(Instrumental)
- Poenarian Mist (ca. 2009)
Hailing from Spain, Poenarian Mist is the project of a man known only as Belial. He started the project in 2007 so he could make music that his main band (which is unknown to me at this point) could not play. Most of the works are instrumentals. In fact, I've only heard 1 song where singing has taken place. I discovered this band while perusing the metal section of an indie record store here in Houston. The price was US$3, so I figured what the heck.
Since this song has no lyrics, I will describe the feelings it invokes when I hear it.
The beauty of this song lies in its simplicity. The song is simple and haunting both at the same time. The soft introduction followed by the piano kicking in evokes a darkness inside. It builds with a high and low key mix in a semi-crescendo, almost as if the darkness itself is building inside, followed by a dark sadness. It's almost a feeling of lament over a loss and then a peace that follows. The sadness, however, never really leaves.
Anyway, that's my take on the song. I bet Mardi never thought she would have to answer for an instrumental, did she? Let's see what she thinks about this one.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Fade to Black
Life, it seems, will fade away
Drifting further every day
Getting lost within myself
Nothing matters, no one else
I have lost the will to live
Simply nothing more to give
There is nothing more for me
Need the end to set me free
Things not what they used to be
Missing one inside of me
Deathly lost, this can't be real
Can't stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filling me
To the point of agony
Growing darkness taking dawn
I was me, but now he's gone
No one but me can save myself, but it's too late
Now I can't think, think why I should even try
Yesterday seems as though it never existed
Death greets me warm, now I will just say goodbye, *Goodbye*
Metallica 1984
Arguably the best heavy metal ballad ever written, "Fade to Black" is a staple in most hard rock fans play lists. This song was written by James Hetfield after the band's gear was stolen and they had been kicked out of their managers home. This was Metallica's first ballad. Coming off an album with songs like "Fight Fire with Fire" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" this song was certainly a change.
The song is pretty straight forward, there is no hidden agenda yet it is open to perception. One might argue this is simply a suicide song. You can hear the depression, the hopelessness and what appears to be the end. You can feel the gloom in the song, the utter despair. James and Lars were obsessed with death at the time of this album so it makes sense this song ends in "Goodbye".
I have a different take on the song, of course from the beginning I pull the depression, I hear the despair. I hear the loss of oneself. Being so lost and depressed you don't think anymore, you don't see yourself when you look in the mirror is heard in the tone. Yet after the goodbye the song takes off, I hear strength in the guitar. I hear the "f*ck you, it's not over". This song to me is about pulling yourself out of that hole and make into life.
What do you think?
Drifting further every day
Getting lost within myself
Nothing matters, no one else
I have lost the will to live
Simply nothing more to give
There is nothing more for me
Need the end to set me free
Things not what they used to be
Missing one inside of me
Deathly lost, this can't be real
Can't stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filling me
To the point of agony
Growing darkness taking dawn
I was me, but now he's gone
No one but me can save myself, but it's too late
Now I can't think, think why I should even try
Yesterday seems as though it never existed
Death greets me warm, now I will just say goodbye, *Goodbye*
Metallica 1984
Arguably the best heavy metal ballad ever written, "Fade to Black" is a staple in most hard rock fans play lists. This song was written by James Hetfield after the band's gear was stolen and they had been kicked out of their managers home. This was Metallica's first ballad. Coming off an album with songs like "Fight Fire with Fire" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" this song was certainly a change.
The song is pretty straight forward, there is no hidden agenda yet it is open to perception. One might argue this is simply a suicide song. You can hear the depression, the hopelessness and what appears to be the end. You can feel the gloom in the song, the utter despair. James and Lars were obsessed with death at the time of this album so it makes sense this song ends in "Goodbye".
I have a different take on the song, of course from the beginning I pull the depression, I hear the despair. I hear the loss of oneself. Being so lost and depressed you don't think anymore, you don't see yourself when you look in the mirror is heard in the tone. Yet after the goodbye the song takes off, I hear strength in the guitar. I hear the "f*ck you, it's not over". This song to me is about pulling yourself out of that hole and make into life.
What do you think?
