Grasp the air
Alchemist Lyrics


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Hear it now, it's nothing new
Challenge awaits, it beckons you
Head above water. Try to survive
Through crashing waves
Battle through life
Bend and suffer for the usurper
The ones you help will help themselves
But you keep on climbing further
Despite the broken higher shelf
Head above water. Try to survive
Through crashing waves. Battle through life
Empty promise, suiting selves - Grasp the air
Work and save, spend on nil - Grasp the air
On the outer not inside all alone
Your closest kindred knock you off your thrown
Do you ever get the feeling that you battle all alone?




For things in life that seem important
Cannot leave the comfort zone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alchemist's song "Grasp the air" seem to be about the struggles and challenges of life. The first two lines of the song suggest that the challenge is nothing new and yet still awaits, as if the listener is being called to action. The second and third lines, "Head above water. Try to survive / Through crashing waves," evoke the image of someone struggling to stay afloat in rough waters, which could be a metaphor for the struggles one faces in life. The next lines, "Bend and suffer for the usurper / The ones you help will help themselves," suggest that sometimes people must make sacrifices for others, but that ultimately, everyone must fend for themselves.


The line "But you keep on climbing further / Despite the broken higher shelf" implies that even when one reaches a goal or milestone, there is always more to strive for, although sometimes these goals can be unattainable or "broken." The chorus, "Empty promise, suiting selves - Grasp the air / Work and save, spend on nil - Grasp the air," seems to criticize selfishness and the idea that material possessions or wealth can bring happiness. The following lines, "On the outer not inside all alone / Your closest kindred knock you off your throne," suggest that even those closest to us can be our biggest enemies, and that we may feel alone in our struggles. The final line, "Cannot leave the comfort zone," suggests that people are often resistant to change and may not want to put in the effort to improve their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Hear it now, it's nothing new
This challenge is familiar, and you've faced it before


Challenge awaits, it beckons you
There is a new obstacle in front of you that requires your attention


Head above water. Try to survive
You're in a difficult situation and just trying to keep yourself alive


Through crashing waves
Despite the chaotic circumstances, you're forging ahead


Battle through life
Life is a constant fight


Bend and suffer for the usurper
You're sacrificing your own wellbeing for someone else's gain


The ones you help will help themselves
Some people won't appreciate your efforts and will only look out for themselves


But you keep on climbing further
You're determined to keep going in spite of the challenges


Despite the broken higher shelf
You're still reaching for a goal that may be out of reach


Empty promise, suiting selves - Grasp the air
People make false promises and only look out for their own interests, leaving you with nothing


Work and save, spend on nil - Grasp the air
You're working hard and saving, but everything you hope for seems out of reach


On the outer not inside all alone
You feel like an outsider, isolated from others


Your closest kindred knock you off your thrown
Even the ones closest to you can betray you


Do you ever get the feeling that you battle all alone?
Sometimes it feels like no one is in your corner fighting with you


For things in life that seem important
The things in life that appear to matter most


Cannot leave the comfort zone
Often, the really important things are outside of our comfort zone and require us to take risks




Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Ryan Ogonowski

This song is one of the coolest metal tunes ever written!

Anemia★Pwns

great song!

TheHeavyMetalStew

Damn! I wish a record label would force this down our throats over the radio. Oh wait, it doesn't suck!

WarriorOfModernDeath

Man just listen to this drumming its so fucking intense!

Zacnix Nixon

Funny lol it definately don't suck

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