Hell Is For Heroes are a British post-hardcore band who formed in Camden, L… Read Full Bio ↴Hell Is For Heroes are a British post-hardcore band who formed in Camden, London, in September 2000. Will McGonagle and Joe Birch were previously in the band Symposium.

After leaving their record label EMI in 2004 following the Payola scandal, they released their second album independently before signing a deal with Burning Heart Records, who subsequently re-released it in 2006. The band's third (self-titled) album was released in June 2007.

September 2000 Hell is For Heroes formed
January 2001 1st gig at the Half Moon, Putney
March 2001 released debut EP ‘Sick Happy’ (the first demo) and toured with Biffy Clyro
July 2001 signed record deal
January 2002 recorded first album with Swedes Pelle & Eskil
… on and off tours of the UK
February 2003 released ‘The Neon Handshake’
March 2003 to
January 2004 toured like dogs
May 2004 recorded 2nd album in Sweden on their own label
August 2004 released handmade CD single and free download ‘One Of Us’ through Captains Of Industry
November 2004 filmed video for ‘Kamichi’ with friend and artist Tom McShane
March 2005 released 2nd album ‘Transmit Disrupt’ in the UK on their own label
September 2005 signed worldwide deal with Burning Heart Records

The band continue to tour, often abroad, often briefly...This news broke to the dismay of many a Heroes fan on 25.10.2007:

"Dear rock fans the forthcoming hop around the UK will be the last full length stint on the road before the reunion tour in 2037. HIFH are up for spending more time at home working on other projects and potentially a fourth album if it can beat the last effort. Plus 7 years in the van is a fair stretch by any standards. Just like the Beatles after Rubber Soul, its hallucinogenics and concept albums from here on. In the meantime, as usual, expect the unforgettable.

Thank You,
hellisforheroes"

They finally gave it up in 2008, with a final goodbye post on their official website posted in Jan 2009.

They reformed in November 2012 to support Hundred reasons on their last tour dates.

They then toured in 2018 with A and in 2023 with Hundred Reasons and My Vitriol, releasing two new songs in early 2023.

One of Us
Hell Is For Heroes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We've been abducted
My head corrupted
Sharp shock commotion
Stirs up confusion
We failed to notice
Blinded by daylight
This grand delusion
We lost the track

I stand corrected
Captain arrest me
These bones upon me
Plastered and fractured
Make your selection
Through gaps in memory
They tell their own tale
Playing for time..

For all the steps that we can take
We'll never close the open space
So captain get us out of here
Return us to the fear we know

To guard against the animals
A shelter from the avalanche.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of One Of Us by Hell Is For Heroes convey a sense of confusion and disorientation, as the singer realizes that they have been abducted and their head has become corrupted. The sharp shock commotion has caused them to lose track of time and reality, leading them to be blinded by daylight and succumb to a grand delusion. They stand corrected and are willing to face the consequences of their actions, recognizing the extent of the physical damage that has been inflicted upon them. Through gaps in their memory, they try to piece together the events that led up to their abduction, all while playing for time.

The song seems to be exploring the theme of powerlessness in the face of external forces. The singer is at the mercy of their captors, unable to take any steps to escape the situation. They express a desire to return to the fear they know, suggesting that the unknown is even more terrifying than the present predicament. The second half of the song is a plea for protection, urging the captain to guard against the animals and provide shelter from the avalanche. The lyrics are filled with a sense of desperation, as the singer tries to make sense of the chaos surrounding them.

Line by Line Meaning

We've been abducted
We are in a situation that we did not willingly choose

My head corrupted
I am experiencing mental turmoil and confusion

Sharp shock commotion
A sudden event has caused disruption and chaos

Stirs up confusion
It is difficult to understand what is happening and what to do next

We failed to notice
We were unaware of critical information or details that could have helped us avoid this situation

Blinded by daylight
We were too focused on what was directly in front of us to see the larger picture

This grand delusion
We were under a false impression or belief that led us into this situation

We lost the track
We made a mistake or misstep that has caused us to deviate from our original plan

I stand corrected
I recognize that I was wrong or mistaken in my previous actions or decisions

Captain arrest me
I am taking full responsibility for my role in the current situation

These bones upon me
I am physically and emotionally drained from the difficulties we have faced

Plastered and fractured
I am beaten down and broken in various ways

Make your selection
We must choose a course of action to move forward, even if it is not ideal

Through gaps in memory
We are missing important pieces of information due to faulty recollection or communication

They tell their own tale
The pieces of information we do have suggest a particular narrative, regardless of how accurate or complete it may be

Playing for time..
We are trying to delay or avoid dealing with the situation directly

For all the steps that we can take
Despite our best efforts to address the problem, we remain stuck

We'll never close the open space
There will always be some element of uncertainty or ambiguity that we cannot fully control or eliminate

So captain get us out of here
We are relying on someone else to rescue us from this situation

Return us to the fear we know
We would rather be in familiar and uncomfortable territory than in uncertain and potentially dangerous territory

To guard against the animals
We are taking precautions to protect ourselves from potential threats

A shelter from the avalanche.
We are seeking a safe haven from a looming disaster or crisis

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES MCCARLIE FINDLAY, JOSEPH BIRCH, JUSTIN ROBIN SCHLOSBERG, TOMAS EDWARD O'DONOGHUE, WILL MCGONAGLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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