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.
Condemned
In Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These walls drain my thoughts
Rooms with no sun,
I cant find my way out
It used to be my home
These days,far from my comfort zone
The life I live without control
I should cross the line
Confront lives too blind
Hear a distant cry
Would you tell me how
To break the cycle that I'm in
And discover the living
I don't recognize my soul
Condemned to live in this black hole
Deep within time,
They crave warning signs
Hear a distant cry
Would you tell me how
To break the cycle that I'm in
And discover the living
I should cross the line
Confront lives too blind
Hear a distant cry
Would you tell me how
To break the cycle that I'm in
And discover the living
There's a hill to climb
Would you dream if I,
Design the future
And lock the end of time
The lyrics to In Flames's song "Condemned" express feelings of restlessness, confinement, and discomfort. The singer feels trapped within their own thoughts, unable to escape the walls that surround them. The imagery of "rooms with no sun" adds to the oppressive feeling of the environment. The singer reflects on the past when this place was once their home, but now it feels like a distant memory. They feel like they have no control over their life and that fear is taking hold. The repetition of the line "I should cross the line, confront lives too blind" suggests that the singer is aware that they need to take action to change their situation but are struggling to do so.
The chorus of the song asks for guidance on breaking the cycle the singer is in and discovering a way to live. The singer feels like they have lost touch with their soul and are condemned to live in this "black hole" environment. The line "they crave warning signs" implies that other people may have also experienced the same sense of being trapped and that there may be a need to communicate and seek out help together.
The final verse suggests the possibility of dreaming of a different future, but the singer acknowledges that there is a "hill to climb." They ask for support in designing this future and "locking the end of time," indicating a desire to create a lasting change.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so restless,
Feeling anxious and discontent, unable to relax or settle down.
These walls drain my thoughts
The environment around me is oppressive and saps my creativity and motivation.
Rooms with no sun,
Spaces that are dim and joyless, lacking brightness and vitality.
I cant find my way out
Feeling trapped and unable to escape from my current circumstances.
It used to be my home
This place used to be familiar and comforting to me.
These days, far from my comfort zone
Now, I am in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation.
The life I live without control
My existence feels aimless and chaotic, lacking any sense of direction or purpose.
Fear is taking hold
My anxiety and sense of dread are escalating.
I should cross the line
I need to take a risk and step out of my comfort zone.
Confront lives too blind
Challenge the views and opinions of those who are closed-minded and unwilling to consider new ideas.
Hear a distant cry
Sense something urgent and important that is not immediately within my reach.
Would you tell me how
Asking for guidance and support.
To break the cycle that I'm in
To escape from the destructive pattern of my current existence and make meaningful change.
And discover the living
To find a way to truly live, rather than just survive or exist.
I don't recognize my soul
Feeling disconnected from my own sense of identity, purpose, and values.
Condemned to live in this black hole
Feeling trapped in a place of darkness, hopelessness, and despair.
Deep within time,
In the distant past, long before my current existence.
They crave warning signs
Others are searching for signs of what is to come, seeking to predict and control the future.
There's a hill to climb
There is a significant challenge or obstacle to overcome.
Would you dream if I,
Can we imagine a better reality?
Design the future
Can we actively work to shape and create the world we want to live in?
And lock the end of time
Can we find a way to ensure that our existence has meaning and purpose, even in the face of death and the unknown?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anders Friden, Bjorn Gelotte, Jesper Stromblad
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Taylor Smith
The beginning riff is so good!!
Cloud Of Judgement
Condemned has one of the best choruses of all In Flames' songs.
Post_Malore
I listened this album like...hundred times, no kidding. Every workout in the gym for like a year and more.
Ορέστης Καίτσας
MOTIVATION BROTHERS CAN YOU FEEL IT ?
Rodrigo Fedrizzi
I can feel it in every in flames song
Wade Jewell
I'm a musician and this album has the greatest production and best tones I've ever heard. The solid sounding effort. Come Clarity was staticky in the highs. Great album but if you listen to it too long it gave me a headache. Sense of Purpose is my favourite album. All the topics of the album are relevant to a band that's gotten older and have matured. Once you hit your thirties the things you held to be true, don't matter as much. My thoughts about life changed dramatically.
Rizorn
I love this album.
kaka765
Agreed, I listen to both bands and they're both equally amazing.
elijahinky
I love this album....screw what everybody else says about it....
Soul Hook
Looking forward to their new album : "sound of a playground fading"!!!!