Friday, July 9, 2010
In Shrouds Decayed
I am your shrine
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
Your words decay
To foulest rain
A shroud of mildewed lies enwrapping your remains
Your body draped
Next to mine
Exposed to all unless they've chosen to be blind
You caused my sweat
To drop as blood
Soiling this meager ground of desecrated mud
Your mind depraved
You've crucified yourself upon my barren grave
I am your shrine
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
My fingers tenderly
Caress your face
I shall preserve my hatred until the end of days
I am your shrine
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
I've conceived you
I've destroyed you
You were stillborn
Inside of me
I am your shrine
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
My fingers tenderly
Caress your face
I shall preserve my hatred until the end of days
- Triptykon (2010)
From the ashes of the legendary metal band Celtic Frost comes Tom Gabriel Warrior with Triptykon. As this new band sounds very different from Celtic Frost and does not have much history, we can dispense with that and get right into the content.
Musically this is perhaps one of the darkest songs I have ever heard. The slow, plodding sound at the beginning, coupled with Warrior's low voice, is ominous to say the least. It almost dares the listener to keep going into the song. When the heavy part kicks in, you feel the full rage of the lyrics.
In the album liner notes Warrior talks about a poem he wrote in 2008 that described how he felt over the dissolution of Celtic Frost. The lyrics are direct from the poem, so ostensibly this song seems to be about laying his past to rest and harboring quite the grudge how it came to pass.
Interestingly, that's what I took from this song the first time I heard it. Laying to rest something one loves, especially when an event out of one's control is the cause of the demise, is never an easy thing. The darkness comes from a lack of closure over those events and twists the mind to where we feel not only the dead love, but also the hatred felt toward the source of misery.
I personally love this song, but I don't know if Mardi will even like it. Let's see what she has to say.
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
Your words decay
To foulest rain
A shroud of mildewed lies enwrapping your remains
Your body draped
Next to mine
Exposed to all unless they've chosen to be blind
You caused my sweat
To drop as blood
Soiling this meager ground of desecrated mud
Your mind depraved
You've crucified yourself upon my barren grave
I am your shrine
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
My fingers tenderly
Caress your face
I shall preserve my hatred until the end of days
I am your shrine
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
I've conceived you
I've destroyed you
You were stillborn
Inside of me
I am your shrine
I am your womb
You rest inside of me
My flesh shall be your tomb
My fingers tenderly
Caress your face
I shall preserve my hatred until the end of days
- Triptykon (2010)
From the ashes of the legendary metal band Celtic Frost comes Tom Gabriel Warrior with Triptykon. As this new band sounds very different from Celtic Frost and does not have much history, we can dispense with that and get right into the content.
Musically this is perhaps one of the darkest songs I have ever heard. The slow, plodding sound at the beginning, coupled with Warrior's low voice, is ominous to say the least. It almost dares the listener to keep going into the song. When the heavy part kicks in, you feel the full rage of the lyrics.
In the album liner notes Warrior talks about a poem he wrote in 2008 that described how he felt over the dissolution of Celtic Frost. The lyrics are direct from the poem, so ostensibly this song seems to be about laying his past to rest and harboring quite the grudge how it came to pass.
Interestingly, that's what I took from this song the first time I heard it. Laying to rest something one loves, especially when an event out of one's control is the cause of the demise, is never an easy thing. The darkness comes from a lack of closure over those events and twists the mind to where we feel not only the dead love, but also the hatred felt toward the source of misery.
I personally love this song, but I don't know if Mardi will even like it. Let's see what she has to say.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Lateralus
Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
Red and yellow then came to be,
reaching out to me, lets me see.
As below so above and beyond I imagine,
drawn beyond the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.
Over thinking, over analyzing,
separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must
feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines.
Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
Red and yellow then came to be,
reaching out to me, lets me see.
There is so much more and it beckons me to look through to these,
infinite possibilities.
As below so above and beyond I imagine,
drawn outside the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.
Over thinking, over analyzing,
Separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition, leaving opportunities behind.
Feed my will to feel this moment, urging me to cross the line.
Reaching out to embrace the random.
Reaching out to embrace whatever may come.
I embrace my desire to...
I embrace my desire to...
feel the rhythm,
to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow,
to feel inspired,
to fathom the power,
to witness the beauty,
to bathe in the fountain,
to swing on the spiral,
to swing on the spiral,
to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human.
With my feet upon the ground,
I move myself between the sounds and open wide to suck it in.
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out.
I'm reaching for the random or whatever will bewilder me,
whatever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind,
we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Tool 2001
Hi, again. Here we go!
I am not even going to start on the Tool lesson for two reasons. First I don't like Tool in general so I know little about them. Second, Rick will own me on this subject. Let's dive into the words.
All right so I know there has to be a ton of interpretations on this song. I have heard everything from industrialization to being born to just life in general. I pull this song as strength. The main point being keep going. Move forward. When you get to the very bottom black is what you see, slowly becomes white and than color. Over thinking or analyzing can drive a person crazy hence the separation. We need to live in the moment to move forward. I know Rick is going to have a lot more to say about this song so I will let him get to it.
Red and yellow then came to be,
reaching out to me, lets me see.
As below so above and beyond I imagine,
drawn beyond the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.
Over thinking, over analyzing,
separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must
feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines.
Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
Red and yellow then came to be,
reaching out to me, lets me see.
There is so much more and it beckons me to look through to these,
infinite possibilities.
As below so above and beyond I imagine,
drawn outside the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.
Over thinking, over analyzing,
Separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition, leaving opportunities behind.
Feed my will to feel this moment, urging me to cross the line.
Reaching out to embrace the random.
Reaching out to embrace whatever may come.
I embrace my desire to...
I embrace my desire to...
feel the rhythm,
to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow,
to feel inspired,
to fathom the power,
to witness the beauty,
to bathe in the fountain,
to swing on the spiral,
to swing on the spiral,
to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human.
With my feet upon the ground,
I move myself between the sounds and open wide to suck it in.
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out.
I'm reaching for the random or whatever will bewilder me,
whatever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind,
we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Tool 2001
Hi, again. Here we go!
I am not even going to start on the Tool lesson for two reasons. First I don't like Tool in general so I know little about them. Second, Rick will own me on this subject. Let's dive into the words.
All right so I know there has to be a ton of interpretations on this song. I have heard everything from industrialization to being born to just life in general. I pull this song as strength. The main point being keep going. Move forward. When you get to the very bottom black is what you see, slowly becomes white and than color. Over thinking or analyzing can drive a person crazy hence the separation. We need to live in the moment to move forward. I know Rick is going to have a lot more to say about this song so I will let him get to it.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
All Around Me
My hands are searching for you
My arms are outstretched towards you
I feel you on my fingertips
My tongue dances behind my lips for you
This fire rising through my being
Burning I'm not used to seeing you
I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
My hands float up above me
And you whisper you love me
And I begin to fade
Into our secret place
The music makes me sway
The angels singing say we are alone with you
I am alone and they are too with you
I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
And so I cry
The light is white
And I see you
I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
Take my hand
I give it to you
Now you own me
All I am
You said you would never leave me
I believe you
I believe
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healed
Flyleaf 2007
Ok Chris, I get it.
I love you, rest in peace.
Goodbye
My arms are outstretched towards you
I feel you on my fingertips
My tongue dances behind my lips for you
This fire rising through my being
Burning I'm not used to seeing you
I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
My hands float up above me
And you whisper you love me
And I begin to fade
Into our secret place
The music makes me sway
The angels singing say we are alone with you
I am alone and they are too with you
I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
And so I cry
The light is white
And I see you
I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
Take my hand
I give it to you
Now you own me
All I am
You said you would never leave me
I believe you
I believe
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healed
Flyleaf 2007
Ok Chris, I get it.
I love you, rest in peace.
Goodbye
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Silent Lucidity
Hush now, don't you cry
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
You're lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream
Spinning in your head
Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake you face the day
Your dream is over... or has it just begun?
There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
Commanding in another world
Suddenly you hear and see
This magic new dimension
I will be watching over you
I am gonna help you see it through
I will protect you in the night
I am smiling next to you, in silent lucidity
Visualize your dream
Record it in the present tense
Put it into a permanent form
If you persist in your efforts
You can achieve dream control
Dream control
How are we feeling today, better?
Dream control, dream control
Help me
If you open your mind for me
You won't rely on open eyes to see
The walls you built within
Come tumbling down, and a new world will begin
Living twice at once you learn
You're safe from pain in the dream domain
A soul set free to fly
A round trip journey in your head
Master of illusion, can you realize
Your dream's alive, you can be the guide but...
