Poets of the Fall – Black Waters – The 13th Symphony

Black Waters is the song I did not know I needed, soothing like a calming balm on my restless soul. The thirteenth symphony of Carnival of Rust grew patiently so that it could become this fine golden thread wrapping Poets of the Fall trilogy of trilogies. Yet, according to Marko (24.04.2026 on Finnish television) lyrics and melody have not changed much since the birth of Black Waters. Am I seeing what isn’t there then, or did they already know the path they were about to follow? Quite the foresight, if you ask me.

No End, No Beginning

You know how Beyond the Horizon felt like a goodbye in the face of a departed one, but at the same time, it also felt like a goodbye to an era… to the trilogies… to that journey Poets of the Fall started in 2003, while bringing us on their rollercoaster of a ride… and yet, hinting at the perspective of a new chapter rising on the horizon all the while keeping an eye on the rearview mirror… no? Maybe it was just in my head then… anyway, Black Waters reminded me of that sensation. An end for a new beginning… 

Ultimately, Black Waters is to me the epitome of the incredible journey that Poets of the Fall has taken for the past 20-odd years, swooshing us along for the ride. At the same time, Black Waters is also looking ahead making a promise of renewal.

Strange lovers

Poets of the Fall often offers this duality of thought, never obvious or spelled out as there is never just one truth. Black Waters fits perfectly into that concept. You know me well enough not to expect my look on a heart-breaking love story, or relationship related story – others would do that much better than I. I’d rather take the darker path and dive into the depth of introspection… But then, how to write about it… hmm!

I have listened to Black Waters for the entire week, and for every listen, my brain would go “did you hear this?”, “did you notice that?”… and indeed I did… I even wrote it down each time I could find a pen and a piece of paper. No form, no structure, just random thoughts. It all became mushy and nonsensical, or rather so much that I forgot the core. I hit the snag I did not want to hit, but then I talked to a friend and I saw the light I needed.

Sunlight, the peace is broken, I’m awakened, by its spear
Dark sight, sees only sorrows, and corrodes, till nothing’s clear

I was lucky enough to part-take in Black Waters video premiere on April 17th, and it felt like going home. The expectation a few seconds before the music starts, and then the overwhelming evidence that such moments are what make all the doubts, challenges and heartaches worth my while… so simple… so pure… so magical, and so for 5 minutes 47, I listened suspended in time, drinking every note,  breathing in every word and taking in every image. As always, chills and blurry eyes framed by a huge smile on my face… clapping fervently exclaiming “Oh my god, this is so brilliant!” and so, to this I hold.

Roses

In the video, by the brilliant director Miika Hakala, Marko’s holding a white rose he most likely took from the bouquet in the vase behind him. I am not very much versed in the symbolism of flowers or their colors, but even I know red roses show love, and white roses stand for remembrance and new beginnings. So when Marko sings so lovingly the first two lines to the white rose he is holding, who is he really reassuring… to me, it is himself as he was and obviously portrayed with him wearing the bowler hat from Carnival of Rust. 

This is a look back at how it was then, and all the band had to learn to get where they are now, which made me go and check the lyrics for Roses… it does fit, unless I have already lost you. 

Hold on let me think this through, I still remember you as you were

The imagery to illustrate the line above, Marko sings to his other self dressed like him… I see it as Marko talking to himself as he is woken up by the piercing light, recognizing that all he did was allow darkness to cloud his heart… with a wink to Clearview, I think… in retrospect, Clearview being a wink to Black Waters – considering that Clearview came out ten years later, maybe not.

Dark sight, sees only sorrows, and corrodes, till nothing’s clear

The first verse and chorus end with Marko dressed as he used to, shielding himself from the light. This is one of the precious moments that gave me goosebumps, through the subtlety of the transition towards Marko as Marko… standing in the light.

Marko’s way

“Walk on air” the way Marko holds the note from the first time I listened to the song, it made me think of Old Gods of Asgard. I could not say which song, and it was a fleeting moment, but it was enough to confirm what Black Waters is all about.

This song is so peaceful, like there is no sorrow, I hear so much empathy, fondness and love in Black Waters. Maybe it is a bit nostalgic at times, but aren’t we all?

