The brainchild of guitarist, songwriter and producer Sam Vallen, CALIGULA'S HORSE - initially composed of just Vallen and vocalist Jim Grey - released its digital debut “Moments From Ephemeral City” in April 2011, and received instant acclaim from lovers of all strains of progressive music across many continents. Originally intended as a studio-only project, Vallen and Grey put out feelers for a live band soon after the album's release, assembling the current lineup of Geoff Irish on drums, Zac Greensill on guitar and Dave Couper on bass and vocals.
CALIGULA’S HORSE's approach to songwriting is uncompromisingly eclectic, but no less accessible to audiences of all different musical styles. They take influence from such bands and artists as Devin Townsend, Pain Of Salvation, Opeth, Meshuggah, Porcupine Tree, Steve Vai, Frost, Periphery, Karnivool, Muse, Steely Dan, The Beatles, and Frank Zappa amongst many others.
After months of rehearsing the recorded material, and also recording two additional tracks as the “Colossus” EP - released in September of 2011 - the “C-HORSE”, as some devotees like to abbreviate it to kicked off with live shows in October 2011. These are early days for a diverse and enthusiastic bunch of young virtuosos, but 2012 looks to be the breakout year for CALIGULA’S HORSE.
Caligula's Horse is:
Jim Grey - Lead Vocals
Sam Vallen - Guitar, Programming, Production, Mixing
Dale Prinsse - Bass
Josh Griffin - Drums
All is Quiet by the Wall
Caligula's Horse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Peace
Reach for the light
Like a child
Desperate grip on the passing breeze
Cling to peace
Close to your chest
"When the world is quiet, just a whisper breaks your rest..."
Wait
"Give me the child, I'll give you the man!" They say
No - We'll walk through fire to fight you
Asleep or awake
It's not the simple sacrifice you planned
No
I'll wait by the wall - let them come
Here I stand
Peace
Run while you can
Rising hands speaking a language we all understand
"Forget peace"
The lie didn't take - you won't break
The spirit a martyr the mind has freed
Forget peace
The stars were just beacons then
They will make amends
Colour to his eyes
Let the light pour in
We've already lost enough time to shadows
And damned ourselves to empty oaths we wear like broken glass to make us whole
I wait
"Give me the child, I'll give you the man!" They say
No - We'll walk through fire to fight you
Asleep or awake
It's not the simple sacrifice you planned
No
I'll wait by the wall - let them come
Here I stand
Here.
Out of my cage
Free
Out of this place... Finally
Hand in hand with our own
This is our home. This is our home
Let our sign say: "Let them come and meet their end"
Now the world is quiet, this is where we make our stand
The lyrics of "All is Quiet by the Wall" by Caligula's Horse convey a powerful message about the importance of perseverance and the human spirit in the face of adversity. The song begins on a peaceful and contemplative note, with the singer urging listeners to reach for the light and cling to peace. However, the tranquility is swiftly broken by a call to arms, as the singer declares that he will walk through fire to fight against those who seek to oppress him. The repeated phrase "When the world is quiet, just a whisper breaks your rest" effectively captures the fragility and vulnerability of humanity, as well as its unwavering determination to resist oppression.
The lyrics also reference the idea that adversity can be a powerful catalyst for growth and transformation. The line "Give me the child, I'll give you the man!" alludes to the belief that experiences of hardship and struggle can shape and mold individuals into stronger, more resilient versions of themselves. Furthermore, the imagery of the stars as beacons and the message of the sign ("Let them come and meet their end") suggest a sense of hope and defiance in the face of darkness and fear.
Overall, "All is Quiet by the Wall" is a powerful anthem of resistance and resilience, one that encourages listeners to stand up to oppression and to hold fast to their values and beliefs, even in the toughest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
When the world is quiet, just a whisper breaks your rest...
The peacefulness of the world is fragile and can be shattered by the slightest disturbance.
Peace
Being at peace and free from conflict is desired.
Reach for the light
Striving to achieve enlightenment or clarity of mind.
Like a child
With the naivety and innocence of a child.
Desperate grip on the passing breeze
Struggling to hold onto something fleeting and intangible.
Cling to peace
Hold onto the feeling of peace and calmness.
Close to your chest
Keep it safe and protected, as it is valuable.
There's cracks in your voice as we sing
Even in the midst of joy and harmony, there is still pain and vulnerability.
"Give me the child, I'll give you the man!" They say
The idea that someone can shape a child into the person they will become.
No - We'll walk through fire to fight you
We will endure any hardship to stand up against oppression or opposition.
Asleep or awake
Whether conscious or unconscious.
It's not the simple sacrifice you planned
The price of standing up for oneself is greater than anticipated.
I'll wait by the wall - let them come
Bracing oneself for an impending attack and being ready to defend oneself.
Here I stand
Confident in one's position and ready to face any challenge.
Run while you can
Fleeing is a viable option when unable to confront danger or opposition.
Rising hands speaking a language we all understand
Action and unity can transcend language and cultural barriers.
"Forget peace"
Rejecting the empty promise of peace in favor of taking action and standing up for oneself.
The lie didn't take - you won't break
Despite being misled or deceived, one cannot be broken or defeated.
The spirit a martyr the mind has freed
One's soul may be a sacrifice, but their mind remains intact and empowered.
The stars were just beacons then
The things that once gave guidance were revealed to be insignificant.
They will make amends
Through atonement or correction, a path forward may be found.
Colour to his eyes
Seeing the world with a newfound brightness and clarity.
Let the light pour in
Allowing oneself to be open and receptive to new experiences.
We've already lost enough time to shadows
Unnecessary darkness and negativity have consumed too much of our lives.
And damned ourselves to empty oaths we wear like broken glass to make us whole
Swearing to empty promises and beliefs that only serve to wound and deceive us.
Out of my cage
Free from the confines of limitation or constraint.
Free
Liberation from oppression, control, or confinement.
Out of this place... Finally
Escaping a situation or environment that was causing dissatisfaction or pain.
Hand in hand with our own
United and supporting one another in the same cause or belief.
This is our home. This is our home
Claiming ownership and responsibility for the place where we belong.
Let our sign say: "Let them come and meet their end"
Challenging adversaries to face the consequences of their actions or intentions.
Now the world is quiet, this is where we make our stand
In the stillness of a moment, we find the courage to stand up and fight for what we believe in.
Contributed by Ian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
thismuhfucka
This is fucking incredible. Those were some of the most tasteful, well-articulated metal guitar solos I've ever heard. And that's just one piece of this song. Holy crap that was great.
Benjamin Cole
This song touches me in all the right ways.
Sgirt Clar
This song is amazing. The guitar riffs are so inspired.
92Vreid88
Words can't describe how amazing this is. Buying this October 4th at 12:00AM Cheers from the U.S! \m/
positive asshle
this is some really amazing shit. all of the progressions and style changes are freaking awesome.
some of it reminds me of Leprous at times.
trzigweid
CH should definitely be held to a similar esteem as Leprous. I see why this song would draw you to that comparison too, but they are rather different bands. I guess that's the nature of prog though.
smittybang
Can't wait for my preordered album to turn up! Hyped!
Tim Charles
Incredible stuff!
smashygodzilla
The solo at 6:40 is amazing
Catherine andRicochet
A-A-A-AMAZING! Just wow, wow, wow! Incredible stuff, guys!