Vigil is the first studio recording by Christmass, released December 12, 2019, on Young Tobacco Records. It was recorded and produced by Christmass in Indianapolis, IN. Musical inspirations include Thergothon, Khanate and Nortt.
The EP is a four-part concept loosely telling the story of a man lost in winter who finds refuge in an abandoned monastery. Lyrical themes include despair, isolation and death. Songs on the ep reference traditional melodies such as "Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells)," "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves (What Child is This)," and "Cantique de Noël (O Holy Night)."
Lyrics
Stille Nacht
The glaciers titanic mountains frozen forest shadows fall / Darkness devours eternal night In the solstice’s sallow moonlight / Snow blindness razor wind faceless frostbite glacial tempest / Gales of northwind lost in snow distant fires spectral glow / All is silent in the night oceans of quiet in polar light
Past
Withered tongue and cloven foot / Blackened eyes and dagger horns / Krampus is watching / Count your children
Present
Desolate days / Bound to this frigid darkness / Embers dying like falling leaves / All is cold all is candlelight
Yet to Come
The Great Hunt rolls across the sky pagan thunder hyperborean night / Howl of the angels frozen debris and ice alpine basilica black forest frostbite / Fading star in the east messianic prophecy holy empire of cracked skin hibernal holy man / Ancient secrets unknown to me a thousand arctic leagues the slumber of a polar sleep / Falling asleep fading to starlight Siberian frostbite