The band was formed by Christian Olde Wolbers and Raymond Herrera (formerly of Fear Factory) who had recorded a demo for a new band. They sent the demo to Threat Signal vocalist Jon Howard and Arkaea was spawned. They tried to obtain Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit for bassist, who was all for it but then decided to back down due to location. Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne then offered his services for the album but it was felt it would be too difficult for another bassist to replicate his unique basslines live as he could not tour due to Mudvayne commitments. After some time spent searching for the perfect bassist, another Threat Signal member, Pat Kavanagh, was finally chosen.
Their debut entitled Years in the Darkness was set to be released on March 3, then March 10 but was not released until July 14, 2009, selling roughly 980 units in its first week. Half of the songs that appear on the album were originally intended to be for a possible new Fear Factory album. In addition to a 5 minute long sampler the band posted the opening track "Locust" on their Myspace.
Members
Jon Howard - Vocals (Threat Signal)
Christian Olde Wolbers - Guitar (ex-Fear Factory)
Pat Kavanagh - Bass (Threat Signal)
Raymond Herrera - Drums (ex-Fear Factory)
Break the Silence
Arkaea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A new life create to breed for the machine.
Sacrifice yourself to gratify the urge,
Realize we're just a number here to serve.
I'm reaching deeper, to find another way,
A search for purpose, for existence.
I see your eyes lifeless just like me.
Visualize our future coming to an end,
Paralyzed by what I've chosen to defend.
Cut the ties resent the life I've come to lead,
Now it's time to break the silence over me.
I'm reaching deeper, to find another way,
A search for purpose, for existence.
I see your eyes staring out at me,
I see your eyes lifeless just like me.
Find truth inside you.
Take control of this hate burning inside.
Break the silence.
I see your eyes staring out at me,
I see your eyes lifeless just like me.
I see your eyes staring out at me,
I see your eyes lifeless just like me.
I break the silence,
Realize what I've become.
I bleed forever regretting what I've done.
I break the silence,
Realize what I've become.
I bleed forever regretting what I've done.
I see your eyes staring out at me,
I see your eyes lifeless just like me.
The lyrics of Arkaea's "Break the Silence" talk about a dystopian world where people are born to serve a machine and nothing more. The song starts with the singer acknowledging the reality of the world he was born into - a world filled with hatred and disease. The second verse hints at the futility of life and the feeling of being trapped in a system that values human beings only as a means to an end.
The chorus talks about the singer's search for purpose and existence, how he longs for a life beyond the one he has been assigned to. He sees another person through their eyes, recognizes that they are both lifeless, and that they both need to find a way to break the cycle they're caught in. The singer then decides to take action, to "cut the ties" and "resent the life" that he's been living.
As the song progresses, the singer takes control of his emotions and decides to "break the silence." He urges others to "find truth inside you" and to "take control of this hate burning inside." The final two lines of the song talk about the consequences of choosing to break free from the cycle, how the singer will "bleed forever regretting what [he's] done."
The song overall speaks to themes of individuality, free will, and the longing for purpose beyond the societal expectations and limitations placed upon us. It encourages listeners to take control of their lives and to make a change in the world they live in.
Line by Line Meaning
Born into a world of hatred and disease,
From the start, the world we enter is filled with various forms of negativity and sickness.
A new life create to breed for the machine.
We are born into a society that values productivity and conformity, turning us into cogs in the machine of society.
Sacrifice yourself to gratify the urge,
The drive to achieve and succeed often comes at the cost of sacrificing your own needs, desires, and well-being.
Realize we're just a number here to serve.
In this society, we are reduced to mere statistics, serving the system rather than ourselves.
I'm reaching deeper, to find another way,
Despite the pressures of society, there is a search for something deeper and more meaningful in life.
A search for purpose, for existence.
This deeper search is for a sense of purpose and meaning to our existence beyond the superficial expectations of society.
I see your eyes staring out at me,
The singer acknowledges that others around them are feeling the same sense of emptiness and disillusionment.
I see your eyes lifeless just like me.
They recognize that others around them have lost their sense of vitality and joy in life, and feel the same sense of despair and hopelessness.
Visualize our future coming to an end,
The artist contemplates the inevitable conclusion to our lives and the end of our existence.
Paralyzed by what I've chosen to defend.
The artist recognizes that their choices and actions have led them to this point of apathy and despair, leaving them feeling stuck and helpless.
Cut the ties resent the life I've come to lead,
They acknowledge that the only way to break free is to reject the values and expectations that have been imposed upon them, and to confront the dissatisfaction and anger they feel towards their current way of life.
Now it's time to break the silence over me.
The artist realizes that they can no longer remain silent and passive in the face of their inner turmoil and dissatisfaction.
Find truth inside you.
They turn their attention inwards, searching for their own truth and inner wisdom.
Take control of this hate burning inside.
The singer acknowledges the anger that has been building up inside of them, and seeks to take control of it rather than allowing it to consume them.
Break the silence.
They call for others to join them in speaking out against the status quo and seeking a more authentic, fulfilling way of life.
I break the silence,
The artist reaffirms their commitment to breaking free from the chains of society and seeking their own truth.
Realize what I've become.
They confront the person they have become as a result of societal pressures and begin to take responsibility for it.
I bleed forever regretting what I've done.
They feel a deep sense of regret for the choices they have made and the person they have become, and acknowledge that this feeling may never fully go away.
Contributed by Alex Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.