This is emotion-soaked music projected with a stylistic confidence that earned this band the highest rating (KKKKK) from Kerrang! magazine. These four musicians are the real deal, impressive at any scale: electric or unplugged, on the stage or in the studio. And it is their studio work that is most in the news today.
In November 2010 Agent Fresco released their first full-length CD, an ambitious 17-track concept album entitled A Long Time Listening. Recognized as “an amazing album by the best rock band in the country today” (Morgunblaðið), it was immediately shortlisted for best album of the year by Icelandic music critics of both national newspapers, as well as for a Kraumur Award, and for the Nordic Music Prize, not to mention climbing to #1 on the charts of the gogoyoko music download site. And the respect of their fellow musicians is reflected in the number of front-ranking Icelandic performers who volunteered to sing back-up chorus on the title track of the album.
Plans are now underway for an upcoming tour of Europe to capitalize on the publicity the album has generated, and to strengthen the recognition they acquired from previous concert & festival appearances in England, France (ClassEu’Rock 08’), Netherlands (Eurosonic 10’) Denmark & Czechoslovakia.
Recognition was not slow in coming to this group of music students when they formed Agent Fresco back in 2008 to compete in the annual Musíktilraunir (Battle of the Bands) competition, which they swept convincingly, winning not only the grand prize, but also individual prizes for best guitarist, best drummer and best bassist. Since then they have received a Kraumur Award for their 2008 EP Lightbulb Universe, and were declared Best New Band (Bjartasta Von) at the Icelandic Music Awards in 2009.
The strength of their performances at the Iceland Airwaves music festival has brought them to the attention of international media such as KEXP radio (Seattle) and Kerrang! magazine (London), who have posted online interviews and performances of Agent Fresco on their websites. More impressive still, they have attracted the attention of filmmakers Bowen Staines and Gunnar B. Guðbjörnsson, who included considerable footage of the band in their Iceland Airwaves documentary Where´s the Snow?! which premiered at the Reykjavík International Film Festival in 2010. The band received additional international publicity as the focus of two episodes in Bowen Staines´ Don´t Panic TV web series.
Critical attention is still sharply focused on this band in 2011 with their nomination for a prestigious DV Culture Award and three nominations for the Icelandic Music Awards: Performer of the Year (Agent Fresco), Vocalist of the Year (Arnór Dan Arnarson) and Rock Album of the Year (A Long Time Listening).
But what the critics now proclaim audiences have known ever since they heard Eyes of a Cloud Catcher on the radio 3 years ago. Before it was even released, the band played this song at their first Iceland Airwaves in 2008, staring out in disbelief at a sea of swaying hands as the entire audience sang the chorus back to them, a cappella. That tribute of affection, now a ritual at every performance, caused a blogger at Airwaves 2010 to write:
"Seriously, this band is so impressive and the way the entire room sings along to their stunning Eyes Of A Cloud Catcher is a moment that'll live long in the memory of all here." (Kerrang blog, Airwaves 2010)
Agent Fresco are:
Arnór Dan Arnarson: vocals
Hrafnkell Örn Guðjónsson: drums / percussion
Vignir Rafn Hilmarsson: bass / upright bass
Þórarinn Guðnason: guitar / piano / programming
Official Website: www.agentfresco.is
See Hell
Agent Fresco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clouds of grime crimes crown their hatred
Fingers bound by iron bands
In palms they stay clenched through the night
Wounds are green, neglected while I
Visit never-ending scenes, where the frenzy speaks
Words of just repeated till bloodlust floods us
Keep my teeth so deep into the lips where fury cries;
"I want to see hell"
Pour your oil into their lungs
Let it boil black, blistered tongues
We both know nobody returns home from war
We open up to see hell
Keep my teeth so deep into the lips where fury cries;
"I want to see hell"
I know my hands still reach for hell
Should I feed them the fire?
I know my hands still reach for hell
To condemn or to crown
Drops of bleach, discolor their eyes
Leave them never-ending seas of uncertainty
Still we know nobody returns home from war
To condemn or to crown
When will metronome count alone?
We open up to see hell
Keep my teeth so deep into the lips where fury cries;
"I want to see hell"
I know my hands still reach for hell
Should I feed them the fire?
I know my hands still reach for hell
Should I feed them the fire?
I know my hands still reach for hell
Should I feed them the fire?
I know my hands still reach for hell
See hell
I know my hands still reach for hell
Should I feed them the fire
I know my hands still reach for hell
We'll leave you for now
We'll leave you for now
We'll leave you for now
We'll leave you for now
The lyrics in Agent Fresco's "See Hell" express a deep recognition of the darkness within oneself, as well as the world around them. The opening lines describe waking up with "charcoal hands" and "clouds of grime crimes crown[ing] their hatred," suggesting a feeling of being stained and weighed down by the sins of the past. The imagery of fingers bound by iron bands that stay clenched through the night adds to the sense of being trapped and unable to let go of anger and pain. The repetition of the line "We open up to see hell" throughout the song reinforces this idea of intentionally confronting the darkness in order to understand it better.
The second verse adds to the intensity of the lyrics by speaking of pouring oil into people's lungs and boiling their tongues. This violent imagery paints a picture of the horrors of war and the idea that once someone has been exposed to such violence and brutality, they can never fully return home. The line "I know my hands still reach for hell, to condemn or to crown" suggests a willingness to embrace darkness and the power that comes with it, seeing it as a way to either judge or elevate others.
As the song progresses, there is a sense of uncertainty and questioning about whether or not to continue embracing the darkness. The repeated line "Should I feed them the fire?" suggests a hesitancy to continue down this path and a need to reconsider the choice to seek out the darkness. However, the final lines, "We'll leave you for now," suggest that this is ultimately a temporary pause, and the darkness will continue to haunt and inspire the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up with charcoal hands
I am stained by the darkness and destruction in the world
Clouds of grime crimes crown their hatred
Dirt and evil deeds are the signs of their malice
Fingers bound by iron bands
Our actions are constrained by our own limitations and the forces around us
In palms they stay clenched through the night
Our clenched fists hold our worries and fears that keep us awake at night
Wounds are green, neglected while I
We ignore the wounds inflicted by ourselves or others, letting them fester and infect
Visit never-ending scenes, where the frenzy speaks
We are trapped in an endless cycle of chaos and insanity that feeds into itself
Words of just repeated till bloodlust floods us
The same noble ideals are twisted until they lead to bloodshed and savagery
We open up to see hell
We accept the horrors of the world and strive to understand them
Keep my teeth so deep into the lips where fury cries;
I am determined to face the world and all its rage head-on
"I want to see hell"
I am willing to confront the darkness and evil of the world to better understand it
Pour your oil into their lungs
Their voices are silenced and they are suffocated by hate and violence
Let it boil black, blistered tongues
Their pain and suffering is unbearable and dehumanizes them
We both know nobody returns home from war
The devastation and trauma of war impacts everyone involved and follows them home
To condemn or to crown
We have the power to judge and control others' fate, for better or for worse
Drops of bleach, discolor their eyes
Their innocence and humanity is lost and eroded by the horrors they have witnessed
Leave them never-ending seas of uncertainty
They are left adrift and uncertain after the destruction and chaos
Still we know nobody returns home from war
Even if the physical wounds heal, the emotional scars continue to haunt them
When will metronome count alone?
When will the rhythm of war and destruction finally end?
I know my hands still reach for hell
I am drawn to the darkness and destruction, whether to condemn or understand it
Should I feed them the fire?
Am I responsible for perpetuating the cycle of hate and violence?
See hell
Confronting the darkness of the world and experiencing its horrors firsthand
We'll leave you for now
Despite everything, we must continue to survive and move forward
Contributed by Evelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lotsoflove557
Hell is not something to mock.
It is a real place where millions of souls are tormented and screaming this very moment. I am appalled that there is such lack of reverence for the reality of hell and making a mockery of those in torment this very moment whom can NEVER be redeemed.
Please turn away from this and turn to God now before it is too late.
Surrender your life and soul to Jesus who is the image of God made flesh.
This is not a joke. Hell is absolutely real. God have mercy.
Turn to Jesus Christ who will renew your life, fill your spirit, heal your wounds, steady your relationships, and bring you peace, joy, love, clarity, wisdom and discernement.
All these things He has done for me, He will do for you also.
Read the Bible, turn from Sin. Please before it is too late. I beg you. Hell is more real than ANYONE would like to believe but nonetheless it is and will be.
Jesus Christ is LORD and He is the ONLY way to Heaven.
Read God's word, pray, obey the laws of God do not steal, hate, or harbor unforgiveness in your heart.
All these things are clearly seen by God.
We can hide from each other but no one can hide from God.
@erizzle67
I keep wondering when the rest of the world will realize this is the best band ever.
@ikilledajoke9275
I hope, never. When band becomes too popular they are playing in places when you can't hear sh*t or see sh*t ;)
@castrucciocastracani0
@@ikilledajoke9275 are they keeping performing? I wonder when we will be blessed with new songs..
@jonw3462
Only got 2 albums tho
@user-xs7dc2xx5e
This is the appetizer for the best band in the world, Meshuggah ;D
@jonw3462
@@user-xs7dc2xx5e
Pioneer's, best at what they do and peoples favorite band for sure, one trick pony would be cunty to say but hardly best band.
@chantelletopliss5657
Been listening to this loads since it was released, can't seem to stop! I'm currently pregnant so this baby is going to be a fan before it's even born! :')
@curtischin1458
Congratulations, and this band is fantastic, isn't it? They sound a lot like Leprous! :D
@charliewillburn
Curious on an update. Does your child love the music now? :p
@user-vy5un3mq3s
or maybe now??