In 1996, the band played the very first Ozzfest. In 1997, their first album Coal Chamber was released; it produced one single and a video, "Loco" (the video was also added after the end credits of Dee Snider's horror film Strangeland, the soundtrack for which the band also recorded an exclusive song).
Their second album Chamber Music followed in 1999. Between the releases, Foss married Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose and became pregnant, necessitating another bass player on tour, a role filled by Nadja Peulen. Foss came back for the recording of Coal Chamber's third album, Dark Days (2002), but left after the studio sessions to raise her daughter. The band's only single and video was the song "Fiend."
Their 4th album Rivals released on May 19th, 2015. The singles on it were I.O.U Nothing and Rivals. It stepped away from the gothic elements from the last 2 albums and was described as groove/nu metal. They disbanded a year after the album was released.
They reunited in 2022, and so far no hints of new music will be released.
Apparition
Coal Chamber Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that goes away in the end
You were my cancer and you kept me going
And all this time all I could do was feel you and touch you
And steal the blackness of your skin
But it became the blackness of your heart
And inside is was just black and I just... had to laugh
Ha ha ha-ha
Ha ha ha-ha-ha
You're my cancer...
And all this time I thought that you were same
That you were...
Just definately have changed
And changed back into what it used to be
And I just thought you'd never be again...
But there you go again... spinning 'round and 'round
Ha ha ha-ha
Ha ha ha-ha-ha
Hello... hello?
It's.. it's as if it's real...
The lyrics to Coal Chamber's song Apparition are a reflection on a friend who has undergone a significant change, to the point of becoming toxic in the relationship. The opening line immediately sets the tone, "Apparition is a name for a friend… that goes away in the end," indicating that the friend is ultimately going to leave or fade away. However, the second line reveals that this friend has been a sort of lifeline for the singer; they were their "cancer" that kept them going. This is a common phrase used to describe how someone can have something toxic that they can't let go of, even if it is ultimately harming them.
The singer goes on to describe how, over time, they were able to feel and touch this person, almost as if they were a physical presence in their life. They even "stole the blackness" of their skin. However, as time went on, they saw that the darkness they had been drawn to had actually been a reflection of the darkness in this person's heart. The singer realizes this, lets out a laugh, indicating a sort of realization that they had been blind to the truth.
The refrain of "ha ha ha" acts as a sort of taunt or challenge to this "Apparition" figure, indicating that they are no longer able to control or manipulate the singer. The final lines, "Hello… hello? It's… it's as if it's real," could be interpreted as a final attempt by this person to reach out, to try and convince the singer to return to the relationship.
Overall, the song Apparition is a reflection on the toxicity of certain relationships and the power that others can hold over us. It's ultimately a warning to be aware of those who might be using us for their own gain, and to be willing to let go of those who bring darkness into our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Apparition is a name for a friend...
A friend, who eventually fades away, is referred to as an Apparition.
You were my cancer and you kept me going
The person mentioned in the song was like a Cancer who motivated the singer to keep going.
And all this time all I could do was feel you and touch you
The singer was emotionally invested in the person mentioned, and only had the ability to feel and touch them.
And steal the blackness of your skin
The singer's relationship with the person mentioned had a negative effect on them, leading them to 'steal the blackness' of their skin, which could refer to absorbing their negative aura.
But it became the blackness of your heart
Over time, the negative aura of the person mentioned impacted the singer to the point where they believed it was a part of their heart/soul.
And inside is was just black and I just... had to laugh
The realization that the person was full of negativity was so profound that the singer could do nothing but laugh.
You're my cancer...
The person mentioned continues to be like Cancer for the singer.
And all this time I thought that you were same
The singer believed that the person mentioned had the same essence, a positive one, throughout the entirety of their relationship.
That you were...
The singer is about to describe the change in the person.
Just definately have changed
The person mentioned has experienced a significant change.
And changed back into what it used to be
The person has gone back to their previous negative essence.
And I just thought you'd never be again...
The singer doubted that the person would ever revert to their former negative self.
But there you go again... spinning 'round and 'round
The person mentioned continues to follow the same negative pattern, as mentioned before.
Hello... hello?
The context changes to the singer attempting to contact the person mentioned.
It's.. it's as if it's real...
The singer seems confused about the reality of their relationship with the person mentioned.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES FAFARA, MIGUEL RASCON, MIKE COX, RAYNA FOSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind