They started in 1993 by playing covers of Metallica, but once the concept became popular they wrote their own original works, maintaining the thrash metal influences on their albums Inquisition Symphony (mainly covers as well) and Cult. Since Reflections they have added drums to their recordings and live performances.
Members:
Eicca Toppinen - Cello
Perttu Kivilaakso - Cello
Paavo Lötjönen - Cello
Mikko Sirén - Drums
Former members:
Sami Kuoppamäki - Session Drums
Perttu Kivilaakso - Cello (1995)
Antero Manninen – Cello (1996–1999, usually plays live)
Max Lilja – Cello (1996–2002, when he joined Hevein)
Dave Lombardo - Drums [session member] (2003-2004, from the band Slayer. Also contributed drums on the songs Betrayal/Forgiveness, Last Hope and 2010 from 7th Symphony)
Life Burns !
Apocalyptica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've seen how the tears come around
We built our confidence on wasteland
We've seen how the walls come down
Life burns
A man dies like a butterfly
All things must pass
One love is a crooked lie
The world lies in the hands of evil
We pray it would last
Life burns
We have no sympathy for the lost souls
We've chosen the path of disgrace
We give this life to our children
And teach them to hate this place
A man dies like a butterfly
Life burns from the touch of the reaper
All things must pass
One love is a crooked lie
The world lies in the hands of evil
We pray it would last
A man dies like a butterfly
Life burns from the touch of the reaper
One love is a crooked lie
The world lies in the hands of evil
Man dies like a butterfly
Life burns from the touch of the reaper
All things must pass
One love is a crooked lie
The world lies in the hands of evil
We pray it would last
Man dies like a butterfly
Life burns from the touch of the reaper
All things must pass
One love is a crooked lie
The world lies in the hands of evil
We pray it would last
Life burns
Life burns
Life burns
In "Life Burns," Apocalyptica and Lauri Ylцnen paint a picture of a world that has lost hope and has embraced a vision of destruction. The song paints lyrics that describe how we as people have grown increasingly desensitized to destruction and violence over time. Even more, the song seems to suggest that we have built our systems and society on a foundation of entropy and chaos.
The lyrics "We break our enemies with fear and We've seen how the tears come around" highlight this desensitization to violence and the idea that those who are weaker are often subject to hatred and cruelty. The next two lines, "We built our confidence on wasteland, and We've seen how the walls come down," famously refer to how we often build our institutions on the idea of scarcity, rather than abundance. This mentality ultimately leads to a society in which people fail to care for one another.
However, the song speaks to something deeper than just the political climate or a dystopian reality. The lyrics also suggest an existential struggle, stating that "Life burns from the touch of the reaper, and all things must pass." Ultimately, the song confronts mortality and the idea that our time on earth is fleeting. It encourages listeners to embrace life and live it with purpose, even in the face of sadness, cruelty, and suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
We break our enemies with fear, and
Our strategy in defeating our opponents is to instill fear in them,
We've seen how the tears come around
We have witnessed firsthand the pain and suffering that war can cause,
We built our confidence on wasteland
Our sense of security is based on the destruction and devastation that surrounds us,
We've seen how the walls come down
We have witnessed the collapse of barriers and boundaries that once defined our world,
Life burns
Life is fleeting and fragile, and can be snuffed out at any moment,
A man dies like a butterfly
The fragility of life is similar to the delicate nature of a butterfly,
Life burns from the touch of the reaper
Death can come suddenly and unexpectedly, like a flame that destroys everything in its path,
All things must pass
Nothing lasts forever and everything eventually comes to an end,
One love is a crooked lie
The idea of love is often distorted and manipulated, leading to disillusionment and disappointment,
The world lies in the hands of evil
Those in power often use their influence to serve their own selfish interests, causing harm and suffering to others,
We pray it would last
Despite the impermanence of life and the world around us, we hope for its continuation and preservation,
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAURI YLOENEN, EICCA TOPPINEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind