A while after collaborating with Johan Van Roy of SUICIDE COMMANDO on a few songs in the Stored Images period (Johan also played live keys in IC 434 in the late 90's), Geert started with a side project, called PANGEA (now PANGEAN DREAMS), around the millenium change. Some people describe it as a mix of EBM and Goa/Psy Trance. Geert also joined VOMITO NEGRO when Guy Van Mieghem remixed the PANGEA song Permafrost a while after he broke up the collaboration with Gin Devo in 2002.
Six years later, IC 434 finally released its latest album BACTERIATE on the German record label INFACTED RECORDINGS, resulting in a n° 42 position in the Deutsche Alternative Charts for the total of 2008 - only FRONT 242 did a little bit better as Belgian band.
BACKGROUND
As you can expect from the name of the project, the lyrics mainly contain astronomical descriptions, linked with very personal experiences Geert had with death and mental pain - all lyrics are autobiographic and may be taken litteraly. The mysteries on our planet and in the universe also have an important place in the lyrics, just as animal rights, nature in general and the sickness of our society.
The IC 434 sound is still completely based on the 80's Korg M1, with only a couple of additional samples. This doesn't mean that the band tends to create a typical old school sound, but just a kind of timeless dark electronic and 'danceable' music, combining elements from now and earlier days. Well known for the strong live act, IC 434 is currently supported on stage by Nicolas Van Meirhaeghe aka. Sal-Ocin from EMPUSAE, THIS MORN' OMINA and TZOLK'IN.
Just a little remark left. Geert de Wilde changed the name of IC 434 temporarily into OBEDIENCE the summer of 2003. Nicolas Van Meirhaeghe joined Geert de Wilde at that moment, and together they would work out the new OBEDIENCE songs. Nevertheless, a year after the name change, the interest in the old IC 434 was still big and seemed to grow, even. This, and a lot of practical problems, led to the decision to restart IC 434 and to consider OBEDIENCE as an other, independent, project. The only OBEDIENCE song that was released so far is the remix of Ladykiller Geert made for HOCICO that was released on their album Hate Never Dies.
REMIXES
Brainleisure - Crawl In Vain (IC 434 remix)
Experiment Haywire - Mean Enough Hot Enough (IC 434 remix) - tbr.
Grandchaos - God Is Dead (IC 434 remix)
Hocico - Ladykiller (Obedience - aka. IC 434 - remix)
Implant - The Age Of Experiment (Space Lab remix by Pangea) - tbr.
Neikka RPM - Find A Way (IC 434 remix)
Psy'Aviah - Anger Management (IC 434 retake)
Psy'Aviah - Broken Child (IC 434 remix)
COLLABORATIONS
Nebula-H featuring Pangea - Andalusiòn
Suicide Commando - Mortal Combat
Salvation
IC 434 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'd been down in Georgia for a while
He drove a 944
He bought with the soul
Of a blonde-headed kid
With a left-handed guitar
Now he's lookin' for me
Citizen C-O-P-E
For the fake 50's
Now Judas answer me
"Since I was the age to speak
Haven't you been listening?"
Salvation
chorus:
Salvation
Salvation
Salvation
I'm calling
Salvation
Well he came to town
Found the woman that I love
And he fucked her down
She told him where I live
Off of 9th in the alleyway
Where they say
They got the coke and the dope
Until you end up broken
"You should have let the smack get you" he said
"But now you've got to deal with me instead
I'm downstairs on the Motorola
You know I've got 3 golden bullets
And I'm shooting for your soul"
Salvation
chorus
Well I came down with my Martin blazin'
My voice
It was cutting him up
Now he's aiming
His first shot grazed my eye
I lost half of my sight
And my firstborn's life
The second shot grazed off my guitar moon
And it made my guitar kinda play out of tune
But I just kept playing
Like I had nothing to lose
He turned the third on himself
'Cause the bastard knew
Salvation I'm calling
Salvation
chorus
Put the gun down
Put the gun down
Put the gun down
Put the gun down
repeat
The song "Salvation" by IC 434 tells a story of betrayal and revenge. The lyrics imagine Judas, the biblical figure who betrayed Jesus, coming to Washington D.C. after spending time in Georgia. Judas is portrayed as a narcissistic and opportunistic figure, driving a fancy car and buying it with the soul of a young musician. He meets the singer, Citizen C-O-P-E, and demands he sign a contract for fake 50's. Judas tries to justify his actions by saying he's been speaking since he was young and Citizen C-O-P-E should have listened. However, the singer sees through his lies and invokes the concept of salvation, seeking some sort of healing or redemption.
The plot thickens when it's revealed that Judas has slept with the woman that Citizen C-O-P-E loves and tells him where he lives. The singer is faced with an ultimatum from Judas, who has golden bullets and is threatening to take his soul. A shootout ensues, and Citizen C-O-P-E is injured in the confrontation, losing vision in his eye and suffering the loss of his first-born child. Despite this, he keeps playing his guitar, determined to prevail. In the end, Judas turns the gun on himself, ultimately facing his own salvation.
