They currently have three releases: the debut album "Of Bitterness And Hope" features spoken word interludes by Greg Bennick (ex-Trial singer) and sung choruses; the slightly conceptual EP "Kingdom of the Dead" features female vocals. Their second full-length "Where Nightmares And Dreams Unite" was released on their European tour in May 2006.
History 2006
On a wasted night in early 2000, the idea of a band that gives wings to their musical dreams made three young men (guitarist Krisztian, bassist Laci and drummer Tamas) form the group under the name Joy’s Pride. With the addition of Adam Fellegi, a drummer maniac and member of the semi-legendary Hungarian hardcore band Newborn, the lineup was nearly complete. However, Tamas and Adam being musical masterminds (both play drums and guitars) the band was unsure if they should look for drummers or singers as Adam grabbed the microphone originally and Tamas hit the chords. Trying out an ocean of friends on different instruments followed, and 2 mostly inactive years passed when Newborn called it a day and decided not to play anymore. Zoli, the singer of Newborn was a logical idea to fill the vacant position of the singer and with the swansong of their original bands (Tamas played drums for an influential melodic punk band, who were about to call it quits as well), the side-project was set to finally make it out of the rehearsal room.
Still called Joy’s Pride, the band performed its first show on the 18th November, 2002, supporting Bane and the video tape of the show made Chris Z sign the band to his Munich based hardcore label, Let It Burn Records. Things suddenly started to speed up and 5 months after their first show the band, under the new moniker „Bridge To Solace“ already sat around in Parkplatz studios, recording the debut full-length „Of Bitterness And Hope“, 9 songs of metal spiced hardcore punk with the addition of former Trial singer and current activist-filmmaker Greg Bennick’s spoken word tracks. The record had a surprisingly good feedback and in september 2003, only after 5 local performances the band was about to start it’s first European tour, together with Paint The Town Red from Germany and Razor Crusade from Holland. Later that year, the band returned to Europe for a week-long tour supporting Walls Of Jericho.
2004 saw the band’s 2nd release coming, which was supposed to be a split CD with California hardcore heroes A.18, but due to the lineup troubles of the Californians, the split never happened, but Bridge To Solace thought they have three good new songs, so with the addition of a rerecorded and a bit rethought old song and adding a female opera singer to spice up the songs of the EP, the band wandered further in metal. 2004 was a metallic year so to say, the band opened for Cradle Of Filth and Testament in Budapest, and performed it’s first ever Sziget Festival (one of Europe’s biggest cultural events) appearance among local buddies and Children of Bodom. 2004 brought a summer tour with Nothing Gold Can Stay, and mostly weekend shows in support of „Kingdom Of The Dead“, the band’s 5-track EP, which saw the light late September.
2005 was definitely THE year for Bridge To Solace. An amazing 4-week tour with Undying in April made the band speed up a lot and brought the first loss to the family, as Krisztian Alberti, guitarplayer and all around good guy decided to quit the band after the month-long tour, focusing on his commitments as a husband and a dad. The band had to decide quick and took Balint Szollar, an extremely talented, but long-time unemployed guitarplayer. With Balint in their ranks, the band was all set to destroy. Some local festival appearances followed, another Sziget festival with probably the biggest wall of death in the history of Hungarian hardcore, a sold out Budapest show with friends The Idoru, maniac and alcohol-filled weekends all around Europe, and a new record deal with the ever-growing Dutch hardcore label GSR Music. The band had a cancelled 12 day tour, but as half of it could be saved, they decided to rock around Europe for a week in December.
2006 brought the 2nd Bridge To Solace full-length, the debut for GSR Music. The band spent some stressed out, but fun 6 weeks in studio, recording the new masterpiece, 9 tracks of metal spiced modern hardcore.
Just in time for the release of „Where Nightmares And Dreams Unite“ the band hit the road for a 20 show trip, spent most of it together with Swedish hardcore machine Raised Fist. The tour ended in a cathartic record release show in Budapest, where the band sold out the Budapest downtown venue Süss Fel Nap. July 2006 took the band on the road again, this time only 9 very hot shows, on the 9 hottest days of this summer. The stage has been shared with Finnish legends and brothers Endstand.
The band is currently playing Hungarian club shows, something they never really did throughout their early years. Teamed up with Watch My Dying and Septic, this is a package tour Hungarians should keep their eyes on!
Where Nightmares And Dreams Unite
Bridge To Solace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when I have given up
Looking for any reasons
On how my brightest heaven
Turned into my darkest hell
How can poison be this sweet
How can I be left thirsting for
More and more joyful pain
Am I the only one left
To chainsmoke my hunger away?
To drink my thoughts away
To be left with nothing but all those
dontcares and dontknows
That secure our egos deep inside
And we build our walls high
Up from the ground
And this voice is ringing loud
In the back of my head
Let go Let go Let go!
Never care for what has been done
But strive for what is to come
This is where nightmares and dreams unite
This is where nightmares poison our dreams
And there's no happy endings
But the painful joys, and the joyful pains.
Unloved loves - Unsaid words - Undone actions
The things we've always wanted
The beliefs for which we'd kill.
