Halford's first album "Resurrection" was included in Martin Popoff's "The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time". As well, the songs "Silent Screams" and the title-track "Resurrection" were included in Popoff's list. The track "The One You Love to Hate" included guest vocalist Bruce Dickinson, from Iron Maiden.
In 2002, Halford released the second studio album "Crucible", although no live recordings have been officially released to promote this album. A high-quality soundboard bootleg titled "Live - From the Disney House of Blues" was made available for download along with a special DEP at Robhalford.com in 2004. Halford released bonus tracks in Japan, such as "She", "Fugitive", "Rock the World Forever" and "In the Morning".
On November, 2006, Halford released a single set from the Halford IV album, titled "Forgotten Generation." The first wave of Halford releases included remastered editions of his solo band's back catalogue and initially releasing them through Apple's online iTunes Store. Fight also celebrated a release, an early recording entitled "K5- War of Words Demos," which were the demos that Rob Halford had recorded back when Fight had first formed. Lastly, a compilation was included, called "Metal God Essentials, Vol. 1," which not only had the fans' favorite Halford tunes, but also had new songs called "Forgotten Generation" and "Drop Out."
Rob Halford's third solo record, entitled "Halford III - Winter Songs", was released worldwide through all retailers on November 3, 2009. The record features new tracks recorded by his solo band between 2008–2009, as well as traditional Christmas songs re-arranged to heavy metal renditions by Halford himself. The first single, "Get Into the Spirit" was released to radios on September 29, 2009.
On June 25, 2010, Halford released the first single, "The Mower", from his fourth solo studio album, "Halford IV - Made Of Metal", which was released in October 2010.
Studio albums
* Resurrection (2000)
* Crucible (2002)
* Halford III - Winter Songs (2009)
* Halford IV - Made Of Metal (2010)
EPs
* Silent Screams: The Singles EP (2006) (Exclusive to iTunes)
Live albums
* Live Insurrection (2001)
* LIVE - Disney House of Blues Concert (2004) (Formerly available for free download from www.robhalford.com.)
* Live in Anaheim (Original Soundtrack) (2010)
Compilation albums
* Metal God Essentials, Vol. 1 (2006) (Exclusive to iTunes, released as a CD in September 2007)
DVDs
* Halford - Live At Rock In Rio III (DVD) (2008)
* Live in Anaheim (DVD) (2010)
Handing Out Bullets
Halford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Parasites that hide
Detonate the human bomb
Hands are all awash in blood
Carnage from the scriptures
Slaughter of the lamb
Break the neck of the white dove
Whip the back
Of your messiah
Your peace kills by death
Bow your head
The prayer calls to violence
That history rejects
Waiting wall of murder
Consummating hate
League of perpetuity
Will open wounds of disbelief
Through self immolation
You desecrate the ground
Annihilate the innocents
In crucifixion crashing down
Whip the back
Of your messiah
Your peace kills by death
Bow your head
The prayer calls to violence
That history rejects
Motuhs are spitting venom
Shocked senseless by the grief
Another day of dying
As your terror cry abominates
Mushroom cloud is coming
Hanging by the nails
Gasoline the olive branch
Start digging up more body pits
Whip the back
Of your messiah
Your peace kills by death
Bow your head
The prayer calls to violence
That history rejects
Halford’s “Handing Out Bullets” is a track that deals explicitly with the theme of violence and its impact on humanity. The song is a scathing indictment of people in power, who use violence and terror to achieve their objectives. The opening verse warns the listener about the “cowards” who hide behind their power and privilege while going about their business of unleashing violence and destruction. It’s a pointed reference to the rulers of the world who often hide behind their armies and state apparatus while ordering wars and bombings.
The second verse is even more intense, with the lyrics painting a vivid picture of carnage and bloodshed in the name of religion. The lyrics suggest that innocent people are being killed and slaughtered while the perpetrators hide behind their twisted interpretation of religious texts. The reference to the “white dove” being run over by a train is a powerful metaphor for how the innocent are being crushed under the wheels of violence.
The chorus of the song is the most powerful section, with the lyrics suggesting that people who pray for violence and destruction cannot be considered holy. The censure is palpable, as the lyrics imply that those who kill in the name of peace are killers, not messiahs. The song ends with a haunting image of “digging up more body pits,” suggesting that the cycle of violence and hatred will continue unless something changes.
Overall, “Handing Out Bullets” is a bleak but powerful reflection on the state of the world and the human condition. Halford’s passionate vocals and intense lyrics make this one of the more potent songs in his discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Cowards are unholy
People who lack bravery are not deserving of respect and are considered sinful
Parasites that hide
They are like leeches that feed on the weak and vulnerable while concealing their true nature
Detonate the human bomb
Activate the chosen suicide bomber to carry out an act of terrorism
Hands are all awash in blood
Their hands are stained with the blood of the victims they have killed
Carnage from the scriptures
Causing great destruction and loss of life in the name of religious texts
Slaughter of the lamb
Taking the life of an innocent individual
Break the neck of the white dove
To kill someone who is peaceful and harmless
Run down by the tracks above
Killing someone with no chance of escape or recourse
Whip the back
To physically punish or harm someone by lashing their back with a whip
Of your messiah
Of the person or group that is supposed to bring hope or salvation
Your peace kills by death
Their idea of peace actually leads to death and destruction for many others
Bow your head
Show submission or defeat in the face of great force or power
The prayer calls to violence
The act of praying is being used to justify or encourage violent action
That history rejects
This approach has failed before and should not be repeated
Waiting wall of murder
A place where many violent acts have occurred and where more may occur in the future
Consummating hate
Making an act of violence or aggression the ultimate expression of their hatred towards others
League of perpetuity
A group or alliance that is dedicated to continuing acts of violence and aggression without end
Will open wounds of disbelief
Their actions will create injuries or damage that are impossible to comprehend or heal
Through self immolation
The act of setting oneself on fire as a form of protest or aggression
You desecrate the ground
By committing this act, they show a lack of respect for the place where they or their victims stand
Annihilate the innocents
To completely destroy the lives of those who have done nothing wrong
In crucifixion crashing down
To violently and harshly impose suffering on someone who is vulnerable or powerless
Motuhs are spitting venom
Mothers who are overcome with grief and anger are lashing out aggressively
Shocked senseless by the grief
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to respond because of immense pain and sadness
Another day of dying
Day after day, they are confronted with the reality of lives lost, destroyed and ruptured
As your terror cry abominates
The act of screaming or crying out violently is seen as offensive or morally repugnant
Mushroom cloud is coming
A massive explosion or destruction is imminent
Hanging by the nails
In a position of extreme vulnerability and hopelessness, like Jesus Christ on the cross
Gasoline the olive branch
Instead of seeking peace, they are seeking ways to inflame and start more conflicts
Start digging up more body pits
Prepare more graves to accommodate those who will be killed in the ongoing violence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT HALFORD, PATRICK LACHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind