Welcome Philadelphia’s newest addition to metal, A Well Thought Tragedy. Th… Read Full Bio ↴Welcome Philadelphia’s newest addition to metal, A Well Thought Tragedy. They are the latest addition to the list of crushing metal acts to come from the city of brotherly love; a city that has spawned such metal juggernaughts as Lamb of God, A Life Once Lost, and All Else Failed. While combining elements from all over the musical spectrum, the band still stays true to their metal roots. Creating a metallic hardcore sound that is pulverizing as well as diverse. Having shared the stage with acts such as A Life Once Lost, A Day to Remember, Turmoil, One Dead Three Wounded, Emmure, Full Blown Chaos, August Burns Red, The Minor Times, With Blood Comes Cleansing, Impending Doom, Whitechapel, and Imperial, A Well Thought Tragedy are quickly on their way to joining the metal ranks.

Formed back in 2004, the band has seen a number of lineup changes and setbacks. Original members John Parker (Drums) and Jay (Bass) comprise the backbone and driving force of the group. Shortly later, the duo added Chris Jones (Guitar). His creativity and skill propelled the group’s songwriting capabilities even further. Friend Max (Vocals) was soon added to the lineup and provided an intensity they had never seen before. Thus the search was on for a second guitarist. After several candidates and numerous tryouts, the group finally found their missing link in the summer of 2007. They found it in friend, and former Evidence guitarist, Shaun Nelson.

In January of 2007 the group traveled to Burning Bridge Recordings in Indiana to record their debut full length for Creep/Blackout Records entitled “The Persona.” To assist in capturing their efforts the group enlisted the help of producer/engineer Joel Lauver (Haste The Day, Job For A Cowboy). Joel’s creativity complimented the group’s work ethic and passion and together they crafted a debut that is powerful and heavy, but yet diverse and melodic. After three weeks of hard work, late nights, and sleeping in their van in the middle of winter, the group finished their debut and now ready to release it to the masses. The band will be on the road all of 2007/2008, bringing their own brand of metallic hardcore to a city near you. And look out for A Well Thought Tragedy’s Creep/Blackout Records debut, “The Persona,” in stores everywhere this October.

www.myspace.com/awellthoughttragedy
www.purevolume.com/awellthoughttragedy
http://awttmerch.bigcartel.com
www.creeprecords.com
www.myspace.com/creeprecords

House of Cards
A Well Thought Tragedy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now you can't see the forest through all the trees we planted over the years. If I have to I will suffocate myself just to feel alive. I'll never win, but at least I can say I tried. Is this the way we had imagined things all those years ago? When we were young and pure things were different. We had a dream. What happened? Life. Human nature. Instinct. Survival. We will never find a cure for hopelessness. We will never cease to be the animals that we are. Cycles repeat. And this one seems to be nothing short of a paradox. We've built this structure on a foundation of bloodshed and war. Just the same tessellating patterns year after year. The heartbeats become breathtaking. A warmers winters breaking. And summer bleeds into september. As these seasons turn, I watch you in the brimstone. I have become the overseer. But I will not be there to watch your house of cards collapse upon you. Now you can't see the forest through all the trees we planted over the years. If I have to I will suffocate myself just to feel alive. I'll never win, but at least I can say I tried

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to A Well Thought Tragedy's song "House of Cards" reflect on the human experience, specifically on the cyclical nature of life and how it can lead to hopelessness. The first line, "Now you can't see the forest through all the trees we planted over the years," highlights how life has become overwhelming and confusing. The singer of the song (presumably the singer), expresses willingness to go to great lengths to feel something, even if it is suffocation. This shows that the character feels numb and desires to provoke feelings within himself. The line, "I'll never win, but at least I can say I tried," shows that the character has become resigned to the inevitability of failure, yet still clings to the hope that they can change their situation.

The second verse of the song uses imagery of the seasons and the elements to showcase how life keeps moving forward but doesn't necessarily get better; it's just a cycle that repeats itself. The lines "We've built this structure on a foundation of bloodshed and war" imply that society is built on suffering and that the character is just a powerless observer of a system that they cannot control. Despite this realization, the character does not wish to see the collapse of society but will not be there to witness the consequences.

The lyrics of "House of Cards" convey an overwhelming sense of nihilism, but at the same time leaves a glimmer of hope that the character will continue to try. These themes are not unique to this song, yet they are presented in a way that feels fresh and unconventional.

Line by Line Meaning

Now you can't see the forest through all the trees we planted over the years.
We have become so engrossed in our daily lives and the things we have accomplished that we have lost sight of the bigger picture.

If I have to I will suffocate myself just to feel alive.
I will go to extreme lengths to experience something, even if it is harmful to myself in the long run.

I'll never win, but at least I can say I tried.
Even if I am destined to fail, I will make an effort and have no regrets.

Is this the way we had imagined things all those years ago?
Have we deviated from our original hopes and dreams over the course of time?

When we were young and pure things were different. We had a dream. What happened?
Our idealistic and innocent perspective of the world has been impacted by the harsh realities of life, causing us to question our original aspirations.

Life. Human nature. Instinct. Survival.
These are the driving forces behind the decisions we make and the person we become.

We will never find a cure for hopelessness.
It is impossible to completely eliminate the feeling of despair.

We will never cease to be the animals that we are.
Despite our advancements, we are still governed by our primal instincts.

Cycles repeat. And this one seems to be nothing short of a paradox.
Events and patterns continue to occur in cyclical fashion, with some appearing to be contradictory in nature.

We've built this structure on a foundation of bloodshed and war.
The society we have created has been established through violent and destructive means.

Just the same tessellating patterns year after year.
We are stuck in a cycle of repetition, with little deviation from the norm.

The heartbeats become breathtaking. A warmers winters breaking. And summer bleeds into september.
Time passes by quickly and moments that were once mundane can become significant and memorable.

As these seasons turn, I watch you in the brimstone.
I observe as you struggle through difficult times.

I have become the overseer. But I will not be there to watch your house of cards collapse upon you.
While I may have a role in your life, I will not be present to witness your eventual downfall.

Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS