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.
Human Shields
Fear Factory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A life, a silence masked in shame
Children running in the streets
Soldier boots are on their feet
Mothers bare the burdens of our defeats
Fathers are on their knees praying for mercy
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
So much violence in our name
A life, a silence masked in shame
No more, no more, no more (no more)
No more, no more, no more (no more)
No more, no more, no more (no more)
No more, no more, no more (no more)
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
No more violence in our name
No more violence in our name
No more, no more, no more
The song "Human Shields" by Fear Factory sheds light on the disturbing reality of war and its disastrous impact on innocent lives, particularly children. The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone who is being held as a shield in the midst of violent conflict. The singer speaks out against the atrocities committed in the name of war and the silence that shrouds the pain and suffering of the victims. The opening lines, "So much violence in our name, a life, a silence masked in shame" paint a bleak picture of the devastating consequences of warfare.
The song further emphasizes the plight of children caught up in the crossfire. The lyrics describe the horror of seeing young ones running scared as their communities are ravaged by the boots of soldiers. Mothers bear the brunt of loss, and fathers can do nothing but pray for mercy. The song calls for an end to the senseless violence that destroys the lives of innocent people and forever scars the survivors.
In conclusion, "Human Shields" is a powerful condemnation of war and its tragic outcomes. Its lyrics are a poignant reminder of the immense price paid by ordinary people caught up in the brutal aftermath of conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
So much violence in our name
We have committed so many violent acts in the name of our cause, and we must face the consequences of our actions.
A life, a silence masked in shame
Our violent actions have caused a lot of pain and suffering to innocent people, and it is a shameful reality that we must face.
Children running in the streets
Innocent children have become victims of the chaos and violence that we have created, and they are forced to flee for their safety.
Soldier boots are on their feet
The military has become heavily involved in our conflict, and soldiers are being sent out to enforce our agenda with force.
Mothers bare the burdens of our defeats
The mothers of those impacted by our violent actions are left to bear the brunt of the trauma, loss, and destruction caused by our inability to achieve our goals through peaceful means.
Fathers are on their knees praying for mercy
The fathers of those affected by our violent actions are left begging for mercy and praying for a way out of the conflict that has taken everything from them.
Holding me like your shield
We are being used as human shields by those in power, who are willing to sacrifice us for their cause without any regard for our safety or well-being.
No more violence in our name
It is time to put an end to the cycle of violence that we have perpetuated in the name of our cause and find a way to resolve our differences through peaceful means.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BURTON C. BELL, CHRISTIAN OLDE WOLBERS, RAYMOND HERRERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dean’s Wolf
So much violence in our name
Our life, a silence masked in shame
Children running in the streets
Soldier boots are on their feet
Mothers bare the burdens of our defeats
Fathers are on their knees, praying for mercy
So much violence in our name
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
So much violence in our name
Our life, a silence masked in shame
No more
No more
No more
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
Holding me like your shield
No more, violence in our name
No more, violence in our name
No more
No more
No more
Sechs
I actually know the band personally. Since I was 13. I have watched them since 2000's turn slowly against each other. have fights and differences. the last time I saw them live was with a friend of mine, I walked backstage, and saw burton, he told me to get the fuck out of there and that he didn't want anything to have to do with me or my family who worked with him. We held and still have SERVERS worth of information photos, videos from their years with Christian and Raymond. The band went to shit after that when they brought back Dino.
Personally the people are assholes, with eyes that only care about the drugs (yes burton had tons of drugs one time on the cocaine energy drink bus, because I hung out with them and played Xbox in the back with Raymond)
Music is still great, but lacks the athuentic feel that Christain and Raymond brought to the band.
The songs now lack character and story and even emotion.
This will for ever be their best time period. Period.
sunisotope
I don't know what it is about this song, but since my first time hearing it, almost 16 years ago, it still sets the same mood and hits the same feels. A powerful message in the lyrics, and that so so simple but so effective verse riff with that modal quality to it, I can listen to it or play it on repeat forever and it would never get boring. Similar type of song which sets a similar mood is Sybreed - In the cold light, although with very different lyrical theme.
As for the Transgression vs Archetype or other FF albums, I feel like Transgression is to Fear Factory what St. Anger is to Metallica. I still like these two albums the least, but if they were made by a different band (respectively) maybe they wouldn't get the flak they get.
Blackefeltsch
Yes absolutely. It's so hypnotic and in a way melancholic. Then it segues into Ascension, the album's crowning closer. A moody space ambient track that perfectly ends this somber journey by lifting you into space or a neverending dream.
hyep.
Danijel Jovanovic it’s the drums. Such a fingerprint type beat. It will not be replaced
Nick Marrano
Yes. This vocal melody popped into my head after a decade not listening and i wept as i heard it full volume. Thanks for mentioning Sybreed. Down the rabbit hole of nostalgia i go.
Milen Schneeweiß
I always loved St. Anger it is supposed to sound raw especially the mental state they all were with drugs and alcohol. Also, respect for bringing up Sybreed!
Scott Gettins
Transgression is a great album,nothing will ever top Demanufacture or Archetype but Transgression has a song about how the world ends as the first song
Braden Turner
Archetype is one of the greatest metal albums of all time
Alison Coffin
Fear Factory gets into your skin and bones and never goes away!
Terry Flaps
Never forget. Music this good is a rarity. 🤘
TheNoblin
One of my mom's favorite songs. ROCK ON MOM