Originally comprising vocalist, bassist and songwriter Duff McKagan (formerly of Guns N' Roses), guitarist Michael Barragan (formerly of Plexi), guitarist Dez Cadena (formerly of Black Flag) and drummer Taz Bentley (formerly of The Reverend Horton Heat), the band released Episode 1999: Live in 1999.
In 2000, McKagan began recording Dark Days, which was released in 2001, with drummer Geoff Reading (formerly of New American Shame and Green Apple Quick Step) and Dave Dederer (formerly of The Presidents of the United States of America) with additional guitar parts added by touring guitarist Mike Squires (formerly of Nevada Bachelors and Harvey Danger). For the tour, bassist Jeff Rouse (formerly of Alien Crime Syndicate) was added to the group. During the tour, both Squires and Rouse left to rejoin Alien Crime Syndicate with gutiarist Dave Kushner, formerly of Wasted Youth and Electric Love Hogs, and bassist George Stuart Dahlquist, formerly of Asva and Burning Witch, replacing them.
With both McKagan and Kushner going on to form Velvet Revolver with McKagan's former Guns N' Roses bandmates, Slash and Matt Sorum, and then former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland in 2002, Loaded were put on semi-hiatus with the band playing a few shows each year with former members Rouse and Squires returning to the group.
Loaded regrouped in 2008, with the lineup still consisting of McKagan, Squires, Rouse and Reading. The band released extended play Wasted Heart in September in support of their UK/European tour. The follow up to Dark Days, Sick, was released on April 7, 2009 and charted at number 43 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart. A tour of the US and Europe as well as South America followed along with stints supporting Black Stone Cherry and Mötley Crüe.
In September 2009, drummer Reading announced his departure from the group with Isaac Carpenter, formerly of Loudermilk, Gosling and The Exies, announced as his replacement. The group are currently working on new material for their next release.
Lords Of Abbadon
Duff McKagan's Loaded Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makes no difference, what your leaders say,
We earned our right, to kill and and take,
Rape and murder, and we take no blame,
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We are the kings of agony,
We are the lords of Abaddon,
World full of indifference, distrust and pride,
Borderline aggression, God is on our side,
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We are the kings of agony,
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We hold the keys to tragedy,
Yeah,
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We are the kings of agony,
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We hold the keys to tragedy
Come on!
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We are the kings of agony,
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We hold the keys to tragedy
Come on!
The lyrics to Duff McKagan's Loaded's song Lords of Abaddon can be interpreted as a commentary on the destructive nature of power and the toll it takes on those who wield it. The first verse suggests that those in power, whether they are political leaders or criminal organizations, can commit heinous acts without fear of retribution. The mention of killing, taking, rape, and murder implies a lack of accountability for those who are in charge.
The chorus reinforces this idea by proclaiming that the Lords of Abaddon are indeed in charge and hold the keys to tragedy. The references to agony, distrust, and pride suggest that those in power are not immune to the negative effects of their actions, but they continue to exert their influence despite the consequences.
The use of the term Abaddon, which is often associated with destruction and the underworld in various religious traditions, adds to the ominous tone of the song. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of resignation to the idea that those in power will continue to wield that power without regard for the harm they may cause.
Line by Line Meaning
We are criminal, our crimes have payed,
We are outlaws who have benefited from the crimes we have committed.
Makes no difference, what your leaders say,
We do not care what the people in power tell us to do.
We earned our right, to kill and and take,
Through our violent actions, we have established a sense of entitlement to take what we want and kill who we please.
Rape and murder, and we take no blame,
We commit heinous crimes without remorse and refuse to accept any responsibility for our actions.
We are the lords of Abaddon,
We are the rulers of a place of destruction and ruin.
We are the kings of agony,
We are the ones who cause great pain and suffering.
We hold the keys to tragedy,
We have the power to bring about disastrous events.
World full of indifference, distrust and pride,
The world is a place where apathy, suspicion, and arrogance prevail.
Borderline aggression, God is on our side,
We have a tendency towards violence and believe that divine forces support our actions.
Come on!
An exclamation meant to encourage or provoke others to action.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DUFF ROSE MCKAGAN, ISAAC HEATH CARPENTER, JEFFREY JOHN ROUSE, MICHAEL JAMES SQUIRES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind