Anacrusis is an innovative progressive thrash metal band hailing from the U… Read Full Bio ↴Anacrusis is an innovative progressive thrash metal band hailing from the United States. They have released four full length studio albums. With the releases "Manic Impressions" and "Screams and Whispers" the band stepped out from the classic thrash genre unto sophisticated metal combining complex arrangements and unconventional dynamics borrowed from prog rock and even new wave.

They haven't had as much success as some major thrash bands have, but they have toured with Megadeth and have a devoted fan base.

Formed way back in the 80s by lead vocalist and guitarist Kenn Nardi, Anacrusis combined classical thrash metal with diverse progressive components, shifting time signatures, a strong melody sense and killer riffs. Focused on a combination of listenability and high grade technicality, their most popular album, "Manic Impressions" (1991), was far ahead of its time (with a spectacular cover version of New Model Army's "I Love The World"). However, with metal in a temporary decline and long-time drummer Chad Smith leaving due to financial difficulties, the band was never able to gain the commercial success that it deserved. In spite of this, they remain a true underground tip for lovers of more complex, yet heavy metal.

All four of their albums can be downloaded for free at their site.

Note: It is a common misconception that Anacrusis shared a member with the famous Red Hot Chili Peppers. While both bands had a drummer by the name of Chad Smith, these are two different people.

Release
Anacrusis Lyrics

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For forever living in
For forever dying in
The shadow of a killing cross
Born and held accountable
Sworn to bear the burden, now
For sinful nails
Driven deep

But I can't be responsible
For having done the unthinkable
And won't...
No, I won't play that role

For forever living in
For forever dying in
The ashes of a smoldering cross
Born and held accountable
Sworn to bear the burden, now
For shameful hands
Which held the flame

But I can't be responsible
For changing the unchangeable
And won't...
Don't, to ourselves, we owe release?

With rusted chains
We incarcerate and cage ourselves
Cease
We patronize and crucify
And kill ourselves

We seduce the past
And draw it close
And hold it tight
And never let it go
Until we hurt ourselves
And hate ourselves
And blame ourselves again
Again...

No, we can't be responsible
For bearing the unbearable
And won't...
Don't, to ourselves, we owe release?

With rusted chains
We incarcerate and cage ourselves
Cease
We patronize and crucify
And kill ourselves

We seduce the past
And draw it close
And hold it tight
And never let it go
Until we hurt ourselves
And hate ourselves

And blame ourselves again
Again...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Release" by Anacrusis highlight the idea of a person living and dying under the shadow of the cross, holding themselves accountable for their sins and bearing the burden of their past mistakes. However, the song is also about realizing that we cannot be responsible for everything and that releasing ourselves from the chains of self-blame and regret is necessary for moving forward. The first verse talks about being born into a world where one is held accountable for their actions and the sin they carry. The burden of accountability and punishment is as heavy and painful for one as sinful nails being driven deep. However, the singer refuses to play a role in the unforgivable act, and it is not their responsibility to take on that guilt. The second verse also presents the singer with a sensation of permanence in the ashes of a smoldering cross. They feel the crushing hands of guilt and embarrassment, which held the flame that led them to fall from grace. But once again, the singer refuses to take the weight of the unchangeable situation on their shoulders. The chorus is a cry to cease the perpetual self-harm and torture that humans inflict upon themselves. The concept of rusted chains trapping and imprisoning one is striking imagery, playing into how one's own hand keeps them locked up. It's time to patronize and be kind to oneself, to forego the self-blame, seduction by the past and self-harm. The stereotyped version of release could be considered as just the words for letting go of the past, but the actual impact of this release is immeasurable. It lets a person be at peace, allowing them to see themselves in a good light again without the dirty shades of regret and self-hatred.

Line by Line Meaning

For forever living in
Living in this endless cycle indefinitely

For forever dying in
Dying in the sense of feeling empty and hopeless

The shadow of a killing cross
The oppression caused by something larger than ourselves

Born and held accountable
Being responsible for something that was predetermined

Sworn to bear the burden, now
Being obligated to carry this weight

For sinful nails
For the pain of the past, for the wrongdoings we've done

Driven deep
Immersed in the negativity

But I can't be responsible
I cannot be held liable for the things that weren't my doing

For having done the unthinkable
For an action that goes beyond reason or expectation

And won't...
I refuse to carry this burden

No, I won't play that role
I won't take on this obligation to bear the consequences of something beyond my control

The ashes of a smoldering cross
The remnants of something that has been burnt to the ground

For shameful hands
For being culpable for something terrible

Which held the flame
Acting as catalysts for the destruction that followed

For changing the unchangeable
Seeking to undo something that cannot be fixed

Don't, to ourselves, we owe release?
Don't we owe ourselves the chance to let go of the past and move on?

With rusted chains
Trapped in the situation for a long time

We incarcerate and cage ourselves
We limit ourselves with our negative thoughts and feelings

Cease
Stop doing this to ourselves

We patronize and crucify
We treat ourselves harshly and unfairly

And kill ourselves
We self-destruct by holding onto harmful things

We seduce the past
We become fixated on past events

And draw it close
Holding onto them tightly

And hold it tight
Refusing to let go

And never let it go
Holding onto the past despite the negative effects on our lives

Until we hurt ourselves
Until we cause pain and suffering to ourselves

And hate ourselves
Until we become the source of our own misery

And blame ourselves again
Falling into the cycle of self-blame and negativity

No, we can't be responsible
We are not accountable for things beyond our control

For bearing the unbearable
For carrying the weight of something we cannot change

Don't, to ourselves, we owe release?
Don't we owe ourselves the opportunity to let go and move forward?

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Integrity Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON EMMERSON, JAMES MCNALLY, IARLA O'LIONAIRD, MARTIN RUSSELL, SINEAD O'CONNOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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