After two demo tapes in 1990 and 1991, the band were picked up by French label Adipocere Records, which made possible the band's first two commercial releases, 1993's Up Through the Linear Shades 7" and 1994's Longing For Scarlet Days EP. In 1995, Beyond Dawn released their critically acclaimed full length debut Pity Love on Candlelight Records. Soon after, the band began work on an album intended to be a departure from the doom metal music they were becoming known for, but their record label was less than pleased with the band's drastic change in sound and they were soon in search of a new label. They eventually signed with Misanthropy Records and released Revelry in 1998 to more critical praise. Beyond Dawn eventually resumed work on the would-be 1996 album and, after adding additional material and overdubs, released In Reverie in 1999 on Eibon Records, which would also be reissued in 2005 with two bonus tracks included. During the latter half of 1999, they released Electric Sulking Machine on the Peaceville label, which soon became a favorite amongst fans and remains sought after due to its limited pressing.
Due in part to the limited commercial success of Frysh, the band went on hiatus in 2003 to focus on other projects. Some time later, several tracks from Frysh were remixed by various electronic and EBM artists and released in the form of the double LP We're Down With Species of Any Kind in 2005. The band remains on an indefinite hiatus.
Prey
Beyond Dawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One touch makes a world of difference
Don't start a flood
Ever so fragile - I'm deeply touched
Envision my void
Figure the searing emptiness
Rascals rage with innocence
Ever so focused - I'm deeply touched
The corrupted smiles
The laughing lies
The embryo of hatred so sweet
Captured deep beneath
Ever so humorous - I'm deeply touched
The lyrics of "Prey" by Beyond Dawn are intrinsically complex, but with insightful interpretation, one could deduce that the song expresses feelings of deep apathy, fragility and awareness of emptiness. The persona of the song seems to have gone through a lot and is affected by different circumstances. The lines "My apathy knows no end" conveys the feeling of the writer's indifference to things that go on around them. They feel that nothing could touch them, perhaps due to past experiences that have left them impervious.
However, even with the persona's perceived armor of detachment, the writer subtly acknowledges that a touch from someone or something could make a "world of a difference." The persona pleads "Don't start a flood" perhaps because they are not too sure how they would react to opening up after keeping everything bottled up for so long. The persona also seems to be aware of their fragility and hints that they could be deeply touched despite their past experiences.
The latter part of the song alludes to the persona's knowledge of the corrupted world where people wear "corrupted smiles" and tell "laughing lies." It appears as the persona is wary of the world and all that goes on outside of his/her inner sphere. Notwithstanding, there is a glimmer of mischievousness in the "embryo of hatred so sweet" that appears to captivate the persona. In conclusion, "Prey" is a song that beautifully captures the persona's delicacy, strength, and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
My apathy knows no end
I am completely indifferent and lack any sort of emotional response
One touch makes a world of difference
A single small gesture can have a significant impact
Don't start a flood
Do not cause chaos or overwhelming emotions
Ever so fragile - I'm deeply touched
I am extremely sensitive and vulnerable to emotions
Envision my void
Imagine the emptiness inside me
Figure the searing emptiness
Visualize the intense and painful emptiness I feel
Rascals rage with innocence
Even those who seem innocent can have a strong and passionate anger
Ever so focused - I'm deeply touched
My concentration is intense and emotions affect me deeply
The corrupted smiles
Deceitful or insincere expressions of happiness
The laughing lies
False statements disguised by humor or amusement
The embryo of hatred so sweet
The initial, small seed of hatred can be disguised or overlooked as something pleasant
Captured deep beneath
Trapped or hidden below the surface
Ever so humorous - I'm deeply touched
Despite the sarcasm or humor, my emotions are still greatly affected
Contributed by Lucy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.