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.
Pictures
Flaming Row Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
your eyes as blue as the sea
Nothing could ever comeb etween us
I remember the day he was born
his tiny little feet
Please help, I cannot let them go away
The Memory:
Take a chance and start again
Esther & John:
You and I fly through the morning light
We're reaching for the sky
Even at the coming of night
Just you and I
Do you remember the day he found his feet for the first time?
The first word he trief to speak?
Say, how does it feel?
There's nothihing you did wrong
Don't hang your head, oh be strong
Take heart and grow in confidence
The Memory:
You live from day to day, don't let your grief prevail
Take a chance and start again
You and me - showed it for all to see
It felt like the prime of life,
even at the coming of night
Just you and I
Icy cold flows through my innermost,
I cannot feel your warmth, oh please
just let me home
I'm so alone
There's a different sound I can't recognize
I can't see the gap between black and white
Am I realldy dead?
Am I still alive?
Is there anyone?
Just give me a sign
The Sleeper:
Would you please come in and take a seat
I'm the one who came for you to retrieve
You have to understand and please don't resist
Now you have to trust mme and fall asleep
Follow me to familiar
Repress your sentiments and let thhem fade away
You are the holy saviour
Just when yo ufall asleep, you'll see the light of day
Solo: Martin Schnella
The Memory:
See the light
Enlightened for you to shine
Hear her cries
Coming from deep inside
In a world you do not know no one can hear you pray
Where the truth is left untold
Pictured in shades of gray
Oh, this world you should not care even when you regret
Only pain for you to bear
A delusion you can't protect
In a world you do not know
no one can hear you pray
Where the truth is left untold, pictured in shades of gray
Oh, this world you should not care
Even when you regret
Only pain for you to bear
A delusion you can't protect
The song "Pictures" by Flaming Row is intended to be an emotional and thought-provoking journey. The lyrics detail the memory of a past love and the pain associated with letting go. The opening verse speaks of the initial falling in love, but moves on to reference the birth of the couple's child. The singer is clearly struggling to move on from this lost love and their child, and is seeking comfort and release from their pain.
The chorus of "Pictures" is an uplifting message, encouraging listeners to not let grief take hold and to take chances in life. This suggests that rather than allowing yourself to be bogged down in the past, you should embrace life and look to the future. The second verse continues to reminisce about the joys of their past love, and asks about the child's important milestones like learning to walk and talk. The message here is not to dwell on small imperfections or things that may have gone wrong, but instead to focus on the positives and on moving forward.
The final verse of "Pictures" takes a darker turn, exemplifying the pain and confusion that comes with losing oneself in memories. The singer becomes unsure of their own reality, questioning whether or not they are alive or dead. This could represent the overwhelming emotions felt after a loss of some kind. The song ends with a plea for guidance, a call out into the abyss for some sign of hope or direction.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the day we fell in love,
your eyes as blue as the sea
The memory of the day we fell in love, your eyes as blue as the sea, is something to cherish and hold close to your heart.
Nothing could ever comeb etween us
The love between us was strong enough to never be broken by anything or anyone.
I remember the day he was born
his tiny little feet
The memory of the day my child was born, with his tiny little feet so delicate and innocent, is one that stays with me forever.
Please help, I cannot let them go away
I plead for help, as I am unable to let go of these precious memories and moments that make up my life.
You live from day to day, don't let your grief prevail
Take a chance and start again
You must keep moving forward each day, not allowing grief to consume you. Take a chance on life and start anew.
You and I fly through the morning light
We're reaching for the sky
Even at the coming of night
Just you and I
Together, you and I reach for the highest goals and dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem, even in the darkest of times.
Do you remember the day he found his feet for the first time?
The first word he trief to speak?
Say, how does it feel?
There's nothihing you did wrong
Don't hang your head, oh be strong
Take heart and grow in confidence
As a parent, you remember the special moments of your child's life, such as when they first learned to walk or speak. It's important to remember that there's nothing you did wrong and to remain strong in your confidence as a caregiver.
You and me - showed it for all to see
It felt like the prime of life,
even at the coming of night
Just you and I
Together, we showed the world our love, living life to the fullest even in difficult times.
Icy cold flows through my innermost,
I cannot feel your warmth, oh please
just let me home
I'm so alone
There's a different sound I can't recognize
I can't see the gap between black and white
Am I realldy dead?
Am I still alive?
Is there anyone?
Just give me a sign
In a state of confusion and desperation, one longs for the comfort of home and the warmth of companionship. The unknown can be scary and overwhelming. The existential questions of life and death loom overhead.
Would you please come in and take a seat
I'm the one who came for you to retrieve
You have to understand and please don't resist
Now you have to trust mme and fall asleep
Follow me to familiar
Repress your sentiments and let thhem fade away
You are the holy saviour
Just when yo ufall asleep, you'll see the light of day
Solo: Martin Schnella
Someone is beckoning and guiding you, leading you towards safety and comfort. You are urged to let go of your emotions and surrender to the experience. You will be saved when you enter into sleep and wake to a new day, a new life.
See the light
Enlightened for you to shine
Hear her cries
Coming from deep inside
In a world you do not know no one can hear you pray
Where the truth is left untold
Pictured in shades of gray
Oh, this world you should not care even when you regret
Only pain for you to bear
A delusion you can't protect
In this world, you may feel lost and meaningless. You cannot fully express your true self and truths are hidden from view. There may be pain and regret, but you must bear it and move forward, living in a less-than-ideal reality.
In a world you do not know
no one can hear you pray
Where the truth is left untold, pictured in shades of gray
Oh, this world you should not care
Even when you regret
Only pain for you to bear
A delusion you can't protect
Reiterating the message that in this strange and unpredictable world, prayer and truth may not be enough to set things right. Sometimes, pain and regret are inescapable and the harsh reality of life cannot be shielded.
Contributed by Samuel J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lou Amato
Martin, I've been listening to your covers for some time now starting with Kansas, but I had no idea you had these original gems! Very tasty and original. Man, I wish you were able to get to the states sometime. God bless you, brother, and keep the flame lit!
Martin Schnella
Thank you so much Lou :) Feel free to check out our homepage www.gray-matters.de :) our music is available on CD :)
Kurt Depner
Brilliant, brilliant track. Next time I'm in Europe, I'm going to time it so I can see you live. Count on it!
Author Robert Oliver
An amazing track on an amazing album.
Uwe Schramm
Tolles Stück! So viele schöne und unterschiedliche Passagen. Macht Lust auf mehr!
Martin Schnella
Sag bescheid 😀 Das Mirage Album kann ich dir auch schicken
September
Your music is amazing! It’s so full, but I would love to hear The London Philharmonic behind you...these melodic chord cadences are just screaming for even more dynamic interpretations that an orchestra could provide.
Don’t get me wrong: I think it’s amazing just as it is.
I know....it’s prog, but if Metallica can do orchestra with metal...well, there ya go!
...and I thought prog rock had vanished! I am revived!
Martin Schnella
Thank you! Yes, I would love to hear the orchestra, too. :) But I cannot pay them. :) :) But on our latest Flaming Row release "The Pure Shine" we have an ensemble performed by Eric and Nathan Brenton playing. :) Nearly on the whole album!
Dean Kopri
Glad you (someone) shared Amaranth cover (I'm a huge NW fan and usually make piano covers of their songs) few days ago so I discovered you guys! Still gett lost who is who in which band and that stuff though haha... Love this really much! Keep 'em coming :)
YaroSz.
...piękna opowieść...