time making Annabel die while she was sleeping and making Fatima/Rusalka dissapear of that timeline. (1897, were happens The emptiness album) (Yes, Annabel die again, so Fatima/Rusalka born again in her timeline. Remember, if Annabel die in her timeline 1897 were happens The emptiness, Fatima/Rusalka will born in the future were happens The Confessions album) The artist was satisfied cause Annabel was dead finally and Rusalka did not stop him, but what he didn't know was if Annabel dies, Rusalka will born and try again and again to came back in time to avoid the Annabel's dead. That's why The thespian wake up and saw her lover dead in they bed, he saw all the blood splashed in his clothes and bedroom so he thinks he kill his Annabel, that's why he become mad. And then here is the question "If he did not kill her, Why he felt so good and get a pleasure by kill people?" Because The artist was the only one who enjoys that, not The Thespian. Anyways, the woman who he saw, who he thinks was his beloved Annabel, was Fatima/Rusalka who was trying to end with The Artist. (The artist were the only reason of why The Thespian and Annabel were trapped in a loop trying and trying to found themselves in the wood (The A Place Were the Sun Is Silent album) and yes, that wood was a recreation of the circles of hell) In the song "Annabel" Fatima/Rusalka finally kills The artist, but she had to kill The thespian too because they were one and she could not came more back in time (Cause if she appears and Annabel saw her, the time will splitted up) and thinks everything was over. But no. Fatima/Rusalka just begin another problem in time, the fact what she did not know was ANNABEL HAVE TO DIE IN THE HANDS OF THE ARTIST TO BORN AGAIN (In Fatima/Rusalka) so her lover (The Thespian)will suicide by thinking he killed his only true love then he will born again and free her finally and then they will "Go to the light" "Somewhere between the chaos and the void in a desert that predates time itself, bereft of stars and untouched by the Gods of man. There was only one. There was only her." Fatima/Rusalka in a thirst of answers she reach a early conclusion, that was her reason to exist was fix her past life and once fixed she will finally be free, get out of that place and rest in peace, basically. "Born out of nothingness, defined by beauty and patience. A tortured existence which leaves behind no answers. Destined to suffer the struggle cursed to be one of them, to be both of them. Fatima. Rusalka." And, What was the problem who Fatima/Rusalka begins? Well, killing The Thespian when he will not was supposed to die will split up he and make The artist an autonomous existance who will haunt they. Then, The Thespian 2.0 (xD) will try to came back in time and stop The Thespian 1.0 of kill Annabel. (The Thespian never knew about the thrut, he still thinks he kills his Annabel and he was trapped by that.) When Fatima/Rusalka notice about her mistake, she tries to find The Thespian 2.0 and try to stop him of came back in time. The Artist, as a autonomous existance, convince The Thespian 2.0 about Fatima/Rusalka was dangerous and he must stay away from her. (Basically most of the Confessions song talks about how bad is Fatima/Rusalka, well maybe a lot of parts) The Thespian came back in time trying to chase his lover (Annabel) to save her and Fatima/Rusalka chase him, so they appear in the bedroom where everything happened in 1897 and saw everything through the mirror, saw how everything happens and how The Thespian was innocent and The Artist makes Fatima/Rusalka kills herself so in a action-reaction Annabel dies too. (That why Paradox song exists...) Fatima/Rusalka and The thespian 2.0 understands they have to leave the things go alone and the time has to flow, understands how they in a fail try to fix everything just make all the things more complicated. They understands they have The Artist kill Annabel in 1897 to make Fatima/Rusalka born and later be released by The Thespian 2.0 then together ascend. (This is when Comedy of Errors happens...) Finally The Thespian 2.0 promise Fatima/Rusalka he will find her in the future and release her, Fatima/Rusalka promise to the Thespian 2.0 she will wait for him. So they came back in time for one last time to do everything again, but this time they will not make a mistake. "Until we meet again, Ciao Bella" (This is when Ciao, bella happens) And then, everything happens again, but this time, happens how will have to. (Sorry for the holy bible i have writed here xD and my bad english)

[@popegeorgelucasii933]

Did ya'll really follow all of this through the albums and the lyrics?

[@popegeorgelucasii933]

P.s very very great explanation 💓

[@thelastscion92]

Am I the only one who thinks that this band epically transposes the mind and soul of the great poet Edgar Allen Poe into a modernistic hardcore form? Just saying, their are more than one remastered(keyword) of his poems on their discography. Love this band and their music, and I've been a long time supporter. Good to see were not all dead...

[@ceciliamercado5259]

that's why i love this band so much! they have created a masterpiece with poe's work in their own way X]

[@praisethetruemosthigh8946]

You're not the only one c:

[@RsBanez]

"Foregrounds burst to nothing As symmetry explodes The Artist screams and beauty dies, his canvas rends While his easel burns He's lost everything in but one cruel instant existence swept away Did man even notice as he was erased?" Clearly not a happy ending.

[@RaZorMTA]

Megamarod I hate happy endings xd

[@Jhow14800]

In "Through the Eyes of Uriel" there's this verse "I am a ticking time bomb" and this song starts with a clock ticking then he says "This is the final act!" So awesome ! There's a verse "I fear the emptiness will swallow me hole" in "Fatal Optimist" and in this song there's "I am the emptiness". These guys are amazing !

[@khankorpofficial]

The first part of the story is the album called "The emptiness" Both of those lines are referencing that story

[@initialt3435]

I remember when, my love, you could stop time with just a smile BEST LYRICS!!!

[@axelyahyaprawirasuta3204]

it's so good my heart is breaking

[@initialt3435]

@@axelyahyaprawirasuta3204 well, now I'm back and still the song hits home

[@kingstongary9103]

5:58 holy shix they KILLED that part!!! OMG!!!!

[@ebonfps]

best part

[@joysekai]

Am I the only one that adores the part at 0:45?

[@ThePoisonMary]

the scream Dennis did from 6:05 to 6:15 gave me epic chills

[@blindskaterguy]

I absolutely love catharsis, It truly was a wild ride lol. This song really brought the trillogy together for me. And let's not forget the shoutouts to Poe! "Your telltale heart is beating" "Our love will nevermore attach your soul to mine" I simply can't get enough of "Confessions". This entire album is golden guys, bravo!

[@jmartinfr93]

All Alesana history in one fucking song! in fact this is the best song ever of Alesana for me

[@LilithDarkbloom]

I agree! :3

[@arzukeskinu]

1:50 this part , what an amazing sound, dear god!!!!

[@tris5063]

this is a lyrical masterpiece. every song is. alesana has so much talent and even though i dont listen to this genre anymore, alesana will always remain one of my favorite bands.

[@daviddoroteo1845]

Same. I found myself listening to classic metal songs from the 70s-90s. Been years since I heard this band. They will always he #1.

[@JayFFAFAlesanaES]

@@daviddoroteo1845 Started listening to Common Man's Collapse by VoM and Rareform by ATB back in 2008, but always still been back to Alesana. Primarily listening to tech death like Inferi and Arkaik atm.

[@BFMVANDLP]

I just simply love this album a lot! First I thought no Alesana album could top "Where Myths Fades to Legends" or "the Emptiness". But this album, it is the best thing ever created. This is pure art and literature. Alesana is pure art and totally unique from the genre. I hope their following album will be as good as "Confessions" or maybe they will start with another trilogy, who knows. Let's just wait and see what Alesana will bring to us. Perfect! Definitely going to buy the album on Tuesday.

[@danmen1931]

This is the best Alesana's album ever.

[@ilhamsatria9265]

