During the band's early years, In Flames had a varying group of musicians recording with them, including many session musicians. By the release of Colony (1999), the group had established a stable lineup. Their sixth studio album Reroute to Remain (2002) showed the band moving toward a newer style of music that moved further away from melodic death metal and closer to alternative metal. This decision was criticized by fans of the group's heavier metal sound; however, it increased the band's mainstream audience and bolstered their album sales. As of 2008, In Flames has sold over two million records worldwide.
Since the band's inception, In Flames have released thirteen studio albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs, their latest release being their thirteenth studio album I, the Mask in 2019. In Flames has been nominated for three Grammis Awards. They won two of these nominations; one for Soundtrack to Your Escape (2004) in the "Hard Rock/Metal of the Year" category, and one nomination for their following album Come Clarity (2006) in the same category.
Brush the Dust Awat
In Flames Lyrics
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A bad case of the urban blues
Another brick in the living shadow
All inhale the downward spiral
Hey, get in line for tragic
Let us dance to the pistol magic
Just aim and end another
Another player joins the table
Who I can or cannot trust
When do we get assigned?
Pure and precious with bad intentions
Hey, come and join the show
All the cameras are ready to go
Just aim and end another
But think, as I rape your mother
A single step - a garbled life
Where's the profit?
Your rage - the pain
Will it all be worth it?
Genetic, it seems to be....
Abandon, the mass ideal
We think we're in control then we become the things we hate
Lets re-unite and brush the dust away
Obtain a prosperous future
And the admiration of all
Act in "the sensations" media hour
All inhale the downward spiral
The lyrics of In Flames's song "Brush the Dust Away" describe a feeling of loneliness or isolation in an urban, desolate setting. The singer seems to be questioning the value of their existence, as they feel like just another brick in the "living shadow" of the city. The downward spiral they mention implies a sense of hopelessness or despair that surrounds them.
The chorus of the song references violence and destruction, with lines like "Let us dance to the pistol magic" and "Just aim and end another". The singer seems to be commenting on the ease with which people can become caught up in violence, and the way that society often seems to celebrate it. The line "But think, as I rape your mother" is jarring and disturbing, but it could be interpreted as a commentary on the way that people can justify terrible actions to themselves by dehumanizing others.
Later in the song, the singer mentions a desire for control and a better future, but it's unclear whether they believe that's possible. The final line, "Let's re-unite and brush the dust away", implies a sense of hope that maybe society can come together to make things better.
Line by Line Meaning
In the most desolate corner
Starting in the loneliest and most deserted place
A bad case of the urban blues
Feeling hopeless and depressed in a city setting
Another brick in the living shadow
A contribution to the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere
All inhale the downward spiral
Everyone is succumbing to a negative and harmful pattern
Hey, get in line for tragic
Hey, join the queue for a sorrowful outcome
Let us dance to the pistol magic
Let us revel in the violence and danger of firearms
Just aim and end another
Just point the gun and kill another person
But think, as I rape your mother
Consider the ramifications of committing a heinous crime like raping someone's mother
Another player joins the table
Another person enters the game
Who I can or cannot trust
Whose loyalty and honesty are uncertain
When do we get assigned?
When will we be given our role or mission?
Pure and precious with bad intentions
Appearing innocent and valuable but harboring ill will
Hey, come and join the show
Hey, join the spectacle or entertainment
All the cameras are ready to go
All the cameras are prepared to capture the action
Just aim and end another
Just point the gun and kill another person
But think, as I rape your mother
Consider the ramifications of committing a heinous crime like raping someone's mother
A single step - a garbled life
One decision can lead to a disordered and confusing existence
Where's the profit?
What is the gain or benefit?
Your rage - the pain
Your anger causes hurt
Will it all be worth it?
Will the outcome justify the struggle?
Genetic, it seems to be....
It appears to be innate or inherited
Abandon, the mass ideal
Reject the collective mindset or belief system
We think we're in control then we become the things we hate
We believe we have authority but end up embodying what we despise
Lets re-unite and brush the dust away
Let us come together and clear the debris of negativity
Obtain a prosperous future
Acquire wealth and success in the future
And the admiration of all
And be respected and praised by everyone
Act in "the sensations" media hour
Perform in the highly-publicized time of intense feelings
All inhale the downward spiral
Everyone is succumbing to a negative and harmful pattern
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDERS PAR FRIDEN, BJOERN INGVAR GELOTTE, JESPER CLAES HAAKAN STROEMBLAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind