From Portland, OR this young talented band has come a long way in 4 years. … Read Full Bio ↴From Portland, OR this young talented band has come a long way in 4 years. Dualesc was personally invited to fly out to Chicago IL by Richard Patrick of the band Filter to record a 4-song demo at Abyssinian Sons Studios (a studio Patrick built and owns). He co-produced the demo with Filter engineer Rae Dileo and Patrick even added some of his guitar playing to the song "Belief". The 4-song demo helped Dualesc get some attention and they eventually re-released the songs as part of the band's debut album "Through the floods, not with them" which was released through Rise Records. The album also included 6 songs recorded in Seattle WA at Rainstorm Studios with Steve Carter.

The band is currently working on the follow-up to this album which they hope to release sometime later in the summer of 2004.

Black, liquid chrome; planting evidence: running in a frozen night from burning rain.

dualesc is a band known among Portland, Oregon locals as delivering hard-hitting music with a unique style all their own. Borrowing from influences as wide reaching as one could imagine, dualesc's sound is original, assaulting, yet emotional music that embraces hard-rock listeners and challenges many others. The band's music is best described as the copulation of Deftones, Glassjaw, Will Haven and Tool watched by a beastly Janes Addiction and Sunny Day Real Estate voyeur.

Officially formed in August of 1999, dualesc is composed of a handful of talented young musicians from the Portland suburb of West Linn. The band looks and sounds like a natural fit. Matt McMillan's vocals seem to swing effortlessly from raining sadness to a struggling anger, while Bryon Deisher's unique guitar style and Adam Hubka's solid bass work define the tonal edge dualesc is known for. Marshall Tipton's efforts at the drums are enthusiastic and delicate, but the beats are hard and are packed with energy.

dualesc's music is not schoolbook; the sound is a balance between raw ferocity and exacting distinctness. Listening to dualesc is like having a wanton, overbearing guest for dinner; you don't know anyone like her and you don't have to explain to anyone why you want her to come over again - everyone just knows.

belief
Dualesc Lyrics

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Can't stretch much farther lest my legs are torn away seems so much harder physically being in this place my ego is large though, I can't let them see me hurt those people seem evil, rooting in shit and breathing dirt just in time allowed for consumption you bow to what is handed your way true, victimless crime so everyone is breaking me well I tore myself on broken knees well I can't wait for us to collapse that would be fair but I don't want you back it's no wonder, you live under customs bear down on you can't change what's raised, first things learned kept whole way through is your tongue the one that controls what you do? comes from the lungs that's part of the cycle that breathes for you true, victimless crime unmake your mind so everyone is breaking up, my hope is dying, and I want it shut well I can't wait for us to collapse that would be fair our own weight snaps our back so everyone is breaking me well I tore myself on broken knees well I can't wait for us to collapse that would be fair but I don't want you back but I don't want you back (I don't want you back)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Belief" by Dualesc explore themes of struggle and pain, both physical and emotional. The first line, "Can't stretch much farther lest my legs are torn away," suggests a physical limitation, but also a metaphorical one – the singer cannot bear much more before they feel like they will break. The next line, "seems so much harder physically being in this place," highlights the challenges of the singer's environment, which they find oppressive and difficult to navigate.

The following lines suggest a sense of isolation and defiance, as the singer's ego prevents them from showing vulnerability, even when they feel hurt. The people around them are seen as evil and dirty, which suggests a deep mistrust or even hatred of others. The line "you bow to what is handed your way" suggests a sense of powerlessness, as if the singer feels trapped by circumstances beyond their control.

The repeated refrain of "true, victimless crime" is enigmatic but powerful. It suggests that the singer sees themselves as innocent, even as they struggle with the challenges around them. The final lines, "but I don't want you back," suggest a rupture or break in a relationship, but the context is unclear. It could be interpreted as a final statement of independence or defiance.

Line by Line Meaning

Can't stretch much farther lest my legs are torn away
Physically being in this place is so difficult that I cannot push myself anymore without risking injury.

Seems so much harder physically being in this place
The physical challenges of this situation make it seem like an insurmountable obstacle.

My ego is large though, I can't let them see me hurt
Despite feeling hurt and vulnerable, I refuse to show weakness in front of others due to my pride.

Those people seem evil, rooting in shit and breathing dirt
The people around me seem like they are focused on negative things and thrive in unpleasant environments.

Just in time allowed for consumption you bow to what is handed your way
You only have a certain amount of time to consume what is given to you, so you must blindly accept and follow along with what is presented.

True, victimless crime so everyone is breaking me
Despite the fact that no one is specifically targeting or attacking me, the overall atmosphere and circumstances are slowly chipping away at me.

Well I tore myself on broken knees
I have hurt myself and suffered greatly in this situation despite trying my best to keep going.

Can't wait for us to collapse that would be fair but I don't want you back
While I know that the collapse of our current state would be a just result, I do not wish to return to what was before.

It's no wonder, you live under customs bear down on you can't change what's raised, first things learned kept whole way through
The societal norms and expectations placed on us are crushing and unchangeable, and we have carried them with us throughout our lives.

Is your tongue the one that controls what you do? comes from the lungs that's part of the cycle that breathes for you
Even the words we speak and choices we make are influenced by societal norms and expectations that are ingrained in us from the moment we are born.

True, victimless crime unmake your mind so everyone is breaking up
The constant grind and pressure of our situation is slowly chipping away at everyone's mental state, even if there is no specific target or aggressor.

My hope is dying, and I want it shut
I am losing faith and hope in this situation and am ready for it to end, even if it means giving up entirely.

Our own weight snaps our back so everyone is breaking me
The burden of our individual and collective struggles is weighing us down to the point of breaking, and I am feeling the brunt of it.

But I don't want you back (I don't want you back)
Despite my desire for this situation to end, I do not wish to return to a previous state or relationship.

Contributed by Joshua J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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