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.
Oddity
Coal Chamber Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crawl beneath this filthy ground
And underneath this dirty ground
I crawl beneath this filthy ground
And underneath these dirty leaves
Seems to me to be the insanity
It seems to me I need some identity
Seems to me I've become the oddity
Keep this high now keep this high
Said I better
Keep this high now keep this high
Said I better
Keep this high now keep this high
Said I better
Keep this high now keep this high
This is the way it's got to be...
No fear, so depraved, break
down and dig deep. These lyrics are from Coal Chamber's song "Oddity" and seem to depict a person who feels like an outcast or "oddity" in society. They speak of crawling beneath a filthy and dirty ground, which could possibly symbolize feeling buried or trapped. The repetition of the phrase "keep this high" could represent a desire to escape or numb oneself from the reality of feeling like an oddity.
The refrain of "seems to me" adds to the feeling of uncertainty and questioning that the singer has towards their identity and place in the world. The use of the word "insanity" also suggests a struggle with mental health or feeling like one is losing their grip on reality. Overall, the lyrics of "Oddity" paint a picture of someone struggling to find their place in the world and perhaps using substances to cope with these feelings of isolation and oddity.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the way it's got to be...
I have accepted my fate and must move forward accordingly.
Crawl beneath this filthy ground
I am delving into darker, dirtier places in my mind or surroundings.
And underneath this dirty ground
Continuing to explore these dark places.
I crawl beneath this filthy ground
I am actively embracing these darker aspects of myself.
And underneath these dirty leaves
I am uncovering hidden truths, possibly about myself or society.
Seems to me to be the insanity
This path feels crazy or illogical to others, but makes sense to me.
It seems to me I've become the oddity
My choices and behavior have made me an outlier or outsider.
It seems to me I need some identity
I am struggling to find or establish a clear sense of self.
Seems to me I've become the oddity
My uniqueness or nonconformity has set me apart from others.
Keep this high now keep this high
I must maintain this level of intensity or focus.
Said I better
I am reminding myself that not following through would have negative consequences.
Keep this high now keep this high
Reiterating the need to maintain this heightened state.
Said I better
Reminding myself that there is no other option.
Keep this high now keep this high
Continuing to urge myself to stay vigilant and committed.
This is the way it's got to be...
Reaffirming the acceptance and conviction of my chosen path.
No fear, so depraved, break
I am embracing my darker impulses and actively breaking free from societal norms and expectations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES FAFARA, MIGUEL RASCON, MIKE COX, RAYNA FOSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind