They released their debut album, "Seasonal Depression" in 2014. In 2015 they released an EP, "Parting Gifts". Their second EP "Cultural Divide" was released in 2016. Their next album, "In The Wake Of Our Discord" was released in January of 2018. After announcing being signed with Fearless Records in November of 2018, they released a new single along with a music video, "Stars Before The Sun". "Restless Heart, Keep Running" was released in 2019 and the next full length was "SEPARATE" in 2021. As of 2022 the band released a single called "Glimpse Of Us".
Members:
Anthony DeMario - Vocals
Harrison Bormann - Guitar
Joseph Mabry - Guitar
Andrew Bozymowski - Bass/Vocals
Scott Fisher - Drums
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Zero Sum Game
Capstan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
SO I CHASE THEM DOWN WITH A GLASS OF HATRED
TRIED TO TASTE THE FAITH BUT I STUCK WITH THE SPIRITS
INGEST WITH HASTE BUT I'LL NEVER FEAR IT
So come one and come all
It's the greatest attraction your eyes have ever seen
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A SCENE
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND DRIVE THIS CIRCUS
THROUGH A GODDAM TREE
Step up and pick your poison, there's so many to choose
Let's gamble with addiction I'm all in I can't lose
I think you've got your demons mixed up again
Fooled by the lifestyle and the sleight of hand
If nothing good ever lasts
Let's cheers to oblivion and pour another GLASS
We live in a world of underachievers
Content with being comfortable and INDIRECT
Yet never sober and intellect suffering, society's hangover
So step up and pick your poison there's so many to choose
Let's gamble with addiction I'm all in I can't lose
I think you've got your demons mixed up again
Fooled by the lifestyle and the sleight of hand
If nothing good ever lasts
Let's cheers to oblivion and pour another glass
(Drink it down)
(Smoke it up)
It's a cycle of staying numb
It's out of my hands the person I've become
These vices take a part before they take the whole
Before they take it all
Drink it down, smoke it up
Hide yourself in clouded lungs
Hazy eyes and empty cups...
BUT THIS ADDICTION DIGS UNDER MY SKIN
AND EVERY NOW AND THEN I STILL LET IT IN
JUST TO REVEL IN THE AFTERGLOW OF WHEN WE DANCED ON GRAVES OF BAD DECISIONS
It's a cycle of staying numb
It's out of my hands the person I've become
These vices take a part before they take the whole
Before they take it all
The lyrics of Capstan's song, “Zero Sum Game”, delve into the concept of addiction and self-destruction. The lyrics express the idea that the persona is already living in borrowed time, and thus, they chase each worthless day with a glass of hatred. The persona talks about trying to taste the faith, yet the negative effects of addiction to substances have chained him to the spirits. He indulges in these substances and never fears the consequences. However, the persona is not alone in their struggle with addiction, as society is a hangover suffering from intellect and underachievement. Society is content with being comfortable and indirect, making a societal issue of addiction.
The chorus, “Step up and pick your poison, there's so many to choose…Let's gamble with addiction I'm all in I can't lose”, shows that the persona chooses to indulge in addiction and self-destruction. The persona then reflects on the idea of oblivion and the fact that nothing good lasts. The persona decides to cheer to oblivion as if there is some form of comfort that comes with self-destruction, as though oblivion is a better alternative. The line “we're going to make a scene” implies a sense of self-righteousness toward acceptance or temptation of addiction.
In conclusion, the lyrics of Capstan's “Zero Sum Game” take a critical look into addiction, self-destruction, and the societal issues thereof. The lyrics express and address the persona's internal struggles with addiction and self-destructive tendencies, and how society has similar struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I'M ON BORROWED TIME FOR THE DAYS I'VE WASTED
I'm aware that I've squandered much of my life
SO I CHASE THEM DOWN WITH A GLASS OF HATRED
I drink to face the regret and self-loathing
TRIED TO TASTE THE FAITH BUT I STUCK WITH THE SPIRITS
I attempted to find comfort in religion but found more solace in alcohol
INGEST WITH HASTE BUT I'LL NEVER FEAR IT
I drink quickly but fear won't stop me
It's the greatest attraction your eyes have ever seen
The addictive lifestyle I portray is a spectacle
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A SCENE
Together we'll cause chaos
Together we'll watch mankind fall
We'll have front row seats to society's destruction
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND DRIVE THIS CIRCUS
We live carelessly and participate in our own demise
THROUGH A GODDAM TREE
We'll crash recklessly and hit rock bottom
Let's gamble with addiction I'm all in I can't lose
Let's risk everything for the sake of our addictions
I think you've got your demons mixed up again
You're confused and can't differentiate between your problems
Fooled by the lifestyle and the sleight of hand
You've been deceived by the addictive lifestyle
If nothing good ever lasts
Since good things don't last
Let's cheers to oblivion and pour another GLASS
Let's raise a glass to a life that will inevitably spiral downward
We live in a world of underachievers
Society is full of people who fail to reach their potential
Content with being comfortable and INDIRECT
These individuals are satisfied with mediocrity and lack direction
Yet never sober and intellect suffering, society's hangover
Although they never appear sober, their intellect suffers and it's affecting society
It's a cycle of staying numb
We continuously use substances to avoid facing reality
It's out of my hands the person I've become
I've lost control over the person I've transformed into
These vices take a part before they take the whole
Before they consume us completely, the vices take little pieces of us
Before they take it all
Before they claim total control of our lives
Drink it down, smoke it up
Indulge in your vices, drown in them
Hide yourself in clouded lungs
Mask your pain by smoking and drinking
Hazy eyes and empty cups...
Intoxication leads to confusion and emptiness
BUT THIS ADDICTION DIGS UNDER MY SKIN
At the core, this addiction is consuming me
AND EVERY NOW AND THEN I STILL LET IT IN
Occasionally, I relapse and succumb to my addiction
JUST TO REVEL IN THE AFTERGLOW OF WHEN WE DANCED ON GRAVES OF BAD DECISIONS
I indulge in the remnants of the days when the consequences of our poor choices didn't matter
Contributed by Kennedy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shina Omisanya
That feeling when you find a new band!!!
alex lau
0:20 - 1:20 is the best part i've heard all year 😍
Nate Bassili
Omfg definitely my favorite so far - lovin' the new tunes!!
Nate Bassili
Capstan Band and this is one of the reasons ya'll are one of my favorite bands! Such pure artistry and talent packed into one group of musicians! Never stop creating, guys 💕
Capstan Band
good call, Nate! Elysian & Zero Sum are companion pieces - what you hear in the music is a borrowed theme, which we do throughout our music and lyrics, sometimes even across different records. This may be the most apparent example we've ever done, but each of these 2 songs are both still very different - having their own unique message (that may or may not play off each other ;) vibe, tempo, & even different timing signatures (4/4 and 3/4). You'll find all kinds of these nuggets throughout our music if you dig. Thanks for listening, noticing, and commenting, guys!
Nate Bassili
Dylan Figge lol yeah dude I'm almost positive they did that on purpose
Dylan Figge
Nate Bassili You do realize it starts EXACTLY the same as Elysian Fields right?
Donner Party
loving this new shit cant wait for that Orlando show
Final Boss
Sleight* of hand
Fucking amazing song/album/band.
Patrick Kurtz
3:31 sounds like Craig Owens. Love the intro and outro boys