The band self-released an EP, The Kingdom, in 2007, and followed it quickly with their first proper full-length, Sigillum Luciferi, in 2008. Recorded with acclaimed producer Sanford Parker (Minsk, Rwake, Pelican, Nachtmystium), Sigillum Luciferi is an ugly, agonizing set of misanthropy set to music. Slight bits of psychedelia had wormed into the massive riffs and woven throughout the bands inhuman screams, making this one of the most promising pieces of doom metal to emerge from North America in quite some time.
Sporadic gigging followed the release before the band holed up in a Richmond warehouse to write the follow-up. Winter 2008 was brutal, the warehouse was filthy and unheated, and the band slowly labored forward with the writing between hospital visits and bouts of near-insanity. By winter 2009/2010, the band had signed to Relapse Records and returned to Chicago, IL, enlisting Parker once again to record the follow-up to Sigillum Luciferi.
That follow-up, their aptly-titled Relapse debut Ritual Abuse, delivers thoroughly massive, psychedelic doom. The album's five epic tracks are impenetrable walls of sludge; at some points suffocating and claustrophobic, at others warped and hallucinogenic. Ritual Abuse is an impressive monolith of sound and volume, and one of the finest moments yet for 21st-century doom metal.
Upon its releases, the band embarked on two epic North American and European tours lasting almost four months, tours which would have broken lesser bands. No sooner did these road warriors return home than they hit the road with Buzzov•en and tattooed their uncompromising doom across L.A.’s vaunted Scion Rock Fest.
Cough are currently preparing for another US headline run, and their first ever Australian and New Zealand tours.
"COUGH. Play Slow, Die Ignorant."
Parker Chandler: Vocals, Bass
David Cisco: Vocals, Guitar
Brandon Marcey: Guitar
Joey Arcaro: Drums
Mind Collapse
Cough Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No escape, no turning back
Walking further, unto the gates
Falling faster, it's much too late
Evacuate, the time is near
All the people you knew are here
They turn their backs on you again
Leave you hopeless, leave you for dead
Now is the time
Come now, Lucifer
Destroy their minds
The lyrics to Cough's song "Mind Collapse" depict a person's descent into darkness, hopelessness, and eventual surrender to Lucifer. The opening lines of the song express a sense of being trapped inside a void of black, with no way out, and no hope of turning back. Despite this, the person continues to walk towards the gates, moving faster and falling deeper into the abyss.
As the person approaches the gates, the lyrics speak of the impending evacuation and how everyone the person once knew has already arrived there. However, instead of welcoming the person, they turn their backs and leave them for dead, causing a sense of hopelessness and despair to consume them. Finally, the song calls upon Lucifer to come and destroy their minds, as there is no escape from the darkness, and the only way out is surrendering to the devil.
Overall, "Mind Collapse" is a song that explores the theme of hopelessness and despair, where the only escape is the surrender to the devil. It speaks to the listener's fear of being trapped in darkness, with no escape, and losing control over their own mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Trapped inside a void of black
Feeling completely lost and without direction, unable to find a way out of a dark and ominous situation.
No escape, no turning back
Being completely trapped and unable to find any way out of a difficult situation, with no hope of going back to a better time.
Walking further, unto the gates
Continuing to move forward despite feeling trapped and surrounded, and heading deeper into a place that's both unfamiliar and potentially dangerous.
Falling faster, it's much too late
Reaching a point where it feels like everything is slipping away, and being powerless to stop it from happening.
Evacuate, the time is near
Feeling an imminent sense of danger or disaster that's about to strike, and needing to get out before it's too late.
All the people you knew are here
Being surrounded by people you know, but feeling alone and unsupported because no one seems to understand what you're going through.
They turn their backs on you again
Feeling abandoned and rejected by people you thought were your friends or allies, and being left to face your challenges alone.
Leave you hopeless, leave you for dead
Feeling like you've been abandoned and forgotten, and that there's no hope of recovery or redemption from your current situation.
Come now, Lucifer
Calling out to a dark, powerful force to help you in your time of need, regardless of the potential consequences and risks of doing so.
Now is the time
Believing that the current moment or situation is crucial, and that action must be taken immediately in order to avoid disaster or further harm.
Destroy their minds
Wanting to cause harm or damage to other people, and seeking revenge or retribution for the ways in which they've wronged you or abandoned you.
Writer(s): parker chandler, david cisco, joseph arcaro
Contributed by Zoe L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.