This is the final act Please take your seats This is the moment that you've been waiting for This is gonna be a wild ride Your telltale heart is beating, unstable minds descend I'm through trying to reach you, I am the emptiness Our love will nevermore attach your soul to mine You don't understand, time is on my side now baby And time is running out Do not believe in imitations We're falling for the fiction We have to crave a masterpiece beneath the ink There's more than meets the eye The end is dawning The sun is setting on a silent mourning Our stars aligning as universes shatter time I'm resisting reality I remember when, my love You could stop time with just a smile Save it for tomorrow, my love I'll regret those words forever more I danced with our accuser, murderer from the start Climbed out of Tartarus for one last night with you You don't understand we are poetry now, baby But time is running out Do not believe in imitations We're falling for the fiction We have to crave a masterpiece beneath the ink There's more than meets the eye The end is dawning The sun is setting on a silent mourning Our stars aligning as universes shatter time I'm resisting reality I remember when, my love You could stop time with just a smile Save it for tomorrow, my love I'll regret those words forever more I remember when, my love You could stop time with just a smile (Our stars aligning as universes shatter time) save it for tomorrow, my love I'll regret those words forever more The end is dawning The sun is setting on a silent mourning Our stars aligning as universes shatter time Have you ever actually seen yourself without a mirror Have you ever actually seen yourself without a mirror Have you ever actually seen yourself without a mirror Have you ever actually seen yourself without a mirror I must be dreaming I drop the knife Turn and see you You can't be me I can't be you Oh my God, where am I Let me go, let me go Save me from this nightmare Annabel, I cannot be lying there Ah, ah, ah, ah-ah My 'Bel, you know you're the cause of this Ah, ah, ah, ah-ah If you had not left me then Ah, ah, ah, ah-ah He would not have lost his mind Ah, ah, ah, ah-ah If you're seeking forgiveness you have come to the wrong place The compass spins What's that feeling in your stomach First a flutter now a shudder Creeping up your spine, and now you know that something's not right Something lurking something peering inching closer, inching closer Trying not to think about it trying not to think about it It's here Foregrounds burst to nothing As symmetry explodes The artist screams and beauty dies, his canvas rends While his easel burns He's lost everything in, but one cruel instant existence swept away Did man even notice as he was erased Have you ever actually seen yourself without a mirror Have you ever actually seen yourself without a mirror Have you ever actually seen yourself without a mirror

[@joshpellett9783]

I really really really want them to make a music video for this song!

[@andm4866]

Josh Pellett Me tooooo

[@juleszotta1298]

Josh Pellett I wish every song had a music video tbh lol or that they'd make a short film or something out of the trilogies, that'd be so radical

[@nier_gard9236]

Dennis's scream at 6:06 to 6:16 legit give me goosebumps whenever I hear it.

[@sydneyblackbourn4804]

Damn I love reading everyone's theories regarding the Trilogy, it's so interesting even though it is kinda confusing haha. I have loved Alesana for a long time, and it's great that they still maintain that same unique sound and style years later. It's crazy good. It's also just so fucking cool how these 3 albums can all be tied together to tell an epic story, not just a story told in 1 album, but throughout THREE. That's some craftsmanship right there and seeing everyone's own interpretation of it is equally as rad. It takes some massive skill and creativity to be able to come up with something like this, so massive props to them. TLDR; Alesana fucking rocks.

[@pastellandscape4286]

Alesana will forever be known as something great for their narratives in their song and for bringing such passion to literature and bringing those piece to life for our generation, the atmosphere that they bring to already atmospheric literature makes those pieces able to be related to and to live through them

[@popegeorgelucasii933]

The nostalgia tho when hearing this...I just wanna say I don't really follow the whole annabelle story but I just love their concept of poetry in posthardcore music

[@bryanpedrosa8061]

MASTERPIECEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YEAHHHHHHH

[@marcinczyzewski5021]

This album is pure masterpiece amongst all genres in music. The best song for ending epic trilogy and of the best Alesana has ever written. This chorus

[@marcinczyzewski5021]

*...one of the best Alesana has ever written...

[@mike0near]

The sun is setting on a silent morning. Nice cleans

[@LintSellzen]

I'll regret those words forever more...🖤🎶

Esta es una de mis favoritas de este album :')

[@lmmonster]

Right around 6:00 is such a beautiful stream of words from Shawne.

[@oxxxca_dot_exe6657]

I have no words to describe how much do I love this band, just perfect. Great Album, great story ending best band : ever :')

[@RDKetch2201]

This song is too good

[@ninjablackgoo]

So many theories out there, makes it so confusing but other than great album. As well as the trilogy you guys created.

