2003 saw Himsa record and release their breakthrough album 'Courting Tragedy and Disaster.' Following the release of the album the band toured extensively throughout the US and Europe. They spent the latter half of 2005 in Denmark, recording their follow-up album, 'Hail Horror.' This album was released in early 2006 and displays a great deal of evolution in the bands' songwriting and skills. In comparison to 'Courting Tragedy and Disaster,' 'Hail Horror' comes off darker and heavier and features some more blistering guitar work from players Kirby Johnson and Sammi Curr (who returned to the band following a brief hiatus throughout 2004 and some of 2005). The album is also a step up production-wise.
In December 2006, Himsa signed a new record deal with Century Media records. They headed into the studio with producer Steve Carter, who produced 'Courting Tragedy and Disaster', and also brought Devin Townsend (vocal producer) and Tue Madsen (mixing/mastering) into the fold for their new album. The result was 2007's 'Summon in Thunder', a powerful, thrash-infused album with plenty of brutality and technicality. They will be touring in late fall/early winter 2007 with Amon Amarth, Decapitated, and Sonic Syndicate to promote the new album.
Himsa has advertised that their August 16, 2008 at El Corazon in Seattle will be their last show ever.
On June 20, 2008 bassist Derek Harn issued a statement via blabbermouth.net as follows:
"After 10+ years, four releases, countless tours and almost incomprehensible (yet constant) upheaval, the last three years of the band have been relatively stable. Having sacrificed everything we had in order to ensure the band's survival it's time to let it go. We made a great CD ('Summon in Thunder', Century Media); reportedly, our best. We've got a great label. We're getting along, we've toured and we’re fine. It's all good. We're leaving it at that. A relatively unremarkable closing to HIMSA's gi-normously dramatic career, there appears to be no acrimony or unpleasantness, simply the end of a blistering, phenomenal, tumultuous era of the metal that HIMSA permeated into the modern musical landscape. References have been made to the band's evolving difficulties with the relentless touring schedules that have been the hallmark of HIMSA's career. "If we can't tour, and our reality is we can't tour as we have in the past, then it's not HIMSA. Better to hang it up than fade away.”
Vocalist John Pettibone said that he will devote all his time to side bands such as The Vows and has said he is done with touring.
Current Members:
* John Pettibone – Vocals
* Kirby Johnson – Guitars
* Sammi Curr – Guitars
* Derek Harn – Bass
* Joe Frothingham – Drums
Former Members:
* Chad Davis - Drums
* Matt Wicklund – Guitars
* Mike Green – Drums
* Brian Johnson – Guitars
* Christian Schmitt – Vocals
* Aaron Edge – Guitars, Keyboard
* Tim Mullin – Drums
* Clay Layton – Electronics
Discography
* Himsa EP – 1999
* Ground Breaking Ceremony – 1999
* Death is Infinite EP – 2001
* Courting Tragedy and Disaster – 2003
* You've Seen Too Much (DVD) – 2005
* Hail Horror – 2006
* Summon in Thunder - 2007
exhale
Himsa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New found glory made blasphemy
Force fed till we're blue in the face
Father in vain
Keep watchful eye on we The "young and useless"
For our blood boils with rage
(Expressed in violent cries of mutiny)
Overkill All is lost Angel, angel Down we will go
A revolving door of opportunity
Vital for our survival
Hold your breath
Anchored to all that is sacred and holy
And it makes me fucking sick
To see how well behaved
You all can be
Kill the worth, kill all feeling
A facade to conquer and sell your fear
Kill the heart
An unconscious death is the fate and fall
Of all living mortals
Because we are doomed
The faith won't set you free
The song "Exhale" by Himsa is a reflection on the state of society and the individual's place within it. The lyrics describe a world where everything seems hollow and meaningless, where people are forced to conform to societal expectations and suppress their true emotions. The opening line, "Focus on dead color," sets the tone for the rest of the song, signaling a world drained of vibrancy and life.
The second line, "New found glory made blasphemy," speaks to the idea that the things we once held sacred have been corrupted by the very forces we thought would protect them. The following lines describe the oppressive nature of this society, with people being force-fed ideas and expected to behave in certain ways. The singer of the song urges others to rebel against this oppression, to let their emotions out in "violent cries of mutiny."
The chorus contains the repeated phrase "Angel, angel, down we will go," which seems to suggest that despite our best efforts to fight against the forces of oppression, we are ultimately doomed to fail. The final lines of the song suggest that the only way to break free from this cycle of oppression and unconscious living is by rejecting the societal norms and embracing our own individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Focus on dead color
We should pay attention to the dull and lifeless things in life.
New found glory made blasphemy
The newfound success is considered an offense to religious beliefs.
Force fed till we're blue in the face
We are being excessively influenced or pressured to the point of exhaustion.
Father in vain
Our father's efforts are in vain or have no effect.
Keep watchful eye on we The "young and useless"
There is a need to monitor and guide young and inexperienced individuals who are deemed incapable of doing anything worthwhile.
For our blood boils with rage
We are extremely angry and frustrated.
(Expressed in violent cries of mutiny)
Our anger and frustration are being manifested through violent acts of rebellion.
Overkill All is lost Angel, angel Down we will go
We are resorting to excessive measures despite knowing that it will lead to our downfall.
Stepping stones and split wrists
We are using painful experiences as a means to achieve our goals.
A revolving door of opportunity
Opportunities keep coming and going, and we have to keep up with them.
Vital for our survival
These opportunities are necessary for our survival.
Hold your breath
We need to be cautious and brace ourselves for difficult times ahead.
Anchored to all that is sacred and holy
We are strongly tied and committed to our religious beliefs and values.
And it makes me fucking sick
The situation or behavior is causing extreme disgust or frustration.
To see how well behaved
It is disappointing to witness how people are blindly following societal norms and behaving without questioning them.
You all can be
Referring to the general public.
Kill the worth, kill all feeling
The societal norms are encouraging people to suppress their emotions and individuality.
A facade to conquer and sell your fear
The false impression of success and power is used to control and manipulate people through their fears.
Kill the heart
The societal norms are killing the essence of human emotions and compassion.
An unconscious death is the fate and fall
Suppressing our true selves and emotions will lead to our spiritual and emotional demise.
Of all living mortals
All human beings are susceptible to this fate.
Because we are doomed
Humans are destined for this fate unless they realize the need to rebel against the societal norms and embrace their individuality.
The faith won't set you free
Blindly following religious beliefs and values will not liberate you from the societal norms that are suppressing your emotions and individuality.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind