The band endured many line-up changes throughout its existence, leaving Hoare as the only original member. In July 2012, Tony Gambino announced he was stepping down as lead vocalist with Sam Ryder taking his place.
The band was formed as a concept band in 2003 by Tyler Hoare. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Hugh Charron, bassist Joel Sauvé, guitarists Robbie Hart and Hoare, drummer Frank Shooflar, and keyboardist Simon Foxx. Their first album, All Is Fair in Love and War, was released on Blood and Ink Records in 2004.
Joel Sauvé and Hugh Charron departed in 2005. Hoare switched to bass and shred-style guitarist, "Shred" Sean Maier, from Long Island, joined. The band then began to change to a more 80s glam metal sound.
In January 2007, after the addition of vocalist Tony Gambino, they signed with Century Media Records. They recorded their second studio album, Pedal to the Metal, at The Farm in Vancouver, with producer Garth Richardson and engineer Ben Kaplan. The rest of 2007 was spent touring the US.
In early 2008, after a UK tour, rhythm guitarist, Robbie Hart and keyboardist Simon Foxx, both original members, were kicked out of the band. In mid 2008 they were joined by rhythm guitarist Casey Jones and keyboardist Slater, and took part in on the first annual Scream the Prayer Tour.
"Pedal to the Metal" was released by Century Media in Europe in August 2008 and the US in September 2008. After their headlining late 2008 European tour, original drummer Frank Shooflar left to pursue his career as a record producer and songwriter, Slater then moved to drums and former Still Remains keyboardist Ben Schauland was added, under the moniker "Rex Krueger".
Keyboardist Ben "Rex Krueger" Schauland left the band in mid 2010. Sam Ryder, then a member of The Morning After, played rhythm guitar on the band's European tour while Casey Jones stayed home to be present for the birth of his first child.
On June 24, 2011, Tooth & Nail Records released a video officially welcoming Blessed by a Broken Heart to the label's roster, in which the band announced that they were recording a new album. On September 30, the band announced that a song called "Deathwish" would be released on October 17, 2011 for the cost of a tweet, and would be the first single from the new album, Feel the Power, which was at the time planned for release on January 24, 2012. A second single, "Forever", was released on December 6, 2011, with an accompanying video premiering on January 17, 2012.
In July 2012, Gambino, announced his departure and rhythm guitarist Sam Ryder was announced as new vocalist. Ryder appeared on a standalone single, "Out of Control", released July 24, 2012.
On September 7, 2013, guitarist Sean Maier announced that the band was breaking up due to repeated legal struggles with record companies and lack of support from booking agencies. The post also stated that singer Sam Ryder would continue working as the frontman for Close Your Eyes and Maier would continue to work on his new project Shred Starz. Ryder left Close Your Eyes in December 2014, and found success as a solo artist.
The band reunited to play Montebello Rock Fest on June 24, 2017. The reunion lineup was Tony Gambino (vocals), Tyler Hoare (bass), "Shred" Sean Maier (guitar), Ian "Slater" Evans (drums), and Joel "Casey" Jones (guitar).
The band released a one-off re-recording of "Another Day Another War" on September 20, 2020.
The Devil Is The Don
Blessed By A Broken Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through the oceans of sorrow
Uknowing of where I would fail next
Uknowing of my failures to come
Come in different shaped
Come in different shades
But through the fog that blinded me
And I promised myself to follow it's path
And now I am led by the light
The waves may crash, trying to mislead me
The whirlpool will try to swallow me whole
I might let myself get carried away
But my faith in anchored to my soul
I can go so fast with cement shoes
But as I clench to the rock
No ocean will overcome me
Nothing will stand in my way,
For through this storm I see the light
It's only a matter of a lifetime before I'm home
In "The Devil Is The Don," Blessed By A Broken Heart presents a story of hope and perseverance through difficult times. The song's opening lines describe a sense of aimlessness and uncertainty in the singer's life, navigating the "oceans of sorrow" without knowledge of what lies ahead. However, they soon spot a beacon of light shining through the darkness and make the choice to follow its path, trusting that it will lead them to a better place.
The song then describes the challenges that the singer faces on this journey, with the crashing waves and swirling whirlpool representing the obstacles that try to pull them off course. Despite these difficulties, the singer clings to their faith and resolves to stay strong, even if it means moving slowly like they are wearing "cement shoes." Their belief in themselves and in a higher power empowers them to keep going, and eventually, they see their destination on the horizon and know that they are finally coming home.
In essence, "The Devil Is The Don" is a song about never giving up, even when the going gets tough. Through vivid imagery of the sea and its dangers, Blessed By A Broken Heart creates a powerful metaphor for the hardships of life, but ultimately shows that with faith, determination, and perseverance, anyone can weather the storm.
Line by Line Meaning
For far too long I have sailed
I've been struggling for a long time
Through the oceans of sorrow
Through times of sadness
Unknowing of where I would fail next
Not knowing what challenges are coming next
Unknowing of my failures to come
Unaware of my future mistakes
Come in different shaped
Difficulties come in various forms
Come in different shades
Problems come in different intensities
But through the fog that blinded me
Despite the haze of confusion
I saw a light shine so bright
I saw a way out
And I promised myself to follow its path
I decided to follow the light
And now I am led by the light
I'm following a positive path
The waves may crash, trying to mislead me
Challenges may try to distract me
The whirlpool will try to swallow me whole
The situation may try to overwhelm me
I might let myself get carried away
I may lose control
But my faith is anchored to my soul
But I have faith and I'm grounded
I can go so fast with cement shoes
I may feel weighed down by my problems
But as I clench to the rock
But I hold on to my foundation
No ocean will overcome me
I won't be defeated
Nothing will stand in my way
Nothing can stop me
For through this storm I see the light
I can see a way out of this tough time
It's only a matter of a lifetime before I'm home
It may take a while, but eventually it'll all work out
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
conducting4rmthgrave
@gizmotronic12345 basically this song is about their faith in god. How no matter what the devil throws at them, they will overcome all obstacles. "I wont let myself get carried away, cuz my faith is anchored to my soul: I can go so fast with cement shoes. as i clench to this rock (faith) no ocean will overcome me(the devil)"....if that makes sense. amazing band amazing song everything about this shit is epic!
Laura Sheneman
777 views lol praise the God!