Jason Corley was ejected from the band at the end of 1994, and replaced by Andy Hassler. Phil Vera was also added as a 2nd guitarist. The band released "Blaze of Incompetence" in 1997 (again on Pessimiser/Theologian), and did a US tour with Grief in 1998. Andy Hassler was fired shortly after the tour. R.D. Davies replaced Andy, but he overdosed on heroin 6 months later and was replaced by Mark Sanger. The next album, "Zoloft Smile," was recorded in 1999/2000, but wasn't released until 2002 by At A Loss Recordings. By the time the album was actually released, Bobby and Tony had both quit the band. The rest of the guys carried on with Phil being the lone guitar player. Nial McGaughey and later, Rafa Martinez handled bass duties. Phil took over vocal duties in 2003, after Cris was forced to go to rehab for alcohol and drug dependency. The band toured the US and Japan as a three-piece (Phil, Mark, Rafa), until calling it quits in 2004.
The band reunited in 2007 (Bobby, Cris, Jason, Tony) and subsequently got a deal with Relapse Records. Their Relapse debut, "Bridges to Burn," was relased in Jan. 2009. The band parted ways with Jason Corley again, and recruited Mateo Pinkerton (ex Buzzov•en, Crom) as their new drummer. The band toured Europe in March and June of 2010, culminating in an appearance at Hellfest in France.
2010 saw Relapse reissue the group's 1993 debut, and 2012 yielded
the band's sixth studio long-player, Deep Cuts from Dark Clouds. In 2014 the band added drummer
Dion Thurman and bassist Barney Firks. The punishing Lifespan of a Moth followed in 2016. In 2016,
Alex Shuster was added as lead guitarist and subsequently became the in house producer. Fast
forward to 2020 and -(16)- return with their new album, Dream Squasher. A testament to the power
of loss, every moment of Dream Squasher casts the now San Diego based band into new, deeper
depths.
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Sniper
16 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been burned by the fire - don't cry
Sick bastards - don't cry
Black
Burning fire
Stripped of all your clothing - don't cry
You've been raped by a frat boy - don't cry
You smashed his face - don't cry
Burning fire
Kill them all - watch them cry
Gut them like trout - watch them cry
Wipe the tears away from his face
Watch him cry
Black
Burning fire
The lyrics to 16's song Sniper are dark and disturbingly intense. The repetition of "don't cry" could be interpreted as a form of reassurance or numbness - as if the singer has experienced such atrocities before and has become desensitized to it. The image of being "bathed in bloody limbs" and being "stripped of all your clothing" creates a visceral and violent image, while the mention of being raped by a frat boy and then retaliating by smashing his face hints at themes of revenge and justice. The chorus is even more brutal, urging listeners to "kill them all" and "gut them like trout," while also acknowledging the emotional impact of their actions - asking us to "watch them cry" and to "wipe the tears away from his face."
The lyrics to Sniper are deliberately disturbing and bleak. It could potentially be seen as a commentary on the horrors of war and how soldiers become desensitized to violence and trauma, or it could be interpreted as a nihilistic portrayal of an individual consumed by their own rage and violent tendencies. Either way, it's clear that the singer is not someone to be messed with, and the song's chugging guitar riffs and pounding percussion only serve to amplify the intensity and raw power of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Bathed in the bloody limbs - don't cry
Despite being surrounded by gruesome violence, try not to let it overwhelm you emotionally.
You've been burned by the fire - don't cry
Although you've been hurt by a fiery situation, don't give in to tears.
Sick bastards - don't cry
Despite the vile nature of the individuals involved, try not to show weakness by crying.
Black
Burning fire
The imagery of a dark, flaming blaze is used to reflect the intense anger felt by the artist.
Stripped of all your clothing - don't cry
Even when you feel exposed and vulnerable, try not to show signs of fear or sadness.
You've been raped by a frat boy - don't cry
Despite experiencing a traumatic and violating assault, try not to break down in tears.
You smashed his face - don't cry
Instead of feeling regret or sadness, the singer urges one to take violent revenge on those who have caused harm.
Black
Burning fire
Once again, the intense fury felt by the artist is emphasized through the imagery of a raging, dark fire.
Kill them all - watch them cry
The artist advocates for violent retribution against those who have wronged you, taking pleasure in the sight of their pain and suffering.
Gut them like trout - watch them cry
The imagery of fishing is twisted to capture the violent desire to inflict pain on others.
Wipe the tears away from his face
Watch him cry
Rather than feeling empathy or compassion for the pain of others, the singer relishes in their vulnerability and helplessness.
Black
Burning fire
The intense anger and hatred is once again evoked through the image of a fierce, fiery blaze.
Contributed by Lucas V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.