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.
Pledge Allegiance To The Damned
Emil Bulls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
among spirits of lesser souls
In your dull eyes all your lies unite
all your tears ally
for absolution
pledge allegiance to the damned when you meet The Unseen One
In the harbour of death shiploads of broken souls are waiting for salvation
salvation in everlasting bliss
in your dull eyes all your lies unite
all your tears ally
for absolution
Pledge allegiance to the damned when you meet The Unseen One
The lyrics of Emil Bulls's song "Pledge Allegiance To The Damned" are quite obscure and could have multiple interpretations. One possible interpretation is that the song is about a group of people who willingly choose to follow the devil to the afterlife, pledging their allegiance to him. The opening line "Follow me into Hades where the shades of heroes wander despondently among spirits of lesser souls" suggests that they are descending into the underworld or the realm of the dead. The reference to the "shades of heroes" might imply that these people see themselves as heroic, but they are in fact doomed to suffer like everyone else in the afterlife. The line "among spirits of lesser souls" might indicate that these people consider themselves superior to others, but ultimately they are all equal in the realm of the dead.
The chorus "Pledge allegiance to the damned when you meet The Unseen One, may he grant all access to the isle of the blessed" suggests that the devil or some other malevolent force is the one they are pledging allegiance to. The promise of access to the "isle of the blessed" might imply that they are seeking some sort of reward or paradise in the afterlife, but it is one that is only accessible through this pledge of allegiance.
The final verse "In the harbor of death, shiploads of broken souls are waiting for salvation, salvation in everlasting bliss" reinforces the idea that the afterlife is a place of suffering and that these people are seeking a way out. However, the phrase "salvation in everlasting bliss" suggests that they believe that by pledging allegiance to the devil, they will find a way to escape this suffering and achieve eternal happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow me into hades where the shades of heroes wander despondendly among spirits of lesser souls
Join me on a journey to the underworld, where the great heroes are tormented alongside weaker spirits.
In your dull eyes all your lies unite all your tears ally for absolution
Your dishonesty and remorse merge within your expression, seeking to find redemption.
pledge allegiance to the damned when you meet The Unseen One may he grant all access to the isle of the blessed
Swear your loyalty to the condemned when encountering The Unseen One, who might permit passage to paradise.
In the harbour of death shiploads of broken souls are waiting for salvation salvation in everlasting bliss
At the gateway to the afterlife, countless lost souls await deliverance, a chance for eternal happiness.
pledge allegiance to the damned when you meet The Unseen One
When in the presence of The Unseen One, pledge your devotion to the damned.
Contributed by Natalie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.