The band was founded in 1992. Rather than taking the normal route of releasing Demos, DA instead recorded a multitude of limited edition split albums, though rehearsal tapes and demos were released later on various compilation sets. Some of these have such poor sound quality that they just sound like blasts of noise, whereas later releases like The Inalienable Dreamless have very clear production which revealed the complexity of the guitar riffs.
They split up in 2003 when guitarist Rob Marton developed tinnitus from standing too close to the amp during rehearsals and live shows. They gained somewhat of a cult status post-split, and are renowned as one of the foremost art-grind bands.
The band was notable both for having no bassist and for packaging most of their full-length releases in DVD cases rather than standard CD cases, presumably to accommodate the unusually large booklets (normally with liner notes for each song longer than the lyrics).
Wheels Within Wheels
Discordance Axis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sits like a knife edge at my mind
Riding with gunhed overdrive to zero
Mind setting like flowers in concrete
The lyrics to "Wheels Within Wheels" by Discordance Axis can be quite difficult to interpret due to their abstract nature. The opening lines describe a feeling of being trapped in a narrow formation with a lobotomized rhythm, suggesting a loss of control and autonomy. This sense of being constrained is further accentuated by the metaphor of a knife edge sitting at the mind, suggesting a constant threat of harm or danger. The next line, "Riding with gunhed overdrive to zero", paints a chaotic picture of a mind racing with thoughts and emotions, hurtling towards exhaustion and depletion.
The final line, "Mind setting like flowers in concrete", is particularly evocative, and can be read in a number of ways. On one level, it may describe a sense of futility or hopelessness, with the delicate beauty of the flowers being all but lost in the harsh, unyielding environment of concrete. Alternatively, it may suggest a certain resilience or determination - even in the bleakest of surroundings, life can still find a way to flourish.
Line by Line Meaning
A narrow formation in lobotomized rhythm
A limited perspective of life where everything is the same in a mindless, robotic way
Sits like a knife edge at my mind
Is constantly cutting and hurting, like a sharp blade, the thoughts in my head
Riding with gunhed overdrive to zero
Going extremely fast towards nothingness, with the same intensity of a weaponized vehicle
Mind setting like flowers in concrete
Trying to grow and develop in a hostile environment that inhibits my potential and creativity
Contributed by Emily K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.