In 2005, the band expanded their live band by adding Dan Elkan on vocals, rhythm guitar, and synth and Jonathan Hischke on bass guitar. In 2006, Hella's line-up was expanded to include Hill's cousin, Josh Hill (guitar), Spencer's Advantage bandmate Carson McWhirter (bass) and Aaron Ross (Vocals).
Since 2009, Hella's lineup is back to the original two-piece of Zach Hill and Spencer Seim, and in August of 2011 they released their latest album, Tripper, on Sargent House.
The Ungrateful Dead
Hella Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't you see their souls have traveled?
From this world to the next
The hex of a lifetime
Once your soul was unknowing
It's connection mere bliss
In swam infection
Give me no mythology
Of men stranded in skin
I want to see those
Willing to step into the unknown with me
I know survival of the fittest
Has got you down on
The ungrateful dead (is it all in the head?)
The ungrateful dead (does it need to be said?)
In swam infection
The realization of self
THE
WORLD
AT
IT'S
BEST
The ungrateful dead (is it all in the head?)
The ungrateful dead (does it need to be said?)
I do believe
We've lost indeed
We lost before it bled
WE'RE the ungrateful dead
We can't perceive
That which we don't need
BECAUSE WE'RE COMATOSE!
Have you seen the light?
They have seen the light.
"No that can't be right.
They have seen the light."
Was the end in sight?
My oh my oh my was the end in sight
When the dark is bright
And there is no night
Is the end in sight?
There's no end in sight!!!!!
So rain on me holy fire
RAIN ON US HOLY FIRE
RAIN SO LOUD THAT GHOSTS RETIRE
RAIN ON US HOLY SPIRIT
RAIN SO LOUD, THAT GHOSTS CAN HEAR IT
The song "The Ungrateful Dead" by Hella explores the idea of the journey of the soul after death. The lyrics describe how the ghosts of the departed are reaching out to the living in the hope of being seen and acknowledged, and that their journey from the physical world to the spiritual one is a hex of a lifetime. The song implies that the journey of the soul is full of uncertainty, and the realization of self can be a daunting task. The phrase "give me no mythology of men stranded in the skin" highlights that the song is not about any fictional thoughts of death, but is rooted in understanding the journey of the soul.
The phrase "The ungrateful dead" is repeated many times throughout the song, emphasizing how the living may not be fully acknowledging or grateful for the departed loved ones. The song touches upon the idea that survival of the fittest could make one feel drained, and the realization that the departed souls are out there, and their presence can bring hope and a strong purpose to live.
In conclusion, "The Ungrateful Dead" is a song that calls for the living to be more open-minded about considering the departed souls' presence and their journey into the spiritual world.
Line by Line Meaning
Ghosts reach out their hands to you
The spirits of those who have passed on are trying to connect with the living
Can't you see their souls have traveled?
The souls of the dead have moved on to the next stage
From this world to the next
The journey of the soul after death
The hex of a lifetime
The powerful impact that each person's life has
Once your soul was unknowing
Before you gained knowledge and awareness, you were naive
It's connection mere bliss
The joy of feeling connected to others or to something bigger than oneself
In swam infection
The experience of being infected or negatively influenced by something
The realization of self
The process of understanding one's own identity or being
Give me no mythology
I don't want stories or explanations that are just made up
Of men stranded in skin
The concept of being trapped or limited by one's physical body
I want to see those
I prefer to be around people who are open-minded and willing to explore new things
Willing to step into the unknown with me
People who are not afraid to take risks and try new experiences
I know survival of the fittest
I understand the concept of natural selection and competition in life
Has got you down on
You are feeling discouraged or defeated by the challenges of life
The ungrateful dead (is it all in the head?)
The feeling of being unfulfilled in life, and questioning whether it's just a mindset
The ungrateful dead (does it need to be said?)
Is it necessary to express the negative feelings or can they be overcome?
THE
A reference to a powerful or overwhelming force or idea
WORLD
The universe or the larger reality beyond our individual lives
AT
In the context of or in relation to
IT'S
The current state of things or the way things are
BEST
A sarcastic or ironic comment on a negative situation
I do believe
I have faith or conviction in my beliefs
We've lost indeed
We have suffered defeat or failure
We lost before it bled
We have lost without even trying or putting in effort
WE'RE the ungrateful dead
We are unhappy or dissatisfied with our lives, but not taking action to change it
We can't perceive
We are unable to comprehend or understand certain things because of our limited perspective
That which we don't need
Things that are unnecessary or unimportant in the grand scheme of life
BECAUSE WE'RE COMATOSE!
We are oblivious or unresponsive to the world around us
Have you seen the light?
Have you experienced enlightenment or gained a new level of understanding?
They have seen the light.
Some people have gained insight or knowledge that others have not
"No that can't be right.
Doubting that those who appear to have gained enlightenment are really any better off
They have seen the light."
Acknowledging that some people may have gained greater knowledge or understanding
Was the end in sight?
Were we headed towards disaster or failure?
My oh my oh my was the end in sight
Expressing concern or alarm about the state of things
When the dark is bright
In situations where even negative events have some positive outcomes or benefits
And there is no night
In a perpetual state of wakefulness or awareness
Is the end in sight?
Are we headed towards a negative outcome or inevitable failure?
There's no end in sight!!!!!
The situation seems endless or inescapable
So rain on me holy fire
A desire for a cleansing or purifying experience
RAIN ON US HOLY FIRE
Asking for a transformative or powerful experience to change lives
RAIN SO LOUD THAT GHOSTS RETIRE
A powerful transformation that is able to impact even the spirit world
RAIN ON US HOLY SPIRIT
Asking for a divine experience that can bring positive change
RAIN SO LOUD, THAT GHOSTS CAN HEAR IT
The transformation is so powerful that even those in the spirit world can feel it
Contributed by Jayden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kohoutekcorporation
The last minute of this track for some odd reason almost brings me to tears...the strident yet emotional urgency of the vocals, the chaotic maelstrom of the clattering drums and guitars, the pleas of "rain on us, holy fire, rain so loud, ghosts retire, rain on us, holy spirit, rain so loud, ghosts can hear it"... This whole song is akin to a spiritual experience, one that is almost unfathomable to most mortals, and dear lord, it tugs at the heart strings. Fucking brilliant song and band.
violetninja
Feels like the last minute of Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt. The culmination of all things into one focal point.
T D
Those high whistles blow my brain away. This band is really something. Still listening to them all these years later.
I miss you guys!
The google Bell
11 years later it still has this effect, spiritually overbearing in its anguish
James Day
Well done, sir. A frenetic song deserves a highly energized and spooky video, and this fits well. Nice pacing and interesting use of doubling and blurs.
10thEngine
This video and Ian Hill should get awards. This is incredible. Reminds me of things i've seen during hypnagogia. Intense. The camera shake at 2:54 is just....wow.
Nelson3300
Man, I wish they would do more in this style. It's like the Mars Volta on fucking crack, I love it.
tonyAJ420
Seeing this band with Mars Volta and System was the high point of my life.
Th 43_%zZ
Wow. Incredible visuals. I can't imagine how hard this was to make. Great job.
Joe Saenz
These guys made an album with half of the mars volta. It's called "El Groupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez". Its really good stuff.