In April 2009, a new lineup was announced with Cazares returning and Gene Hoglan as drummer. Bell and Stroud are both reprising their respective roles, and the band completed a seventh studio album entitled Mechanize. Former members Christian Olde Wolbers and Raymond Herrera (both currently playing in Arkaea) dispute the legitimacy of the new lineup, and a legal battle is underway from both parties. The band has performed at three Ozzfests as well as the inaugural Gigantour and has had singles in the US Mainstream Rock Top 40 and albums in the Billboard Top 40, 100, and 200. The band has sold more than 1 million albums in the US alone.
A Therapy For Pain
Fear Factory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her soft breath and simple charm
Wandering through memories
Takes my hand for me to see
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Echoes of innocent
Are my thoughts into dissent
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
When we finally reach the end
She lets go of my hand
Waking into realms of light
There will be no death tonight
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
In "A Therapy For Pain," Fear Factory describes the singer's desire to embrace death, which they describe with open arms, a soft breath, and simple charm. The singer is wandering through their memories, and death takes their hand, leading them to see the echoes of innocence that have turned into dissent. The singer has tried so hard to hold onto these memories, but they eventually succumb to death's embrace.
The second verse reveals that the singer wakes up, having traversed through realms of light, and there will be no death tonight. This implies that the singer has found peace with their own mortality and is no longer fearing death's embrace. The repetition of "Tried so hard" throughout the song emphasizes the struggle of clinging onto one's youth and innocence, and ultimately accepting that death is a natural part of life that cannot be avoided.
Line by Line Meaning
I welcome death with open arms
The singer is unafraid of death and sees it as a peaceful release from their pain.
Her soft breath and simple charm
Death is personified as a gentle and comforting presence.
Wandering through memories
The singer is reflecting on their past experiences.
Takes my hand for me to see
Death is guiding the artist to a new understanding or perspective.
Echoes of innocent
The artist remembers a time when they were innocent and free from pain.
Are my thoughts into dissent
These memories are causing the singer to question or rebel against their current circumstances.
When we finally reach the end
The singer anticipates the end of their life journey.
She lets go of my hand
Death is releasing the artist from its grasp and allowing them to move on.
Waking into realms of light
The artist envisions a peaceful afterlife.
There will be no death tonight
The artist is comforted by the idea that death will not come for them tonight.
Tried so hard
The singer has struggled and fought against their pain and suffering.
Tried so hard
The artist repeats this line to emphasize their efforts.
Tried so hard
The singer repeats this line to emphasize their efforts.
Tried so hard
The singer repeats this line to emphasize their efforts.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BURTON C. BELL, CHRISTIAN OLDE WOLBERS, DINO A.M. CAZARES, RAYMOND HERRERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oatmeal
I welcome death with open arms
Her soft breath and simple charm
Wandering through memories
Takes my hand for me to see
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Echoes of innocent
Are my thoughts into dissent
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
When we finally reach the end
She lets go of my hand
Waking into realms of light
There will be no death tonight
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Tried so hard
Liam Hathaway
One of the few songs guaranteed to give me goosebumps every time.
masacatior
Failure ❤️
crimsondeath84
I love how perfectly this song picks up from Pisschrist. Fear Factory is one of the most influential bands ever cuz they were amongst the first to assemble clean vocals with harsh growls they not only deserve to be in the rock and roll hall of fame, they should have their own exibit
Illud Divinus
They were probably 4th or 5th in that style. I’d say most notable was Godflesh, but there were many before them.
Eric Meadows
Dude I agree type o negative and fear factory do not get the credit the deserve. They were truly unique bands and had a sound that has not been duplicated.
Mike Spearwood
Yeah, it's like they are parts 1 & 2 of the same song.
Barbara Strobel
I will never, ever get over the beauty in this song.
Illud Divinus
@Robin Halliday he’s also said that it was about euthanasia. FF did it again with final exit. Go back and revisit the lyrics. I’ve met the guy and confirmed it. He’s a big Dereck Humphry fan.
Illud Divinus
Especially when Raymond’s bass kicks double up at 4:51 - goosebumps every time. I’ve been lucky enough to meet all 4 of the guys from this lineup at several points in their careers. I will say Burt is completely different than what you would expect. He’s actually really into meet and greets, and took time to give me a better explainer for the Obsolete concept and story line. Christian and Ray are super chill and can clown people pretty hard lol. The most disappointing was Dino. I’ve said what’s up a couple different times after shows and at the NAMM show in LA, but the guy always rubs off as a little pretentious and disingenuous. I guess I’d act a little cocky if I single handedly revolutionized staccato picking on guitar. Anyway FF will always hold top 4 in my catalogue of most influential bands. Both on my band, and in metal music. And if you’re wondering.. FF Obsolete FTW the best 💿
Robin Halliday
In recent interview, Burton said this song was about the break up and end of relationship, absolutely fitting and hauntingly beautiful too.