The band was formed in 1993 under the name Grip as a five-piece band featuring former Overkill bass player Bobby Gustafson on second guitar. After Gustafson and bass player Chaz Grimaldi left the band, Grip Inc hired Jason Viebrooks (Heathen) and recorded their first album, The Power Of Inner Strength. The release of the album was followed by European tour with Motörhead and, later, with Kreator. After releasing their second album in 1997, Viebrooks was replaced by Stuart Carruthers.
The release of their third album, Solidify, in 1999 was followed by a co-headlining tour with Italian band Lacuna Coil (one of the many bands produced by Sorychta). Despite Dave Lombardo's return in Slayer in 2001, Grip Inc released a fourth album in 2004.
Since then, Sorychta founded Eyes Of Eden and Enemy Of the Sun while Gus Chamber joined Squealer A.D.. On 16th August 2008, Gus Chambers joined Enemy Of The Sun on stage for an exclusive Grip Inc. oriented set In Bochum (Germany).
Unfortunately, Gus Chambers passed away on October 13, 2008 at the age of 52. Chambers, who resided in Coventry, England, reportedly took his own life.
Discography
The Power of Inner Strength (1995)
Nemesis (1997)
Solidify (1999)
Incorporated (2004)
Hostage to Heaven
Grip Inc. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A face of red , but a heart of stone cold black
Servants of two masters, the congregation splits
Serving sexual rituals, true back bites
Pirates in pinstripe, admired by the many in
Their hours of weakness
All ways stand, with their backs to the sun
Religious fanatics, muttering righteousness on sacred ground
Conscience, burning, lives held
Hostage to heaven
Symbolic bullshit, hung around the necks, of the weak
Silver and gold, just trinkets of deception
One man's faith becomes another man's evil
Don't deny the power of inner strength, right
2x
Conscience, burning, lives held
Hostage to heaven
In the song Hostage to Heaven by Grip Inc., the lyrics refer to the treachery and duplicity of religious leaders who serve themselves instead of their congregation. The first few lines talk about how these leaders wear a smile on their face but their heart is black as stone. They are described as servants of two masters, meaning they serve themselves and the actual divine, leading to the congregation being split. These leaders engage in sexual rituals and backbite their own members. The song also highlights the hypocrisy of religious leaders who preach righteousness but act in the opposite way, moving like pirates in pinstripe suits, admired by many in moments of weakness. They are condemned as religious fanatics muttering righteousness on sacred ground, while their armor of religion is like foil on a bed of nails.
Grip Inc. also points out the symbolic hypocrisy and deception in religion, where silver and gold are seen as trinkets of deception worn by the weak who lack inner strength. One man's faith may become another man's evil, emphasizing the need to be true to oneself and stay away from religious hostages, which are preventing them from living genuinely. All of these thoughts are wrapped in the chorus, where conscience is burning and lives are held hostage to heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Treachery with a smile, etched upon its face
Deceitful behavior portrayed through a smile on one's face
A face of red , but a heart of stone cold black
Appearing angry or embarrassed on the outside, but internally, lacking any empathy or caring
Servants of two masters, the congregation splits
Being loyal to multiple causes, resulting in dividing the group
Serving sexual rituals, true back bites
Performing sexual acts while secretly betraying one's partners
Pirates in pinstripe, admired by the many in their hours of weakness
People who wear business attire and are respected, but during times of vulnerability, resort to immoral behavior similar to that of pirates
All ways stand, with their backs to the sun
Always choosing to face the darkness rather than light or positivity
Religious fanatics, muttering righteousness on sacred ground
Extremist believers talking about morality and justice, in holy places
The armor of religion like foil across a bed of nails
Religion used as protection but does more harm than good
Conscience, burning, lives held
Feeling guilty and fearful for one's actions
Hostage to heaven
Trapped in a situation due to pursuing a better afterlife
Symbolic bullshit, hung around the necks, of the weak
Using meaningless symbols to manipulate or deceive those who are easily influenced
Silver and gold, just trinkets of deception
Valuable, yet worthless possessions used to deceive others
One man's faith becomes another man's evil
Personal beliefs can be seen as morally wrong by others
Don't deny the power of inner strength, right
Underscoring the importance of internal determination and self-confidence to overcome various obstacles
Conscience, burning, lives held
Feeling guilty and fearful for one's actions
Hostage to heaven
Trapped in a situation due to pursuing a better afterlife
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: DAVE LOMBARDO, GARY KENNETH CHAMBERS, WALDEMAR SORYCHTA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@akrebs74
This song is legend. And so under-rated.
@sstrykert
Yes
@munkeeBraynStoo
It pairs so well with Retribution (Savage Seas) on the album. It's all seamless
@nocturnalferalguitarist
Is anyone here in 2023 with me that can't play this song loud enough?
@moy07350
Immortal Grip Inc
@lukefernandez7880
The double pedal on this track is fucking orgasmic. Dave is my hero.
@mikebradford7780
No drum triggers were harmed in the production of this song. 🤘🏼🤘🏼
@louiscsanko9322
100% Correct MIKE// LOMBARDO IS THE DRUM GOD!!!!
@feliperuiz83
One of the best bands i've ever listened to!! RIP Gus.. Long live Thrash Metal!!
@daywalkermike
RIP , Gus ! This is your Legacy and you can be proud of it !