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
Drowning The Old Hag
Fear Before The March Of Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like drowning when the water may only exist in my head
So I'll put a hole there and let my seas spill onto your shores
Rendering your plane of thinking a dizzy little girl on the edge of the world
Don't tell me that there is nothing to fear
Trying to share it is a reckless endeavor
I can't take the weight of this head full of water
I
Sleep
I
Hardly
Move
You won't sleep you won't move at all
when what you see and what you believe are two different things
You can really start to wear down and lose it
And they will never see it
The lyrics to Fear Before The March Of Flames's song Drowning The Old Hag depict the struggle of the singer with their own thoughts and fears. The "old hag" refers to a common motif in folklore and sleep paralysis experiences, which is a malicious and terrifying presence that sits on the chest of the sleeper and restricts their breathing. The singer describes their inability to get rid of this presence, even when they are awake, and the feeling of drowning in their own thoughts and fears. The act of sleeping on their side is a coping mechanism, as it helps alleviate the pressure on their chest.
The singer then talks about their desire to share their fears with others, but recognizes the futility of such an endeavor, as it is a "reckless" act. The fear and anxiety are too overwhelming for others to bear, and attempting to burden them with it would only make things worse. The singer decides to express their feelings through their art, which is symbolized by the "hole" they put in their chest, allowing their "seas" (feelings) to spill onto the shores of the world.
The final stanza of the song touches on the idea that sometimes what we see and what we believe can be two different things, and this can lead to a sense of isolation and desperation. The singer recognizes that this struggle is invisible to others and will likely go unnoticed. The song, ultimately, is a powerful expression of the emotional turmoil that can come with anxiety and fear.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't get her off of my chest unless I'm sleeping on my side
I can't stop thinking about my problems unless I distract myself; sleeping on my side helps me forget, even if temporarily.
It's like drowning when the water may only exist in my head
The feeling of being overwhelmed by my thoughts is as suffocating as being submerged in water, even if the thoughts aren't grounded in reality.
So I'll put a hole there and let my seas spill onto your shores
I'll try to open up to someone and let my emotions out, hoping that they can handle it and help me find relief.
Rendering your plane of thinking a dizzy little girl on the edge of the world
My issues can affect and confuse others, leaving them feeling disoriented and overwhelmed like a small and helpless child.
Don't tell me that there is nothing to fear
It's dismissive and unhelpful to tell me that my fears are irrational or unfounded.
Trying to share it is a reckless endeavor
I worry that opening up to others about my issues will only end in more pain and disappointment; it's a risk that feels like jumping off a cliff.
I can't take the weight of this head full of water
My mind feels heavy and weighed down by my worries and stress, making it hard to function or find any peace.
I
Repetitive personal pronoun implying a sense of isolation, loneliness, and self-focus.
Don't
Imperative verb conveying a sense of desperation, pleading to be heard or understood.
Sleep
Inability to rest or relax due to anxiety and distress.
I
Continuation of repetitive pronoun, emphasizing the self-focused nature of the singer's mindset.
Hardly
Adverb indicating the limited capacity or ability to function effectively or normally due to mental or emotional distress.
Move
Inability to take action or make progress in resolving issues due to feeling stuck and overwhelmed.
You won't sleep you won't move at all
A sense of projection onto another person, assuming that they must also be struggling and unable to move past their own issues.
when what you see and what you believe are two different things
A sense of cognitive dissonance or confusion when reality doesn't match expectations or beliefs.
You can really start to wear down and lose it
Constantly experiencing this dissonance can be exhausting and lead to a breakdown or loss of hope.
And they will never see it
A sense of hopelessness or resignation that others won't understand or acknowledge the artist's struggles.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Doom58
Awesome song
ØDDBLØØD
I remember when this album came out and it as not what I was expecting at all especially after Art Damage. It's their experimental album and ended up being one of their best. I know a lot of people weren't really feeling it which is a shame cause its amazing.
Andrew Oikonny
TURN THAT SHIT DOWN!! PIIIIISSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Alex Zeyos
BOB SAGET !!!
mauropso
I think it's time for more people to notice this band
ØDDBLØØD
They are one of my favorite bands of all time them and the #12 looks like you.. Who actually just put out a new album that's really good if you like them too u should go check it out its called Wild Gods
Phyla Zen
we really need a big metal news source to cover them. i think it will happen in the coming years because they were so influential... they just disappeared
brocowsci
No kidding, used to jam these guys all the time when I would vibe with my friends