The world of CoFD/SFBF/BtCWD is, by design, vaguely defined and abstract. The listener can enjoy this ambiguity as is, or fill in the details using their own imagination. In my mind, there are more concrete interpretations of events, but that's just one interpretation among countless others. However, here are some ideas that can help you understand the concepts behind those albums.
The story of CoFD and SFBF is, at a high level, about two important forces shaping the world: Line of Light and The Great Circle. They can be interpreted as deities, religions/philosophies, nations, dynasties, organizations - this is up to the listener. What is important is what they represent. The Line is change, progress, evolution, determination, ambition, will to power, individualism. The Circle is spirituality, stability, tradition, balance, faith. At certain points in history they are in opposition to one another, but not inherently so. They coexist more often than they clash, although a conflict between them is an important part of the story.
Chronologically, the whole story begins with Before the Circle Was Drawn. In a distant past, humans begin to understand themselves and through that either understand or actually shape the world around them. This concludes with the drawing of The Great Circle - a constant guiding point for the future. The story of Shining, Fading, Burning, Flickering follows. Many (hundreds? thousands? more) years later but still in the past so distant that it might as well be a legend, Line of Light establishes itself. Light cuts through smoke, the anthem is sung, a caldera council is formed for the first time - this is the age of Shining Light. It doesn't last forever - years (hundreds? thousdands?) later, sometime in documented history, a dark age of Fading Light begins. It's a time of pain, suffering, stagnation and decline. Discovery of what is called Second Sun by some and False Dawn by others ends this era and brings the age of Burning Light. It's an attempt to create a second golden age - not entirely unsuccessful, but also a time of anger, resentment and violence. It's the age when The Line and The Circle go to war against each other. This era ends with the nightmarish Century of False Dawn.
Those are the circumstances during which the Century of False Dawn EP takes place. It's a more individual story of a protagonist slowly realizing that he has been following the False Dawn, finding the true light within himself and ultimately changing the course of history. The Great Circle and Line of Light are finally reconciled, the true dawn arrives and the age of Burning Ligtht ends. The same story is retold from the perspective of The Great Circle in Live Incarnation of The Eternal Returns - a first part of Will to Live live album.
This sets the stage for the final part of Shining, Fading, Burning, Flickering - the age of Flickering Light. It is, above all else, a time of uncertainty. There's hope for the future symbolized by Spring Child, but there are always those who yearn for the return of Second Sun. Only time will tell who will triumph, and what new challenges will arise. The Light isn't burning anymore, but it may still burn again, or go out entirely... or it may shine again, creating a true second golden age.
More of the story will be revealed in the upcoming releases: a full length album The Great Circle (title subject to change in the future) which so far is an eternal work in progress, something called The Garden of Eternal Return which so far exists only in my imagination, and maybe something else. When the series is concluded, I hope to create a super limited edition compilation of everything CoFD/SFBF related and put it on USB sticks along with a more complete version of this lore document.
Exercise for the attentive listener: many concepts described in this document are represented by a leitmotif. Can you identify them?
The Eternal Returns, June 2025