I will be watching over you
I am gonna help to see it through
I will protect you in the night
I am smiling next to you....
- Queensryche (1990)
Rest in peace, Christopher. You are missed but I know you are watching over us.
Deus tecum.
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
You're lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream
Spinning in your head
Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake you face the day
Your dream is over... or has it just begun?
There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
Commanding in another world
Suddenly you hear and see
This magic new dimension
I will be watching over you
I am gonna help you see it through
I will protect you in the night
I am smiling next to you, in silent lucidity
Visualize your dream
Record it in the present tense
Put it into a permanent form
If you persist in your efforts
You can achieve dream control
Dream control
How are we feeling today, better?
Dream control, dream control
Help me
If you open your mind for me
You won't rely on open eyes to see
The walls you built within
Come tumbling down, and a new world will begin
Living twice at once you learn
You're safe from pain in the dream domain
A soul set free to fly
A round trip journey in your head
Master of illusion, can you realize
Your dream's alive, you can be the guide but...
I will be watching over you
I am gonna help to see it through
I will protect you in the night
I am smiling next to you....
- Queensryche (1990)
Rest in peace, Christopher. You are missed but I know you are watching over us.
Deus tecum.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Ghosts of Past Failures
The ghosts of past failures
Facing the reality
Of our own imperfections
The waves crash without warning
Overwhelmed and short of breath
Never able to escape
The bloodstains upon your hands
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
The core of our being
Torn out and cast aside
I never looked this far away
Never saw what lies ahead
In the midst of false comfort
The scars were hidden but never healed
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
- Shadows Fall (2004)
Shadows Fall is arguably the biggest act to come out of the Boston area since Aerosmith. The combination of precision musicianship and the powerful (yet somewhat limited) vocals give this band a thrash metal sound with death metal elements that is unique in the metal world. This song is taken from their 2004 album The War Within.
The ghosts of past failures is something we all confront. Whether it's taking on a new project, trying to change something about yourself, or something as simple as trying a new food, we all have things that serve to negatively affect the decisions we make. For many this can be a completely debilitating problem.
These ghosts never go away. They are always present, at least in the subconscious. But here they seem to be at the surface. The singer seems unable to banish them from his conscious mind, and this inability is a source of great torment. The ghosts almost revel in his torment and seem happy to make it continue. The wounds he's never known will keep bleeding. These things can last a lifetime. A good measure of a person is how he or she deals with these ghosts and is able to banish them to the darkest recesses of the mind.
Musically this song has a dynamic range from melodic guitars to heavy rhythms to burning solos. The fast pace of the music almost brings out the desperation felt by the singer, with his powerful voice lending anger to what he feels.
This isn't considered the best song on this album (I've seen them live on 2 occasions and never heard it played and as far as I know it's never been part of their live set) but the lyrics are nonetheless some of the most powerful. What do you think, Mardi?
Facing the reality
Of our own imperfections
The waves crash without warning
Overwhelmed and short of breath
Never able to escape
The bloodstains upon your hands
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
The core of our being
Torn out and cast aside
I never looked this far away
Never saw what lies ahead
In the midst of false comfort
The scars were hidden but never healed
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
I AM! Still bleeding you
From wounds you've never known
- Shadows Fall (2004)
Shadows Fall is arguably the biggest act to come out of the Boston area since Aerosmith. The combination of precision musicianship and the powerful (yet somewhat limited) vocals give this band a thrash metal sound with death metal elements that is unique in the metal world. This song is taken from their 2004 album The War Within.
The ghosts of past failures is something we all confront. Whether it's taking on a new project, trying to change something about yourself, or something as simple as trying a new food, we all have things that serve to negatively affect the decisions we make. For many this can be a completely debilitating problem.
These ghosts never go away. They are always present, at least in the subconscious. But here they seem to be at the surface. The singer seems unable to banish them from his conscious mind, and this inability is a source of great torment. The ghosts almost revel in his torment and seem happy to make it continue. The wounds he's never known will keep bleeding. These things can last a lifetime. A good measure of a person is how he or she deals with these ghosts and is able to banish them to the darkest recesses of the mind.
Musically this song has a dynamic range from melodic guitars to heavy rhythms to burning solos. The fast pace of the music almost brings out the desperation felt by the singer, with his powerful voice lending anger to what he feels.
