Jamie Hanks- Vocals
Gordon McPherson - Bass
John Winters - Guitar
Colin Bradford - Drums
Former members:
Christopher Fugate - Guitar
Evan Hughes - Guitar
Ryan Cox - Drums
Brent Eaton:Bass
Zack Ring: Bass
Randy Carpenter:Drums
Jake Paulson:Guitars
Jonathan Huber:Vocals
For Seattle’s I Declare War, one of the new heavyweights in the deathcore scene today, there are conflicting stories as to where the band’s name actually originated from. All five members can agree that hip hop was the influence, either based on the Jay-Z tour or the Pace Won album, both of which bear the same name. The fact that the deathcore band’s name is inspired by hip hop is not ironic at all, as I Declare War will concur that their diverse musical influences help keep their sound unique and fresh.
After a few lineup changes while growing the band, they eventually evolved into their current lineup as members were introduced to each other through the local Seattle music scene. Unfortunatly, the band had to part ways with former vocalist, Jon Huber in late 2011 due to the fact that he wanted to incorporate Grindcore elements to their music. It was a mutual seperation in which Jon went on to join Pathology as their vocalist. They then found Jamie Hanks and he became the new I Declare War vocalist. As other bands began to disperse, the I Declare War lineup was solidified and grew stronger with each lineup addition. Guitarist Chris Fugate had the ultimate experience, beginning as a fan of the band who was eventually asked to fill in on a brief tour, and later asked to permanently join the band.
While on tour in 2007, the band crossed paths with well-known death metal band Whitechapel and formed not only a mutual respect amongst each other, but a lasting friendship. Two years later, Whitechapel’s Alex Wade approached I Declare War to join The Artery Foundation for management and become part of the yet-to-be-launched Artery Recordings roster. “Being signed to Artery Recordings was the best thing that could have happened to us. They’ve been great to us along with everyone at Razor & Tie, and I’m extremely excited for our future,” said bassist Brent Eaton. “We feel really connected and close to everyone there,” agreed guitarist Evan Hughes.
As heavy as I Declare War’s sound is, their message is just as poignant and serious. “Our lyrics are based on a lot of what we think is corrupt in the world today – government, religion, and the self-inflicted downfall of humanity,” stated Hughes. “We have elements of a lot of different styles but try to stray from sticking to a formula and to keep things interesting by not writing the same song 11 times.”
Touring is fundamental to the growth and development of I Declare War, and has proven to be key to their success. The technical skill of the band is showcased when they find themselves in front of fans and fellow musicians. “We feel the intensity just as much as someone watching, usually even more so,” Hughes explained. The band has already been touring nationwide for the past few years, but hopes to find themselves out of the country in the near future. “I hope to be an international band. I would like to reach out to more fans and really push to get our music out there,” drummer Ryan Cox stated in summation.
A force to be reckoned with in the deathcore scene, I Declare War shows no signs of slowing down. As Alternative Press said, “Five years in, they know exactly what they’re doing and they do it without hesitation or mercy.”
Pale Skin
I Declare War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Four years too long
Living her life room to room
Bed to bed
She still prays
Her family still prays
Room to room
Bed to bed
Sickness still sweeps her
Coughing and pale skin is what you see
Cables wrap around her sick body
She hopes it ends
She still prays
Her family still prays
Every tunnel she drives through she still wishes she will make it out alive
Questioning why people worship a man that suffered three short days on a cross
While she lay for five long years
Where is her book?
Where are her followers?
Dead and pale on the floor
You ask yourself
If there is a God
Do you think he gives a shit?
The lyrics to the song Pale Skin by I Declare War deal with the struggles and questions of a person who has been sick for five years. The first verse talks about how the person has been living their life from room to room and bed to bed, which indicates that they have been in and out of hospitals or medical facilities for a long time. Despite this, the person and their family still pray for healing. The image of the person being sick and having pale skin is a recurring theme throughout the song, which highlights the severity of their condition.
The second verse sees the person questioning the idea of worshiping a man who suffered for only three days on a cross when they have been sick for five long years. This shows the person’s frustration and anger towards religion and God for not answering their prayers. They ask where their book and followers are, which suggests that they might be feeling alone and unsupported. The line “Dead and pale on the floor” closes the verse and symbolizes the person’s hopelessness and surrender to their illness.
The final line of the song, “Do you think he gives a shit?”, is a direct challenge to God and religion. The person is angry and disappointed that even after five years of suffering, there seems to be no answer or help from any divine power. The song is a powerful expression of pain, anger, and questioning in the face of illness and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Five years
It has been five long years.
Four years too long
She has been struggling for four years more than she should have.
Living her life room to room
She hasn't been able to live a normal life staying in one place.
Bed to bed
She has been bedridden and moving from one bed to another.
She still prays
Despite her struggles, she still holds on to hope and prays.
Her family still prays
Her family is also holding on to faith and continues to pray.
Sickness still sweeps her
She is still fighting her illness.
Coughing and pale skin is what you see
Her illness is apparent with her persistent coughs and her pale skin.
Cables wrap around her sick body
She is hooked up to medical machines and cables due to her illness.
She hopes it ends
She is tired of fighting and just wants it to be over.
Every tunnel she drives through she still wishes she will make it out alive
Even in the mundane act of driving, she still thinks about her survival and hopes to make it out alive.
Questioning why people worship a man that suffered three short days on a cross
She wonders why people place so much importance on a religious figure who suffered for only three days.
While she lay for five long years
She has been suffering for a much longer period of time than the religious figure.
Where is her book?
She questions the absence of a book containing her story and struggles.
Where are her followers?
She also wonders why she doesn't have a support system or followers like the religious figure.
Dead and pale on the floor
She imagines herself dead and lying on the floor due to her illness.
You ask yourself
The audience is questioned.
If there is a God
If there is a higher being or divine figure.
Do you think he gives a shit?
The question of whether this higher power actually cares or pays attention is raised.
Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
alberto rodriguez
Lyrically my favorite song off the album
Devin Lisitza
Five years,
Four years too long.
Living her life room to room,
Bed to bed.
She still prays.
Her family still prays.
Room to room,
Bed to bed.
She still prays.
Sickness still sweeps her.
Coughing and pale skin is what you see.
Cables wrap around her sick body.
She hopes it ends.
She still prays.
Her family still prays.
Every tunnel she drives through she still wishes she will make it out alive.
Questioning why people worship a man that suffered three short days on a cross,
While she lay for five long years.
Where is her book?
Where are her followers?
Dead and pale on the floor.
You ask yourself,
If there is a God,
Do you think he gives a shit?
Elijah Shiver
All these years and these are the lyrics? This one hits HARD!
Scoobies Doobies
This song is personal to me...when this album came out I was taking care of my mom while she was very sick with cancer. I ended up losing her.
NovaKane FTW
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operatorjimbo
i like that guitar riff 2:40-2:56
NovaKane FTW
that rhythm guitar under 2:25-2:40
Zino Meggas
amazing!!!!!!
Destroy
5 YEARRRSSSS, 4 YEARS TOO LONG!!!!