With their musical roots in bands like Klinik or Suicide Commando this release got lots of admiration as well as criticism but all agreed on one thing: “Voll auf die Fresse, voll auf den Dancefloor.” Full in the face, full on the dance floor! This album Paranoid Destruction entered the DAC (Deutsche Alternative Charts) at Number 7, and AGONOIZE remained in the charts for 8 weeks.
Their second release Open the Gate / To Paradise entered the DAC top 10.
The album, which saw the light of day in October 2004, eradicated all comparisons to other bands and shows what enormous potential is simmering in AGONOIZE.
Club hits alternate with atmospheric songs without the album being boring. Of course this will also raise some questions, but those who saw AGONOIZE live are convinced that they put on a unique show. The live performances with their captive and sometimes brutal scenes show the deepest abyss of mankind and hold the audience spellbound.
Established at the end of 2002 by Mike Johnson and Olli Senger, it soon became apparent that to have a real good presence on stage they needed a good front man. This person was found in the form of front man Chris L. Now nothing stood in the way of AGONOIZE building up the group.
The album and the resulting spin-off numbers were easily written, and following the first concert after the release of their first MCD, nothing could stop them. Their first concert was in April ’04 in Edinburgh, at the Dark City Festival with VNV Nation. This was followed by a concert in Berlin as the support act of [:SITD:], who in return provided a great remix of the Paranoid Destruction MCD.
Sacrifice
Agonoize Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is right and what is wrong
I don't believe in all your lies
Don't want to live with the consequence of a compromise
The way you pray it doesn't matter
Living this way doesn't make me feel better
I seek the truth, what have you done?
There must be more
Tell me the truth
I... sacrifice... me...
For the answers I'm longing for
I... sacrifice... me...
For you... tonight
The way you are, the way things turn
For your belief they came to slash and burn
What we might do to feel pure
Does not fulfill your so-called holy book
You talk about religious truth
But without proof it would be of any use
If we exist by any means
Then I hope my life is just a dream
Just a dream...
Believers and sinners
They are all the same
I... sacrifice... me...
For the answers I'm longing for
I... sacrifice... me...
For you... tonight
The lyrics to Agonoize's song "Sacrifice" are about seeking the truth beyond the lies and compromises that come with following a religion blindly. The singer questions the effectiveness of praying and living according to religious doctrine, and instead seeks a greater understanding of the world around them. They reject the notion that adherence to a so-called holy book or belief system is the only path to purity or righteousness. The repeated refrain of "I sacrifice me" suggests a willingness to give up oneself in pursuit of truth and greater meaning.
The song ultimately suggests that there is more to life and existence than what is outlined by traditional religion. Rather than accepting blind faith and rigid orthodoxies, the singer calls for a deeper exploration and examination of the truth. The final lines of the song, "Believers and sinners / They are all the same," further underscore the idea that categorizing people based on religious belief is ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to know what's going on
I want to understand and make sense of the current situation.
What is right and what is wrong
I seek clarity on what is morally acceptable and what is not.
I don't believe in all your lies
I am skeptical of the things you say because they lack credibility and honesty.
Don't want to live with the consequence of a compromise
I refuse to accept poor decisions or agreements that may lead to negative outcomes in the future.
The way you pray it doesn't matter
I do not care about how you practice your religion, it is insignificant to me.
Living this way doesn't make me feel better
Your lifestyle and beliefs do not have a positive impact on me, and actually make me feel worse.
I seek the truth, what have you done?
I am searching for the real and factual explanation, what actions have you taken?
There must be more than your fucking holy one
I reject the idea that only one religious doctrine can provide answers or guidance, there must be other perspectives worth exploring.
There must be more
I know that the world and the truth are more complex than what has been presented to me, I want to discover more.
Tell me the truth
Please disclose the real state of affairs, I want to know the reality.
I... sacrifice... me...
I am willing to give up my own desires, needs, or even wellbeing for a greater cause or purpose.
For the answers I'm longing for
I am making this sacrifice in order to gain access to knowledge and understanding that I desperately desire.
For you... tonight
I am making this sacrifice for someone or something I care about, even if it's just for tonight.
The way you are, the way things turn
Despite the way you may be or the situations that arise, things will always unfold in their own way.
For your belief they came to slash and burn
People throughout history have waged war and destruction in the name of their religious beliefs.
What we might do to feel pure
We may undertake certain practices or behaviors in order to feel clean, guilt-free or absolved of our sins.
Does not fulfill your so-called holy book
However, these actions or beliefs do not actually align with the teachings and values of the supposed holy book.
You talk about religious truth
You promote the concept of religious truth, as if it is the ultimate and indisputable truth.
But without proof it would be of any use
I find it difficult to put stock in a notion or argument that has no factual evidence to support its validity.
If we exist by any means
Assuming that we exist in this world.
Then I hope my life is just a dream
Sometimes the reality of life can be disappointing or heartbreaking, it would be easier if it was just a fantasy.
Believers and sinners, They are all the same
Regardless of religious beliefs or practices, all people share the same human experience and fallibility.
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.