The flames that ever burned
The dreams we're wanting still
Where have they gone,
Where's our home
In this world that's destined
To burn - To burn - To burn
Nightmares and dreams unite
And I might have given up on reasons
But let this song remain as a middle finger
Of a clenched fist
And the voice of a youth gone wild
Will ring in the back of my head
This is where nightmares and dreams unite
And we are the ones to fight this fight
With no possible end in sight
But the salvation of souls that scream
Where's our dream, Where's our home
But the salvation of souls that won't scream
Let go Let go Let go!
We are the ones to wage this fight
The lyrics of Bridge To Solace's song "Where Nightmares And Dreams Unite" convey a sense of despair and confusion while reflecting on the contrast between joy and pain in life. The opening lines explore the singer's disillusionment as they question how their once bright and heavenly life has turned into a dark and hellish existence. They ponder the paradoxical nature of poison being sweet and the desire for both joyful pain and painful joy.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of addiction and escapism, as the singer mentions chain-smoking and drowning their thoughts with alcohol. They highlight the emptiness and insecurity that lie beneath the walls we build to protect ourselves, emphasizing the futility of relying on external validation.
However, amidst the struggle, there is a voice urging the singer to let go and move forward. The lyrics encourage embracing what is to come rather than dwelling on the past. The song suggests that the union of nightmares and dreams is where true self-discovery and growth can be found.
Ultimately, the lyrics convey a message of defiance and determination. Despite feeling lost and abandoned, the singer refuses to give up and instead uses music as a defiant gesture, a middle finger to the world. They acknowledge the fight ahead, with no clear end in sight, and express a desire to reclaim their dreams and find a sense of home.
Line by Line Meaning
Today is the day
This is the present moment, a significant day in my life.
when I have given up
I have surrendered and accepted defeat.
Looking for any reasons
Searching for explanations or justifications for my situation.
On how my brightest heaven
Reflecting on the time of great happiness and fulfillment.
Turned into my darkest hell
Transformed into a state of misery and despair.
How can poison be this sweet
Questioning the paradoxical allure of something harmful or toxic.
How can I be left thirsting for
Feeling a strong desire or craving for something.
More and more joyful pain
Experiencing pleasure in the midst of suffering.
Or did I just say painful joy?
Confusion between contrasting emotions and sensations.
Am I the only one left
Feeling isolated or alone in my experiences.
To chainsmoke my hunger away?
Engaging in destructive habits or behaviors to distract from inner longing.
To drink my thoughts away
Attempting to numb or escape from my thoughts and emotions through substance abuse.
To be left with nothing but all those
Left with only vague uncertainties and doubts.
dontcares and dontknows
Feelings of indifference and ignorance.
That secure our egos deep inside
The defense mechanisms that protect our sense of self.
And we build our walls high
Creating emotional barriers and defenses to shield ourselves from further harm.
Up from the ground
From the very foundation or core of our being.
And this voice is ringing loud
A persistent and strong inner voice or message.
In the back of my head
Deep within my thoughts and consciousness.
Let go Let go Let go!
Releasing control and surrendering to the flow of life.
Never care for what has been done
Not dwelling on past events or actions.
But strive for what is to come
Focusing on future possibilities and aspirations.
This is where nightmares and dreams unite
Referring to the convergence of fears and aspirations in our lives.
This is where nightmares poison our dreams
Highlighting the negative influences or obstacles that hinder our dreams.
And there's no happy endings
Implying that life doesn't always have perfect or fulfilling conclusions.
But the painful joys, and the joyful pains.
Acknowledging the coexistence of pleasure and suffering in life.
Unloved loves - Unsaid words - Undone actions
Referring to missed opportunities, suppressed emotions, and unfulfilled intentions.
The things we've always wanted
Desires or aspirations that have held constant in our hearts.
The beliefs for which we'd kill.
Strong convictions or principles for which we would go to extreme lengths.
The flames that ever burned
The passionate fires that once existed.
The dreams we're wanting still
The aspirations that persist and continue to be desired.
Where have they gone,
Questioning the disappearance or loss of these desires.
Where's our home
Pondering where we truly belong or find fulfillment.
In this world that's destined
In a predetermined or fated world.
To burn - To burn - To burn
Symbolizing destruction or turmoil in our surroundings.
Nightmares and dreams unite
The merging of fears and aspirations in our lives.
And I might have given up on reasons
Losing hope in finding logical explanations or justifications.
But let this song remain as a middle finger
Using music as a rebellious expression or defiance against adversity.
Of a clenched fist
A symbol of determination and resistance.
And the voice of a youth gone wild
Representing the rebellious spirit and passionate energy of the younger generation.
Will ring in the back of my head
Will echo in my thoughts and consciousness.
And we are the ones to fight this fight
Taking responsibility for overcoming the challenges we face.
With no possible end in sight
Expecting a long and uncertain journey toward resolution.
But the salvation of souls that scream
The potential liberation and healing of those who express their pain or anguish.
Where's our dream, Where's our home
Questioning the pursuit of personal dreams and the search for a place of belonging.
But the salvation of souls that won't scream
The possibility of redemption and healing for those who suffer silently.
Let go Let go Let go!
Encouraging the release of attachments and surrender to the present moment.
We are the ones to wage this fight
Taking on the responsibility and determination to confront and overcome challenges.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bridge to Solace
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind