Current members
* Jamey Jasta – vocals (1994-present)
* Chris Beattie – bass guitar (1994-present)
* Wayne Lozinak – guitar (1994–1996, 2009-present)
* Matt Byrne – drums (2000-present)
* Frank Novinec – guitar (2005-present)
Former members
* Larry Dwyer, Jr. – guitar (1994–1996)
* Dave Russo – drums (1994–1996)
* Matt McIntosh – guitar (1996–1999)
* Jamie "Pushbutton" Muckinhaupt – drums (1997–1999)
* Lou "Boulder" Richards (deceased) – guitar (1997–2002)
* F. Sean Martin – guitar (2000–2009)
Studio albums
* Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire (1997)
* Perseverance (2002)
* The Rise of Brutality (2003)
* Supremacy (2006)
* For the Lions (2009)
* Hatebreed (2009)
* The Divinity of Purpose (2013)
* The Concrete Confessional (2016)
* Weight of the False Self (2020)
Not My Master
Hatebreed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This fight is worth fighting
This hope is worth hoping
What I walk away from is not my master
This day is worth living
This fight is worth fighting
This hope is worth hoping
If it came down to life or death would you even make a choice
If it was tomorrow would you see the today you’ve destroyed
I feel like I’ve been here before so many painful times
But I know your crying for my help not of your own device
Denounce, Denounce. Denounce their cure
It’s worse than the disease
Denounce, Denounce. Denounce their cure
Deny their disbelief
Just keep telling yourself
This day is worth living
This fight is worth fighting
This hope is worth hoping
What I walk away from is not my master
Just keep telling yourself
This day is worth living
This fight is worth fighting
This hope is worth hoping
What I walk away from is not my master
You’ve left and claimed one more lie to live
With so many more fears to cower in
And ill spill your blood in the abyss of tears
Then spread my remains on the battlefield
Denounce, Denounce. Denounce their cure
It’s worse than the disease
Denounce, Denounce. Denounce their cure
Deny their disbelief
And I keep telling myself
I just keep telling myself
I just keep telling myself
What I walk away from is not my master
It’s so true when they say
Sometimes you just gotta walk away
And never look back!
It’s so true when they say
Sometimes you just gotta walk away
And never look back!
The lyrics of Hatebreed's song Not My Master are a powerful message about self-empowerment and the ability to walk away from toxic situations that hold one back. The repeated lines "This day is worth living, This fight is worth fighting, This hope is worth hoping, What I walk away from is not my master" assert that one's own life and dreams are worth fighting for, and that leaving behind negative influences is necessary for self-growth.
The song also touches on the idea that sometimes choices have to be made, even if they are difficult or life-altering, as shown in the lines "If it came down to life or death, would you even make a choice, If it was tomorrow, would you see the today you’ve destroyed." The verses encourage denouncing the ideas and beliefs that hold us back or keep us in a state of fear, urging listeners to "Denounce their cure, It’s worse than the disease, Deny their disbelief."
The chorus is a reminder to oneself to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity, and to believe that walking away from negativity is the right choice. The lyrics "It’s so true when they say, Sometimes you just gotta walk away, And never look back" drive this point further, urging listeners to leave behind toxic situations and people and to focus on their own growth and well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
This day is worth living
Today is worth living for and making the most of
This fight is worth fighting
The struggle and effort put into fighting for something worthwhile is worth it
This hope is worth hoping
The belief and expectation that something good will happen is worth holding onto
What I walk away from is not my master
I am in control of my own life and choices, and I will not be held captive by anything I choose to leave behind
If it came down to life or death would you even make a choice
When faced with a critical decision, would you be able to make a choice between two equally difficult options?
If it was tomorrow would you see the today you’ve destroyed
If you knew that your actions today would negatively impact your future, would you still proceed with them?
I feel like I’ve been here before so many painful times
I have experienced similar situations of pain and struggle many times before
But I know your crying for my help not of your own device
I understand that you are in need of help and support, and your situation is not entirely of your own doing
Denounce, Denounce. Denounce their cure
Reject and condemn the supposed cure or solution offered for a problem
It’s worse than the disease
The proposed cure is actually more harmful and detrimental than the original problem
Deny their disbelief
Do not allow others to shake your belief or faith in something
You’ve left and claimed one more lie to live
You have chosen to live with another falsehood or deception
With so many more fears to cower in
Although you have left one fear behind, there are still many others that you allow to control you
And ill spill your blood in the abyss of tears
I am so hurt and angry that I will metaphorically spill your blood while crying in despair
Then spread my remains on the battlefield
I will fight to the death and never give up until I emerge victorious, even if it costs me everything
And I keep telling myself
I continue to reaffirm and believe in myself
I just keep telling myself
I repeatedly remind myself of my beliefs and convictions
What I walk away from is not my master
I will never be held captive by anything I choose to leave behind
It’s so true when they say
The widely held belief or statement is true
Sometimes you just gotta walk away
At times, it is necessary to leave a situation or person behind for one's own well-being
And never look back!
It is important to move forward and never dwell on the past
Contributed by Thomas W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.