Archive was formed by Londoners Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths in 1994 and began as an electronica project. At the beginning, they mixed Bristol-style, Massive Attack, Portishead with Rap. The first album of the band, Londinium released in 1996 (with Roya Arab and Rosko John as guest vocalists). The second album, Take my Head, (which the band hates) was released in 1999 (with a new guest vocalist Suzanne Wooder), it is much more melodic than Londinium. The first song of the album, You Make Me Feel, illustrates this change in the Archive's music. After being dropped by their label and more changes in the lineup, the band seemed to hit its stride on the third album You All Look The Same To Me (2002), featuring singer Craig Walker (formerly of Power of Dreams), which took a decided turn toward more progressive music (with some Progressive Rock influences, notably Pink Floyd whose indelible influence is audible on tracks such as 'Finding it so Hard' and 'Again'), while still maintaining electronic elements. The band saw growing popularity and critical acclaim, especially in France, Greece, Germany and Poland. After recording two more artistically—but not too commercially—successful albums, Michel Vaillant (2003) and Noise (2004), Walker left the band for reasons the band and he will not talk about. The project continued on as a Collective, with new vocalists, Pollard Berrier and Dave Pen. In May 2006 they released the album Lights with Pollard Berrier on lead vocals, who is also a member/guest member of the innovative group, "Bauchklang" - a completely vocal beat-box (Vocal Groove) group based in Vienna, Austria. Archive released a live album, entitled,Live at Paris Zenith, in May, 2007 - which was recorded on January 20th, 2007 at the sold out Zentih Arena in Paris. Rolling Stone called it, "The best live album ever made." Archive continues to tour and is working on a number of forthcoming releases in the near future.
Archive are a Collective, not a band.
Taste Of Blood
Archive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A feeling that's too painful to bear
I get a taste of blood in my mouth when you're near
A feeling that's too painful to bear
Straight to my head
A feeling that shivers down my skin
Try to resist, but it's just not finished with you yet
A hold too intense to forget
The lyrics of the song Taste Of Blood by Archive express the overpowering and all-consuming effect of being in love with someone who is painful to be around. When the person is close, the singer gets a taste of blood, indicating the intensity of the desire and the rawness of the emotions. The sensation is too strong, and the singer finds it unbearable. The phrase "too painful to bear" suggests that the singer is at the mercy of the emotions and the longing they feel for this person.
The second stanza describes the physical manifestation of that emotional state. The singer feels a look of fear on their face, indicating that they are scared of being consumed by this person and the emotions they evoke. The feeling shivers down the skin, indicating that the sensation is not just emotional but also physical. The last line suggests that the hold this person has on the singer is too intense to forget, indicating the addiction-like quality of the relationship.
Overall, the song Taste Of Blood by Archive explores the intense emotions and physical sensations that come with being in love with someone who is not necessarily good for you. It speaks to the contradictory nature of love, where something that should be good for you can harm you instead.
Line by Line Meaning
I get a taste of blood in my mouth when you're near
Being near you gives me a painful feeling that I can physically taste in my mouth.
A feeling that's too painful to bear
This sensation is so intense that it's difficult for me to endure.
Straight to my head
The feeling is overpowering, consuming my thoughts and emotions.
I get a look of fear on my face with you here
Your presence induces a profound feeling of anxiety, which is visibly reflected on my expression.
A feeling that shivers down my skin
This fear I'm experiencing is so intense that it sends chills down my body.
Try to resist, but it's just not finished with you yet
I attempt to push away these emotions, but they persist and refuse to let go of me.
A hold too intense to forget
The grip of these emotions is so strong that they leave a lasting impression on me, impossible to ignore or dismiss.
Contributed by Maria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.