Half Me's sound blends modern metal and hardcore with elements of 90s nu metal, characterized by pounding riffs, intense breakdowns, and a mixture of aggressive and refined vocals.
The band's breakthrough came in May 2021 with the single Exitwound, which featured Jack Bergin from Void of Vision. The track garnered significant attention, landing the band in KNOTFEST’s “Countdown to Oblivion,” which helped propel them into the spotlight.
In February 2023, they released their debut album Soma via Arising Empire, with standout tracks that explore dark and introspective themes. The track Blacklight delves into the concept of losing control, inspired by true crime stories and characters like Michael Myers and Fritz Honka. Another track, I Am But A Guest In Exile, portrays a protagonist spiraling into paranoia and delusion, questioning their own reality while suffering from sleep deprivation and schizophrenic episodes.
Following the album's release, Half Me embarked on a European tour, playing high-profile festivals like Wacken Open Air. They were also nominated for the Heavy Music Awards.
Around 2023, the band's lineup shifted when guitarist Julius Jansen departed from the band, and Silvan Petersen filled his role. This change influenced their songwriting, as they moved away from a polished sound, opting for a more raw and organic feel in line with the new themes they were exploring.
In September 2024, Half Me released the EP titled Opium. They are also planning to release a second part to the EP in early 2025. Thematically, this follow-up will connect with the original Opium release, and recording sessions are scheduled after their upcoming U.S. tour.
Trauma Culture
Half Me Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rules are set and put on a scale
A dream of blood with a face so pale
Oh once I realized I’m in control, I’ve been taking my chances cause it’s all my fault
Playing the cards I was dealt as I’m running with broken bones
We‘re only prone to the dogma, when we are coming from a bad place
No helping hand, no sight of saving grace
I know it seems too little too late
Dug in too deep into my weakness
From being struck by bad luck and despair
To suffering the same fate
Different minds in the same frame
Different crime but the same name
The walls are closing in
The ceiling is coming down
Paranoid in my own skin
There is only one way out
Gradual isolation
Intellectual intoxication
Follow through without a thing to complain
(Carve my lane)
I’m better off with the bitterness
(Carve my lane)
Became a host with no dignity left
(Carve my lane)
Consume the life from my open vein
Collateral
So cynical
Seducing
Abusing
Collateral
Non clinical
Not listening
Distressing
Until you die you will propagate your fucking waste
The lyrics of "Trauma Culture" by Half Me explore themes of personal responsibility, self-control, and the destructive patterns imposed by society. The song begins with the recognition that individuals with different perspectives and experiences are forced to conform to the same rules and standards. This is depicted through the metaphor of being weighed on a scale, suggesting a judgment or measurement of worth.
There is a sense of personal realization and agency in the lyrics as the singer acknowledges their own control over their choices and actions. They admit to taking chances and accepting responsibility for their own faults, symbolized by playing cards with broken bones. This may imply that they have been dealt a difficult hand in life, but they continue to navigate their circumstances despite the pain and challenges.
The song then delves into the notion of being trapped by societal dogma when coming from a negative place. It suggests that in times of hardship, there is often no helping hand or saving grace to rely on. The lyrics convey a feeling of hopelessness and the perception that it may be too late to change or escape the consequences of their actions and circumstances.
The second verse explores the growing sense of confinement and paranoia, represented by walls closing in and the ceiling coming down. The singer describes a state of gradual isolation and intellectual intoxication, implying a withdrawal from the world and a reliance on their own thoughts and intellect. This isolation seems to be accompanied by bitterness and a loss of dignity.
The chorus emphasizes the repetition of destructive patterns and behaviors, with different minds trapped in the same frame and committing similar crimes. The lyrics reflect a sense of resignation and a belief that there is only one way out of this cycle of suffering and despair.
In the bridge, the song takes on a more aggressive tone, condemning the propagation of waste and destructive behaviors until death. The lyrics depict a cynical and distressing reality, where individuals are seduced and abused, refusing to listen to reason and perpetuating harmful actions.
Overall, "Trauma Culture" by Half Me delves into personal struggles, societal pressures, and the destructive patterns that can emerge from these circumstances. The lyrics explore themes of personal agency, responsibility, isolation, and the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Different minds in the same frame
Various perspectives exist within a shared reality
The rules are set and put on a scale
Regulations are established and evaluated for fairness
A dream of blood with a face so pale
An unsettling vision portraying the fragility of existence
Oh once I realized I’m in control, I’ve been taking my chances cause it’s all my fault
Upon recognizing personal agency, willingly embracing risks despite self-blame
Playing the cards I was dealt as I’m running with broken bones
Navigating life's challenges despite physical and emotional injuries
We‘re only prone to the dogma, when we are coming from a bad place
Accepting ideologies more easily when in a vulnerable state
No helping hand, no sight of saving grace
Lack of assistance or divine intervention in times of need
I know it seems too little too late
Awareness that efforts may be insufficient or delayed
Dug in too deep into my weakness
Overindulgence in personal flaws and vulnerabilities
From being struck by bad luck and despair
Transitioning from unfortunate circumstances to overwhelming hopelessness
To suffering the same fate
Enduring a similar outcome or destiny
The walls are closing in
Feeling trapped and restricted
The ceiling is coming down
Sense of impending collapse or defeat
Paranoid in my own skin
Experiencing intense anxiety within one's own body
There is only one way out
Perceiving a singular escape route
Gradual isolation
Progressive seclusion from others
Intellectual intoxication
Becoming intoxicated by abstract or intellectual pursuits
Follow through without a thing to complain
Completing tasks without expressing grievances
(Carve my lane)
Asserting individuality and carving a unique path
I’m better off with the bitterness
Preferring to dwell in negativity or resentment
(Carve my lane)
Continuing to forge one's own distinctive journey
Became a host with no dignity left
Transformed into a vessel devoid of self-respect
(Carve my lane)
Persisting in creating a personal trajectory
Consume the life from my open vein
Draining one's vitality from their vulnerable state
Collateral
Unintended consequences or secondary damages
So cynical
Exhibiting skepticism or pessimism
Seducing
Enticing or luring
Abusing
Misusing or exploiting
Collateral
Unintended consequences or secondary damages
Non clinical
Not medically-related or detached from emotion
Not listening
Disregarding or failing to heed
Distressing
Causing anxiety or discomfort
Until you die you will propagate your fucking waste
Continuously perpetuating unnecessary and harmful actions until death
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HalfMe
Feels good to be part of the family 🖤
@justinvarieur4411
Congrats boys 💪🏻
@anthonygraffam2205
Big ups
@Holagrimola
which half part is part of the family?
@InTuGuru
Born of Osiris brought me here, I’m not disappointed
@ArisingEmpire
Welcome!
@jonathanschultz8311
In Flensburg we say "gute Sache" and I think that's beautiful.
@benlacey6429
Yeah I'm all up on this quality
Überkiller! eure anderen Videos hatten schon so einen geilen style, keeps getting better und mucke hat nen geilen Korn vibe
@ragnarrnordlord3068
OMG
I heard it now 10Times😍👍 it was a really good decision to Make them to a part of the Arising Fam👍
🇩🇪