The sigh at the end translates as some kind of relief to me, like there is the realization that the inside war between dark and light does not need to rage anymore, that both makes one complete… you know like the wolves in Hello Cabaret… the one you feed is the one that prevails and yet the other one remains. Balance is everything.

Change is inevitable

At the end of the video, the Zoltar is back… to me it symbolizes that we can have this duality within, that even if we do things differently it does not mean the old “we” has disappeared, it is still there and always will have a voice as long as we let it. Change isn’t bad, it is inevitable and constant… embracing it is the only way to grow and yet it does not mean erasing the past.

Break for freedom

The dolls are a nice addition. Old fashion dolls that could now be collector objects and give a nostalgic vibe. Symbol of lingering childhood they brought me back to the Carnival of Rust stand Break for freedom… What is this doing here? Once again, nothing is left to chance and I remember now something Miika told me some time ago… a video is his interpretation of a song and I suspect that Black Waters is no exception to the rule. Poets were probably involved too, obviously… This was his shot though, and he did not miss!

The 13th Symphony

Musically it felt like everything was intentional. I know it always is, but this time it was so clear. The drums, the piano, the guitars and of course the bass. Every note was just purposefully woven around the lyrics, or was it the opposite. Perfection.

In the video, it is very subtle – which seems to be the key word for Black Waters – Olli, Jaska, and Jani are very much like in a bubble… not lonely, but maybe in a dark place as they are not smiling. As the second verse starts, this changes. Olli and Jaska play together, facing and looking at each other… smiling. A little flashback to Love will come to you, or at least I perceived it thus… and finally, Jani’s smile as he plays. There is such compassion and benevolence in the way they play Black Waters and Miika succeeded in showing it to us another way. I loved that tremendously.

Captain’s playing is precise and a tad dramatic which lifted the song to yet another level of greatness to my ears. I like it so much when I can distinctively hear the piano in a song where it is not necessarily the dominant instrument. I will not lie (lol, just thought of Ismo when writing that)… I am very partial to Marcus’s playing, particularly when he does it on a piano, I always get chills. He plays with such intent… 

Jari is guiding the 13th symphony with a soft and elegant beat which rounded the song really well. 

You guys rock my world, period!

The clock

Did you notice the clock? As love stands the trials of time, the way it starts turning like a roulette – Revolution Roulette, wink wink – it blends its colors without any vanishing thus keeping their identity… and when Marko starts singing the word “Twilight” – Twilight Theatre, hello – I realized that this was not a random imagery. Twilight: a blend of night and day… duality, dark and light. The old together with the new… just what the song Black Waters is. Nothing is left to chance, though I do wonder how much of it was just a coincidence… a sub-conscious expression of a truth and why do I see it like this… and who else did?

Twilight, just a token, a softly spoken, symbol of peace

Location, location, location

Black Waters was filmed in Tervakoski Manor in Finland, and the way the location resembles the one from Moonlight Kissed (filmed in Gumböle Manor) gives me a very special vibe. It may be far-fetched though… but I remember what Marko told me in our latest interview, that he never takes the magic for granted, so maybe the vibe I feel is a bit of the magic he talked about. 

Right, to the point… Moonlight Kissed is about love transcending the passing of time, and so, just like that, as the location for Black Waters is chosen, it is a familiar place, a piece of this eternal love Poets of the Fall sings about and maybe a way to tell us their appreciation for still being there after all this time… I don’t know, I have weird thoughts sometimes… intentional or not, it is what I felt so that makes it real in a way.

I am still facing my demons at times, and pushing my own darkness to a place where I won’t see it… but ultimately, whether I see it or not, it is there. There is no wrong or right answer, only my truth that I need to accept and make friends with… Black Waters is this soothing whisper repeating to me that everything will be alright, there is no need for me to be afraid.

Go on, let nothing hold you down, no regrets, unbound, walk on air

I do not know whether this made sense to anyone, it does to me despite my words being only guesses based on my rather twisted way to look at things. I do know this: I have kept Black Waters shrouded in its own mysteries which I find satisfying and quite elating in the end. Remember, there is never just one truth… All you have to do is to believe in yourself and find your own.

My favorite line

[…] every tear is a kiss of forgiveness