Wasting no time, Imagika hit the studio and recorded a 3-song demo that showed the band in their infant stages but reflected the quality songwriting they would become known for. The band hit the live scene and found what had already been known: Metal was out, garbage/alternative was in! Undaunted, the band continued to play as many shows as possible and built up a reputation for providing kick-ass metal in those lean years.
By late 1994, the band had begun work on their infamous debut CD that was finally released in 1995 to the un-expecting metal underground. taking a "Do It Yourself" attitude, the band pumped hundreds of CD to the worldwide press and radio and became known as a modern resurrection of the classic bay area sound. The CD contained a wealth of material that ranged from all-out brutal to beautiful and exhibited a huge leap forward in songwriting from the early demo. The band was able to sell 2000 copies on their own Headless Corpse label by word of mouth alone. By 1996, The band had attracted some interest in Europe and was able to secure licensing for the CD through ABS records who re-released the CD in Europe with the original 3-song demo added as bonus tracks.
By early 1997, the band had found management in Europe through Flying Dolphin Promotions, headed by Chris Boltendahl of Grave Digger fame. The band had already finished their sophomor effort, "Worship", by this time and was prepared to unleash it on the masses. No label with balls in the US/Europe would touch the CD. So the band was once again forced to make it happen on their own Headless Corpse label. This time, though, the band would have much better distribution through Radiation/Indigo and promotion with Flying Dolphin. Released in late 1998, the CD garnered fantastic reviews, which the band followed up by touring Europe with Grave Digger and Iron Savior in January of 1999. The band was well received and proved to the fans that the bay area thrash scene was still relevant.
Buzzing from the tour, the band set to work on new material to follow up the success of the album and tour. Putting together a 3-song demo, the band was able to attract some much-needed label interest with Massacre Records finally securing the band a deal in 2000. "And So It Burns" was released in October 2000 and received much critical acclaim. Sadly, Mike Dargis had by this time decided to leave the band, which put to rest any touring the band was intending on doing to promote the release. The band had the unfortunate task of finding a suitable replacement. After six months, they found their replacement, Elena Luciano. It was worth the wait, as she was able to come in and give Imagika a much-needed boost with a fresh perspective and enthusiam. Time was not wasted, as the band put together a slew of material that raised the bar once again.
After 8 years and 3 overseas releases, The band had a North American release on WWIII Records. The label agreed to license the "And So It Burns" CD and made it special for the North American fans. The band and label decided to "repackage the effort" with all new art and 3 previously-unreleased bonus tracks and released it in July of 2001. With the release the band was able to break new ground in North America and gain more fans that now had a chance to hear the band for the first time. So after many delays both personal and professional the band finally starts the new CD with famed producer Neil Kernon.
Everything was going great when co-founder and vocalist David Michael decides after 10 years, countless shows and 3 CD's that it is time to call it a day. Not happy with the turn of events being that Dave laid down 8 vocals that were esentially useless the band begins to hunt for a new voice. As luck would have it the band came in contact with local vocalist Norman Skinner who is a vet of the metal scene (Machine Called Man, Tramontane) that was up for the job. After one audition and a show of dedication by writing all new lyrics and melodies to 4 songs in a matter of days Mr. Skinner showed why he is now the new voice of Imagika! Also at this time the band decides it was high time to bring in that second guitarist that the new material called for and Pat Toms was laying in wait. Pat is another vet of the local scene with his past band Punisher and happened to be a friend of the band for many years.
Upon the completion of recording the new vocal tracks Imagika was again forced to play the waiting game to finally mix the CD. Neil Kernon's schedule became quite impossible between the time we brought Norman on board hence the turn to juan Urteaga for the mixing job. Juan was a logical choice since he was local and had a good reputation with doing metal right and working in the past with respected bands as Skinlab, Vile, etc.. Finally after starting the CD a year before the final mix, the CD was done! "Devils On Both Sides" was released through Mausoleum Records worldwide in March 2005.
