Formed in 1998, 40 Below Summer came together after drummer and Peruvian native Carlos Aguilar met with singer Max Illidge. Joey D'Amico later joined the duo, followed by Jordan Plingos and Puerto Rican-born Hector Graziani. Their first album Side Show Freaks (1999) and EP Rain (2000) were self released.
Invitation to the Dance (2001-2002)
Eventually, a deal was signed with London-Sire Records. Their debut major label album Invitation to the Dance was released on October 16, 2001, and was produced by GGGarth. Two months after its release, Warner Music Group dissolved the London-Sire label, and the album was reissued by Warner's Reprise label.
After performing on the Jägermeister Music Tour with Drowning Pool, Coal Chamber and Ill Niño, and then again with Slipknot, Fear Factory, and Chimaira, but only on select dates. They started to write material for their second album. While the band started writing almost immediately after the release of their previous album, they threw out some fifteen songs before coming up with twenty one that they reduced down to the final ten (plus a bonus track, "The Day I Died").
The Mourning After (2003-2005)
Unsigned at this point, Razor & Tie Records saw the band in February 2003 when they played in New York with E.Town Concrete. A deal was signed in June just as the band entered the studio. The band would later strike a licensing deal with Roadrunner Records for the album's UK release.
Their second album The Mourning After was released on October 28, 2003. Two singles were released from the album in "Self-Medicate" and "Taxi Cab Confession". The video for the former received a fair amount of airplay on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball. The band negotiated a release from their contract in 2004. Not long after this Jordan was temporarily replaced by Ty Fury. The band then recruited Ryan Juhrs (formerly of Flaw) to fill the spot officially and Carlos left soon after.
Ali Nassar replaced Carlos, and after playing two shows under the 40 Below Summer moniker, they decided to rename the project Black Market Hero. They were soon joined by another former member of Flaw, drummer Micah Havertape, who replaced Nasser. In January 2006, Graziani was forced to leave the band due to severe hearing loss he had suffered after years of performing. Former Confliction bassist Matt Fortin joined in August 2006. Black Market Hero's first single, "Freedom Dealer," was released in summer 2007.
The Last Dance (2006)
Despite breaking up, 40 Below Summer released The Last Dance on October 31, 2006 via Crash Music Inc. The album features nine demo versions of songs intended for their third LP, as well as a bonus DVD featuring footage of the band's "last" performance at the Starland Ballroom (September 2005). The album sold 1,095 copies during its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[1]
In October 2006, there was speculation that the band had reunited. This was later dismissed by guitarist Joey D'Amico who stated that the band was just going to do a few shows to promote the release of The Last Dance. However, D'Amico also stated that there was a possibility that 40 Below Summer would record a new album in the future.
The band filmed a music video for the single "Relapse" with director Frankie Nasso. The song was originally written by 2005 guitarist Ty Fyhrie (Fury). Ty went on to work with the band Murder Of Crows but now resides in the band Dirty Little Rabbits with Slipknot percussionist M. Shawn Crahan also known as Clown.
In a radio interview with All Knowing Force, Illidge stated that he expected 40 Below Summer would tour and play 5-10 shows a year. Although his main priority is with his new project Black Market Hero, he didn't rule out the possibility of the band one day recording another album. According to Max and Joey, 40 Below Summer is dead.
The band did however re-issued their independently released EP Rain with seven bonus tracks on July 31, 2007 via Crash Music. In addition to the five songs originally released, seven demo tracks have also been included, as well as all new cover artwork. Sideshow Freaks was also re-released on July 15, 2008 by ex-Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's record label Driven Music Group.
Reformation and new album (2011–present)
On July 12, 2010 it was announced that 40 Below Summer would play a reunion show on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. God Forbid played support. 40 Below played "Invitation to the Dance" from cover-to-cover.
On April 20, Max Illidge posted on his Facebook stating "Starting pre production for the new 40 below record. Oh boy." indicating the band has reunited for a new record. The band's next two albums, "Fire at Zero Gravity" (2013) and "Transmission Infrared" (2015) were released by Super Massive Media Group.
Faces
40 Below Summer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can do present what you want
Crawling on your side
Change of course will rip you apart
Fucking your nation
Something you live they're making you with
But can you stay alive
Chewed every fucking inch of my face
Suck in your tongue as it peels you away
Changing my face
Smiling at jokes and making odd faces
Stupid old fool
Look at yourself being something your not
You wanna work
Rev up the coaster see what you got
So figure out how you're so alone now
Come back and still frame your soul
You're so deluded
Fight for
After my foot has created a footprint
Cough up the powers
Render it as a weakling of life
Better familiar
Jump on my case just mind your own business
Why so familiar
Minding of something that's not your own business
Nothing without us
40's the one that's doing the business
Something about us
Write about something you'll never forget
So figure out how you're so alone now
Come back and still frame your soul
You're so deluded
So I feel deception, behind your disguise
And I see the true face in the reflection while your
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing faces
Changing, changing
Your face
Your face
Your face
Your face
Figure out how you're so alone now
So figure out how your so
You're so alone now
So figure out how your so
You're so alone now
Come back and still frame your soul
You're so deluded
So figure out how your so
You're so alone now
Come back and still frame your soul
You're so deluded
Why can't I see your (Face)?