This isn't considered the best song on this album (I've seen them live on 2 occasions and never heard it played and as far as I know it's never been part of their live set) but the lyrics are nonetheless some of the most powerful. What do you think, Mardi?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Crawling in the Dark
I will dedicate
And sacrifice my everything for just a second's worth
Of how my story's ending
And I wish I could know if the directions that I take
And all the choices that I make won't end up all for nothing
Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Help me carry on
Assure me it's ok to use my heart and not my eyes
To navigate the darkness
Will the ending be ever coming suddenly?
Will I ever get to see the ending to my story?
Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
So when and how will I know?
How much further do I have to go?
How much longer until I finally know?
Because I'm looking and I just can't see what's in front of me
In front of me
Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Hoobastank 2001
Hoobastank was formed in 1994 and is best known for their hit "The Reason". This song comes off their self-titled album.
I think the meaning to this song is quite intense and literally tells a story of life for many. This song came across my playlist this last week and blew me away. I never really listened to it before. I have to say the song hit some thoughts of mine on the head.
Just to have 15 seconds to see my future, or how my life is going to turn out would be amazing. Feeling like you never know where you are going, how you will get there or what speed bumps are going to knock you off your path. Everyday we make choices, most are small, what to wear, what to eat, do I really want to go to the gym? These choices are rather trivial. But than there are the choices we have to make that affect our entire life and the lives of others. These are the ones that scare the hell out of me.
I think this song truly says show me where I am going and which path to take, who the singer is talking to is for you to determine.
And sacrifice my everything for just a second's worth
Of how my story's ending
And I wish I could know if the directions that I take
And all the choices that I make won't end up all for nothing
Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Help me carry on
Assure me it's ok to use my heart and not my eyes
To navigate the darkness
Will the ending be ever coming suddenly?
Will I ever get to see the ending to my story?
Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
So when and how will I know?
How much further do I have to go?
How much longer until I finally know?
Because I'm looking and I just can't see what's in front of me
In front of me
Show me what it's for
Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Hoobastank 2001
Hoobastank was formed in 1994 and is best known for their hit "The Reason". This song comes off their self-titled album.
I think the meaning to this song is quite intense and literally tells a story of life for many. This song came across my playlist this last week and blew me away. I never really listened to it before. I have to say the song hit some thoughts of mine on the head.
Just to have 15 seconds to see my future, or how my life is going to turn out would be amazing. Feeling like you never know where you are going, how you will get there or what speed bumps are going to knock you off your path. Everyday we make choices, most are small, what to wear, what to eat, do I really want to go to the gym? These choices are rather trivial. But than there are the choices we have to make that affect our entire life and the lives of others. These are the ones that scare the hell out of me.
I think this song truly says show me where I am going and which path to take, who the singer is talking to is for you to determine.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Aesthetics of Hate
You tried to spit in the eye
Of a dead man's face
Attacked the ways of a man
Not yet in his grave
But your hate was over all too soon
Because nothing is over
And nothing's through,
Till we bury you
For the love of brother
I will sing this fucking song
Aesthetics of hate,
I hope you burn in Hell
The words I read on the screen
Left me fucking sick
I felt the hatred rising
You son of a bitch
You branded us pathetic for our respect
But he made us driven,
Such deep reverence,
Far beyond the rest
For the love of brother
I will sing these fucking words
Aesthetics of hate,
I hope you burn in Hell
Long live memories
Live this freedom vicariously
Defend tenfold
His honor we'll always uphold
For the love of brother
I will say these fucking words
No silence against ignorance
Iconoclast, I hope you burn
Burn in Hell
May the hand of God strike them down
- Machine Head (2007)
Probably one of the current scene's most underrated bands, Machine Head has carved a nice fan base through hard work and perseverance. They have been accused of being trendy (The Burning Red does have some nu-metal influences), but overall their output has been consistently good and their sound has slowly evolved over the years, rather than radically changed (*cough* Metallica *cough* Korn *cough* Disturbed). The Blackening (2007), from which this song is taken, has been hailed as their best album to date (coming both with commercial success and a Grammy nomination).
