In 1995, Christoph "Christ" von Freydorf (vocals) and Stefan "Fini" Finauer (drums), pupils of a convent school, founded the band together with Christoph's church choir friend Jamie "Citnoh" Richardson (bass guitar). They were joined by Stephan Karl "Moik" and Franz Wickenhäuser (both guitar). The band was founded in Hohenschäftlarn near Munich. The name Emil Bulls is derived from a children's movie.
In 1996, they recorded their first CD Red Dick’s Potatoe Garden themselves. The CD is in great demand today because of its small circulation. In 1997, they attended the Emergenza festival and finished third in the European competition. For this competition they hired DJ Paul Rzyttka (known as DJ Zamzoe) who afterwards became a permanent member of the band.
After a long tour, their album Monogamy was released by the indie record label Oh My Sweet Records. The record could only be purchased through the internet or during live shows. Monogamy was noticed by Island Records, which offered the band a recording deal. Some of the songs on Monogamy and a few new songs were recorded. The result was Angel Delivery Service, released in 2001. The album was already out of stock a few months later. A new edition was released including a cover version of A-Ha's "Take on Me". The songs "Smells Like Rock'n'Roll", "Leaving You with This" and "Take on Me" were released as singles.
In May 2002, Porcelain was released through Motor Music. "The Coolness of Being Wretched" and "This Day" were released as singles. Between June 2001 and August 2002, the band played 129 live shows including Rock am Ring. In August 2003, drummer Stefan Finauer left the band to go to university. He was replaced by Fabian Fab Füß. In 2003, the band played some shows in Canada and the United States.
On June 20, 2005, The Southern Comfort was released on Pirate Records. It was the last record with DJ Zamzoe.
In February 2007, the live and acoustic album The Life Acoustic was released. The album, which was recorded in Pullach in 2006, was followed by an acoustic tour.
The following album The Black Path was released on April 4, 2008, on Drakkar records. It is the hardest record of the band so far and was recorded in Hannover by Benny Richer (Caliban, Krypteria). The single "The Most Evil Spell" was offered as a free download.
In 2009, Chrissy Schneider left the band and was replaced by Andy Bock, who was the guitar player of From Constant Visions. On September 25, 2009, Phoenix was released. "Here Comes The Fire" was offered as a free download on their website. In September 2009, a music video of "When God Was Sleeping" was released.
The band's latest studio offering, Oceanic, was to be released on September 30, 2011.
Black Flags
Emil Bulls Lyrics
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We are circled by evil
We′re the huntsman of torment and treason
We carry the beacon of thunder
Where we go everything will surrender
Hopelessly, sicklessly
Crippled by hate
Like beasts of prey
We slaughter, we slay
Deformed to the core
It's the sick we obey
Like vermin
We infest it all
We spread disease
We destroy
Black flags are waving
Those black flags are waving
Black flags waving
Over planet earth, planet earth
Black flags are waving
Those black flags are waving
The rats and the ravens are gathering
To feast on the fruit of death again
This is wrath
Even kings will bow down
Down on the ground
Their blood on the crown
Our swords our thoughts are lethal
We′re the fear, We're the flood, We're the fever
Mercilessly, relentlessly
The marble hearted
On the march of deceit
Viciously, ferociously
So grim so dark
In the name of their greed
Like Vermin
We infest it all
We spread disease
We destroy
Black flags are waving
Those black flags are waving
Black flags waving
Over planet earth, planet earth
Black flags are waving
Those black flags are waving
The rats and the ravens are gathering
To feast on the fruit of death again
It′s the sick we obey
It′s the sick we obey
It's the sick we obey
It′s the sick we obey
Black flags are waving
Those black flags are waving
Black flags waving
Over planet earth, planet earth
Black flags are waving
Those black flags are waving
The rats and the ravens are gathering
To feast on the fruit of death again
Hopelessly, sicklessly
Deformed to the core
It's the sick we obey
It′s the sick we obey
It's the sick we obey
The Emil Bulls song "Black Flags" is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of humanity. The song speaks about how we are surrounded by evil and have become vicious predators, like beasts of prey. The lyrics suggest that we are hopelessly sick and crippled by hate, and that our actions are driven by a dark force that we are unable to control. The chorus refers to black flags waving over planet Earth, representing the destructive forces that have taken over the planet. The rats and the ravens are gathering to feast on the fruit of death again, symbolizing the way in which humanity is destroying itself.
The song suggests that even kings will bow down to our wrath, and that our swords and thoughts are lethal. It speaks to the idea that we are infesting everything, spreading disease and destroying everything that we touch. We are deformed to the core and obey the sick forces that control us. There is a sense of hopelessness throughout the song, as if we are unable to change our destructive ways and are destined for catastrophe.
Line by Line Meaning
This is how we go down
We are on a path of destruction
We are circled by evil
Evil is surrounding us
We’re the huntsman of torment and treason
We are the ones causing pain and betrayal
We carry the beacon of thunder
We wield power and destruction
Where we go everything will surrender
We have the power to make everything submit to us
Hopelessly, sicklessly
We are full of despair and disease
Crippled by hate
Our hate has paralyzed us
With no conscience and fate
We don't care about consequences or destiny
Like beasts of prey
We are predators
We slaughter, we slay
We kill without remorse
Deformed to the core
Our corruption has made us monsters
It's the sick we obey
We are controlled by our own sickness
Like vermin
We are pests
We infest it all
We spread our destruction everywhere
We spread disease
We are carriers of illness
We destroy
We bring ruin to everything we touch
Black flags are waving
We are a symbol of death and destruction
Over planet earth, planet earth
Our influence is spreading over the entire world
The rats and the ravens are gathering
Other carrion feeders are joining us to feast on death
To feast on the fruit of death again
We are celebrating the destruction we have caused
This is wrath
Our anger is overwhelming
Even kings will bow down
No one is safe from us
Down on the ground
Our victims will be defeated
Their blood on the crown
We will destroy even those in power
Our swords our thoughts are lethal
Our weapons and ideas are deadly
We′re the fear, We're the flood, We're the fever
We are overwhelming and terrifying
Mercilessly, relentlessly
We show no mercy and cannot be stopped
The marble hearted
Our hearts are hard and unfeeling
On the march of deceit
We are spreading lies and dishonesty
Viciously, ferociously
We are unpredictable and wild
So grim so dark
Our intentions are sinister and hopeless
In the name of their greed
We are motivated by selfishness and a desire for power
Writer(s): Jamie Richardson, Christoph Von Freydorff, Andreas Bock, Stephan Karl, Benjamin Burkhard Heinrich Ern Richter
Contributed by Liam K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.