The band was known to add progressive elements to their metal music making them different from most of the other metalcore bands. Their vocals were a mixture of melodic vocals (Reinholdz) and screaming (Jägerskog). They were last signed to Relapse Records.
Burst were formed by a couple of friends for no real intention but to just make fast paced, heavy music. They were initially called Dislars. Their older music was more grindcore and crust punk oriented. They played a few live shows across Sweden. They later started playing a brutal style of hardcore punk. The more they improved their playing skills, the band shifted towards a more progressive style while still sticking to their Hardcore roots. They later decided on the name Burst. The band then began to take their music more seriously and decided to record demos. During this period they toured heavily. They eventually inked a deal with Melon Records. Their first two studio albums were released there. However, the band was not satisfied with the results and began to add more changes to their music. They released a few EPs after this.
In 2003, Burst released Prey On Life through Relapse Records. This is the album that not only set the bands style but also gained them more popularity. This was because Relapse was a better-known label, having in its roster bands like Nile and Mastodon, as well as many well known bands in the metal community. The release was generally well received. By touring with Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon and other bands, Burst began to slowly rise in popularity. Before writing their new album, they knew what direction they had to go. Instead of sticking to a formula that worked, they intended to push themselves even further. The result was Origo, which was praised by magazines such as Terrorizer, Metal Hammer and Kerrang! and saw the band becoming more popular than ever before.
Burst's new record, "Lazarus Bird", was recorded at Bohussound Studio in Kungälv, Sweden, and produced by Burst and Fredrik Reinedahl. Relapse Records released the new album on September 16, 2008 in the United States, September 19, 2008 in Germany, and September 22, 2008 in the rest of Europe. On July 30 Burst announced they would break up as band after their fall tour in 2009.
Numbed by the Vision
Burst Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All feelings put aside
Deep paralyzing anguish
Pays the price, twisting the knife
Eluded for so long
My path was clean
I thought it was long since gone
Delving into depths
I never thought were there
Racing with turmoil
All visions distorted
Facing devastation
The course now set
Rebuilding from destruction
A sweet release, I swear
The lyrics to "Numbed by the Vision" by Burst heavily suggests a protagonist in a state of emotional suffering. The opening lines suggest someone who has put all of their feelings to the side to the point where life has become cheaply spent. The feeling of mental anguish is vividly described with the line "deep paralyzing anguish." The next line of "Pays the price, twisting the knife" implies that the suffering is self-inflicted, whether intentional or not. The chorus suggests that the singer was eluded for a long time, and thought that these feelings were gone. However, the faces of those who caused this mental anguish have resurfaced, creating a disturbance in the singer's life once again.
The second verse describes the singer as delving into the depths of their psyche that they never thought existed. They are racing with the turmoil but all visions are distorted, suggesting that they cannot discern what is reality and what is not. The line "facing devastation, the course now set" implies that the singer has accepted that these feelings are here to stay and it's time to face them head-on. The final line of "rebuilding from destruction, a sweet release, I swear" implies that the singer will overcome this emotional turmoil and come out stronger because of it.
The song delves into themes of mental anguish, emotional suffering, and the process of facing and overcoming these issues to become stronger. It is heavy and emotional, with the music adding to the intensity of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Life cheaply spent
Living a life without any value or meaning.
All feelings put aside
Not acknowledging or expressing any emotions.
Deep paralyzing anguish
Intense and incapacitating emotional pain.
Pays the price, twisting the knife
Suffering the consequences and reliving the pain over and over again.
Eluded for so long
Escaping or avoiding a situation for a prolonged period of time.
My path was clean
Thinking that one's journey in life was worry-free and smooth-sailing.
I thought it was long since gone
Believing that a past issue or problem was already resolved and forgotten.
Now the faces come again
Memories or reminders of the past resurfacing and haunting one's present.
Delving into depths
Exploring the darkest and deepest parts of oneself or a situation.
I never thought were there
Being surprised or shocked by the discovery of those depths.
Racing with turmoil
Feeling overwhelmed and conflicted by the internal chaos.
All visions distorted
Seeing the world and the future through a distorted lens due to the turmoil.
Facing devastation
Confronting a situation or aftermath that is emotionally overwhelming and devastating.
The course now set
Deciding on a new direction or plan after facing the devastation.
Rebuilding from destruction
Starting over and creating something new from the ruins of the past.
A sweet release, I swear
Feeling relieved and free after overcoming the devastation and rebuilding oneself or one's life.
Contributed by Caroline K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.