Each member has a background in classical music study, and contemporary electronic music production, bringing a true understanding of song structure in each fold of the production process. The two have been working in the music industry for over a decade each and strive to create a unique sound that reaches out and grabs the listener. Simply put, their music is the dream of Cesium_137 conjured into reality. It is a perfect synthesis of classic pop song structures, emotive vocals, and hard dance music grafted into one form.
The band formed in mid 1999 and originally consisted of Isaac Glendening and Matt Cargill. They tested the waters for their unique brand of electo-industrial by self-distributing their demo CD "The Art Of Controlling And Composing" produced by Tom Shear of Assemblage 23. Local reaction was extremely positive and encouraged them to sign to Tonedeaf records and spend the next few years crafting their first full release. They were joined by Vince Guzzardo another electronic musician who had done some session work with another band from Philadelphia on the Tonedeaf label, Tech-9. The first full length album "Advanced/Decay" was released in 2001 and gained widespread attention, particularly with the moody dance track "Regrets", which was also released as a single and became a danceclub hit.
Soon after the September 11, 2001 attacks Matt Cargill joined the U.S. military and although he stayed in contact with fellow band members, he was no longer available as a member to contribute to Cesium_137. There was a hiatus of three years before their next release.
That release was “Elemental” in 2004; it was issued with Metropolis Records, a much more prominent label than Tonedeaf. It was soon followed by an E.P. release, “Luminous”, also in 2004 on Metropolis; it composed largely of remixed material from “Elemental”. Cesium_137’s style was much mellower and synthpoppy and less angst-ridden on these releases than on “Advanced/Decay”. Whether that was simply a natural progression or whether Cargill was the primary source of angst and took it with him is a matter of conjecture.
Several years later in 2006 Cesium_137 released “Intelligent Design” which featured another evolution of their sound, this time incorporating trance/IDM elements. Their latest album “Proof of Life” was released in 2007 and featured their most introspective, contemplative and moving subject matter to date, sparked by both the birth of Isaac's son and the passing from cancer of local electronic/noise artist Frank Miller of Projekt 2501.
They are currently working on a new album entitled "Identity" intended for release in 2009, that while maintaining links to pop and electro elements in recent releases also signals a return to their harsher roots. Several of the tracks will also depart from the 4/4 beat structure that has become the de facto prevalent formula of modern electronic dance music.
Footnote:
The name Cesium_137 is derived from a radioactive isotope of cesium. It continues a tradition in industrial music of incorporating a number in the band name, which became popular after the example of Front 242. It also continues the narrower tradition in industrial music of adopting the name of an isotope as the band name, as with Carbon 12 and Front 242 offshoot Cobalt 60.
Stray
Cesium_137 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No sleep for the wicked
In cold light
No fiction to keep us warm
The sky turns black
Her skin goes blue
I'll close your eyes
All tomorrow's parties gone
With the setting sun
I'll run away
Afraid of what I've become
With the setting sun
Fall beneath the waves
My little girl
I have led you astray
There's no hope
For you in this world
This thief
Can never save the day
Once a monster
Isn't that what they say
All tomorrow's parties gone
With the setting sun
I'll run away
Afraid of what I've become
With the setting sun
Fall beneath the waves
My stolen heart
Couldn't wait to see
Everything I ever loved
Fall away from me
All tomorrow's parties gone
With the setting sun
I'll run away
Afraid of what I've become
With the setting sun
Fall beneath the waves
The lyrics to Cesium_137's song Stray are haunting and melancholic. The opening lines "Tonight, no sleep for the wicked" set the stage for a deeply introspective and painful narrative. The singer is unable to find any comfort or solace, even in their own imagination. There is no fiction to distract them from the cold reality of their life.
The second verse reveals the singer's fear and despair. They feel like they are drowning in darkness and cannot save themselves, let alone anyone else. They have failed someone they cared for deeply, perhaps a sister or daughter, and that failure has left them feeling lost and alone.
The chorus repeats the idea of all tomorrow's parties being gone with the setting sun, emphasizing the sense of loss and emptiness that the singer feels. They are afraid of what they have become and can only hope to disappear beneath the waves, leaving their pain behind.
The final verse reveals that the singer's heart has been stolen, and they have lost everything they ever loved. They are running away from the pain, but they cannot escape it.
Overall, the lyrics to Stray are deeply personal and emotional. The imagery of drowning and disappearing beneath the waves adds to the sense of isolation and hopelessness that the singer feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight
Starting the song with an evening sets the solemn tone for what follows.
No sleep for the wicked
The author is preoccupied, unable to rest easy from his guilt.
In cold light
Even with everything laid bare under scrutiny, there's no consolation.
No fiction to keep us warm
Even with a happy narrative, the truth is still cold and unpleasant.
The sky turns black
The world is going bleak, with storm clouds looming.
Her skin goes blue
This is a description of someone dying, turning cold and pale.
I'll close your eyes
The singer is providing closure to someone who is passing away.
And bury your wasted youth
The artist is acknowledging that this person didn't live a full life.
All tomorrow's parties gone
The future has vanished, leaving no enjoyment to anticipate.
With the setting sun
The imagery of a sunset signifies time slipping away.
I'll run away
The author is abandoning his responsibilities and fleeing.
Afraid of what I've become
The author is disgusted with himself and afraid he's no longer redeemable.
Fall beneath the waves
This is a metaphor for drowning, giving up hope.
My little girl
The singer is addressing a daughter, but it's not clear whether or not she's really present.
I have led you astray
The singer acknowledges that he has set a bad example.
There's no hope
This is a bleak sentiment that states there is no joy left in life.
For you in this world
The author is speaking of a world where bad things happen to good people.
This thief
The author is referring to himself, a person who has taken things that don't belong to him.
Can never save the day
Even if he could take back his actions, it wouldn't change anything.
Once a monster
The author is referring to himself again, ashamed of his past actions.
Isn't that what they say
This is a rhetorical question, making a statement without expecting an answer.
My stolen heart
The author is referencing a past event where someone took his heart.
Couldn't wait to see
Whomever stole the author's heart couldn't wait for something bad to happen.
Everything I ever loved
The author had lost love and appreciation for all.
Fall away from me
The author is expressing a sense of abandonment and loss.
Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.