Exhorder was formed in 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana. After releasing several demos in the vein of pure thrash metal, they started to adapt more of a groove metal-oriented sound with their debut studio album, Slaughter in the Vatican, released in 1990. This sound was further developed by their second (and to date last) album, The Law, released in 1992. The band dissolved later that year.
Exhorder are often credited with having created the groove-oriented thrash metal sound that was copied and popularized by Pantera. The band is either more or less indifferent to such sentiment as they were friends with Pantera and were saddened by the passing of Dimebag Darrell. However, they do not deny the possibility of them having influenced Pantera's sound even though Kyle Thomas has stated Pantera deserves the praise they receive as he feels Pantera have always worked much harder than Exhorder ever did at being successful.
Members:
Vinnie Labella - Guitars
Franky Sparcello - Bass
Kyle Thomas - Vocals
Jay Ceravolo - Guitars
Chris Nail - Drums
Soul Search Me
Exhorder Lyrics
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they engrave
their names upon the
fields
blasts of charismatic
droplets anoint
me through my dying...
groping, seizing, tearing,
the tail of sanity
a thrust of uninvited
rage combusts inside
the gut, and here we have
another day
if only I'd pierced it with
my hand
or watched it burn into
the ground
a joyous blaze of life's end
[chorus:]
find me, keep me, lose me,
weep me
how the tears they do
entertain
it's nice to be reminded
that I can
still bring you pain
satisfaction remains best
without subtraction
soul search me
you're empty
and as you try to liberate
the world
remember what I say
give and take's not how I
live
I fucking take, you'd
better give
the barrier is gonna break
cleanse the brains they've
washed in your sink
[repeat chorus]
digging deep inside you'll
find
a box without any chains
and with no locks
come on, Pandora, open
wide and
release the entity
concealed inside
BAM!!
the bricks caress your face
spread you thin across
the ground
the aches and pains
convey my thoughts to
yours
you tried to find me out
say Jack, what's a
backstabber like you
gonna do with one like
me
discomfort multiplied by
ten, you writhe
and twist again
please have some pain
the grain against which
you rub is my terrain
so take a giant step back
'cause
you've marched across my
line
and my gun works fine
soul search me
you're empty
The lyrics of “Soul Search Me” by Exhorder are complex and full of imagery that depicts a struggle with sanity and the pursuit of satisfaction. The words begin by describing how the world seems to be etched with labels that seem permanent and inescapable. The singer then describes their own internal struggle with some kind of anger that is manifesting in the body. They seem to be grappling with the idea of life and death, contemplating whether it would be better to end things rather than continue on with this pain.
The chorus is a plea to be found or lost, to bring pain or be reminded of one's own power. The singer seems to believe that taking what one wants is the only way to truly achieve satisfaction. This lyric may be read as a commentary on the idea of power dynamics, with the singer saying that they control their own destiny rather than being controlled by others. The latter half of the tune contains a mix of violent and peaceful imagery, with the singer contemplating a Pandora’s box that has the power to both free and destroy. They then express violent rage towards someone who has crossed their boundaries, culminating in an emptiness that seems to replicate throughout the song.
Overall, “Soul Search Me” is a dark tune with lyrics that seem to suggest an internal battle, and the universal desire to feel in control of one’s own life. The imagery of life, death, and struggle is visceral and engaging, adding an element of complexity to the tune that sets it apart.
Line by Line Meaning
stalks are generated and they engrave their names upon the fields
The growth of plants is compared to humans making their mark in the world.
blasts of charismatic droplets anoint me through my dying...
The pain and trials of life are compared to a spiritual anointing.
groping, seizing, tearing, grasping at the tail of sanity
Struggling to maintain sanity in a chaotic world.
a thrust of uninvited rage combusts inside the gut, and here we have another day
Anger and frustration continue to build day after day, without warning or invitation.
if only I'd pierced it with my hand or watched it burn into the ground a joyous blaze of life's end
Reflecting on the regrets and desires of ending one's life.
[chorus:] find me, keep me, lose me, weep me how the tears they do entertain it's nice to be reminded that I can still bring you pain satisfaction remains best without subtraction soul search me you're empty
The singer is exploring their own emptiness and desire for validation even if through negative means.
and as you try to liberate the world remember what I say give and take's not how I live I fucking take, you'd better give the barrier is gonna break cleanse the brains they've washed in your sink
Rejecting the idea of compromise or altruism in favor of forceful action to break down societal barriers and cleanse people's minds.
[repeat chorus]
Repeating the chorus for emphasis.
digging deep inside you'll find a box without any chains and with no locks come on, Pandora, open wide and release the entity concealed inside
Encouraging others to dig deep within themselves to find their true selves, like opening Pandora's box.
BAM!! the bricks caress your face spread you thin across the ground the aches and pains convey my thoughts to yours you tried to find me out
Violent imagery used to convey the singer's feelings about others trying to understand them or bring them down.
say Jack, what's a backstabber like you gonna do with one like me discomfort multiplied by ten, you writhe and twist again please have some pain the grain against which you rub is my terrain so take a giant step back 'cause you've marched across my line and my gun works fine soul search me you're empty
Challenging someone who has betrayed them and asserting that they are in control. The gun imagery suggests they are ready for a confrontation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER FELTON NAIL, JAY PATRICK CERAVOLO, KYLE DANIEL THOMAS, VINCENT CHARLES LABELLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind