1. Congress was a Belg… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist named Congress:
1. Congress was a Belgian metalcore band formed in 1993, recognized as a leader of the H8000 scene.
They introduced a musical style known as "edge metal", a combination of the straight edge/drug-free lifestyle and extreme metal/hardcore music.
Their most acclaimed and known record is certainly Angry with the Sun, released in 1998, which allowed them to tour in the US with bands like All Out War.
Since their debut, Congress are signed on Goodlife Recordings, along with labelmates Liar or Deformity (also from the H8000 scene).
The band eventually split in late 2006.
2. The Congress, initially formed by guitarist Scott Lane and vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Meadows, blends feel-good American music and authentic Southern R&B to produce a fresh Rock sound in an industry of puzzling sub-genres. The group's sound is carried by the true strength of Meadows' tenor voice, which glides over a decidedly modern groove with a nod to the vintage Virginia traditions that seep from their lyrics. Meadows and Lane have both toured extensively throughout the east coast but were drawn to Denver due to it's proximity to the Rocky Mountains and it's burgeoning music scene.
Lane relocated to Denver in 2008; Meadows followed a year later in September of 2009, only after Lane had convinced Meadows that he had found a rhythm section in Damon Scott (drums) and Dwight Thompson (bass) that fit the vision they collectively desired. After two short rehearsals, the newly formed band played it's first official Denver performance in September of 2009. They continued to build momentum by traveling throughout the front-range and the rocky mountains, quickly honing their live execution in front of astonished audiences.
The Congress's live shows are a fluid amalgamation of genre bending music that can transport a listener from the intersection of Haight-Ashbury to the bruyant bustle of the French Quarter. Head north toward the Mason-Dixon and you'll find The Congress sipping on whiskey in Appalachia. The band manages to achieve this sound in a delicate and concise way, embracing improvisation and resolve, leading to a polished, worldly and song-driven mentality that connects with a diverse cross section of fans on a deeply fundamental level.
The Congress was steadfast in establishing itself as a can't miss live act but they felt in order to maximize their potential, they needed to get in the studio immediately. Scott, who had worked previously with Grammy Award winning recording engineer John Macy, recommended Macy Sound Studios to Meadows and Lane. It was an ideal match as all parties shared a desire to achieve the warm and loose sound of 60's and 70's era recordings -- while maintaining a modern and edgy feel to the music. After the band, the studio, the engineer was established, Meadows called upon friend, musical ally and wunderkind, Daniel Clarke (k.d. lang, Ryan Adams, Mandy Moore) to co-produce and play Hammond B-3 and piano on the upcoming session.
The result is a stunningly lush and diverse seven-song e.p. that captures the group in it's creative infancy but clearly displays an unlimited potential for crafting American music at it's finest. Receiving international recognition even prior to it's release, the song, "Back Where You Are" was chosen to air on CNN as part of a world-wide fundraising campaign to aid relief efforts for the devastation caused by the massive earthquake in Haiti. The Congress is touring in support of their debut album throughout the Summer of 2010 with shows from the Southeast to the Northwest.
3. Congress was also an Electronic duo consisting of Danny Harrison and Danny Matlock.
They kept producing until 1994, and are still highly regarded in the Electronic music scene.
They are mainly remembered for the huge 1991 rave tune 40 Miles, which has been included in numerous Electronic collections over the years -- including Fantazia, Hed Kandi, Deep heat and House Collection.
Prayers
Congress Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Congress's song Prayers shed light on the hypocrisy of humans who pray for peace and guidance on the path they tread on but simultaneously contribute to the killing of animals. The opening lines "I see they bring them to the slaughterhouse - my heart bleeds. I hear they rip their flesh apart - to fulfill your needs" depict the gruesome reality of animal slaughter, where their pain is inflicted to meet human demands, and the singer's heart bleeds witnessing this cruelty. The lines further display how human beasts kill the beautiful creations of Godhead, highlighting how it contradicts the values of love and compassion preached by religions.
The song then moves on to highlight how individuals pray on Sundays, but their actions during the rest of the week do not align with the values they preach. The line "They're sick of war, don't wanna fight. and yet they gorse themselves upon the dead" suggests that people may claim to be non-violent but are, in fact, violent by consuming animals that have been killed. The singer tries to make the hypocrisy clear to the listeners, but they seem to be blind to the crimes they perpetrate against innocent animals.
The lyrics, "Your prayers aren't just to lighten your path. They justify the greed you fulfill. Instead of praying before you get your meal. Better THINK about the way you kill" encapsulate the main theme of the song. The prayer is not just an act of devotion but also a tool for self-justification. People often forget the power of their actions and, therefore, undermine their prayers by contributing to violence against animals. The singer calls for the listeners to think deeply about the way they kill and how it impacts the world if they are true believers in their religion and want to live in a more peaceful, compassionate world.
Line by Line Meaning
I see they bring them to the slaughterhouse - my heart bleeds.
I witness the horrific sight of innocent animals being brought to the slaughterhouse, which brings great sorrow to my heart.
I hear they rip their flesh apart - to fulfill your needs.
I have heard that these beautiful creatures have their flesh brutally torn apart just to satisfy the human's taste buds and desires.
Beautiful creations of godhead - kill by human beasts.
These animals are stunning and divine creations of God, yet they are being ruthlessly killed by humans, who are supposed to be their caretakers.
And I will take this NO longer - no more bloody feasts.
I have reached my limit and can no longer stand to witness the senseless killing of these innocent animals, and I vow to put an end to these violent feasts.
They pray on sundays for they may see the light.
People attend religious services on Sundays and pray to see the truth and righteousness in their lives.
To guide their footsteps on the path they tread.
They seek guidance from a higher power to lead them on the right path in their lives.
They're sick of war, don't wanna fight.
People are tired of war and conflict, and they do not want to engage in any kind of physical fighting.
and yet they gorse themselves upon the dead.
However, these very same people are unknowingly consuming the flesh of animals who were brutally killed and are now dead.
I try to make this clear to you, but you just can't see.
Despite my efforts to explain the situation, you are unable to understand the gravity of the issue.
All these crime seem so normal.
The cruel and inhumane acts committed against these animals have become so commonplace in society that they are seen as normal.
To me they cannot be.
However, to me, these actions are morally wrong and unacceptable.
Your prayers aren't just to lighten your path.
Praying is not just a means to ask for guidance or blessings for oneself, it should also be about seeking compassion and empathy for all living beings.
They justify the greed you fulfill.
Instead, the act of praying is often used to justify one's greedy desires for consuming meat, which leads to the exploitation and killing of innocent animals.
Instead of praying before you get your meal.
Rather than using prayer as a means to justify one's actions, people should take a moment to reflect on the way they acquire their food and the manner in which animals are being treated.
Better THINK about the way you kill.
It is important to consider and reflect on the violence and suffering that goes into obtaining meat and to make more conscious and compassionate choices in our diets.
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@katdakota9467
That is encouraging! So glad Congress welcome Pastor Jack to lead them in prayer. We all need to pray for Congress and the leaders of our country.
@JESUSISKINGOFKINGSLORDOFLORDS
Yes we do, pray for Jack to though, we in his church know what he’s bringing to truth about planned parenthood and congress is crazy and evil so just worried for Jack
@ironsurvival7011
@@JESUSISKINGOFKINGSLORDOFLORDSJoshua 1:9
@JESUSISKINGOFKINGSLORDOFLORDS
@@ironsurvival7011 Amen 🙏🏻
@godsgoodnessandgrace
Yes so encouraging!!❤
@alanploetz7100
That last camera angle showed either the House chamber is like I remember church when I was younger and everyone filled the back pews first or all the truly Christian members showed up.
I hope people in Washington and state capitals around the country start heeding Jack's messsge.
@catrien9824
Even from our broken country, South Africa, I say AMEN to Jack's prayer!
@DaysofElijah317
Amen we are praying for you in South Africa from AMERICA
@catrien9824
@@DaysofElijah317 Thank you. May God bless and keep you. 🙌
@sheilahattle1429
What a WONDERFUL PRAYER and one that should be repeated in countries around the world!!!!! WE ALL NEED TO REPENT AND TO KNOW THAT GOD IS ALMIGHTY AND OUR ONLY HOPE in this sinsick troubled world.
We are ex Zimbabwians who were forced to leave our country of birth, a farming career and almost everything behind. WE LEFT Zimbabwe in a local bus to take our chances in South Africa. Because we were considered foreigners, jobs were scares. We fortunately inherited money enough to lease SA and now live in Spain.
Our hearts ache for what we know is going on there.
LORD PLEASE KEEP YOUR HAND ON BELOVED ZIMBABWE AND SOUTH AFRICA as elections loom.
🙏🙏🙏🙏