"Shallow Nation", released early in 2000, sold out the first thousand copies after only two weeks in the stores, which resulted in a deal with the Norwegian record label Tatra Records. Around that time Tatra Records released the compilation "Sex, Goth & Electronics", to which IoC contributed an exclusive version of their song "Repeat It".
Before they started work on their second release IoC did programming for the "Apoptygma Berzerk" track "Starsign". Soon afterwards, they travelled to Germany, with live member Jon Holm, to support Apoptygma on their "Welcome to Earth tour 2000" at gigs in Frankfurt, Cottbus and Leipzig before going back to Norway to play together at Rockefeller in Oslo.
Audiences seemed to enjoy Icon of Coil's energetic and melodious sound fused with Andy's hypnotic voice and the band's success grew. "One Nation Under Beat" debuted in the top 20 on the DAC-chart (Deutsch Alternative Chart), stayed on the chart for eight weeks and peaked at number three.
In late spring of 2000 at a gig in Uddevalla, Sweden, Christian Lund joined the band as a live-member and went on stage with Andy and Seb for the first time. Along with being the vocalist for his "En Route" project, Christian had a background from a melodious EBM Fredrikstad-band called "Elected By Fear" where he played together with Fredrik Hansen from "Echo Image" (who also played at that gig) and Marius Johnsen from "Centravibe".
After the release of IoC's first full-length "Serenity Is The Devil" in November 2000, which reached number three on the DAC-chart, the band went to Germany together with "Beborn Beton". With nine gigs, positive feedback from the audience and very good reviews on the debut album, IoC gained a substantial following in the synth/industrial scene.
Shortly afterward, the album crossed the Atlantic and was released in North America by Metropolis Records. On March 29th, 2001, the band itself followed and boarded a plane to Chicago. They were on their own in a foreign country and on a tight budget. The band flew from city to city, slept in hotels and sometimes even in the homes of their promoters. The song "Situations Like These" from the (then) forthcoming "Seren EP" was played live for the first time to an incredibly enthusiastic and energetic American audience, which made the tour a big success. Then after playing at "Slimelight" and "Astoria II" (Electrofest) in London, the guys had a short break before they faced a festival-filled summer in Europe.
The summer kicked off with a successful show in Leipzig, Germany, at "Wave-Gothic Treffen". The following festivals included "CSD", "Zillo Festival", "Xtreaktor Festival", "Eurorock", "Infest" and ended at "M'era Luna" where the trio did a hard-hitting performance in the Hangar.
"Situations Like These" became a big club hit and the band was ready for a second tour (this time in a Nightliner touring bus) of North America with "VNV Nation". The leg began in Chicago on the 16th of November at a packed Vic Theatre, which set the standard for the rest of the 19 shows. Icon of Coil, VNV Nation and the rest of the crew continued up to Canada, down the east coast to Florida, through Texas to the West coast and Hollywood, where they did their 15th show in front of about 900 people at the Palace. The four-week tour ended in Edmonton, Canada with a great show and a huge after-party.
During their tours, the band found the time to write material for their April 2002 sophomore album, "The Soul Is In The Software", which stayed at number one on the DAC for a several weeks. IoC then performed at two more festivals: "The Dark Jubilee Festival" in London; and later as the Sunday-headliner for "Synthpop Goes The World" in Toronto, Canada, which turned out to be a very good but warm weekend and concert.
Icon of Coil came a long way in a short amount of time. For 2004 their third album, "Machines Are Us", continued the trend with pummeling beats, sympathetic vocals, anthem-like melodies, and sweeping synths. Careful not to be outdone or forgotten, Icon of Coil released "Uploaded And Remixed", which featured brand new mixes of songs from their first two records and two exclusive tracks, at the tail end of 2004.
Since then the band has been on indefinite hiatus, only performing a handful of live shows around the world, as Andy has been concentrating on his new band "Combichrist".
On a short reunion tour of Australia in November, 2011 the 3 members rekindled old friendships and the creative chemistry from the past came raging back. The single "PerfectSex" was released in August 2012, together with the announcement that the band is working on a new album.
Official MySpace page: www.myspace.com/officialiconofcoil
Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IconOfCoilOfficial
Shelter
Icon of Coil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Entertain us when you're still
Able to perform
I'm sorry to admit that I won't be around
When the world you created will collapse and drown
Back to the crypt
We'll all fade away in one single blast
Out from the dust
Machines will rise
One second to live and we'll open our eyes
I can't find shelter in this world
I'm searching for another world
Where I feel safe
The lyrics in Icon of Coil's song "Shelter" touch upon themes of punishment for intolerance, the fleeting nature of existence, and the search for safety in a world that is often hostile and unpredictable. The first stanza seems to point towards the idea that those who are intolerant towards others will eventually face punishment - possibly in the form of being forced to entertain others even when they are not willing or able to do so.
The second stanza presents a darker view of the world and humanity's ability to survive in it. The singer expresses remorse over not being around when the world inevitably collapses and everyone drowns. There is a sense of futility and hopelessness in these lines, suggesting that the end of the world is an inevitability that cannot be avoided.
The final stanza seems to be an introspective moment where the singer reflects on their own search for safety and shelter in a world that can be unpredictable and dangerous. The repetition of the phrase "I can't find shelter in this world" highlights the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability that the singer feels. The song ultimately leaves the listener with a sense of unease and existential dread.
Line by Line Meaning
Punishment for intolerance so
If you're not tolerant, you will be punished
Entertain us when you're still
Entertain us while you still can
Able to perform
Before you can no longer perform
I'm sorry to admit that I won't be around
I regret to say that I won't be here
When the world you created will collapse and drown
When the world you made falls and is destroyed
Back to the crypt
Back to where we came from
Nothing will last
Everything will eventually end
We'll all fade away in one single blast
We'll disappear suddenly
Out from the dust
From the remains
Machines will rise
Machines will evolve and become dominant
One second to live and we'll open our eyes
In an instant we'll exist and become aware
I can't find shelter in this world
I cannot find a safe haven in this world
I'm searching for another world
I'm looking for a different place
Where I feel safe
Where I can be secure
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: OLE ANDERS OLSEN, SEBASTIAN R. KOMOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mexicanson
My friend Renee Castro showed me this song back in Highschool, and I liked it so much, he burned me a CD, which also included a few other good songs. A few of the other songs that I remember were Fieber by Das Ich, and Fairyland (Female Version) by BlutEngel. Thanks, Renee! I love you, you beautiful goth bastard. 😂🖤✌️💯
@Babeoftheabyss
If anyone watching this can point us shelterless souls towards shelter that would be great kthnx
Thanks icon of coil for expressing how we feel
@elizabethbennet4791
THIS..I came here to say just this
@damianecheverria5891
Awesome album #MachinesAreUs #EBM. Excellent structure of the songs, memorable lyrics & synths 🎹👏🏻
@keithrooks4567
Absolutely love this track ..
@jacquelynhaas8184
This song popped in my head suddenly tonight . The year was 2005, I was 25 years old at club Neo in Chicago and when this song came on , I hit the dance floor and danced for hours. It was a great time whew 🎉🎉🎉🎉 I remember feeling so free and young and just the lights , beautiful people , this music . I miss those days!!!!!!!
@DeadDrone77
such a badass song!! Thanks industrial radio on Pandora!! 👍👍
@brandytran7182
Combichrist
@elizabethbennet4791
I havent tried Pndora yet, Im listening on Current (Mode) where they pay you for listening to their industrial stations hehe
@maxiusdark7244
I cant find shelter in this world...
Im searching for.... Another world....