01. The Eternal Female
02. Sick Silent America
03. Shiver
04. Golden Barriers
05. The Fall
06. And Weep
07. Trembling Hands
08. Finite
09. The Jealous Wings
10. The New Born Wonder
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–– INTRO ––
I am the reaper... I will be the demise of your reign. I am the dark shadow where you hide.
Self-righteous fascist, you chase the sun. Glory belongs to no man.
Crooked church, you sell the Son. Thieves deserve to have no hands.
Our prisons were built with the stones of law, whorehouses are built with the bricks of religion.
Oh man of God, from which was your stone?
I’ve stayed quiet for far too long. ’Cause I’ve typecast myself to censor what I can say.
I’m so sick of this, sick of what’s going on. Now I’m putting an end to my silence:
Your god’s not real. Your god’s not real. Your god’s not real. This is the end of my silence.
The wolf provides for his own, but God provides for the lion.
The wolf provides for his own, but God provides for the lion.
I am the lion, you are the wolf. You can run but I will find you.
The wolf provides for his own, but God provides for the lion. I am the lion, you are the wolf.
You can run but I will find you. I am the reaper. You can run but I will find you. I am the reaper.
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: We chose this song as the lead off track because it really sets the tone for the album. It states what you are about to encounter for the next 40 minutes of your life. This is a call out to the wolves hiding among us all, trying to profit off of our naivety. I’ve opened my eyes to the world around me, and I’ve found that all men have a motive, whether they claim it to be pure or not. This song is the end of our silence and the beginning of our fight.
We are the new free-thinkers. My father gave me a brain, my mother taught me to use it.
So swallow back all the vomit that you’re spewing. They’re all buying it, but I’m not buying it.
You can’t fool me anymore. You are the curse. You are the curse.
Your false prophecies darken my eyes and break my back.
The new heaven is born and hell revives. The new heaven is born and hell revives.
The new heaven is born and hell revives. The new heaven is born and hell revives.
As I walked along the flames of hell, it became known to me
that you are nothing but a wolf in priest’s clothing.
They’re all buying it, but I’m not buying it. They cry, "Lead us, oh chosen one".
You are the curse. You are the curse.
Your false prophecies darken my eyes and break my back.
This is the death of faith and all that is good.
You are the curse. You are the curse.
Your false prophecies darken my eyes and break my back.
They cry, "Lead us, oh chosen one". When the new heaven is born and hell revives.
They cry, "Lead us, oh chosen one". When the new heaven is born and hell revives.
The new heaven is born and hell revives. The new heaven is born and hell revives.
–– OUTRO ––
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: Aaron [drummer] came to us with this song. He set out to write one of the fastest, most pissed-off songs on the album, and I think he accomplished it. When I heard the demo, I knew I already had most of the lyrics to it. I keep a notepad open on my Blackberry where I just compile random thoughts, phrases and verses that come to me. Tons of things set off ideas or inspire me. A lot of times, I’ll be at the movies or in conversation with a friend and something will be said that sparks something in me. I had a lot of the lines in this song pieced together when I heard the music. I also drew influence on this song from William Blake’s book The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell, where we also took the name for the album.
Cheap steps make for easy regrets, but keep your words of contempt.
You are no friend, my enemy, you tear me down, keep me weak.
I wear no crown of weakness, His is no crown of weakness.
I wear no crown of weakness, hide in your own contempt.
Iron sharpens iron, but your judgment’s dulling me.
I answer to no man. You’re no gods or masters of this world.
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m damned. I pray I don’t wake up in hell.
If I were God we’d all be dead. If I were God we’d all be dead... We’re all dead.
The devil’s hands have been busy. The devil’s hands have been busy.
Grace sustains, but I thirst for revenge. The world would be destroyed if I were God.
Demons are fallen angels. Remember that when you think you’re a saint.
Demons are fallen angels. Remember that when you think you’re a saint.
Fallen angels, I’m coming for your wings. Fallen angels, I’ll cut off your wings.
If I were God we’d all be dead. If I were God we’d all be dead.
Lord knows I’m a cynic, but I won’t give up, won’t give in.
Lord knows I’m a cynic, but I won’t give up without a fight.