[@JassieLopez]

All of this trilogy is an infinite cycle, a nightmare. Confessions is the revelation that there is just one character after all, a world trapped inside the mind of an Artist. "He's lost everything in but one cruel instant existence swept away Did man even notice as he was erased?"

[@TheFadedDarkness]

I think it would be so awesome if they did an Annabel Trilogy tour or at least a few shows (since the trilogy has a lot of songs) I think it would be the perfect way to celebrate the ending

[@mynamejontamesjon2919]

I cant stop hear this song, over and over

[@kawaiikatstokes8010]

this song is just amazing ...no words can describe how im feeling right now .!

[@gabrielciaffone]

I have the feeling that this comes right before the Emptiness in the story line.

[@joshuasanchez5799]

Remember that it's based on the Time Quintet.... don't leave out possible time travel.

[@ItsLithium]

Gabriel Ciaffone Makes sense if you follow the story of the emptiness where Annabel stabs the artist in the stomach as he's gone nuts staring into the mirror whilst he picture chasing the thespian he believed killed Annabel. Catharsis ends with the Artist feeling the blade in his stomach and the last few lines is him experiencing his death whilst trapped in insanity. The other question is are the artist and Annabel one and the same and it is the Rusalka side of Annabel that chooses to collective take their own life where in TE she stabs the Artist in the stomach in this album it describes her choosing to take Annabels life by stabbing her in the stomach. maybe...

[@gabrielciaffone]

ItsLithium It could also be a time paradox. The reason why i think this is before TE, is because this could be the Dream/Nightmare, right before the artist wakes up to find his lover dead. You see, "he" did stab her after all.

[@yourturningpoint777]

Gabriel Ciaffone I dont know too much but from what i hear, a place where the sun is silent was just a dream. I could be wrong.

[@gabrielciaffone]

It's based on the Divine Comedy, it's a journey through hell. I am pretty sure APWTSIS is right after he dies.

[@edgardocastillo2295]

5:12 ❤️

[@dealik]

Someone alive in 2020?

[@nier_gard9236]

Don't mind me, here for my daily dosage of Alesana. Still alive, 2021.

[@dealik]

@@nier_gard9236 ✨

[@jmckenzie8250]

Love your guys work my fav band ! Rock on gents

[@bryanpedrosa8061]

nostalgic...

[@joshuashellard4672]

Best track on the album

[@GetScaredGaming]

I personally like Through the eyes of uriel the best, second is probably The martyr, but this is a great finale to the album. Its like one big song.

[@PrussianWarfare]

I keep listening from beginning to the end.

[@HGBETG]

For those of you who may not have read, Shawn did a track by track guide and very briefly explained some of the storyline within this album. This may be able to help some of the theories that are floating around~ Here's a link: musicjunkiepress.com/music/shawn-milke-of-alesana-gives-us-a-track-by-track-guide-for-confessions/

[@JericoJocson]

Like what chiodos ssid from the song "a letter from janelle" - "such a paradox,isn't?" Insanity will create a whole new world and people for you and that's what happen in the trilogy !

[@virgasurya2293]

this song was beautiful

[@offedsoul]

2015 was the best time...

[@moisesj.n.4942]

I cried... very inspiring.

[@anthonysimone3748]

Just a thought but in to be scared by an owl the lyrics " boy you havent got the slightest idea just who i am and what i do for you dont you see that im trying to save you" it could be fatima saying that instead of the thespian

[@anthonysimone3748]

Maybe every character is anabel thats why everytime the artist looked in a mirror he saw anabels face

[@RaZorMTA]

Best song ever

[@spooktoken]

This band r so underrated

[@acousticbeats808]

This whole album I stellar, but this is favorite

[@pachixright]

Goodbye my everything :(

[@liamontez4474]

If their trilogy is over does this mean they'll stop making songs? I don't want that to happen omg I want more!

[@rrojales329]

+Lia Montez i guess they're going to rest after this, but Shawn stated they will make more stories, hopefully it's true. and the sad thing is Annabel trilogy ends :(

[@alexandershannon8746]

+Lowee Bfly Shawn mentioned they will make more albums and that the song "Comedy Of Errors" will be the sound their gonna continue on cx as for making more stories i have no idea but i know they'll still go by other stories on songs if they dont make another for an album

[@uoviable]

can't get enough of it!

[@cyanidestatic7896]

From what I have read in an interview time travel is definitely involved. Now when I think about it, The artist slowly descended into madness ( APWTSIS) only to wake up finding his lover dead. He finds the thespian who stabs him in the end. The Artist then wakes to find it was anabelle who had stabbed him instead. (This could mean APWTSIS and part of the Emptiness was a dream within a dream but I'll explain a different theory further on) In Confessions it is quite clear that there are three sides to Anabelles personality, she has an evil side and her innocent side and her normal personality (so she has two completely different personalities) The artist wakes only to find himself dying at the hands of Anabelle who I would assume was Rusulka at the time. She claimed to have killed him as he was going insane but what if it was her who was going insane? Once she becomes her other personality (Fatima) Anabelle goes back in time to prevent her orignal self from killing the artist. However as she goes to kill Rusulka she pulls a fast one on her and stabs her. She falls next to her lover who is just waking up. As this happens Rusulka turns into the Thespian and kills the artist in the end. Then time travel happens once again and the whole process is repeated indefinitely. However I think the song Paradox also plays a vital role in the story and Anabelle finally kills Rusulka (creating a time paradox and erasing anabelle from existence causing the artist to lose everything in one cruel sweep of fate) Of course if the artist was also another personality of Anabelle then the time paradox would certainly take place causing the whole story to come to an abrupt end. Anything is possible but I like the theory I put

[@RaZorMTA]

Cyanide Static Awesome ! o.o

[@quickloris4715]

Best theory I've seen. I think you're right. Great deduction!

[@lordmaster5402]

Espiskey❤️

[@slipkornp1298]

Que temaaa!!!! final de la trilogia señores

[@theblissg]

I had no idea what's the story of the three albums, but hell yeah this is an EPIC masterpiece of alesana! Shit just got real👹

[@Lana-221B]

masterpiece

[@rbkvn]

Yes, it's a great album, excellent, love Alesana :3

[@rrojales329]

After i watched the part 2 of comedy of errors, I have a theory that catharsis is not the end of the trilogy, and for me it is the song "Annabel" of "The Emptiness" Album.

[@chestnuttreeee]

argggg eargasm!!!

[@vipe293]

Have you ever seen yourself without a mirror? Millenials be like : "duh? of course" And then proceeds on taking a hundred selfies

[@johnspacetime3264]

I... drop... the.... knife, turn... and... see... you...

[@rrojales329]

Your telltale heart is beating...

[@khevcesbegosa3006]

mY fAv sonG on the aLbum

[@battlefieldxxx4684]

I remember when, my love, you could stop time with just a smile

[@RsBanez]

Someone who already has the book and spoils the ending to me, please? Lol.

[@faceless.1772]

Wait, there's a book? I NEED IT I NEED IT RIGHT NOW

[@joysekai]

@@faceless.1772 I can't find anyone selling their physical copy (as only 500 were made) but the ebook is on amazon of you haven't gotten it yet

[@son25taylor]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@novajackson4352]

After reading a ton of comments and finishing the album, I'm still not sure what the ending of the story is exactly but it kinda reminds me of that of that one "bartender paradox" story. (here's the link to the story: abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/glossary/grandfather_paradox.html ) Especially with the song "Paradox" I feel like most of the characters are actually all the same person idk. But I'm so glad the end to the trilogy is finally out!!!!!!

[@aureliomonroy2080]

Nice Lee

[@riezkikurniawanmaulidias3637]

bagus lagunya :)

[@hmac500]

That was fucking beautiful.

[@Fqllout]

This is Sex for my ears

[@nilmarasouza40]

pfts 👌😻😻

[@steiner42]

I am The Emptiness

[@undbiter65]

Guys does Confessions come with a booklet like the two previous albums did? Bought mine online. May have to buy a physical copy, if it does.

[@KyuuJuuchi]

I just kinda felt that the trilogy is somehow a little bit relatable in the anime "Erased". Hm.. maybe I just got consumed too much watching it and then just get a feeling when listening to Alesana's album all day. >v

[@TheGAzettENILDeformi]

Does this album not come with a story booklet like the other two?

