To complete the idea, Schnella asked his dear friend Kiri Geile (Steel Protector) to join the band. Kiri’s task was writing a story for the concept.
Within the months both completed the story “Elinoire”, a drama about a young british family, together and wrote lyrics for different characters in the story.
The recording sessions started in late 2008. Most all of the music was recorded until the end of 2009. A lot of friends and local musicians supported Geile and Schnella by joining the band. Also to the core-team of FLAMING ROW belong Drummer Niklas Kahl (My Inner Burning, Cast In Silence) and Keyboarder/Saxophonis Marek Arnold (Toxic Smile, 7 Steps To The Green Door, Stern Combo Meissen). Schnella played Guitars, most Bass Guitars, some Keyboards and Lead- and Backingvocals..
In late 2010 he got in contact with Gary Wehrkamp and Brendt Allman from the american Progressive-Metal Band SHADOW GALLERY and asked them to join with some additional guitar/keyboard solos. Both liked the music and became a big part of FLAMING ROW within the further month. Wehrkamp also did a lot of lead vocals and took part as one of the charakters. Together with Brendt Allman he added many backing vocals. Also Billy Sherwood (Circa, Yoso, Ex-Yes) sang some lead- and backing vocals.
The german guitar player Ali Neander (founding member of the RODGAU MONOTONES, session guitar player for Xavier Naidoo, Sabrina Setlur …) added some guitar solos, too.
To take over the last free character-role Jimmy Keegan who is the tour drummer/backing-singer for SPOCK’S BEARD (also Kenny Loggins, Santana…) joined FLAMING ROW with some vocals.
Schnella is very proud of this because all these musicians are his idols since his childhood.
Thus FLAMING ROW became an international band project.
The first concept album “Elinoire” is nearly finished. It’s release is planned for summer 2011.
The Story “Elinoire”: The story “Elinoire” is about a young british family. Lea and Adam Baltwin are at their prime of life, having great jobs and live in prosperity. Lea became pregnant. But while the birth of their doughter Elinoire, Lea died because of medical reasons. Adam never overcame the sudden death of his beloved wife and laid the blame on Elinoire. Within the years he could not build up a ordinary realationship to Elinoire. Adam’s father Cyrus Baltwin took on the role of the father figure. But after some year some true facts about the previous life of Lea were revealed. Was Lea’s dead really an accident?
The story is told by the real charakters, their emotions (Love, Rage…) and some virtuals (Time, Destiny, Death, Spirit and so on). There are 15 different singers, female and male, performing the roles of the story.
Memento Mori
Flaming Row Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You feel in charge of them in some way
Hope flows through their veins, repress the pictures
Which will track them 'till the end
You hear the bell, it's time for operation
No time for rest or your dignity
Start the engines and call the functions
Every time
Under control
Ready or not
You are on call
Elemental powers are destroying your race
Into your face
Desert a'where
Wells seep away
Shadows bat around the world they're reaching for your souls
Open fire
Put up the fight
Freedom fighter
Devastated biosphere is hamper the breathe
Mortal combat
Storm is growing
Storm is brewing
Fundermental wall of water
All those years you've been yearning for any cause to stay alive
When the day defeats the night, you still have survived
With a modicum of hope you will be geared up for the show
The bottom line is to emerge victorious
Adrenalin is overflowing, is drowning out reality
All your senses are linked with systems
They'll prevent malfunction
All those years you've been yearning for any cause to stay alive
When the day defeats the night, you still have survived
With a modicum of hope you will be geared up for the show
The bottom line is to emerge victorious
Oh, fear my force
Your defeat is near
I sound the death knell for your world
I hide my heart from the strike
I still have to carry out my task
It's not forlorn
The visions told me the truth
Abysmal souls with hidden secrets that will never be resolved
Now you saved a soldiers life with a human reflex
Badly injured almost gripped by an erratic solar storm
In the darkest of your hours she touched your aching heart
Hera & Nemesis
Save her life
Take her back
To the tutelar district
No regret
No resort
Keep calm
"Memento Mori" by Flaming Row is a song that delves into themes of control, resistance, survival, and hope. The lyrics depict a scenario where someone is being watched and controlled by a higher authority or power. The person in control feels a sense of responsibility over a new generation or group, hoping to protect them from the harsh realities of life. This sense of responsibility and hope flows through their veins, pushing them to repress any negative thoughts or images that might hinder their progress.
However, the song takes a darker turn when the bell rings, signaling the beginning of some operation or mission. The person in control cannot rest or preserve their dignity; instead, they must start their engines and carry out the commands which have been ingrained into their mind. The lyrics emphasize the idea that they are constantly under scrutiny—under control—and must be ready for any challenge, whether they are prepared for it or not.