On December 8, 2004, while on stage and performing with the band Damageplan in Columbus, OH, former Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbot was murdered by a crazed Pantera fan. The man had not even been buried when an article in "The Iconoclast" by William Grim, entitled "Aesthetics of Hate - RIP Dimebag Abbot and Good Riddance" appeared to be cheering the death of a heavy metal icon. Grim used the occasion of the murder to argue that Dimebag brought this crime on himself, to insult both metal musicians and fans (including some direct insults to Dimebag himself), to advance a political agenda, and to show his elitism toward almost everyone else in the world.
As you can probably tell, this article enraged a lot of fans and inspired Robb Flynn (founder of the Machine Head) to write the lyrics to the above song. Dimebage was considered an all around great person, a friend to many, an inspiration to many to learn how to play guitar, and one of the best guitar players in the world of rock music. The article not only insulted Dimebag, but broke a long held taboo of never speaking ill of the dead. Flynn calls out Grim for his insults and calls out the fans to defend the honor of a fallen brother. Notice how he doesn't call for violence against Grim... he knows that Grim will be judged upon his death, and he let's him know that God will not forget this black mark in Grim's book of life.
As for deep meaning, there really is none beyond it being a response to a hateful article written by a man who just didn't like heavy metal music. Musically this song does make for a great mosh pit as you can almost feel the spit and venom of Flynn's anger at the insult to the memory of Dimebag. The guitar solos are blistering and a tribute to a man, who with his band Pantera, helped keep heavy metal from fading into irrelevance in the 1990's. I can't call this my favorite Machine Head song (that honor goes to "Imperium") but this is definitely some of Robb Flynn's best songwriting.
You can read a copy of the article here: http://www.otakucenter.com/aesthetics-hate-r-i-p-dimebag-t41005.html
What do you think, Mardi?
Of a dead man's face
Attacked the ways of a man
Not yet in his grave
But your hate was over all too soon
Because nothing is over
And nothing's through,
Till we bury you
For the love of brother
I will sing this fucking song
Aesthetics of hate,
I hope you burn in Hell
The words I read on the screen
Left me fucking sick
I felt the hatred rising
You son of a bitch
You branded us pathetic for our respect
But he made us driven,
Such deep reverence,
Far beyond the rest
For the love of brother
I will sing these fucking words
Aesthetics of hate,
I hope you burn in Hell
Long live memories
Live this freedom vicariously
Defend tenfold
His honor we'll always uphold
For the love of brother
I will say these fucking words
No silence against ignorance
Iconoclast, I hope you burn
Burn in Hell
May the hand of God strike them down
- Machine Head (2007)
Probably one of the current scene's most underrated bands, Machine Head has carved a nice fan base through hard work and perseverance. They have been accused of being trendy (The Burning Red does have some nu-metal influences), but overall their output has been consistently good and their sound has slowly evolved over the years, rather than radically changed (*cough* Metallica *cough* Korn *cough* Disturbed). The Blackening (2007), from which this song is taken, has been hailed as their best album to date (coming both with commercial success and a Grammy nomination).
On December 8, 2004, while on stage and performing with the band Damageplan in Columbus, OH, former Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbot was murdered by a crazed Pantera fan. The man had not even been buried when an article in "The Iconoclast" by William Grim, entitled "Aesthetics of Hate - RIP Dimebag Abbot and Good Riddance" appeared to be cheering the death of a heavy metal icon. Grim used the occasion of the murder to argue that Dimebag brought this crime on himself, to insult both metal musicians and fans (including some direct insults to Dimebag himself), to advance a political agenda, and to show his elitism toward almost everyone else in the world.
As you can probably tell, this article enraged a lot of fans and inspired Robb Flynn (founder of the Machine Head) to write the lyrics to the above song. Dimebage was considered an all around great person, a friend to many, an inspiration to many to learn how to play guitar, and one of the best guitar players in the world of rock music. The article not only insulted Dimebag, but broke a long held taboo of never speaking ill of the dead. Flynn calls out Grim for his insults and calls out the fans to defend the honor of a fallen brother. Notice how he doesn't call for violence against Grim... he knows that Grim will be judged upon his death, and he let's him know that God will not forget this black mark in Grim's book of life.
