Arsis was started by James Malone and Mike Van Dyne in 2000, who met while attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston. They recorded two demos independently in 2001 and 2002, signed to Willowtip Records in 2003, and released two full-length albums and an EP from 2004 to 2006. During this time, Arsis performed on their first national tours alongside Misery Index, Incantation, Necrophagist, Neuraxis, Alarum, Dead to Fall, Misery Signals, The Faceless, All Shall Perish, Napalm Death and A Life Once Lost.
The band's main composer, singer/guitarist/songwriter James Malone, wrote and performed all the guitar, vocal, and bass work on the first studio album "A Celebration of Guilt" as well as the follow-up "A Diamond for Disease". He has cited King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Racer X, Iron Maiden, Emperor, Queensrÿche, Death, Dimmu Borgir and Dissection as being influential to him.
Mike Van Dyne performed drums on all of Arsis' releases/tours up until early 2007, when he temporarily departed to complete his degree in the medical field. During his hiatus from Arsis, Van Dyne performed briefly with the hardcore outfit Crimson Mask. In 2008, they released a 2-song digital single and performed shows in upstate N.Y. alongside Merauder, Madball, Wisdom in Chains and Burning Human. Van Dyne has noted his primary drum influences as being Scott Travis, Gene Hoglan, Dave Lombardo, Paul Bostaph, Vinny Appice and Mikkey Dee.
The band signed to Nuclear Blast just before Mike Van Dyne departed. He would not appear on the first record with their new label and was replaced by Darren Cesca. Noah Martin, who performed bass on "United in Regret", and Ryan Knight were also added to the line-up to record "We Are the Nightmare".
Darren Cesca was let go in 2008. His dismissal was cited as to differences in musical direction among him and the other members of Arsis. He was replaced on tour by Alex Tomlin of Battlemaster and later by Shawn Priest.
Noah Martin quit the band in the fall of 2008. He left the band to finish his college degree.
In late 2008, Nick Cordle and David Kinkade joined the band for bass and drum duties, respectively.
On December 21, 2008, Ryan Knight announced his departure from Arsis to join The Black Dahlia Murder.
On March 18, 2009, James Malone issued a statement explaining and apologizing for recent tour cancellations and lineup changes citing personal reasons. Soon after, it was announced that original drummer Mike Van Dyne would return, although due to career commitments, his ability to tour with the band may be limited.
In July, 2009, it was announced that work was ongoing for their next record "Starve for the Devil". In September, recording sessions began with Nathaniel Carter performing bass and production being handled again by Chris Harris. The record was released on February 9, 2010, and went on to land at No. 13 on the Billboard Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart for selling 1,800 copies in the U.S. alone during it's first week of release.
In October and November, 2009, Arsis toured Europe extensively alongside Behemoth, DevilDriver and Scar Symmetry on the Neckbreakers Ball Tour.
In January, 2010, Arsis released a music video for "Forced to Rock", the first track off "Starve for the Devil".
In January and February, 2010, Arsis toured the United States and Canada extensively alongside Arch Enemy, Exodus and Mutiny Within on the Tyrants of Evil North American Tour.
On March 6, 2010, Arsis performed at the Eye Scream Metal Fest II in Mexico City (The band's first ever performance in Latin America) alongside Sacred Reich, Cynic, Municipal Waste and Dying Fetus. This festival, the Tyrants of Evil Tour, and the Neckbreakers Ball Tour are the only times the full "Starve for the Devil" recording lineup performed live.
On May 13th, 2010, James Malone announced that Noah Martin was rejoining the band. Martin is still enrolled in college and thus may not be able to participate on long tours.
Current line-up:
James Malone - Guitar, vocals
Shawn Priest - Drums
Noah Martin - Bass
Discography:
A Celebration of Guilt (Full-length, 2004)
A Diamond for Disease (EP, 2005)
United in Regret (Full-length, 2006)
As Regret Becomes Guilt: The Demos of Arsis (Demo compilation, 2007)
We Are the Nightmare (Full-length, 2008)
Starve for the Devil (Full-length, 2010)
Forced To Rock
Arsis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now the promise of never is replaced with half-hearted lies.
Sworn to kill with this diamond will and scarlet painted eyes.
Forced to rock!
Rebellion, Rebellion.
To embrace our sins with all we are.
In the name of Satan we are forced to rock.
Riding high on emptiness wearing only flames.
Reciting lines of tainted prose and innocence is slain.
Forced to rock!
Rebellion, rebellion.
In the name of the Devil Starve.
to take down this life with a feast of famine.
In the name of Satan, we are forced to rock.
Reaching out with hands of gold
and famine is the feast.
Where the only hell is growing old
we are starving for the beast.
Alright!
Now the promise of never is replaced with half-hearted lies.
Sworn to kill with this diamond will and scarlet painted eyes.
Forced to rock!
Rebellion, rebellion.
In the name of the Devil Starve.
to take down this life with a feast of famine.
In the name of Satan, we are forced to rock.
The Arsis song Forced to Rock is a fast-paced heavy metal anthem that speaks to the idea of being forced into a certain lifestyle and rebelling against it. The promise of never is replaced with half-hearted lies, suggesting that the freedom and independence one might expect in life is a mere illusion. The singer is “forced to rock” due to some unseen pressure or influence, and seeks rebellion against it.
The lyrics also make references to Satan and sin, suggesting that the forces that are driving this “forced to rock” mentality come from a darker place. The idea of embracing one’s sins and feeding off them echoes the traditional ideas of Satanic worship and the “deal with the devil” mythology. However, the lyrics could also be interpreted as a general call to rebellion against societal norms and expectations, particularly for artists who may feel like they are being constrained by a certain style or aesthetic.
The repetition of the phrase “Forced to rock!” in the chorus is a clear rallying cry to those who are listening, urging them to join in the rebellion against these forces. The lyrics also make reference to the idea of famine and feast, suggesting that there is a hunger that needs to be fed, and that it can only be satisfied by embracing one’s true nature and casting off the shackles of conformity.
Overall, Arsis's Forced To Rock is a high-energy metal anthem that speaks to the idea of being true to oneself and rebelling against external pressures that would seek to constrain or control. With its references to Satan and sin, it puts forth a particularly dark and intense vision of this rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the promise of never is replaced with half-hearted lies.
The previous hope of assurance has been replaced with weak and insincere fabrications.
Sworn to kill with this diamond will and scarlet painted eyes.
Pledged to assassinate with intense resolve and strategically painted eyes.
Forced to rock!
Compelled to play loud, upbeat music!
Rebellion, Rebellion.
Defiance, Defiance.
In the name of devil starve.
By using the Devil’s name, dedicate yourself to fasting
To embrace our sins with all we are.
To fully embrace our wickedness and wrongdoings.
In the name of Satan we are forced to rock.
By invoking the name of Satan, we are obliged to play energetic music.
Riding high on emptiness wearing only flames.
Rising above feelings of dissatisfaction, cloaked in fire.
Reciting lines of tainted prose and innocence is slain.
Speaking corrupted poetry regularly and putting an end to purity.
Reaching out with hands of gold and famine is the feast.
Extending a hand of wealth and abundance in the midst of starvation.
Where the only hell is growing old we are starving for the beast.
In a world where aging is the worst fate, we crave the Devil.
Alright!
All right!
Rebellion, rebellion.
Defiance, defiance.
In the name of the Devil Starve.
By using Satan's name, fast.
to take down this life with a feast of famine.
To end this existence through a celebration of starvation.
In the name of Satan, we are forced to rock.
By using Satan's name, we are under obligation to play lively music.
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
바카라 노가다1
How can anybody hate this song? I'm in my 50's and think this kicks ass (although this style of vocal isn't my thing, but I can look past that). And I loved the pink Alexi he was wielding there.
Michael
Why did no one like this comment. That's bad ass dude
makemebad35
Nightmare and Celebration are two completely different sounding CD's and both are very good. The reason people claim nightmare sounds like "shit" is because its musicianship is a lot tighter and the production is dry. The dry recording isn't anything bad at all, you actually hear everything they do clearly. This cd sounds AMAZING in a really good stereo setup. Celebration and Nightmare are fantastic efforts.
mamatousaf
The guitar in this song is incredibly badass, no other words to describe it..
human260
I dont care if its a parody the song is good as hell!
EB
This is clearly a light-hearted song and is very tongue in cheek. The line "in the name of satan we are forced to rock" should tell you that, lol. Jim Malone is one of the most underrated guitar players in metal today IMO. Can't wait for the new album. Arsis kicks ass, and this was a fun video to watch.
Warren
Saw these cats open for AE in New York in January of 2010 and they killed. Good luck to Chris on his solo stuff and to Nick as well as the latest to join AE. \m/
Nate Beakley
I love a killer band with a sense of humor!
Tizon
terrible. metal isn't a joke.
craamji lolye
jetboy0220
you are