Overall, "Salvation" is a powerful and intense song that explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and revenge. Through its vivid storytelling and potent imagery, it captures the listener's attention and leaves a lasting impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Say Judas came up to D.C.
In this hypothetical scenario, someone who has betrayed another is coming to confront them in Washington D.C.
He'd been down in Georgia for a while
The betrayer has been elsewhere for some time before arriving in Washington D.C.
He drove a 944
The betrayer arrived in Washington D.C. in a specific type of car.
He bought with the soul
The betrayer used the soul of another person to obtain something, most likely the car mentioned.
Of a blonde-headed kid
The person who the betrayer obtained the car from had blonde hair.
With a left-handed guitar
The person who the betrayer obtained the car from also had a specific type of guitar.
Now he's lookin' for me
The person who the betrayer has betrayed is hiding and trying to avoid confrontation.
Citizen C-O-P-E
This is a reference to the artist Citizen Cope, who may be the person being represented in this song.
Sign the dotted line please
The betrayer is asking the person they have betrayed to sign something, most likely to manipulate or control them.
For the fake 50's
The betrayer is possibly offering counterfeit money in exchange for something they want from the person they have betrayed.
Now Judas answer me
The person who has been betrayed is addressing the betrayer, who is now being referred to as Judas.
"Since I was the age to speak
The person who has been betrayed is asking Judas if they have been paying attention since they were young enough to talk.
Haven't you been listening?"
The person who has been betrayed believes that Judas has not been listening to them, possibly referring to past conversations or interactions.
Salvation
This is the refrain of the song, suggesting that the person who has been betrayed is seeking redemption or to be saved.
Well he came to town
Judas is now in the same location as the person who has been betrayed.
Found the woman that I love
Judas found the person who the person who has been betrayed is in love with.
And he fucked her down
Judas had sexual intercourse with the person the person who has been betrayed loves.
She told him where I live
After having sexual intercourse with Judas, the person who has been betrayed's love interest told Judas where the person who has been betrayed lives.
Off of 9th in the alleyway
The location of the person who has been betrayed is described as being on 9th street in an alleyway.
Where they say
There are rumors about this location.
They got the coke and the dope
There are illegal drugs present in this area.
Until you end up broken
Being involved in the use or sale of illegal drugs can lead to a person becoming addicted and/or in a state of ruin.
"You should have let the smack get you" he said
Judas suggests that the person who has been betrayed should have become addicted to drugs instead of trying to escape.
"But now you've got to deal with me instead
Judas is reminding the person who has been betrayed of his presence and influence.
I'm downstairs on the Motorola
Judas is on a mobile phone, possibly communicating with people who are with him or discussing his plans.
You know I've got 3 golden bullets
Judas is armed with 3 valuable bullets, which he may use to threaten, intimidate or harm others.
And I'm shooting for your soul"
Judas is not only threatening the person who has been betrayed physically, but also in a spiritual/religious sense.
Well I came down with my Martin blazin'
The person who has been betrayed confronted Judas armed with a Martin guitar, ready to defend themself.
My voice
The person who has been betrayed spoke with passion, energy and volume.
It was cutting him up
The person who has been betrayed's words were hurting Judas mentally or emotionally.
Now he's aiming
Judas is preparing to use his firearm.
His first shot grazed my eye
Judas missed his target's head but his bullet made contact with their eye, causing harm.
I lost half of my sight
The person who has been betrayed is now permanently visually impaired after being shot by Judas.
And my firstborn's life
The person who has been betrayed's first child died as a result of being shot by Judas.
The second shot grazed off my guitar moon
The bullet from Judas' gun hit the person who has been betrayed's guitar but only caused superficial damage.
And it made my guitar kinda play out of tune
As a result of being hit by a bullet, the person who has been betrayed's guitar is now producing noise that is not pleasant to listen to.
But I just kept playing
The person who has been betrayed pushed through their injury and continued to play music because it is important to them.
Like I had nothing to lose
Despite being physically and emotionally hurt, the person who has been betrayed felt like they had nothing to lose because they had already lost so much.
He turned the third on himself
Judas, after realizing he cannot succeed in harming the person who has been betrayed, turned his weapon on himself.
'Cause the bastard knew
The person who has been betrayed thinks that Judas knew he was never going to be successful in his mission.
Put the gun down
The person who has been betrayed is telling Judas to stop using violence.
Put the gun down
The person who has been betrayed repeats the previous line.
Put the gun down
The person who has been betrayed repeats the previous line once again.
Put the gun down
The person who has been betrayed repeats the previous line again for emphasis and to make sure Judas complies.
Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.