Brad's success as the drummer of Rage Against the Machine came from the failure of a different band; he once auditioned for a band called Lock Up, who released one album (titled Somethin' Bitchin' This Way Comes) through Geffen records in 1989 and broke up when the album received little media attention upon release. Former Lock Up guitarist Tom Morello was looking to pick up where Lock Up left off and start a new band, and called up Brad to see if he was interested in playing the drums. A short while after, the duo met Zack de la Rocha, a rapper, and through de la Rocha met bassist Tim Commerford (a childhood friend of Zack's) and Rage Against the Machine was born.
When Zack De La Rocha left Rage Against the Machine in late 2000, Brad and the two remaining members, Tom Morello and Tim Commerford, opted to stay together to form a new rock band. Producer Rick Rubin suggested they have a jam session with former Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell. The meeting was an immediate success and they subsequently formed a band called Civilian, which was later renamed Audioslave. Brad Wilk has been the drummer of Audioslave since its formation in 2001.
Ashes in the Fall
Brad Wilk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ghosts of progress dressed in slow death
Feeding on hunger and glaring through the promise
Upon the food that rots slowly in the aisle
A mass of nameless at the oasis
That hides the graves beneath the master's hill
Are buried for drinking the river's water
This is the new sound
Just like the old sound
Just like the noose wound
Over the new ground
This is the new sound
Just like the old sound
Just like the noose wound
Over the new ground
Listen to the fascist sing
"Take hope here. War is elsewhere
You were chosen. This is god's land
Soon we'll be free of blot and mixture
Seeds planted by our forefather's hand."
A mass of promises begin to rupture
Like the pockets of the new world kings
Like swollen stomachs in Appalachia
Like the priest that fucked you as he whispered holy things
A mass of tears have transformed to stones now
Sharpened on suffering and woven into slings
Hope lies in the rubble of this rich fortress
Taking today what tomorrow never brings
This is the new sound
Just like the old sound
Just like the noose wound
Over the new ground
This is the new sound
Just like the old sound
Just like the noose wound
Over the new ground
Ain't the new sound
Just like the old sound?
Just like the noose wound
Over the new ground
Ain't the new sound
Just like the old sound?
Look at the noose now
Over the, over the, over the burning ground
Ain't it funny how the factories doors close
'Round the time that the school doors close
'Round the time that the doors of the jail cells
Open up to greet you like the reaper
Ain't it funny how the factories doors close
'Round the time that the school doors close
'Round the time that a hundred thousand jail cells
Open up to greet you like the reaper, uh oh
No oasis
This is no oasis
This is the new sound
Just like the old sound
Just like the noose wound
Over the new ground
This is the new sound
Just like the old sound
Just like the noose wound
Over the new ground
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
(Like the ashes in the fall)
The lyrics of "Ashes in the Fall" by Brad Wilk reflect a scathing critique of the modern world, particularly Western societies that prioritize profit over people. The song uses powerful metaphors to depict a world where corporations and their leaders, the "new world kings," exploit the poor and vulnerable. The song opens with a scene of a market window, where hungry people press their hands, looking longingly at food that rots slowly in the aisle. As the song progresses, the lyrics describe the mass of people, nameless and buried for drinking the river's water, and the promises that begin to rupture. The "new sound" is just like the "old sound," and the "noose wound" represents the grip of capitalism and power that tightens around the necks of the oppressed.
The song's most potent criticism is saved for the fascist leaders who take advantage of the desperate situation. In the lyrics, the fascist is represented as a singer, crooning to the people with empty promises of a better future. The fascist takes hope away from the people, promising that war is elsewhere and that they were chosen to live in God's land. The lyrics are a crushing commentary on the rise of far-right movements around the globe, particularly in the US, where the song was released.
In conclusion, "Ashes in the Fall" is a song that speaks truth to power, unmasking the lies and hypocrisies of the capitalist system. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of a world where the rich get richer, and the poor are left to rot. The song's message is that this reality is not inevitable, and that there is hope in resistance and solidarity.
Line by Line Meaning
A mass of hands press on the market window
A large group of people are trying to get the attention of the market even though they are unable to afford the food available in it.
Ghosts of progress dressed in slow death
Despite technological advancement, people are still dying slowly due to poverty and other societal issues.
Feeding on hunger and glaring through the promise
People are struggling to survive and are being let down by a system that promises to cater to their needs.
Upon the food that rots slowly in the aisle
Despite the abundance of available food, the poor are unable to access it and it goes to waste.
A mass of nameless at the oasis
A large number of people who are nameless and poor are gathered at an oasis.
That hides the graves beneath the master's hill
The rich people in power are responsible for the deaths of many of these poor people and try to hide it.
Are buried for drinking the river's water
Many people die because of lack of access to clean water.
While shackled to the line at the empty well
The poor are trapped in poverty and have limited resources and opportunities to improve their lives.
Listen to the fascist sing
People in power who promote oppressive ideologies justify their actions with false promises and beliefs.
"Take hope here. War is elsewhere
They use fear tactics to draw people in and distract them from what's happening within their own communities.
You were chosen. This is god's land
They manipulate religious beliefs to convince people that their poverty is predetermined and deserved.
Soon we'll be free of blot and mixture
They use derogatory language against marginalized groups and promise to rid society of these issues.
Seeds planted by our forefather's hand."
They use history and nostalgia to create a false sense of legitimacy for their oppressive actions.
A mass of promises begin to rupture
The system fails to deliver on promises and people lose faith in it.
Like the pockets of the new world kings
The wealthy continue to amass wealth while the poor suffer and struggle to survive.
Like swollen stomachs in Appalachia
People are suffering from hunger and malnutrition in poverty-stricken areas.
Like the priest that fucked you as he whispered holy things
People in positions of power and authority can exploit others and still be seen as moral and trustworthy.
A mass of tears have transformed to stones now
People are emotionally drained and have become numb to the constant struggles and injustices of their lives.
Sharpened on suffering and woven into slings
Despite their hardships, people have found ways to fight back and use their pain as a tool for justice.
Hope lies in the rubble of this rich fortress
The wealthy and powerful can still be held accountable and justice can be achieved even in the face of adversity.
Taking today what tomorrow never brings
It's important to fight for change now, even if results may not be seen immediately or may not come to fruition in the future.
Ain't the new sound
The rhetoric and promises of change being presented are not actually new or revolutionary.
Look at the noose now
Reality is harsh and oppressive despite the façade of progress and improvement.
Over the, over the, over the burning ground
The world is in flames and the struggles and injustices are only intensifying.
Ain't it funny how the factories doors close
The system fails to provide adequate education and job opportunities, trapping people in poverty.
'Round the time that the school doors close
Education opportunities are decreasing or being shut down, limiting the upward mobility of people in poverty.
'Round the time that the doors of the jail cells
The prison industrial complex continues to grow, criminalizing poverty and people of color.
Open up to greet you like the reaper
The criminal justice system is oppressive and inhumane, creating a cycle of poverty and imprisonment.
No oasis
The idea of a safe haven or escape for the poor is a myth that does not exist.
Like the ashes in the fall
The struggles and injustices of society are ever-present and only continue to worsen over time.
Contributed by Luke W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.