Their sophomore album, Suck Out The Poison, was released on October 3rd, 2006, featuring more raspy vocals.It received mixed reviews from long-time fans due to a major difference in vocalist Schuylar Croom's vocals and is still disputed to this day.
In 2009, He Is Legend announced that they will be taking a musical sabbatical in the forest surrounding North Carolina recording studio, Warrior Sound Studio. They also claimed that the material written during this hiatus will be used to create a record "literally made of solid gold (figuratively speaking).The bands latest album, It Hates You was released on July 21, 2009.
*The bands roots reach back into the late 1990's when Adam Tanbouz, Steven Bache, Matt Williams, guitarist McKenzie Bell, and vocalist Schuyler Croom began writing and performing around Wilmington, NC. In 2003, having previously played under the names of Stronghold, No One Wins, and The Uriah Omen, the name He Is Legend was adopted by members Tanbouz, Bache, Bell, Croom, and Williams. After releasing their first EP in June of 2004 entitled 91025, the band signed on with Solid State Records and released their first full length album in November. I Am Hollywood was a massive success and the band immediately began to experience a surge in popularity that extended far beyond their NC roots. After almost two years of extensive touring in the United States and Europe, the band temporarily relocated to California to record their next release. Suck Out the Poison was released on October 3, 2006 and triggered mixed reviews from long-time fans. It was evident, however, that the band believed firmly in the album and as a result were largely indifferent to often cruel criticisms from offended fans. Their confident, care-free response is portrayed in their music video "Attack of the Dungeon Witch" which was released in March of 2007. Soon after the release of Suck Out the Poison, guitarist McKenzie Bell left the band without explanation and was eventually replaced by guitarist Mitch Marlow (previously of Classic Case). Bell later joined the band Bloodjinn.In February 2008, it was announced that Mitch Marlow was no longer a member of He Is Legend, and would be replaced with Worth Weaver. Marlow is now playing guitar for Filter.
Debates abouts whether or not He Is Legend is a Christian group have been fueled by the fact that Solid State Records is a Christian record label. While Croom and other members of the band have claimed to be followers of Christ, the band has made it clear that they are not collectively a Christian band in the FAQ section on their website saying that, "We are in no way a Christian band... We all enjoy music, we all enjoy playing our instruments, so if we had to be classified as anything it would be a 'band' band or 'music' band."
He Is Legend has confirmed that they are not nor ever have been a christian and have since left Solid-State records for NC based Tragic Hero Records.
*[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Is_Legend]
China White II
He Is Legend Lyrics
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And we see no crop
Without the raindrops
And only the weeds will survive
And keep our seeds from thriving
Will we ever see the spring?
I've got my eye on you
(These eyes have a plan)
I've got my eyes on you
And they weep and you stay
Now won't you please grow for me?
I swore I'd never leave your side
But I'm exhausted
I need my rest
And even when I close my eyes
Oh, these tears continue
They will find their way to you
I've got my eye on you
And these eyes have a plan
(These eyes have a plan)
I've got my eyes on you
And they weep and you stay
Now won't you please grow for me?
I thought I'd never see the day
When the clouds would roll away
In pain and suffering
Bring the rain and bring the spade
Don't cry for me dear
I'm alive and I'm right here
I missed you so damn much then
With no garden to tend
The lyrics to He Is Legend's song "China White" describe a difficult situation where the land is dry and there is no ability to grow crops. The singer longs for rain to nourish the land and allow the seeds to thrive, but only weeds seem to survive in such harsh conditions. There is a sense of urgency in the singer's words, as it seems that if the crops do not grow soon, there may be no hope of survival. The singer is tired and needs rest, but cannot seem to escape the tears that come with the despair of the land. They have a plan to make things better, but it requires the crops to grow.
The second half of the song shows a glimmer of hope as the singer longs for the clouds to roll away and bring rain and relief to the dry land. They express the pain and suffering that comes with the drought, but also the resilience of the human spirit to survive. The singer assures their loved ones that they are still alive and present, even if they have been too preoccupied with tending to the garden in the past. The lyrics suggest that the land may have gone barren before, but with faith and perseverance, it can regrow once more.
Line by Line Meaning
And our land is so terribly dry
The land is extremely arid and unpleasant
And we see no crop
We cannot produce any crops due to the lack of moisture
Without the raindrops
Rain is essential for the survival of our crops
And only the weeds will survive
Only the undesirable plants can sustain themselves without water
And keep our seeds from thriving
The weeds prevent our crops from growing
Will we ever see the spring?
We are uncertain if it will ever rain again
I've got my eye on you
I am watching you closely
And these eyes have a plan
(These eyes have a plan)
I am strategizing and devising a plan for the future
And they weep and you stay
Now won't you please grow for me?
I am pleading for our crops to survive and grow
I swore I'd never leave your side
I promised to always be there for you
But I'm exhausted
I need my rest
I am tired and require a break
And even when I close my eyes
Oh, these tears continue
Despite my weariness, I am still emotional and tearful
They will find their way to you
My emotions affect and influence your well-being
I thought I'd never see the day
When the clouds would roll away
I never expected the drought to end
In pain and suffering
Bring the rain and bring the spade
We are willing to endure hardships if it means getting the rain required for our crops
Don't cry for me dear
I'm alive and I'm right here
Do not worry about me, I am present and doing well
I missed you so damn much then
With no garden to tend
I longed for you and having a garden to care for during the drought
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Schuylar Croom, Adam Tanbouz, Matt Williams, Steve Bache
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind