Halcyon Way is Atlanta's premier heavy metal band. Known for their explosiv… Read Full Bio ↴Halcyon Way is Atlanta's premier heavy metal band. Known for their explosive live shows, instantly catchy melodies, precise vocal harmonies, incendiary guitar work, intricate yet pounding drums, and live props and showmanship hearkening back to the glory days of arena rock, they dominate the local live scene. Aurally combining the heaviness of bands like Slayer, the technical prowess of Dream Theater, and with vocal melodies reminding you of Ronnie James Dio’s best work, you will be pummeled with the punishing riffs while being lovingly caressed by the unforgettable hooks.

Halcyon Way have received radio play on Atlanta’s FM 99.7, 91.1, 96.1, 1640AM, XM Radio, Sirius Radio, Darktech Radio, Maximum Threshold, Braingell Radio, Powermaker, Zentient Metalcast, and many other online radio stations. They have also shared the stage with heavyweight acts such as Helloween, Strapping Young Lad, Symphony X, Kamelot, Doro Pesch, Marc Rizzo of Soulfly, Sanctity, Vicious Rumors, Seven Witches, Samael, Cathedral, Brand New Sin, To/Die/For, Virgin Black, Prototype, Echoes Of Eternity, Sacred Dawn, Krucible, Cellador, Freak Kitchen, A Lower Deep, Scum Of The Earth, Speed X, Bobaflex, Society 1, Odin's Court, Imagika, Aska, Mindwarp Chamber, Six Minute Century, Circle II Circle, Enertia, and Magistral. In addition, Halcyon Way were the first Atlanta band to be featured at the legendary Prog Power festival in 2004, having been invited to kick off the festivities at the Prog Power Showcase, and were also a last minute addition to the Prog Power VIII Showcase in 2007. Halcyon Way also performed twice at the Rocklahoma 2008 festival alongside bands such as Queensryche, Tesla, Ace Frehley, and many others.

After releasing a string of EPs – Blind Eyes To The Sky & Deliver The Suffering - the band just released its debut full length album, entitled A Manifesto For Domination. Produced by guitarist Jon Bodan with assistance from James Murphy (formerly of the bands Testament, Death, Obituary, and Disincarnate, and producer of The Hinderers by Roadrunner artists Daath), mixed by Lasse Lammert (Alestorm, Incubator), and mastered by James Murphy, the record was released worldwide on 11/25/2008 via Nightmare Records.

Halcyon Way are currently recording the follow-up release to "A Manifesto For Domination", tentatively due for release in Spring 2010 via Nightmare Records. The album will be produced by Lasse Lammert and Jon Bodan. Drums were tracked at Open Sky Studios with Mike Froedge (doubleDrive, Bloodsimple). In addition, Pamela Moore of Queensryche fame will be making a guest appearance on the album. It also will mark Steve Braun's first recordings with Halcyon Way.

Conquer
Halcyon Way Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When faced with tribulation
You can accept the chains
Or proclaim your liberation
And see your life regained
In clutches of affliction
You will feel the strain
In agony of separation
No words can ever explain...

Explain...

The cords of desolation
Determined to abrade
Second chances handed out
Wake up, for you remain

You've got to burn it down!

When your flesh betrays you
You've got to rise above
When your blood forsakes you
This fire will be enough
(You've got to conquer)
When your cup runs over
This is not a drill
Prepare for battle
You go in for the kill

You've got to conquer

You've got to burn it down
You'll make it suffer
You burn it down to the ground
You've got to conquer

I know it's cold outside
And I've seen the signs
These days are all that's left
So cling to what you find

You've got to conquer

You've got to conquer
You've got to burn it down
You'll make it suffer
You burn it down to the ground

When your flesh betrays you
You've got to rise above
When your blood forsakes you
This fire will be enough
(You've got to conquer)
When your cup runs over
This is not a drill
Prepare for battle
You go in for the kill

You've got to conquer

You've got to burn it down
You'll make it suffer
You burn it down to the ground
You've got to conquer

You've got to burn it down

You'll make it suffer
You burn it down to the ground

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Halcyon Way's song Conquer express the idea that in times of tribulation, we have a choice to either accept the situation or fight to liberate ourselves. The first verse mentions that when faced with affliction, it can be painful and difficult to explain. The cords of desolation, which represents the feeling of hopelessness and despair, may try to bring us down, but it is up to us to rise above it all. The lyrics emphasize the importance of having a fighting spirit and never giving up, even when your flesh and blood betray you. The chorus repeats the phrase "you've got to conquer" to emphasize that we must not surrender to the obstacles that come our way.

The bridge of the song acknowledges that life can be hard and hostile, but we must hold on to what we can find and use it as a source of strength. The lyrics end with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the determination to burn down anything that tries to hold us down.

The song's message is one of empowerment and perseverance. It encourages listeners to keep fighting, no matter how hard life can get. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is facing a difficult situation and is determined to overcome it. The repetition of the phrase "you've got to" conveys a sense of urgency and determination to the listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

When faced with tribulation
When confronted with hardship

You can accept the chains
You can surrender and remain captive

Or proclaim your liberation
Or declare your independence

And see your life regained
And regain control of your existence

In clutches of affliction
In the grips of misery

You will feel the strain
You will feel the pressure

In agony of separation
In the torment of isolation

No words can ever explain...
No explanation can capture the pain

The cords of desolation
The ties of despair

Determined to abrade
Determined to wear down

Second chances handed out
Opportunities to start again given