The devil’s hands have been busy, turning liars to masters, demons to gods.
But we’re no gods, we’re no masters. We’re only fallen angels in this world.
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: This was one of the first sets of lyrics I wrote for the album. It really was just sort of a journal entry to myself. We had caught some bad flack for something completely stupid. I was just pissed at the world. All I could think about was that we’re all in this world together, and it’s really hard to get through it alone. We’re supposed to be strengthening each other, but most of the time, I just feel pulled down by those that put me under a microscope. That’s no way to share this world. All I could think was, “If I were God, I’d wipe the earth clean. If everyone had pissed all over everything I gave them with their own selfishness, I wouldn’t have grace for them.” Good thing I’m not God, huh?
Fame is a lonely world. Success has its enemies. Look where it’s gotten us.
Is this what we wanted? It has nothing for me... nothing... nothing for me.
What can you offer a man that has nothing to lose?
Fame is a lonely world. Success has its enemies.
I’m sick and tired of looking past the things you do.
I’m sick of sugar-coating everything I say.
Was it to good or evil that I sold my soul.
This is over my head, over your head, over my head anyway.
Life can truly begin when you have nothing to lose. I have nothing...nothing left to lose....
Life can truly begin when you have nothing to lose. I have nothing left to lose.
I fear no death and no pain. I have nothing left to lose.
I’m not scared of you. I’m not scared of you.
I fear no death and no pain. I have nothing left to lose.
I’m not scared of you. I’m not scared of you.
We will not be stopped. You will not silence me....
We are the new torch runners. We cannot be stopped.
I fear no death and no pain. I have nothing left to lose.
I’m not scared of you. I’m not scared of you.
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: I have to point out that this song has a couple of the heaviest riffs on the album. I’m really stoked to jam this one live. With that being said, this song is basically about where I am in my life right now. The opening line, “Fame is a lonely world” is kinda funny because, as most of you know, we aren’t the biggest band out there. But I’ve found that this fight to make it to the top, this ever going competition to get higher up the ladder than our peers is not for me. I’m at a point in my life where I’m over playing the games. I don’t have anything to lose. If this band were to end today, I had a blast and loved it. I fear nothing that this industry or world can throw against me. I’ll be honest with my music and more importantly, with my life. The song was tentatively titled “The Torch Runners.” I like the idea that we’re here to carry the torch. We’re doing what we can to keep this alive.
One foot in front of the other. Fall in line. One foot in front of the other.
Since day one this has been damned. We blindly follow anything that we’re shown.
Open your eyes. This is a lie. Open your eyes. We’re all living a lie.
Maybe we’re the same. (We’re not the same. We’re not the same.) No, but I despise you.
(No, I despise you.) I know I’m nothing like you. (I’m nothing like you.)
One foot in front of the other. Fall in line. One foot in front of the other.
Since day one I knew this was wrong. I’m no puppet, I dance for no one.
Open my eyes. Open my eyes. Open my eyes. I refuse to live a lie.
Maybe we’re the same. (We’re not the same. We’re not the same.) No, but I despise you.
(No, I despise you.) I know I’m nothing like you. (I don’t wanna be anything like you.)
I refuse to fall in line. I refuse to fall in line... fall in line... fall in line. I refuse to fall in line.
Maybe we’re the same. (We’re not the same. We’re not the same.) No, but I despise you.
(No, I despise you.) I know I’m nothing like you. (I don’t wanna be anything like you.)
Maybe we’re the same. (We’re not the same. We’re not the same.) No, but I despise you.
(No, I despise you.) I know I’m nothing like you. (I don’t wanna be anything like you.)
We’re losing our footholds. We’re losing our faith. We’re losing our futures.
We’re losing our sanity. I’m losing my foothold. I’m losing my sanity.
–– OUTRO ––
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: Well, this song is a big step for us. This is the first song of our career that drops a real singing, “hook” chorus. It was a big jump that we were scared but excited to take. The five of us definitely have a love for melody. Our music used to be so much more melodic than it is now, but it still had rough, gritty vocals. When our music started going heavier and less melodic, we still wanted to keep that aspect of melody in our jams. Blake [Martin, guitar] had been talking about singing some on the album, so we tried it out here and liked the outcome so much that we added singing to other songs. Lyrically speaking, “The Fall” is me realizing that I’m falling from my faith in God and that I need to connect with Him on a real level and not blindly follow the religious B.S. that’s being thrown out to the masses.
