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.
Dark Signs
In Flames Lyrics
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Cut down to half a member
Left with his hand tied
Everything points in the wrong direction
All the joy disappeared
The negative has penetrated
Once he was in control
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
Feeling pressure from the fold
He believes the dream is over
Drained blue eye, scorching fire
The whole meaning becomes undone
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
The lyrics of the song "Dark Signs" by In Flames tell a story of a person who has been through severe abuse and mistreatment. The person has been held down, strangled, and abused, leaving him with only one hand free. Everything around him points in the wrong direction, and all the joy in his life has disappeared. The negative impact of his experiences has taken its toll and penetrated deeply into his psyche. Once he was in control of his life, but now all that remains is the faintest laughter. The chorus of the song laments that we are out of focus and have lost control, blaming our ego and the judgment of others.
The second verse of the song continues the story of the person's struggle. Feeling pressure from outside forces, he believes that his dreams are over. His blue eye is drained, and he feels a scorching fire inside him. The meaning of his life becomes undone, leaving him feeling lost and alone. The chorus repeats the need to reach further for what life shall provide, as being trapped below only leads to dark signs.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are a reminder that life can be difficult and that negative experiences can have a profound impact on our lives. However, it is essential not to lose sight of our dreams and to keep pushing ourselves to reach further.
Line by Line Meaning
Held down, strangled and abused
The singer of the song is being oppressed and mistreated in some way
Cut down to half a member
The mistreatment has reduced the singer's sense of self-worth and identity
Left with his hand tied
The singer feels powerless and unable to change their situation
Everything points in the wrong direction
The situation appears hopeless and without a clear path to resolution
All the joy disappeared
The artist has lost any sense of happiness or fulfillment
The negative has penetrated
The negativity of the situation has seeped into every aspect of the singer's life
Once he was in control
The singer used to feel like they had power over their own life
What's left, the faintest laughter
Even the smallest moments of happiness or humor are hard to come by now
We're out of focus, we've lost control
The situation has caused confusion and a sense of being adrift, and the artist feels powerless
I blame our ego and you call me names
The artist recognizes that their own ego and perhaps the egos of others have contributed to the negative situation, and there is conflict with someone else over this
You're told that you are trapped below
The singer is being told that they are stuck in their situation with no way out
And dark signs helped to prove
Signs of bad luck or ominous events have reinforced the sense that the situation cannot improve
You gotta reach further
Despite the sense of powerlessness, the singer is told to keep trying to improve the situation
For what life shall provide
The hope is that there is some good to come out of the struggle and that life will offer better things in the future
Feeling pressure from the fold
The oppression and negativity is coming from a larger, collective source
He believes the dream is over
The artist has given up hope of achieving their goals or a better life
Drained blue eye, scorching fire
The artist is exhausted and depleted, but also feels anger and pain
The whole meaning becomes undone
The sense of purpose, meaning, or hope in the situation has been destroyed
You gotta reach further
Despite the sense of powerlessness, the singer is told to keep trying to improve the situation
For what life shall provide
The hope is that there is some good to come out of the struggle and that life will offer better things in the future
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDERS PAR FRIDEN, BJOERN INGVAR GELOTTE, JESPER CLAES HAAKAN STROEMBLAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind