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.
The Reckoning
Emil Bulls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the reckoning
Welcome to the Terrordome
Come on in
And make yourself at home
Take a seat in the front row
Lean back and enjoy the show
I'm gonna take this to my grave
I won't show no weakness
I'll keep it a secret
As god is my witness
I'll see you in hell again
So sweet
Is the sin, bitter is the end
I just paid the ferryman
To send you to hell
This is my farewell
Let freedom ring
When your death bell tolls
This is the reckoning
This is the reckoning
Thanks to the fucked up things you've done
They've just inspired another song
A song like a thunderstorm
A song as lethal as a gun
Trough fire and hurricanes
I'm gonna take this to my grave
I won't show no weakness
I'll keep it a secret
As god is my witness
I'll see you in in hell again
So sweet
Is the sin, bitter is the end
I just paid the ferryman
To send you to hell
This is my farewell
Let freedom ring
When your death bell tolls
This is the reckoning
This is the reckoning
Goodbye, my concubine
Sleep tight, perfidy
Let freedom ring
When your death bell tolls
Sweet is the sin, bitter is the end
Let freedom ring
When your death bell tolls
I'll see you in in hell again
So sweet
Is the sin, bitter is the end
I just paid the ferryman
To send you to hell
This is my farewell
Let freedom ring
When your death bell tolls
This is the reckoning
This is the reckoning
Goodbye, my concubine
Sleep tight, perfidy
The Emil Bulls song “The Reckoning” is a passionate and aggressive piece about taking revenge on someone who has wronged the singer. The opening lines, “This is the reckoning, welcome to the Terrordome,” set the tone for the song, as the singer indicates that the person who has wronged them is about to face their consequences. The lyrics are filled with a sense of anger and bitterness, but also with the strength and determination to see their plan through.
The most powerful line in the song is “I just paid the ferryman to send you to hell, this is my farewell.” It shows that the singer is ready to let go of their pain and anger by making their enemy suffer the consequences. The refrain, “Let freedom ring when your death bell tolls,” emphasizes the idea that the singer is taking back their power and seeking justice.
Overall, “The Reckoning” is an intense and cathartic song that speaks to the anger and frustration that can arise from betrayal. It is a testament to the power of music as an emotional release.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the reckoning
The moment has come for you to face the consequences of your actions.
Welcome to the Terrordome
You are about to enter a space where there will be no mercy.
Come on in
You are invited to suffer the wrath of the singer's anger.
And make yourself at home
You will have no choice but to endure the singer's wrath until the end.
Take a seat in the front row
You are about to experience the full extent of the singer's rage.
Lean back and enjoy the show
As you face your reckoning, the singer will take pleasure in your pain.
Thanks to the fucked up things you've done
You will suffer for the terrible things you have done.
They've just inspired another song
Your actions have fueled the singer's anger and created a powerful song against you.
A song like a thunderstorm
The singer's song will be as intense and destructive as a thunderstorm.
A song as lethal as a gun
The singer's song will be as deadly as a firearm.
Trough fire and hurricanes
No matter what obstacles are in the way, the singer will not be deterred from punishing you.
I'm gonna take this to my grave
The singer will never forget the wrongs that have been committed.
I won't show no weakness
The singer will be strong and unyielding in their revenge.
I'll keep it a secret
The singer will keep their plans for revenge hidden from you.
As god is my witness
The singer will make sure justice is served.
I'll see you in in hell again
The singer will make sure you suffer for your sins.
So sweet
Your punishment will be particularly satisfying for the singer.
Is the sin, bitter is the end
Although your sins may have been enjoyable, their consequences will be severe and painful.
I just paid the ferryman
The singer has taken steps to ensure you are punished after death as well.
To send you to hell
The singer wants to ensure you suffer for your sins even in the afterlife.
This is my farewell
The singer is done with you and will make sure you suffer for your sins.
Let freedom ring
The singer will revel in the justice that has been served.
When your death bell tolls
The singer will be there to witness your downfall and punishment.
Goodbye, my concubine
You were once close to the singer, but now they are done with you.
Sleep tight, perfidy
The singer hopes you never rest easy because of the pain you have caused.
Contributed by Gavin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.