As for deep meaning, there really is none beyond it being a response to a hateful article written by a man who just didn't like heavy metal music. Musically this song does make for a great mosh pit as you can almost feel the spit and venom of Flynn's anger at the insult to the memory of Dimebag. The guitar solos are blistering and a tribute to a man, who with his band Pantera, helped keep heavy metal from fading into irrelevance in the 1990's. I can't call this my favorite Machine Head song (that honor goes to "Imperium") but this is definitely some of Robb Flynn's best songwriting.
You can read a copy of the article here: http://www.otakucenter.com/aesthetics-hate-r-i-p-dimebag-t41005.html
What do you think, Mardi?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Conflict
You are enemy
You are my hated enemy
I am enemy
Number-one rated enemy
I'm a labeled enemy
I am your mortal enemy
My actions enemy
Make me your bitter enemy
Chorus:
All the world around enemy
They're tearing up the ground enemy
They're drawn in by the sound
Enemy, enemy, I must eliminate my enemy
Your people enemy
My people's hated enemy
What are you enemy
Though a created enemy
Terminate the enemy
Eradicate the hated enemy
I am an enemy
My very greatest enemy
Chorus
You try to tell me that you love life
Then find another way to kill life
Wanting, love life
Needing, kill life
Wanting, love life
Needing, kill your
Enemy
Disturbed 2000
Disturbed was formed in 1996 when singer David Draiman joined the band. Prior to that they were known as Brawl. Vocalist Erich Awalt left the band after recording a demo and the thus Draiman found his opening. Since then Disturbed has sold over 11 million records and have released three consecutive studio albums that have debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200.
This song comes off Disturbed's debut album "The Sickness" which was released in March of 2000. I think in general this is one of those songs where there are a million different interpretations but one can usually fit it somewhere into their life at any given time. You can look at from a very deep, serious perspective. The enemy here being war or a good vs. evil theory. It could mean to someone a personal battle, be it drugs or alcohol, any addiction that threatens ones well being.
I heard this song while on the track today and I couldn't help but think it sort of fit. Not nearly as serious as the above mentioned ideas but fitting to me personally none the less. My "enemy" at that moment was quitting, stopping when my legs were tired, sitting down when my shins began to tense but I didn't instead I pushed harder and faster. My determination to "beat" the desire to quit was much stronger and at the end of the run I felt fantastic. In general the song has much stronger lyrics I think than simply wanting to quit running but at the moment in time when it played it fit in perfectly.
So this was my anthem for the day, what do you think?
You are my hated enemy
I am enemy
Number-one rated enemy
I'm a labeled enemy
I am your mortal enemy
My actions enemy
Make me your bitter enemy
Chorus:
All the world around enemy
They're tearing up the ground enemy
They're drawn in by the sound
Enemy, enemy, I must eliminate my enemy
Your people enemy
My people's hated enemy
What are you enemy
Though a created enemy
Terminate the enemy
Eradicate the hated enemy
I am an enemy
My very greatest enemy
Chorus
You try to tell me that you love life
Then find another way to kill life
Wanting, love life
Needing, kill life
Wanting, love life
Needing, kill your
Enemy
Disturbed 2000
Disturbed was formed in 1996 when singer David Draiman joined the band. Prior to that they were known as Brawl. Vocalist Erich Awalt left the band after recording a demo and the thus Draiman found his opening. Since then Disturbed has sold over 11 million records and have released three consecutive studio albums that have debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200.
This song comes off Disturbed's debut album "The Sickness" which was released in March of 2000. I think in general this is one of those songs where there are a million different interpretations but one can usually fit it somewhere into their life at any given time. You can look at from a very deep, serious perspective. The enemy here being war or a good vs. evil theory. It could mean to someone a personal battle, be it drugs or alcohol, any addiction that threatens ones well being.
I heard this song while on the track today and I couldn't help but think it sort of fit. Not nearly as serious as the above mentioned ideas but fitting to me personally none the less. My "enemy" at that moment was quitting, stopping when my legs were tired, sitting down when my shins began to tense but I didn't instead I pushed harder and faster. My determination to "beat" the desire to quit was much stronger and at the end of the run I felt fantastic. In general the song has much stronger lyrics I think than simply wanting to quit running but at the moment in time when it played it fit in perfectly.
So this was my anthem for the day, what do you think?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
All I Need
Kissing you was not what I had planned
And now I'm not sure just where I stand
I wasn't looking for true love
But now you're looking at me
You're the only one I can think of
You're the only one I see
All I need
Is just a little more time
To be sure what I feel
Is it all in my mind?
'Cause it seems to so hard to believe
That you're all I need
Yes it's true we've all been hurt before
But it doesn't seem to matter anymore
It may be a chance we're taking
But it always comes to this
If this isn't love we're making
Then I don't know what it is
All I need
Is just a little more time
To be sure what I feel
Is it all in my mind?
'Cause it seems so hard to believe
All I need
Is just a little more time
To be sure what I feel
Is it all in my mind?
'Cause it seems so hard to believe
That you're all I need
No stars are out tonight
But we're shining our light
And it's never felt so right
'Cause girl the way I'm feeling
It's easy to believe
That you're all I need
Ahhh
You're all I need
Ahhh ahhhhh
- Jack Wagner (1984)
Since Mardi decided to take us into the 8th Circle of Hell, Bolgia 10 (the place for Falsifiers), I decided to pull back a little bit and take us out to the 2nd Circle (the place for Gluttons). Although, if you're any sort of music snob, you could consider this to be in the 6th Circle (the place for Heretics).
Jack Wagner made his fame as an actor in soap operas. Like so many who have tried before and after, he tried his hand at a musical career and didn't really get anywhere beyond the one-hit wonder stage (*cough* Bruce Willis *cough* Don Johnson). To his credit, he did have a couple of songs besides "All I Need" in the top 100, but the highest they ever got was #67 (this particular song went all the way to #2). That's not to say he doesn't possess a modicum of musical talent as he did have at least 1 role in musical theater.
What's to say about this song? It's an attempt at a smooth melodic love song, the type made for slow dancing in the high school gym as the 7th and 8th grade couples profess their never-ending love for one another. The lyrics are pretty generic love song fare, nothing really special there, either. One thing I do remember was reading a review of the album in the Syracuse Herald-American... the critic was none-too-kind to Mr. Wagner.
All in all, this song was one of those that is consigned to the dustbin of musical history, to be resurrected in blogs such as this. I just hope we don't lose too many readers after these last 2 songs.
And now I'm not sure just where I stand
I wasn't looking for true love
But now you're looking at me
You're the only one I can think of
You're the only one I see
All I need
Is just a little more time
To be sure what I feel
Is it all in my mind?
'Cause it seems to so hard to believe
That you're all I need
Yes it's true we've all been hurt before
But it doesn't seem to matter anymore
It may be a chance we're taking
But it always comes to this
If this isn't love we're making
Then I don't know what it is
All I need
Is just a little more time
To be sure what I feel
Is it all in my mind?
'Cause it seems so hard to believe
All I need
Is just a little more time
To be sure what I feel
Is it all in my mind?
'Cause it seems so hard to believe
That you're all I need
No stars are out tonight
But we're shining our light
And it's never felt so right
'Cause girl the way I'm feeling
It's easy to believe
That you're all I need
Ahhh
You're all I need
Ahhh ahhhhh
- Jack Wagner (1984)
Since Mardi decided to take us into the 8th Circle of Hell, Bolgia 10 (the place for Falsifiers), I decided to pull back a little bit and take us out to the 2nd Circle (the place for Gluttons). Although, if you're any sort of music snob, you could consider this to be in the 6th Circle (the place for Heretics).
Jack Wagner made his fame as an actor in soap operas. Like so many who have tried before and after, he tried his hand at a musical career and didn't really get anywhere beyond the one-hit wonder stage (*cough* Bruce Willis *cough* Don Johnson). To his credit, he did have a couple of songs besides "All I Need" in the top 100, but the highest they ever got was #67 (this particular song went all the way to #2). That's not to say he doesn't possess a modicum of musical talent as he did have at least 1 role in musical theater.
What's to say about this song? It's an attempt at a smooth melodic love song, the type made for slow dancing in the high school gym as the 7th and 8th grade couples profess their never-ending love for one another. The lyrics are pretty generic love song fare, nothing really special there, either. One thing I do remember was reading a review of the album in the Syracuse Herald-American... the critic was none-too-kind to Mr. Wagner.
All in all, this song was one of those that is consigned to the dustbin of musical history, to be resurrected in blogs such as this. I just hope we don't lose too many readers after these last 2 songs.
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