It was an absolute imperative for the band to reproduce the songs faithfully - they played dozens of covers of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Krokus, Grand Funk Railroad, Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Van Der Graaf Generator, Deep Purple, Ten Years After, Cream, Manowar, Michael Shenker, Colosseum…
After hearing the band in rehearsal, Duccio Marchi, a great friend and keen fan of avant garde Rock, suggested they compose something completely new.
The group thought about its degree of musical development and its capacity to create something both inspired by all the music already heard but that would be really different from everything.
It seemed impossible to realise anything truly original.
If it hadn't been for the continual insistence of Duccio Marchi perhaps Dark Quarterer would never have existed!
Their first composition was too light-weight harmonically and too commercial, boring even on first hearing……….Fulberto Serena experimented with classical sonorities (Bach), arpeggios that were also veritable riffs, almost exclusively in the minor aiming to achieve the darkest colour possible.
On top of this, the name "Omega erre" as it stood suggested nothing good.
The name Dark Quarterer was Duccio's inspiration - he explained that "quarterer" was old English for the butcher of slaughtered animals.
The "Logo" that identifies Dark Quarterer was the result of a more general idea of the group and has appeared since the first disc: a virtual trade mark!
The "new-born" Dark Quarterer started to produce their first musical sketches: Fulberto Serena brought ideas, themes, melodies and the group slowly transformed it all into definitive versions of the songs.
Duccio also contributed to the final result demolishing all the musical choices that did not seem good to his ear like the worst critic.
So it took a lot of instinct but also many corrections and radical changes in order to achieve a final result that could not be improved upon.
Only when everyone firmly believed in it was the result considered definitive.
The introverted and moody personality of Fulberto contributed to disturbing pieces like the self-titled Dark Quarterer, The Entity, Gates of Hell, in which the protagonist actually wanted to live and die in the name of evil to dethrone Lucifer in the underworld!
The themes of Gianni Nepi's lyrics were anyway always inspired by Fulberto Serena.
Paolo Ninci's role at the time was exclusively as percussionist.
The arrangements were however the result of group collaboration.
The first reviews spoke of a masterpiece and of the creation of a new musical style "Epic progressive" (Cubito Claudio - Rockerilla 1987)
About a year later the group was contacted by Giorgio Mangora who proposed the production of a second album.
The songs had already been created in part and the guarantee of production gave the group the necessary stimulus to complete the work.
Rape
Dark Quarterer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know how long I'll hold out
You, you are like a little boat sailing on my course
I'm sorry but I need you to save me
So I must use you, I must mount you
The Sea Is Rising Now
I Can't Hold Out Long
The Wind Is Blowing Hard
Take My Shaking Hands
Nothing More To Fear Baby
Action Must Be Taken
There's No Other Way
There's No Other Time
To Wait, Baby
I'm Getting On You Baby
Rape has happened
But Your Boat Is Sinking Now
With Me
Legs And Arms Are Cold
Shore, I Don't See Any Shore
On The Horizon
The lyrics to Dark Quarterer's song "Rape" detail a struggle for survival amidst the rising tide of the sea. The opening lines, "But I'm not a good swimmer, I don't know how long I'll hold out," reveal a sense of helplessness and desperation. The singer then turns to someone who is "like a little boat sailing on [their] course," asking for their aid to survive. The language of using someone and mounting them is uncomfortable and ambiguous, which reflects the nature of the song's title, "Rape." The chorus exposes the increasing pressure and urgency of the singer's situation, as they cannot hold out against the sea any longer. In the bridge, the singer acknowledges the need for action, stating that there is no more time to wait. The song ends with a stark image of despair, as the singer can no longer see the shore and is left alone to face their impending doom.
Overall, the lyrics of the song tap into themes of powerlessness, exploitation, and survival against insurmountable odds. The use of imagery, such as "the rising sea," "shaking hands," and the "coldness" of the body, creates a haunting and visceral depiction of the situation. The ambiguity of the language used throughout the lyrics including "mount" and "rape" creates a powerful and ugly depiction of the situation that is resonant and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
But I'm not a good swimmer
I am not capable enough to survive on my own in difficult situations.
I don't know how long I'll hold out
I am uncertain about my ability to stay alive for an extended period of time.
You, you are like a little boat sailing on my course
You are the person who can help me navigate through challenging situations and provide guidance.
I'm sorry but I need you to save me
I regret having to rely on you to rescue me, but I have no other choice.
So I must use you, I must mount you
I must rely on you to survive, even if it means taking advantage of your resources.
The Sea Is Rising Now
The situation is becoming more challenging and dangerous.
I Can't Hold Out Long
I am struggling to stay alive and need immediate help.
Baby
An affectionate term used to address the person who is being relied upon for help.
The Wind Is Blowing Hard
The adversity and difficulty in the situation is increasing.
Take My Shaking Hands
Hold onto me and provide me with support and strength.
Nothing More To Fear Baby
Even though the situation is tough, we must keep moving forward without fear.
Action Must Be Taken
It is essential that we take decisive steps to overcome the situation.
There's No Other Way
There are no alternative options available to us.
There's No Other Time
This is the only opportunity to act and overcome the situation.
To Wait, Baby
We must act immediately rather than waiting for help.
I'm Getting On You Baby
I need to rely on you for help and support.
Rape has happened
The situation has taken a turn for the worst, and there has been a violation of trust or consent.
But Your Boat Is Sinking Now
Even though you were providing support, your resources are now depleted, and you are unable to save me.
With Me
We are both sinking, and we must prepare for the worst and stick together.
Legs And Arms Are Cold
The situation is becoming dire, and the body is beginning to shut down.
Shore, I Don't See Any Shore
Hopelessness has set in, and there does not seem to be a way out of the situation.
On The Horizon
Despite the bleak situation, there may still be a glimmer of hope in the future.
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.