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.
Eye of the Beholder
In Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Truth is an offence
Your silence for your confidence
Do you hear what I hear?
Doors are slamming shut
Limit your imagination, keep you where they must
Do you feel what I feel?
Bittering distress
Do you take what I take?
Endurance is the word
Moving back instead of forward seems to me absurd
Doesn't matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how I say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice is made for you my friend
Freedom of speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception
Do you fear what I fear?
Living properly
Truths to you are lies to me
Do you choose what I choose?
More alternatives
Energy derives from both the plus and negative
Do you need what I need?
Boundaries overthrown
Look inside, to each his own
Do you trust what I trust?
Me, myself, and I
Penetrate the smoke screen, I see through the selfish lie
Doesn't matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how I say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice is made for you my friend
Freedom of speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception
Do you know what I know?
Your money and your wealth
Your silent just to hear yourself
Do you want what I want?
Desire not a thing
I hunger after independence, lengthen freedom's ring
Doesn't matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how I say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice is made for you my friend
Freedom of speech is words that they will bend
Freedom no longer frees you
Doesn't matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how I say
The lyrics to In Flames's song "Eye of the Beholder" are about the concept of individual freedom and the control society exerts over people's lives. The song questions whether people truly have the ability to make their own choices or if they are merely led along a predetermined path by those in power. The song encourages its listeners to question the information they receive and to think for themselves.
The lyrics are separated into several stanzas, each dealing with a different aspect of personal freedom. The first stanza asks if the listener shares the same concerns and fears as the singer. The second examines how society restricts individuals by limiting their opportunities and imagination. The third questions who is really in control of what we express, while the fourth is a call to action, urging the listener to keep moving forward rather than retreating.
The refrain repeats the same lines each time, to emphasize the point that regardless of what we see or read, we can still choose to do things our own way. However, this is balanced by the idea that true independence is difficult to achieve, as freedom of choice and speech are often limited or manipulated.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you see what I see?
Are we perceiving the same reality?
Truth is an offence
People may be offended by the truth
Your silence for your confidence
You may remain silent to assert your inner confidence
Do you hear what I hear?
Are we listening to the same sounds?
Doors are slamming shut
Opportunities are being lost
Limit your imagination, keep you where they must
Others may try to suppress your creativity and potential
Do you feel what I feel?
Are we experiencing the same emotions?
Bittering distress
The stress can be overwhelming
Who decides what you express?
Others may try to control or dictate what you can say or express
Do you take what I take?
Are we accepting the same things?
Endurance is the word
Steadfastness is necessary
Moving back instead of forward seems to me absurd
Regressing instead of progressing is illogical
Independence limited
Autonomy is restricted
Freedom of choice is made for you my friend
You may not be truly free to choose for yourself
Freedom of speech is words that they will bend
You may not have the freedom to express yourself without consequences or modifications
Freedom with their exception
Freedom may come with restrictions or limitations
Do you fear what I fear?
Are we scared of the same things?
Living properly
Following social norms
Truths to you are lies to me
Different perspectives create different truths
Do you choose what I choose?
Do we have the same preferences?
More alternatives
More choices are needed
Energy derives from both the plus and negative
Energy can come from positive and negative experiences
Do you need what I need?
Do we have the same necessities?
Boundaries overthrown
Breaking free from limitations
Look inside, to each his own
Seek within yourself and follow your own path
Do you trust what I trust?
Do we have the same level of trust?
Me, myself, and I
Relying solely on oneself
Penetrate the smoke screen, I see through the selfish lie
Looking beyond facades and revealing hidden motives
Your money and your wealth
Material possessions
Your silent just to hear yourself
Choosing to remain quiet for one's own benefit
Do you want what I want?
Do we have the same desires?
Desire not a thing
Not wanting material possessions
I hunger after independence, lengthen freedom's ring
Yearning for freedom and autonomy
Freedom no longer frees you
Freedom may come at a cost or with consequences
Contributed by Jonathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
krunk485
Impressive, the guitars are in the proper tune. Not too shabby.
SubGrappling 805
This is the best Metallica cover I’ve ever heard...fantastic stuff musically and a great vocal style.
I wish the boys would give us just one modern performance of this song...maybe at the 40th Anniversary show coming up in a couple years.
Keltke GK
current In Flames is shit, honestly. They can't play good like this anymore.
ChromaxD Dimi
You realise now they have a completely different line-up, right?
Fernando Martello
One of the best Metallica covers ever!!!
McBuumen1729
great, for me - the best eye of the beholder cover.
Matteo Giannotti
GREATEST METALLICA COVER
Road Hunter
The best cover of this song.
chris martin
Hey, you can hear the bass
homie knuckles
can you hear what i hear i finally hear the bass