Your god is dead... Your hands are soaked in blood. You liar (Liar). You liar.
You’re charged with death. Murder of what’s pure. Perverted God for a fallen youth.
They’ll follow every single word you say...
You’re charged with death. You’re charged with death.
Sell your soul, sell your god. Hide from all who you are. The taste of gold tastes just like blood.
You murderer killed all my hope, murdered everything.
Innocence lost, there’s no turning back. I question every single word you say.
You’re charged with death. You’re charged with death.
Sell your soul, sell your god. Hide from all who you are. The taste of gold tastes just like blood.
Now you’ll never be able to buy back what you’ve lost. Has it ever been worth it?
Will it ever be worth it for you?... Has it ever been worth it? Will it ever be worth it?
Sell your soul, sell your god. Hide from all who you are. The taste of gold tastes just like blood.
Your god is dead. Your god is dead. Your god is dead. Your god is dead.
One eight seven. Murder in the first degree. You liar. Your god is dead.
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: This is the very first set of lyrics I wrote for the album. I started writing this record in a very pissed-off state. I was angry. I was probably coming from a very judgmental place. Throughout the [creation of the album], I realized that a lot of the problem was in me, in us. We’re just as much a part of the problem in this world [as anyone else]. This album speaks out about marketing and profiting off the name of God. Men are becoming idols and God is being sold. “And Weep” was my first thoughts in this mindset. I really wanted to say, “One eight seven, murder in the first degree.” I love hip-hop and rap. That line was totally inspired by mid ’90s West Coast hip-hop.
This is a song for those who’ve lost hope. This is a song for those searching.
This is a song for those that question. This is a song for those searching.
Question everyone. Question everything. And trust no one.
Everyone has a motive. None of which are pure.
Question everyone. Question everything. And trust no one.
Everyone has a motive. None of which are pure.
There are vipers. They are liars. There are vipers everywhere waiting to prey on you.
Watch out for their poison. They wait to devour you.
Don’t be deceived. Don’t be deceived. Don’t be deceived.
Question everyone. Question everything. And trust no one.
Everyone has a motive. None of which are pure.
–– SPOKEN WORD PART ––
Children watch your backs. The monster is coming. The monster is coming.
Hide your soul, hold it tight. There is a viper on the loose.
Question everyone. Question everything. And trust no one.
Everyone has a motive. None of which are pure.
Question everyone. Question everything. And trust no one.
Everyone has a motive. None of which are pure.
Follow no man’s words because I know what man holds.
Follow the path of God because I know what man holds.
Follow no man’s words because I know what man holds.
Follow the path of God because I know what man holds.
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: Lyrically speaking, I think this song encompasses what we’re trying to say on this album. For those that have lost hope, continue to search for truth. Know there are people in this world who are always going to try and get something out of you. Trust no one but the God that gave you life. Your life is no one’s but your own. Live free.
8. Finite
We’re the ones you run to when your world is crashing down.
This choice made years ago is such a heavy crown.
I didn’t know it would be so hard. That my words would mean so much.
I’m not your priest. I’m not your prophet. I’m not a saint. I’m not a god. So what now?
How did we all get here and what did we do? How can I lead you when I’m just as weak as you.
This was built on the backs of the broken and those who need hope.
How dare we look at them and see praying hands as a means of profit.
I didn’t know it would be so hard. That my words could hurt so much.
I am no leader, but I won’t give up on them.
I’m not your priest. I’m not your prophet. Open your eyes and see.
I’m not a saint. I’m not a god. Don’t put your faith in me.
How did we all get here and what did we do? How can I lead you when I’m just as weak as you.
How did we all get here and what did we do? How can I lead you when I’m just as weak as you.
I’m not your priest. I’m not your prophet. I’m not a saint. I’m not a god.
How did we all get here and what did we do? How can I lead you when I’m just as weak as you.
How did we all get here and what did we do? How can I lead you when I’m just as weak as you... just as weak as you.
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: This song really took a turn from its original demo. Months before the majority of the record was written, Blake and I got together and demoed it out. I’d written some really angry, somewhat childish lyrics. I was just really angry and I wanted everyone to know it. The whole feel of the song was, “Hey, I’m gonna say what I want, and if you don’t like it, I don’t care.” To be honest, that’s probably how I still feel, but there’s just a better, more mature way of saying that, right? So after a second demo of the song, everyone asked me to rewrite the lyrics. I was reluctant at the time, but I’m way more pumped on the new feel of the song. It came out to be a real honest song about the pedestal I feel we’ve been put on. We aren’t really looking to lead anyone, we aren’t trying to become someone’s role model. It’s just the role we’ve been given when we signed up to be in a band. In this song, I’m saying, "Hey, I’m nothing special, but I’ll do my best to be honest with you and to be there for you in any way I can."
9. The Jealous Wings
Wading through the water, slow and thick. I am aware now.
They’re not who they said they were, slipping on their words beneath the surface.
For what it’s worth I know, I’m not the man you were.
I’m living in the shadows of intent and we’re all teeth in the wolf’s mouth.
Risk and regret, thrive tonight, the masterminds of mud and mire.
Build your kingdoms up and when they fall, we’ll be watching every brick.
Speak with empty voices and knives of glass. Easily we’re broken.
’Cause I believe the words that you speak, but never trust the lips that they are leaving.
For what it’s worth we know, we’re not the men we were.
We’re living in the shadows of intent. We’ve all been teeth in the wolf’s mouth.
Risk and regret, thrive tonight, the masterminds of mud and mire.
Build your kingdoms up and when they fall, we’ll be watching every brick.
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: We dove right in on this one. The singing parts on the album up until this point were really getting us all excited about the new dynamic of the band. Blake had come to the band with the idea of doing a song with all clean singing. We jokingly call this our “ballad.” It made sense for Blake to write his own lyrics on this song because he did all the singing. Our lyrical writing styles are a bit different [from each other], but I think Blake did an amazing job of giving an honest account of what we’re trying to say. He really tied together the concept of the nine other songs and made this album a concise thought. We’re excited on how this song came out. It’s a lot different for us, but that’s exciting.
10. The New Born Wonder
I’m lost without a sound, but I have ears to hear.
God, I’m weak and I’m tired, and I want this fighting in my head to stop.
They say, "Hang it up young man". They say, "Hate only leaves you cold and alone".
I’m too jaded to care, too scared to run. I let my apathy get the best of me.
I’m too jaded to care, too scared to run. I let my apathy get the best of me.
Well, Jesus, if you can heal, I have the ears to hear (have the ears to hear).
Sing a sweet sweet song to my ear. ’Cause I pray I haven’t fallen too far.
I’m too jaded to care, too scared to run. I let my apathy get the best of me.
I’m too jaded to care, too scared to run. I let my apathy get the best of me.
I’m lost... lost without a sound. I’m lost... lost... lost without a sound.
I’m lost... lost without a sound. I’m lost... lost... lost without a sound.
I’m lost... lost without a sound. I’m lost... lost... lost without a sound. I’m lost...
My God, if you can heal, I have the ears to hear. My God, if you can heal, I have the ears to hear.
My God, if you can heal, I have the ears to hear.
I’m not the same kid I used to be. I’m not the man that I need to be.
Look at what I’ve become. Look at what you’ve become.
Look at what we’ve become. Look at what this has made me become.
–– OUTRO ––
Explanation by vocalist Andy Atkins: This is for sure the most introspective song on the album. After nine songs of being pissed off at others, I have to turn the gun on myself, you know? When you let the world affect your own mentality or your relationship with your Creator, you turn into a bitter cynic. I’ve learned you can’t blame your downfalls and your valleys in life on others. I can only answer for myself and you can only answer for you. I let my anger and distrust in man affect my faith in God. After many years in this twisted music industry and many years of seeing God be turned into an article of commerce, I’ve become very jaded. I’m not the positive, fun, happy kid I always used to be. This song is my realization of that, and my plea to accept grace and find joy and keep it despite what’s going on around me.
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