But hey; perhaps you want to know more about Astral Doors?! Don't worry; below you can read the full biography
In early 2002, Swedish guitarist Joachim Nordlund, drummer Johan Lindstedt and singer Nils Patrik Johansson teamed up and decided to write some metal songs in the spirit of the old heroes Rainbow, Dio, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. They completed the band with organ player Jocke Roberg and with Martin Haglund on the bass.
They recorded their debut-album (mixed by Peter Tägtgren at Abyss Studio) and began working with Danish based metal-agency Intromental Management. Deals were locked down for “Of The Son And The Father”. The band caught immense media attention, with fantastic reviews everywhere, and various festivals were not late to book ASTRAL DOORS.(now with Martin Haglund as the second guitarist and with Mika Itaranta on the bass) The band performed at Wacken Open Air, Sweden Rock Festival and 2000 Decibel during the summer of 2004, gaining an impressive number of new fans.
Not resting on the laurels of their success, ASTRAL DOORS finalized their 2nd opus “Evil Is Forever” very quickly and the album was released by the same labels as the debut album. The release, which once again received amazing media and fan support, was followed by an extensive European tour as support act to German metal-gods Grave Digger, as well as several festival gigs in Sweden, and not to forget a successful gig in Germany with the hard rock princess herself, Doro Pesch.
Wanting to please their European fans with some extra and exclusive material, while waiting for their next full length, the band gathered a variety of material of unreleased songs and Japanese bonus track, and in October 2005 released the “Raiders Of The Ark” EP.
In late 2005 the band once again went back to the Abyss Studio and Peter Tägtgren to record their 3rd full length album, “Astralism”. The album was released in 2006 and stunned everybody with its roaring sound and incredible riffs and technicality. Astral Doors was offered the prestigious spot as official support band for the power metal kings Blind Guardian on a full scale European tour in the fall of 2006. Astral Doors accepted the offer, impressed everybody and left deep musical tracks in their wake…
When the band returned to Sweden after the very successful, 2 month long tour with Blind Guardian, Astral Doors immediately started writing new material for the fourth album. Astral Doors will always stand with both feet in the classic hardrock, but this time around they decided to bring more elements, moods and variations to the classic Astral Sound. "New Revelation" was released September 2007, received great reviews and climbed on the charts.
After the release of New Revelation, the band went out on their first big European tour as headliners. It was a blast and during 2008 the band returned to Sweden Rock Festival for a smoking appearance.
By this point, the band felt that they needed new challenges; left the old management and signed with German agency Flying Dolphin and later also with new label Metalville.
Two and a half year after the release of "New Revelation", the band striked back, stronger than ever before with the epic masterpiece, "Requiem of Time".
With songs like "Power and the Glory", "Testament of Rock", "St. Peters Cross", the album truly is one of the highlights in the bands career.
The first line up change in the history of the band was also a fact as Ulf Lagerström was introduced as the new bassplayer in the band stepping in after Mika. Martin Haglund also left the band due to personal issues. No new guitarist was hired; the band decided to finally give Joachim the attention he deserves and also to give the magical keyboard of Jocke Roberg more space in the sound picture.
Stronger than ever, the band went out to play some of the most important festivals 2010, and the band also decided to put together a compilation with their best songs as a treat for old fans, but most important; to win over new fans. "Testament of Rock-The Best of Astral Doors" also contains the previously unreleased song, "Victory".
This summer, 2011, the band played some cool festivals, among them the mighty BANG YOUR HEAD FESTIVAL.
In October 2011 the band will release their heaviest album so far, "Jerusalem", which is a journey through good and evil. Mixed by Daniel Bergstrand, the music of Astral Doors reaches new heights. Blistering hits like "Seventh Crusade", Babylon Rise" and "With a Strangers Eye" meets up with the epic title track and the video hit "Child of Rock'n'roll". Several tours are also planned. The best band in the world has sharpened their strings......
To be continued.....
The Flame
Astral Doors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I know I was born with a crown made of troll
Faking a smile and I try to move on
Calling the shots like the king of the flies
Hiding myself, but my art's gonna take me higher
So much higher again
Cry out in anger, got nothing to say
Cool, rich and famous, smoking cigars
The hole in my brain, won't stop me to ride the flame
Ride the flame
And the flames go higher and higher
Away from love and hate; tales of fate
Lord, I cry out in anger
[Solo: Nordlund / Haglund]
I take you all higher, so much higher again
Love, hate and fury coming my way
Cry out in anger, got nothing to say
Cool, rich and famous, smoking cigars
The hole in my brain
The hole in my brain
Love, hate and fury coming my way
Cry out in anger, got nothing to say
Cool, rich and famous, smoking cigars
The hole in my brain, won't stop me to ride the flame
Ride the flame
Ride the flame
"The Flame" by Astral Doors talks about the burden of being born with a talent that sets you apart from others, but at the same time, it comes with a price to pay. The singer feels like he was born with a crown made of troll, which means that even though he might feel different from others, he is still human and has his own struggles. He tries to move on and hide his insecurities, but he cannot escape the love, hate, and fury that come with success. He is in a position of power, calling the shots like the king of the flies, but at the same time, he feels like he needs to hide himself from the pressures of the industry. He believes that his art will take him higher, but at what cost?
In the chorus, the singer talks about riding the flame, which can represent the highs and lows of fame. He cries out in anger and acknowledges that even though he might be wealthy and famous, he still struggles with the hole in his brain, which might represent mental health issues. He chooses to ride the flame regardless and take his fans on the journey with him, so much higher again. The solo in the middle of the song implies that sometimes the highs that come with success can be great, but they can also be detrimental to one's mental health. Overall, "The Flame" by Astral Doors is a song that describes the highs and lows of success and how it can affect one's mental state.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I know I was born with a crown made of troll
I am aware of my humble beginnings
Faking a smile and I try to move on
I force a smile and keep moving forward
Calling the shots like the king of the flies
I am assertive and lead like royalty over those who are insignificant
Hiding myself, but my art's gonna take me higher
I hide my true self, but my art will elevate me to new heights
So much higher again
I will surpass my current level of success
Love, hate and fury coming my way
I will experience a range of strong emotions
Cry out in anger, got nothing to say
I express my frustration without finding the right words
Cool, rich and famous, smoking cigars
I am seen as wealthy and successful, smoking cigars as a status symbol
The hole in my brain, won't stop me to ride the flame
My flaws and challenges cannot prevent me from chasing my dreams
And the flames go higher and higher
I continue to rise in success and popularity
Away from love and hate; tales of fate
I am moving towards an uncertain destiny, separate from emotional attachments
Lord, I cry out in anger
I plead for divine intervention to overcome my struggles
I take you all higher, so much higher again
I will inspire and elevate others to their own successes
The hole in my brain
My personal struggles and limitations
Ride the flame
Pursue my passion and ambitions relentlessly
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOACHIM DAN NORDLUND, JOHAN LARS LINDSTEDT, PATRIK NILS JOHANSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind