Eight Bells are a three-piece experimental / post-black metal band of Orego… Read Full Bio ↴Eight Bells are a three-piece experimental / post-black metal band of Oregon, US origin. They are comprised of Christopher Van Huffel, Melynda Jackson and Haley Weiner.

The band have one released demo, Isosceles and have played a number of shows, including a support act for atmospheric metal band, Agalloch.

Hold My Breath
Eight Bells Lyrics

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They claim majesty is in the terror you reign
Hold my breath
And the weak have the greatest price to pay
Hold my breath
With everything we watch and do and say
Hold my breath
They have taken the rippling hills
They have plundered the fruited plain

Hold my breath
They have sold our souls for a dying wage
Hold my breath
Your critical gaze
Butchers my days
Your critical gaze
Caught in a maze
You're critical

You're critical
I hold my breath

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eight Bells's song Hold My Breath use powerful imagery to convey a message about the devastating impacts of greed and the abuse of power. The opening lines suggest that those who exert terror and dominion over others are often mistaken for majestic figures, despite the suffering they cause. The repeated refrain "Hold my breath" seems to represent a moment of suspended anxiety or fear in the face of an unfolding crisis.

The subsequent verses reveal the extent of the harm that has been inflicted upon the world, as natural beauty is destroyed and human lives are devalued in the pursuit of profit. The final lines suggest that the personal toll of this state of affairs is felt acutely by the singer, who is tormented by the critical gaze of those who are complicit in perpetuating the cycle of destruction.

Line by Line Meaning

They claim majesty is in the terror you reign
They say that greatness and power come from the fear that you impose on others.

Hold my breath
I am filled with anxiety and fear.

And the weak have the greatest price to pay
Those who are vulnerable and less strong suffer the most in this world.

With everything we watch and do and say
Our actions, words, and even our thoughts have consequences.

They have taken the rippling hills
They have destroyed the natural beauty of the land.

They have plundered the fruited plain
They have taken advantage of the abundance of resources, leaving nothing for future generations.

Hold my breath
I am overwhelmed and filled with dread.

They have sold our souls for a dying wage
They have sacrificed our well-being for the sake of profit.

Your critical gaze
You are constantly judging and assessing me.

Butchers my days
Your criticism makes me feel like I am being attacked and torn apart.

Your critical gaze
You are constantly scrutinizing my every move.