[@sleepy8866]

🖤🥀

[@lilperpioficial9087]

Jeremy Bryan, great drummer, better person

[@marcoamato7246]

I'm gonna write my whole explanation in the comment below because of a wonderful bug. Kinda a wall of text

[@zhugy]

***** (always me, thanks again google/youtube) Ok that's my interpretation of the whole trilogy and it seems lacking of nothing. As everybody knows, "A place where the sun is silent" is a prequel of "The emptiness" BUT not of "Confessions". Better, the events of APWTSIS occurr after The Martyr, Paradox, Through the eyes of Uriel and Catharsis. Let me explain better what (I think) happened: In the very beginning we have only 2 characters: The Acolyte and Annabel. They spend their existence together but Annabel is ill, she suffers kinda of a bipolar disorder (Fatima-Rusalka) and their life together wilts as the time flows. The Acolyte saw the change in her eyes, he knows she's sick but he stays till the end, the day where Fatima (the sweet part of Annabel) decides to change everything, building a time machine and rewriting history between her and him. We can definitely see the struggle between them in the first two/three songs of Confessions, where Alesana describe everything as decayed, like when 2 persons stay together without any apparent reason, just because of routine, empty dialogues (and in this case also because of her madness growing stronger). Annabel feels responsible of everything so she tries to go back trying to save Acolyte's existence. As Shawn declared in an interview, we see Annabel exploring different realities (The Goddess) till she remains stuck in the tesseract (Oh how the mighty have fallen) and questions herself about what she feels, what's the purpose of her journey; because, as everyone knows, dealing with feelings make people frail and full of doubts. So, what's the best way to make the torture end? Does "the best way" exist? Anyway, driven by love/lust, she decides to have a last night with The Artist (in The Martyr) before the "past" Annabel comes in. So, wait, who's The Artist? No one but The Acolyte in the past. As he falls fast asleep, Fatima and Rusalka (the two personalities of Annabel) start a fight where Rusalka claims to want more than that, like when someone lays in bed, thinking about his own life, his purpose and so on. I mean, that girl can travel in time and space, should she really stay? She could have more than his true love, she can travel everywhere, but what does she want? She doesn't know, she struggles with his purest desires (Through the eyes of Uriel) and maybe it's time to go away, to bring The Artist with her, to leave him alone, to do something. But it's too late, as the other Annabel enters the room (Catharsis) and Rusalka kills her. That explains why in The Emptiness we hear The Artist talking about waking up besides his love whom was awake when he closed the eyes. So, welcome in The Emptiness, when we see him becoming mad because... Well, how can he ever figure out what happened? He really goes insane, questioning himself about her love's death (Curse of the virgin canvas/The Artist) and begging her corpse to came back (A lunatic's lament). But it won't happen so here we go with madness, where he enters a tavern and kill everyone inside there (The Murderer). I also wanna add that his madness is supported by the dream he had in the whole APWTSIS where he saw everything like a premonition, because... well, everything happened, in another dimension. For example, in The Fiend the first two lines are about the time traveling machine ("Blessed smoke bellows from the beast! Bow to the gears and worship the machine!") so... try to wake up with your love dead beside you after you dreamt everything already. Will you remain sane? I doubt it. Still, he also has the fear that Annabel killed herself somehow (and he's right), that's why he says "My heart belongs to the one I am chasing after" in Heavy hangs the albatross, the song where he's planning suicide. The same song where the time traveler Annabel reveals herself, shocking him. He doesn't know how to react, first begging her to stay (The Lover) and then being filled with fears ("What if my heart breaks again?"), deciding, in the end, to kill her (In her tomb by the sounding sea) while she's begging him to understand what she'd done. He doesn't wanna listen so Rusalka takes her place telling him to have the guts to kill her, that he doesn't comprehend what she'd been through (To be scared by an owl). And, well... everybody knows how it ends in Annabel. A sad story about reassembling old times, failing and making them worse. 1) Thanks if you read all of this: I know it's bad because is only a cold summary and I could have gone deeper with each song, but... I don't wanna write a huge wall of text, plus, shades are better when nobody explains them to you. 2) I fell in love with this trilogy so bad that I'm also representing some of the chapters on paper (well, photoshop ahah). I knew that Alesana was looking for someone to illustrate their stories and, if that place is still vacant, I'd be really glad to help them because I've spent years listening to their songs, also before the whole Annabel trilogy, learning songs like The third temptation of Paris or As you wish on piano. And I guess I have to thank my ex girlfriend ahahah. If you wanna check some, here you are The Goddess goo.gl/U3SmgY and The Martyr (VM18) fav.me/d8xsmax soooo... if this post would ever reach them... notice me senpai (?) 3) Last but not least, sorry for any english mistake

[@poringkraven]

***** yo, reading the earlier comments and explanation of other fans (like thatoneguy) and also re-listening to this epic trilogy, i can say we have almost the same theory/explanation of the story. and also, when we've had a multimedia project in our school about making film, i kinda wanted to make the story of the emptiness into a film, just a sad part that i dont have friends who's much into alesana, this annabel trilogy to be particular :3 i hope alesana would release the story of this album (confessions).

[@zhugy]

Timothy Diumano It's not the complete one, but Confessions is explained decently here (by Shawn himself), that's why theories about The Artist traveling in time can't be correct. he explicitly affirmed it was Annabel the one who traveled musicjunkiepress.com/music/shawn-milke-of-alesana-gives-us-a-track-by-track-guide-for-confessions/

[@cindysaavedrafranco3938]

😍😍😍🎶🎵🎶🎶

[@victorqueiroz6421]

I fell the same too õ/ - Few peoples here in brazil likes or knows alesana =/

[@emomonokaisa8241]

+Victor Queiroz Verdade mano, mas ALESANA é muito foda! É uma das minhas bandas favoritas :')

[@theGloomBerry]

É a minha banda favorita desde sempre :3 Realmente nunca encontro quem conheça D:

[@RaZorMTA]

Que es lo que está pasando?! ... Si tuviera que decir una teoría ... no estoy seguro de si todo ocurrió en la mente del artista o no, incluso tengo más preguntas que respuestas ... apwts ocurrió realmente? el artista realmente viaja por el tiempo? ... Como es que 'Bel se convierte en Fatima Rusalka?, Que ocurre con esa prisión repleta de paredes de la que se habla? .... y el actor? .... El actor y el artista son uno mismo, de eso no hay duda .... A ver ... yo pienso que el si la mató en the emptiness, pero que de alguna manera ella volvió para vengarse ... El actor era el mismo artista que venía de la muerte para salvarse ... Pero no pudo hacerlo, volvió a morir y una vez más volvió a viajar para nuevamente intentar salvarse ... Como volvió?, tal ves apwts no fue del todo un sueño ... pero nada de eso tiene sentido ... no creo que esta historia tenga tanta ficción ... y acá la explicación: todo ocurre en su mente, por eso el final se llama catarsis. Pero no tengo idea de como unir todas esas piezas, así que mejor esperamos la historia

[@undbiter65]

Mira la persona que el conoce como 'Annabel' es una criatura imortal. Mitad Fatima, mitad rusalka. Son dos lados, Fatima siendo Luz, o buena, y Rusalka siendo Mala. La cancion Fatima Rusalka explica su origen. Esta es mi teoria. Recuerdas en 'the emptiness' que el solo despierta y la encuentra muerta? A Annabel? Y no sabe que paso pero concluye que el la mato? Y luego dice el que Cree que Aun la escucha y que Aun mueve los labios. Bueno la razon que no se Recuerda matando a Annabel, fue por que no la mato. El lado Malo de ella se encajo El cuchillo, el despierta y la encuentra "muerta" pero es immortal y no muere. Por eso es que Aun ella habla. El piensa que Mira eso por que se esta volviendo Loco. Fatima, el lado Bueno de Annabel, regresa en tiempo para matar al artista, para librarlo del actor osea su propia insanidad, pero en Esos ultimos moments el actor regresa, y lo unico que el Mira es Anabel matandolo. Y anabael, tratando de salvarlo, Mata a lo unico que ella ama. Asi rusalka, su lado Malo, se sales e con la sulla. Mi teoria. Y A place where the sun is silent es sus pensamientos. Todo es dentro de su cabeza. Esta basado en la Comedia divina de Dante.

