By 2000, Archer and Lynch were moving the project in a darker electronic/dance direction, resulting in a self-released full length album entitled ‘Dragonfly’.
After a short hiatus from recording and a lengthy period of trial, error, and revision, and many regional live performances, Ego Likeness signed with Dancing Ferret Discs/ Noir Records for the release of 2004’s ‘Water to the Dead’. This album featured the band’s electronic roots while exploring a bit of a heavier rock
sound.
2005 saw the band tour Germany, Luxembourg, and the continental US with label mates The Cruxshadows, as well as performing at several festivals on the east and west coast, including Convergence 11 (San Diego CA), Dracula’s Ball (Philadelphia PA), Black Sun Festival I (New Haven CT), Freaks United (DC), Eccentrik Festival I (Raleigh NC), and others.
Their first album ‘Dragonfly’ was re-released on Dancing Ferret Discs in 2005.
In addition to The Cruxshadows, they have had the honour to share the stage with Voltaire, The Damned, Chris Connelly, Collide, Razed in Black, Bella Morte, Das Ich, Rasputina, The Start, Iris, Decoded Feedback, The Azoic, More Machine Than Man, In Strict Confidence, Combichrist, and many others.
They have also appeared on numerous compilation CDs, including several Asleep by Dawn releases and 'Where's Neil When You Need Him?' (a tribute to the work of author Neil Gaiman, DFD July 2006); released remixes for The Cruxshadows (Cassandra-Fortress in Flames), The Last Dance (Terribly When- Reflections of Rage), Thou Shalt Not (Inside of You, In Spite of You- The Projectionist), and Black Tape for a Blue
Girl (Tarnished- Scarecrow); and appeared on Voltaire's album Then and Again. EL has also been featured in publications such as Gothic Beauty, Outburn, ABD, Sideline and Sonic Seducer, to name a few.
Their third full length album, ‘The Order of the Reptile' (release date July 4th 2006, Dancing Ferret Discs) ventures back into the realms of heavy electronica, a bit of trip hop, and darkwave.
Archer and Lynch have been married since October of 1999 and currently live in Baltimore. Steven is also the creator of the atmospheric electronica project Hopeful Machines, and performs with the industrial/ power noise act Blind Till Now. All three members of EL, along with Alexx Lackey of echomatrix make up the experimental/ spoken word outfit The Trinity Project.
Former band mate Justin ‘Dingo’ Sabe also lives in Baltimore with a lovely belly dancer and some rather large cats. When not performing with EL, he spends his time on fire and robots and knitting, and can often be found at festivals that involve fire, robots, and/or knitting. He also plays the tuba and hopes to form a marching band in the very near future.
Current line up:
Steven Archer - Guitar/ Programming/ Music & Words/ Vocals
Donna Lynch - Vocals/ Piano/ Words & Music
Mike K. Johnson - Drums
Former members:
Justin 'Dingo' Sabe - Keytar/ Synths/ Noise
Official Site: www.egolikeness.com/
Steven also works on a solo project at www.hopefulmachines.net
Severine
Ego Likeness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the city below
How much farther must I guide you
until you let me go
You are the violent thief within
taking all that I hold dear
You are the gorgeous parasite
feeding on my fear
CHORUS
So bring it on heavy, Severine
You're coming through loud and clear
Show me no mercy, Severine
You still have sanctuary here
All the maps were taken
I only have the setting sun
to lead us through the forest
I can't believe what we have done
In the sea beyond us
In the city below
These roads are more complex
than you'll ever know
CHORUS
This is not a bitter anthem
I have no quarrel here with you
It's just I have so little patience
And I know what I must do
I am the quiet thief within
taking all that you hold dear
I am wiser for your lessons
You have taught me well
CHORUS
The song “Severine” by Ego Likeness is a deeply introspective piece that delves into the complex nature of relationships, power dynamics, and personal growth. The lyrics draw upon evocative imagery of the sea, city, and forest as metaphors for an emotional journey. The singer is grappling with the realization that someone close to them - likely a lover or friend - is a “violent thief” and “gorgeous parasite” who takes everything they hold dear and feeds on their fear. However, despite this realization, the singer still yearns for sanctuary with this person in their life. The chorus, “So bring it on heavy, Severine / You're coming through loud and clear / Show me no mercy, Severine / You still have sanctuary here,” communicates the conflicting emotions of the singer, who wants to break away from the negative influence of Severine but also feels a sense of comfort and familiarity with them.
The second verse shifts focus to the struggle for direction and sense-making in relationships. The singer laments that they have lost their maps and must rely on the setting sun to navigate through the forest. This metaphor underscores the idea that relationships can be complex and difficult to navigate, and that we often must rely on intuition or a sense of direction that may not always be reliable. The final verse is a proclamation of personal power and growth, with the singer claiming to be a thief within themselves, taking what they hold dear and becoming wiser for the lessons that Severine has taught them. Ultimately, the song is a powerful reflection on the push and pull of relationships and the ways in which they shape us as individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
In the sea beyond us
The vast and unknown world that lies ahead of us, where we must navigate through to progress.
In the city below
The bustling, chaotic metropolis that lies below us and represents the complexity of the world around us.
How much farther must I guide you
The burdensome task of leading someone who is unwilling to find their own way, and the exhaustion of constantly shouldering the responsibility.
until you let me go
The desire for freedom and release from the burden of guidance.
You are the violent thief within
The negative aspects within oneself that take from those we love and care about in a hurtful manner.
taking all that I hold dear
The pain and loss that comes from being taken from and betrayed by someone close.
You are the gorgeous parasite
The seductive and captivating aspects of oneself that draw people in but ultimately feed on their emotions and fears.
feeding on my fear
The consumption of the vulnerable and fearful parts of oneself and others.
CHORUS
The acceptance of the unpleasant truths and challenges presented by Severine, rather than shying away from them.
All the maps were taken
The sense of lost direction when everything that is meant to guide us has been taken away.
I only have the setting sun
The reliance on the natural world and its movements when everything else has failed.
to lead us through the forest
Using the world around us as a guide to navigate through dark and unknown paths.
I can't believe what we have done
The regret and disbelief that comes from actions that have led to negative consequences.
These roads are more complex
The recognition of the intricacies and difficulties of life that are often unrecognized.
than you'll ever know
The idea that some people will never fully understand the complexity of life.
This is not a bitter anthem
The denial of harboring resentment or negativity despite the challenges faced.
I have no quarrel here with you
The lack of anger or hostility towards those who have caused pain and difficulty.
It's just I have so little patience
The frustration and exhaustion at being constantly tested and challenged in life.
And I know what I must do
The acceptance of what must be done to move forward and overcome the challenges faced.
I am the quiet thief within
The realization of the negative aspects within oneself that must be recognized in order to change and grow.
taking all that you hold dear
The recognition of the pain and hurt caused to others by our negative actions and behaviors.
I am wiser for your lessons
The idea that the challenges and difficulties in life can be seen as lessons that help us grow and learn.
You have taught me well
The appreciation for and recognition of the impact and importance of the lessons learned from the challenges and difficulties faced in life.
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.