Why can't I see your (Face)?
Why can't I see your (Face)?
Why can't I see your
(Face)?
The lyrics of 40 Below Summer's "Faces" are cryptic and allow for various interpretations. The theme of identity morphing is frequently discussed throughout the song, with references to physical transformation and the pressure of society to conform. The chorus repeats the phrase, "changing faces" repeatedly, highlighting the transience of identity and the difficulty of maintaining a sense of self in the face of external pressures.
The opening lines, "Show us what you can do present what you want crawling on your side," convey a sense of vulnerability and submission. The subject may feel like they are being forced into a certain role or identity, crawling on their side to appease others. The following line, "Change of course will rip you apart," suggests that any deviation from this path will result in painful consequences.
The verse "Chewed every fucking inch of my face, and it remains calm, suck in your tongue as it peels you away," is perhaps the most striking line of the song, evoking a visceral image of physical transformation. The idea of the face being chewed and peeled away implies a complete shedding of one identity for another.
Overall, "Faces" seems to suggest that identity is a fluid thing, constantly shifting and changing in response to external pressures. The pressure to conform and fit in can be overwhelming, leading one to question their true self and who they really are.
Line by Line Meaning
Show us what
Demonstrate your capabilities and strengths
You can do present what you want
Exhibit the things you desire and aspire towards
Crawling on your side
Acting in a submissive and powerless manner
Change of course will rip you apart
Deviation from the expected path will cause harm and damage
Fucking your nation
Betraying and harming your own country
Something you live they're making you with
Something you believe in is being manipulated and shaped by external forces
But can you stay alive
Will you be able to withstand the challenges and obstacles ahead?
Chewed every fucking inch of my face
Someone has caused me extensive physical and emotional damage
And it remains calm
Despite the harm inflicted, the situation remains stable and unchanging
Suck in your tongue as it peels you away
Suppressing one's true thoughts and feelings as the world tears them apart
Changing my face
Attempting to alter one's external appearance to hide one's true emotions
Smiling at jokes and making odd faces
Putting on a facade of happiness and humor while masking inner turmoil
Stupid old fool
Belittling and insulting someone for their perceived inadequacies and weaknesses
Look at yourself being something your not
Examine your actions and behavior, which do not align with your true nature
You wanna work
Desiring an opportunity to prove oneself and succeed
Rev up the coaster see what you got
Push oneself to the limit and test their abilities
So figure out how you're so alone now
Reflect on how one has become isolated and disconnected from others
Come back and still frame your soul
Reconnect with one's true self and values
You're so deluded
You are misguided and holding onto false beliefs
Fight for
Struggle and strive towards a goal or cause
After my foot has created a footprint
After leaving one's mark or legacy behind
Cough up the powers
Give up one's control and authority
Render it as a weakling of life
Perceive oneself as powerless and insignificant
Better familiar
It is easier and more comfortable to stick with the familiar
Jump on my case just mind your own business
Stop meddling in my affairs and focus on your own priorities
Why so familiar
Why do you feel like you know me or my situation so well?
Minding of something that's not your own business
Showing concern or interest in matters that do not affect or involve you
Nothing without us
We are essential and important to this endeavor or situation
40's the one that's doing the business
The band 40 Below Summer is at the forefront of this industry or field
Something about us
There is something unique and special about our group
Write about something you'll never forget
Document a memory or experience that will stay with you forever
Your face
Your external identity or appearance
Changing faces
Attempting to alter one's external appearance or identity
Figure out how you're so alone now
Reflect on how one has become isolated and disconnected from others
Come back and still frame your soul
Reconnect with one's true self and values
Why can't I see your (Face)?
Why can't I see the true, authentic you?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcin Maliszewski
3:20 - that riff is why I love nu metal so much! So heavy and groovy!
C. Chambers
I agree
Paul
Agreed. Love Nu-metal
Nu Metaler
My name (and my playlists) will say everything
paul garrett
Sooo true
Eaton Herbocks
seen them live several times never diappointed
luis infante
Se merece más vistos esta canción 🤘🤘💪
gamer6592
Most underrated song & band of all time!
Anthony Franco
40 Never Dies!
Adrian Chavana
was a pleasure sharing the stage with them in San Antonio at the scout bar when I jammed with abandoned experiment