[@RaZorMTA]

***** no creo que haya sido un sueño ....

[@RaZorMTA]

si ... se que la letra dice eso, me se toda esa historia, pero te digo ... no creo que haya sido un sueño ... y si fue algo mas ? , yo me voy por esa posibilidad y esperaré a que salga la historia xd

[@edmicas2896]

RaZoR MTA mmm mira como se lee la historia en la reseña que escribio shwan milke de que forma se escuchan las canciones talves te sirva :D

[@RaZorMTA]

Edgar Castillo ya la lei esta mañana xd

[@awakeniam182]

The Grandfather Paradox

[@fragilebunbun]

2021

[@fragilebunbun]

MHM !

[@winstonjamesiii6634]

Which has the better ending, this song or annabel? reply your opinions

[@joeygb6657]

This song has a good ending, but I enjoyed annabels more as it was more epic and suited an end to an album better if you know what I mean.

[@heyb1tch_]

Bimo pd🤘

[@nosaint4870]

So the story was Annabel hallucinating to be the artist, and having herself as a guide ilusion through purgatory, and hell. She killed herself, and strongly believed that she was murdered by the artist. what do you guys think?

[@pachixright]

No Saint The words "Oh is it my fault? You fell into the illusion you've been living discretely." made sense.

[@henrydemdem]

this is like a new anabel song on their new album..

[@bymovie5097]

Kayanya ambil di sini nama brand bimo

[@rahardiansusanta1957]

Iya ngab. Sepemikiran wkwk

[@triantio6683]

Lah emng iyaa

[@JorgeAugustoEscalanteMatias]

Como cuando la traducción al español tiene mas visitas

[@chorennator]

I dont know what the fuck people mean by 'The Trilogy' Or 'The Story' whatever But. I just felt like I Should say that I Feel like the song Could've ended at 4:42 and it would've been nice and It's not because I don't like Long songs (I Actually really like them), Just. After that point it feels weird? Like the transitioning isnt as smooth as Comedy of Errors It just. Suddenly Happens and when I Finally get Used To It The Song Is Already Over, so if It Was A Little Smoother I Might Like It More. Also I'd kill for an Acoustic version of this.

[@RsBanez]

Yeah and this song is the ending of the Trilogy, that's why it was so long and gets heavy after minute 5, it's the climax of the story.

[@carsonsmad2238]

I'm confused what type of screaming is this bc don't get me wrong I like this song but he sounds like he's just screatching really

[@aydanhardidge6006]

I am pretty sure it is fry

[@LilithDarkbloom]

This is the screaming that has been in Alesana since the beginning.

[@joeysmazzerati5525]

alesana style

[@josflorida5346]

Have you ever seen yourself without a mirror? 🤔 Well yeah. With a camera 😂

[@damonsmith1418]

I'm sure the best parts of this album would have made a great song.

[@MrGtaunited]

The story to this album is confusing.

[@alexiliev8579]

The whole story is confusing.. Not only to this album :D

[@samyasha2]

Yes I have seen myself without a mirror. Just use water or another reflecting surface.

[@Silencer0151]

Samuel Deslauriers That's still a mirror

[@PrussianWarfare]

Samuel Deslauriers True, but the line seems to translate to asking, "Have you actually seen your true self?"

[@leaox358]

Samuel Deslauriers Actually I think the lyric is to be interpreted to the characters, them seeing their past selves

[@samyasha2]

Yes, yes. It was a joke. God you are all so dense.

[@lonercs]

This album, I don't know how to react to it. Some of the songs I don't really like at all. Other song's are good with parts I'm not a fan of. I never could understand the screamed and growled lyrics. But there are but one or two songs that may have become my favorite. Plus there's the story. I kind of dislike the album but yet I also love it. I just wished that the story ended happily.

[@omgxbrandon]

7 people are lame