In 2003 Andy LaPlegua of "Icon of Coil" wrote a few power noise/techno cross over tracks under the name of "D.R.I.V.E.". This was changed to "Combichrist" when the debut album, "The Joy of Gunz" was set to be released on Out Of Line. The name Combichrist originates from a hardcore fanzine LaPlegua made during the late 90s, with "JR Ewing" guitarist Håkon Mella.
The follow up EPs, and the clamour for live shows, sent Combichrist out on the road where they would become known for their strong and energetic performances.
Their second EP, "Sex, Drogen und Industrial", spent 7 weeks at number one in the DAC charts.
In March of 2007 they released their third album "What The Fuck Is Wrong With You People?". "Today We Are All Demons", was released on January 20th, 2009.
The band had been selected to support industrial metal band "Rammstein" for their 2009 European tour and continued to support them during the 2010 part of the tour.
August 2010 saw the release of "Making Monsters", which had full tracks available for streaming on the website, each track being rolled out for a new one. Combichrist undertook a tour in support of the new album in late 2010, with "Aesthetic Perfection" and "iVardensphere" as the support bands.
Their most recent album, "No Redemption", was released in January of 2013 in both single and 2CD versions. This album was the official soundtrack album for the video game "Devil May Cry". The limited edition bonus CD was essentially a greatest hits compilation.
March 2014 will see the release of a new album titled "We Love You", with an accompanying tour of North America starting in April. "William Control" and "New Years Day" have been announced as the support bands.
Combichrist have had much more success than many of the other acts emerging from the electronic underground and the band have become one of the dark electro scene's most popular live acts.
The roster of live members is currently Joe Letz (ex "Genitorturers"), Mr Petersen, Z_Marr (ex "Hell Trash"), Kourtney Klein (who also played drums for the reformed "Nitzer Ebb") and Trevor Friedrich who was the drummer for "Eighteen Visions" and "Imperative Reaction". Past live members include Håkon Mella, Bjoern Petersen, Syn M, Shaun Frandsen & Jon H.
The band's website is at: www.combichrist.com
Reclamation
Combichrist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I close my eyes so I can see
Not always what we want to be - We turn it off, and pass it on - We have to die to feel alive
is this how we used to be
I seek control
Do you find yourself in me? Is this the last dance? Are you ready to betray me,
For more of yourself?
I seek control - I came so close - I seek control
The lyrics of Combichrist's Reclamation seem to be exploring themes of lost identity and control, as well as questioning societal norms and expectations. The lines "They say it's all over now, but I forgot how to play this game, and now I'm just a number" suggest a feeling of being disconnected from the world around the singer, as if they do not know how to participate in it anymore. The line "I close my eyes so I can see" might imply a desire to escape reality or to find a new perspective on it.
The lines "Not always what we want to be - We turn it off, and pass it on - We have to die to feel alive" suggest a deeper dissatisfaction with the way things are. The singer seems to be reflecting on the fact that we often suppress our true selves and conform to societal expectations, but that this is ultimately a hollow and unfulfilling way to live. The idea that "we have to die to feel alive" could mean that true freedom and authenticity only come when we are willing to let go of our old selves and embrace something new.
The chorus ("I seek control / Do you find yourself in me? / Is this the last dance? / Are you ready to betray me / For more of yourself? / I seek control - I came so close - I seek control") seems to be a plea for power and agency in one's life. The repeated phrase "I seek control" suggests a desire to take charge of one's own destiny, while the questions about betrayal and the last dance suggest an awareness of the risks involved in doing so. The final line ("I came so close - I seek control") could imply that the singer has made progress in their quest for control, but has not yet fully achieved it.
Line by Line Meaning
They say its all over now, but I forgot how to play this game, and now I'm just a number
People tell me that it's done and over, but I don't remember how to function in society anymore so I feel like I am irrelevant.
I close my eyes so I can see
I shut out the external distractions so that I can focus on my inner self and gain clarity and insight.
Not always what we want to be - We turn it off, and pass it on - We have to die to feel alive
We often sacrifice our true selves in order to conform to societal norms and expectations, and propagate this behavior to others - only when we go through a transformative experience (like a 'death' of the old self) can we truly feel alive and authentic.
is this how we used to be
Do you remember how we were before we conformed to the societal standards? Is this the person we used to be?
I seek control
I yearn for power and agency over my own life and circumstances.
Do you find yourself in me? Is this the last dance? Are you ready to betray me, For more of yourself?
Do you see a reflection of yourself in me? Is this the final showdown between us? Are you willing to betray me for your own gain?
I seek control - I came so close - I seek control
I am still struggling to obtain control over my own life, I made some progress but I still have more to achieve.
Contributed by Eva O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.