Scared to Death
Imagika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Water's all that surrounds me
The sun burning my skin
I've been swimming for hours on end
Looking out for land
I don't know how much longer I can
Until the ocean takes me
Out of breath I try to scream
Sinking... sinking
I'm going down
Scared to death
Fighting so hard to breathe
No one around
Scared to death
Beyond my wildest dreams
I feel my body sink beneath
I close my eyes and don't dare breathe
The light grows dimmer as I see
My life slip away from me
Gasping for a last breath of air
Calmness upon me I release my cares
Thoughts of what will be
And of the world I'll no longer see
I slowly extend my hands
An act much braver than I am
Without a chance to think
I open up and take a drink
Sinking... sinking
I'm going down
Scared to death
Fighting so hard to breathe
No one around
Scared to death
Beyond my wildest dreams
I feel my body sink beneath
I close my eyes and don't dare breathe
The light grows dimmer as I see
My life slip away from me
I'm going down
Scared to death
Fighting so hard to breathe
No one around
Scared to death
Beyond my wildest dreams
Scared to death
Fighting so hard to breathe
No, no not a sound
Scared to death
The lyrics of Imagika's song Scared to Death tell the story of a person who finds themselves stranded out in the sea, surrounded by nothing but water and the burning sun. The person has been swimming for hours on end and is desperately looking for some sign of land. As the situation grows more dire, the singer feels their body sinking beneath the waves and they realize that they are going to die. In the face of this overwhelming terror, the singer experiences a profound calmness and acceptance of their fate. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "scared to death," driving home the intensity of the emotions felt by the singer.
The lyrics can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but one possible reading is that they represent a metaphor for the experience of facing one's own mortality. The feeling of being lost in the vast expanse of the sea could represent the overwhelming sense of uncertainty and fear that can come with contemplating one's own mortality. The sense of calm that the singer experiences towards the end of the song could represent a sense of acceptance that can come with facing death.
Overall, the lyrics of Scared to Death are intense and emotionally charged, exploring the depths of the human psyche in the face of overwhelming fear and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Drifting in a sea lost and alone
Feeling lost and without direction, surrounded by vastness.
Water's all that surrounds me
Feeling completely enveloped by a seemingly endless sea.
The sun burning my skin
Experiencing fatigue and depletion from being exposed to the harsh environment for too long.
I've been swimming for hours on end
Enduring prolonged effort and struggle, without a clear end in sight.
Looking out for land
Holding onto hope for an escape or outcome, but not seeing any signs of it.
I don't know how much longer I can
Feeling a sense of desperation and uncertainty about how long one can hold out or survive.
Until the ocean takes me
Feeling resigned to the idea that the environment will ultimately overpower oneself.
Out of breath I try to scream
Becoming overcome with fear and panic, expressing it through sound.
I'm going down
Feeling a sense of inevitability and powerlessness, sinking beneath the surface of the water.
Scared to death
Feeling intensely afraid, and on the brink of complete terror.
Fighting so hard to breathe
Struggling to survive and simply keep breathing in the midst of dire circumstances.
No one around
Feeling completely isolated and without any support.
Beyond my wildest dreams
Experiencing a level of fear and terror that seems unimaginable, beyond what one might have previously thought was possible.
I feel my body sink beneath
Noticing the physical reality of the situation, the body slowly losing buoyancy and sinking further into the depths.
I close my eyes and don't dare breathe
Giving up on the fight, and accepting the possibility of drowning, closing one's eyes and not even attempting to take a breath.
The light grows dimmer as I see
Recognizing the finality of the experience, and seeing the end drawing nearer as one's vision fades.
My life slip away from me
Feeling a sense of detachment from one's own life, as if it is slipping out of grasp.
Gasping for a last breath of air
Making one final effort to survive, striving to take a last breath just before drowning.
Calmness upon me I release my cares
Finding a sense of inner peace, as if all concerns and worries are insignificant in the face of what is happening.
Thoughts of what will be
Taking a moment to contemplate the possibility of one's own death.
And of the world I'll no longer see
Thinking about all that will be missed, all that one will no longer be able to experience or see.
I slowly extend my hands
Making a final gesture, perhaps reaching for something symbolic or meaningful.
An act much braver than I am
Recognizing that the act of reaching may be seen as brave, even though it doesn't feel that way.
Without a chance to think
Acting on instinct or intuition, without having time to fully process or consider the action.
I open up and take a drink
Taking one last breath of water, and accepting one's fate as inevitable.
No, no not a sound
As the body slips beneath the surface of the water, there is complete silence, and no noise is heard.
Contributed by Cole K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.