They released their debut album, Odd How People Shake, in 2003 on Rise Records, and after gaining some notoriety, were signed to Equal Vision Records, who re-released their debut in the January 2004. Their debut was primarily in the vein of post-hardcore, featuring a mix of screamed vocals on the part of David Marion and clean singing provided by Adam Fisher. The instrumental work on Odd How People Shake is best described as typical of that of most melodic metalcore artists of the day, and it is rumoured that every song on the album is based on a movie ("Sarah Goldfarb, Where are Your Manners?", for example, is supposedly about Requiem for a Dream, while on their sophomore album, Art Damage, "The Story of the Curious Oysters" has more to do with the Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland). It is interesting and worth noting that the band's cover art on all three of their albums feature skyscrapers.
Their sophomore album, Art Damage, was released on Equal Vision Records in September 2004, and was a marked change in direction for the band. Art Damage as an album was much heavier and darker than their debut; the band left behind the relative simplicity and, arguably, tiredness of the instrumental work of their debut in favor of the abrasiveness characterizing bands such as Converge and Every Time I Die. In addition, virtually all of the vocals are screamed, with the exception of an odd chorus or verse.
The critical consensus seems to favor their new direction, and in concert, the band plays few if any songs from their debut. On their website, they explicitly state that they will not play one song in particular from their debut, "On the Brightside, She Could Choke;" interestingly enough, this song also has the most prominent elements of emo of all the songs in their catalogue, which could be one of the reasons they have grown so adverse to playing it.
Their new album, The Always Open Mouth, was released on Tuesday, September 19, 2006. This album marks a considerably different sound from previous recordings. This album contains a much more experimental side, such as more emphasis on antiphony between the lead singer and guitarist and a considerable lesser amount of screaming. It features layered guitar chords (a second guitarist was added to the band before the recording of this album), and many electronic sounds used with heavily-distorted or otherwise-effected guitars and synthesizers, or sequencers and drum machines, giving it a more industrial feel. As a result, it is not as hard or fast as their previous two albums, but instead, is more experimental and well-crafted.
With newly added members and a new approach at performing music, they set off on numerous tours mid-2006 to promote their latest CD The Always Open Mouth, touring with bands such as Thursday, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, HeavyHeavyLowLow, The Jonbenet, and the Radio Rebellion Tour with bands The Fully Down, The Confession, blessthefall, Misery Signals, Between the Buried and Me, and headliners of the tour Norma Jean. During a show on November 4th in San Diego, California, bassist Mike Madruga accidentally hit singer Dave Marion on the side of his face with the headstock of his bass, knocking him unconscious on stage. When he awoke, there was a hole that went all the way through his cheek, and although the band continued to finish the set, he had to be rushed to the hospital to be treated for the injury, and because of this, the band missed the following 3 days of the tour, but Dave is now fine and has finished the rest of the Radio Rebellion Tour.
On 2008]-09-09, Fear Before the March of Flames officially shortened their name to Fear Before.
Current line-up
* David Michael Marion - vocals
* Adam (Rupert) Fisher - guitar, vocals, keys
* Michael Madruga - bass
* Clayton (Goose) Holyoak - drums
Former members
* Billy Johnson - guitar, keyboards
* Brandon Proff - drums
* Zachary (Binks) Hutchings - guitar
A Gift For Fiction
Fear Before The March Of Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What have we learned?
OH MY GOD
We're doomed from the start
It's time to admit we're wrong and move on
Kick our habits, self improvement
Is anyone getting nervous?
We should all be afraid to die
I don't care as long as we, as long as we get there
Get there
Fought, you fought and you got what you want out of me
Caught, don't get caught, you'll be fucked if you know what I mean
Are you scared you can't tell me what your life's about?
Thought provoking, it's all we need.
It's all we need.
THE FEAR OF GOD IN US
IN ALL OF US
The lyrics of "A Gift For Fiction" by Fear Before the March of Flames suggest a theme of human fallibility and the consequences of ignoring it. The repetition of "oh my god" in the opening lines implies a sense of shock and disbelief at the realization that humans are doomed from the start, implying that we're inherently flawed from the beginning. The lyrics advocate for self-improvement, implying that humans can change if they recognize their mistakes and work to correct them.
The line, "Is anyone getting nervous?" is a call to action, challenging listeners to examine their habits and acknowledge their own shortcomings. The song encourages listeners to be afraid to die, suggesting that the fear of death motivates people to live their lives fully and strive for self-improvement. The lyrics, "I don't care as long as we, as long as we get there, Get there" implies that despite the challenges faced, progress will eventually be achieved.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of urgency to recognize one's own flaws and strive for self-improvement. The fear of God, or a higher power, is used as a metaphor for the fear that can motivate individuals to change.
Line by Line Meaning
OH MY GOD
Expressing shock or surprise due to a situation.
What have we learned?
What knowledge have we acquired from our experiences?
We're doomed from the start
Our fate was set from the beginning.
It's time to admit we're wrong and move on
It's time to confess our mistakes and take a step forward.
Kick our habits, self improvement
Eliminate our bad behaviors and work on self-improvement.
Is anyone getting nervous?
Is anyone feeling anxious or worried?
We should all be afraid to die
We should all fear the inevitability of death.
I don't care as long as we, as long as we get there
I am willing to do anything to achieve our goals.
Get there
Reinforcing the desire to achieve our objective.
Fought, you fought and you got what you want out of me
You put up a fight and successfully obtained what you wanted from me.
Caught, don't get caught, you'll be fucked if you know what I mean
Be careful not to get caught, otherwise it will result in serious consequences.
Are you scared you can't tell me what your life's about?
Are you frightened to reveal the purpose or meaning of your life?
Thought provoking, it's all we need
Challenging ideas and concepts is all that is required for intellectual growth.
THE FEAR OF GOD IN US
The sense of awe and reverence towards a higher power within all of us.
IN ALL OF US
Emphasizing that everyone possesses this sense of awe and reverence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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