Sean Murphy accounts for the shift as โThe new album really drew influences from everywhere. We've got guys obsessed with the Beatles and Elliott Smith. I'm obsessed with black metal and electronic music. But we all share a love for 90's hardcore and death metal. One thing we stayed away from was writing a basic verse/chorus structure like our older material. Its really hard to make something unique in the scene AND get noticed. The music industry just like all facets of media has developed extreme ADD. Its as if there's no time to develop anymore. You're either in or you're out. So I feel as though the past few albums have been us toying around with what we like and what we can do but its all led up to this and we're not going to stop growing and changing.โ
Forming in 2003 and releasing three previous albums, the bandโs adversity has been well documented. Keeping an ever shifting lineup across albums and problems with their former label. Murphy admits "When I started thinking of names for the record it didn't take long to land on 'Punishment' It was a subject that I had been unintentionally focusing on for quite some time lyrically, it's essentially the main driving force behind this band. We've given up everything for this, which might sound cliche but when you really look at it, its the cold truth. Money, health insurance, school, cars, girlfriends, birthdays, weddings, funerals, sleeping in your own bed, being comfortable, sanity, safety, a general sense of well being, eating right, eating at all some days and even hanging with your pets are some of the things that people take advantage of every day. When you're playing music every day in a new state or a new country these things just aren't in the cards. For us its always been about sacrificing one good thing for another, usually more fulfilling thing and in this case we welcome the punishment, it drives us to succeed.
In true hardcore fashion band members share time with other outfits including Pieter and Mike who are also in This Is Hell and Matt who plays in the current line-up of Deez Nuts. Murphy also filled in on vocals for a tour with As Blood Runs Black (on a tour that Endwell was also on!) and has a side project with Jesse from Emmure.
Endwell has toured with bands such as Emmure, As Blood Runs Black, The Ghost Inside, For The Fallen Dreams, A Day To Remember, Terror, Comeback Kid, It Dies Today, Deez Nuts, This Is Hell, The Amity Affliction, Shai Hulud, Oceano, Thick As Blood, Lionheart and Stray From The Path.
Consequences
Endwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever happened to second chances?
Ow Iโฒm standing here empty handed.
Nothing turned out just like the way I planned it.
I brought this down on to myself, burning every bridge on my way out.
The roads ahead are paved with fear and doubt, but there's a glimmer of hope; that happiness can be found
in the midst of consequences. The opening line of "Whatever happened to second chances?" introduces the theme of regret and missed opportunities. The singer reflects on their current state of being "empty handed," suggesting that they have lost something meaningful and are now left with nothing. This could refer to both material possessions and emotional connections.
As the lyrics progress, the singer acknowledges that nothing turned out as expected, indicating a sense of disappointment and frustration. They take responsibility for their own downfall, recognizing that they have burned bridges along the way and caused their own demise. This suggests a lack of foresight or an impulsive nature, causing them to make reckless choices without considering the consequences.
Despite the bleak outlook, there is a glimmer of hope present in the song. The reference to "the roads ahead" being paved with fear and doubt highlights the uncertain future that lies before the singer. However, they hold on to the possibility that happiness can still be found amidst the consequences they face. This hints at their determination to overcome their mistakes and find redemption or a sense of fulfillment.
Overall, "Consequences" by Endwell explores themes of regret, self-accountability, and the possibility of finding happiness in the face of one's own actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Consequences...
The outcome and repercussions of my actions...
Whatever happened to second chances?
Why are opportunities to make amends becoming rare?
Ow I'm standing here empty handed.
I now find myself without anything to show for.
Nothing turned out just like the way I planned it.
None of my expectations and intentions materialized.
I brought this down on to myself, burning every bridge on my way out.
I am solely responsible for bringing about this situation by severing ties and causing harm.
The roads ahead are paved with fear and doubt, but there's a glimmer of hope; that happiness can be found
The path ahead seems uncertain and worrisome, yet there is a faint possibility of discovering joy and contentment.
Writer(s): Bonnie Hayes, Kevin Hayes, David Nagler
Contributed by Jonathan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.