There is more than one artist with the same name Hourglass. For the Allman … Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with the same name Hourglass. For the Allman Brothers incarnation called Hourglass, see http://www.last.fm/music/Duane%2BAllman%2B%252F%2BHourglass

1) Formed by guitarist Brick Williams, Hourglass is a Progressive Metal group from Utah, USA. The band's first effort was the hard-to-come-by "This Lonely Time and Place," followed up by the much more polished "The Journey Into" in 2002 and 2004's "Subconscious." The band released the double album "Oblivious to the Obvious" on February 19, 2009.

54 months is a long time to work on an album. But that is exactly how long it took Hourglass to finish their new double album "Oblivious to the Obvious." Four and a half years of writing, recording, mixing, mastering and the result is 139 minutes worth of music. Even though it is a lot of music, it is only 10 songs. Hourglass has never worried too much about the length of their songs, and epic songs have always been a part of what the band does. "Oblivious to the Obvious" is no exception. The album has a little of everything, from heavy metal riffs and screaming vocals, to laid back piano and acoustic passages, and some very tasteful groove sections. Vocal harmonies are scattered throughout the album as are many guitar, keyboard, and even bass solos. There is something for everyone on "Oblivious to the Obvious."

The band has gone through numerous personnel changes with Williams as the sole constant. Current drummer John Dunston replaced Zachary Taylor for "The Journey Into." Founding keyboardist Eric Robertson and current keyboardist Jerry Stenquist have traded seats twice, with Robertson playing on "This Lonely Time and Place" and "Subconscious," and Stenquist playing on "The Journey Into" and "Oblivious to the Obvious."

Bassist Jon Berrett played on the first two albums, then Clark Woolstenhulme played on "Subconscious," and the bass chair is currently held by one-time Hourglass vocalist Eric Blood for "Oblivious to the Obvious."

A different vocalist has performed on each album, with Jon Shumway on "This Lonely Time and Place," Chad Neth on "The Journey Into," Cody Walker on "Subconscious," and Michael Turner for "Oblivious to the Obvious."

Hourglass takes strong influences from Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Rush, and many other prog metal, prog rock, and classic rock outfits. The band enjoys a local following in the greater Salt Lake City area, and has significant fan bases in Europe and Scandinavia. All their albums have been independently released and financed by the band or individual band members.

2) 90's emo band. Their discography includes a seven inch on Immigrant Sun and a split with New Day Rising on Moo Cow .

3) Hip-Hop producer based out of Los Angeles, California.

On the Brink
Hourglass Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't move, I can't sleep
I can't eat, I can't breathe
Without pain

I feel weak, I feel trapped
I feel tired, I feel sapped
Once again

I am done, I am gone
I am spent, I am drawn
To the brink

Every time this happens
I lose the ground I've gained
If this is what my life is
Complaints can't be contained

I'm beat down, I'm held up
I'm held down, I'm beat up
Is there nothing I can do?
I'm led right, I'm pulled wrong
I'm pushed right, I'm dead wrong
If I admit that I am through

I was strong, I was me
I was whole, I was free
Without pain

I want hope, I want time
I want health, I want life
Once again

I need help, I need you
I need peace, I need to
Live again

Every time this happens
I should be more aware
It's nothing I can't handle
Even though it seems unfair

I'm beat down, I'm held up
I'm held down, I'm beat up
Is there nothing I can do?
I'm led right, I'm pulled wrong
I'm pushed right, I'm dead wrong
If I admit that I am through

Evaluating, complicating, accelerating to the brink
Accumulating, calculating, substantiating at the brink
Negotiating, meditating, separating on the brink
Retaliating, isolating, evaporating from the brink
Hallucinating, regulating, medicating to the brink
Disintegrating, speculating, fluctuating at the brink
Concentrating, navigating, suffocating on the brink
Operating, supplicating, liberating from the brink

I have faith, I have will
I have strength, I have still
To overcome

I won't stop, I won't break
I won't lose, I won't take
Anymore

I will stand, I will fight
I will try, I will right
What is wrong

Every time this happens
I know what I derive
I always receive strength from you
That helps me to survive

I'm beat down, I'm held up
I'm held down, I'm beat up
But there's something I can do
I'm led right, I'm pulled wrong

I'm pushed right, I'm dead wrong
If I think I won't pull through

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hourglass's song On the Brink describe a difficult and painful time in the singer's life. The song communicates a feeling of being stuck, trapped and helpless. The singer expresses a sense of loss, of not being the person they once were, and the struggle to overcome that feeling. The use of repetition of phrases like "I'm beat down, I'm held up, I'm held down, I'm beat up" highlights the cycle of hopelessness and resistance against it.

The lyrics also suggest that the singer may be struggling with mental health issues. The phrases "medicating to the brink, hallucinating, regulating" suggest that they may be experiencing feelings of disconnection and even dissociation. However, the final verse shows a message of hope and resilience, with the singer stating that they will continue to fight and overcome the difficult times. The lyrics imply that the support of others is important in this process and that strength can be drawn from those around them.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't move, I can't sleep I can't eat, I can't breathe Without pain
The singer is physically and emotionally immobilized due to pain and struggles with basic activities like eating and sleeping.

I feel weak, I feel trapped I feel tired, I feel sapped Once again
The singer is expressing a sense of helplessness and exhaustion that they have experienced before.

I am done, I am gone I am spent, I am drawn To the brink
The singer has reached a breaking point and feels like they are on the edge of a precipice.

Every time this happens I lose the ground I've gained If this is what my life is Complaints can't be contained
The singer feels like they keep regressing and losing progress in their life due to recurring pain and can't contain their frustration.

I'm beat down, I'm held up I'm held down, I'm beat up Is there nothing I can do? I'm led right, I'm pulled wrong I'm pushed right, I'm dead wrong If I admit that I am through
The singer is expressing confusion about the conflicting situations they find themselves in, both physically and metaphorically, and wonders if they have reached a point of no return.

I was strong, I was me I was whole, I was free Without pain
The singer recalls a time when they felt strong, whole, and free from pain.

I want hope, I want time I want health, I want life Once again
The singer desires hope, time, health, and a chance at life once again.

I need help, I need you I need peace, I need to Live again
The singer recognizes their need for help, support, and peace in order to live their life fully again.

Every time this happens I should be more aware It's nothing I can't handle Even though it seems unfair
The singer acknowledges their need to be more mindful of their experiences and resilient in the face of these recurring challenges.

Evaluating, complicating, accelerating to the brink Accumulating, calculating, substantiating at the brink Negotiating, meditating, separating on the brink Retaliating, isolating, evaporating from the brink Hallucinating, regulating, medicating to the brink Disintegrating, speculating, fluctuating at the brink Concentrating, navigating, suffocating on the brink Operating, supplicating, liberating from the brink
These lines describe the mental and emotional struggles that the singer experiences as they approach the brink, ranging from evaluation and concentration to isolation and medication.

I have faith, I have will I have strength, I have still To overcome
The singer expresses their belief in their own ability to overcome their challenges.

I won't stop, I won't break I won't lose, I won't take Anymore
The singer is determined to persevere and not give in or give up.

I will stand, I will fight I will try, I will right What is wrong
The singer is motivated to face their challenges head-on and try to make things right.

Every time this happens I know what I derive I always receive strength from you That helps me to survive
The singer acknowledges the support they receive from others, which gives them the strength to survive and overcome their challenges.

I'm beat down, I'm held up I'm held down, I'm beat up But there's something I can do I'm led right, I'm pulled wrong I'm pushed right, I'm dead wrong If I think I won't pull through
The singer recognizes that despite feeling beaten down and pushed to their limits, they still have agency and the power to choose how they respond to their situation.

Contributed by Alice L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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