The following verses introduce elemental powers that are destroying their race. Desolation surrounds them, as wells seep away and shadows threaten to steal their souls. The lyrics evoke images of imminent danger and chaos, emphasizing the need to put up a fight and defend their freedom. The devastated biosphere is suffocating, while the storm metaphorically grows and brews into a fundamental wall of water. These lines suggest a battle against nature or possibly a metaphorical struggle against overwhelming odds.
Despite the bleakness of the situation, the lyrics provide a ray of hope. The person in control has been yearning for a cause to stay alive, and although they have survived against all odds, they remain hopeful. Armed with a modicum of hope, they are ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead, with the ultimate goal of emerging victorious. This implies a determination to overcome obstacles, symbolizing the strength of the human spirit.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics reveal a personal struggle within the person in control. They hide their heart from the strike, meaning they protect their emotions and vulnerabilities. Despite the weight of their task, they find solace in the visions that have shown them the truth. This suggests that they have a deeper understanding of their purpose, giving them the strength to carry on.
The final lines speak of abysmal souls with unresolved secrets, possibly referring to the inner turmoil and hidden struggles of those involved in the story. A soldier's life is saved by a human reflex, illustrating the power of compassion and humanity even in the midst of chaos. In their darkest hour, the touch of another person's kindness brings solace to their aching heart.
Overall, "Memento Mori" is a powerful and introspective song that explores themes of control, survival, hope, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It conveys a sense of resilience and determination to overcome challenges, even in the bleakest of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
You keep an eye on the new division
You closely monitor and observe the development of a recent group
You feel in charge of them in some way
You have a sense of responsibility and authority over them
Hope flows through their veins, repress the pictures
They are filled with optimism, suppressing the memories that haunt them
Which will track them 'till the end
These memories will haunt and influence them until their ultimate fate
You hear the bell, it's time for operation
You perceive the sign and it signals the start of a mission
No time for rest or your dignity
There is no opportunity for relaxation or preserving one's pride
Start the engines and call the functions
Initiate the necessary processes and activate the required functions
Which they've burned into your mind
These tasks have been deeply engraved into your consciousness
Every time
Repeatedly
Under control
Well regulated and managed
Ready or not
Whether prepared or not
You are on call
You are always available and expected to respond
Elemental powers are destroying your race
Natural forces are annihilating your species
Into your face
Directly faced with it
Desert a'where
A barren landscape everywhere
Wells seep away
Water sources are gradually disappearing
Shadows bat around the world they're reaching for your souls
Obscure forces are spreading across the globe, aiming for your innermost essence
Open fire
Initiate attack
Put up the fight
Engage in a struggle
Freedom fighter
One who defends and fights for freedom
Devastated biosphere is hampering the breath
The destroyed ecosystem is hindering the ability to breathe
Mortal combat
Lethal battle
Storm is growing
The tempest is intensifying
Storm is brewing
The storm is forming
Fundamental wall of water
A basic yet formidable barrier of water
All those years you've been yearning for any cause to stay alive
For many years, you have longed for any reason to remain alive
When the day defeats the night, you still have survived
Even when faced with adversity, you have managed to endure
With a modicum of hope you will be geared up for the show
With a small amount of optimism, you will be prepared to face the challenge
The bottom line is to emerge victorious
The ultimate goal is to come out as the winner
Adrenalin is overflowing, is drowning out reality
Your adrenaline is surging, overpowering your perception of reality
All your senses are linked with systems
All your senses are interconnected with various mechanisms
They'll prevent malfunction
They will avoid any errors or malfunctions
Oh, fear my force
Beware of my power
Your defeat is near
Your loss is imminent
I sound the death knell for your world
I announce the impending destruction of your world
I hide my heart from the strike
I protect my emotions from the impact
I still have to carry out my task
I still have a duty to fulfill
It's not forlorn
It is not without hope
The visions told me the truth
The visions have revealed the true nature of things
Abysmal souls with hidden secrets that will never be resolved
Deeply tormented individuals with undisclosed mysteries that will forever remain unsolved
Now you saved a soldier's life with a human reflex
Through a natural instinct, you have rescued a soldier's existence
Badly injured almost gripped by an erratic solar storm
Severely wounded, almost overwhelmed by an unpredictable solar disturbance
In the darkest of your hours she touched your aching heart
During your most difficult moments, she reached out and comforted your pained heart
Hera & Nemesis
The Greek goddesses Hera and Nemesis
Save her life
Rescue her existence
Take her back
Return her to safety
To the tutelar district
To the protective area
No regret
No remorse
No resort
No other option
Keep calm
Stay composed
Contributed by Isabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.