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.
Graveland
In Flames Lyrics
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Swings its flag of primal glory to the winds
Titans of the power-myth that failed
Neanderthal hunger for the flesh of war so frail
So weak, so hollow-minded
The primate flock responds
The jester race submits
For each day of war is a failure for man,
Enslaved in her mordial genes
Illusions bleed from their fetid cores,
Bent to their rotten extremes
We, the plague of Terra Firma,
Nature's grand and last mistake
Plant the poisoned seed of cancer,
Set the severed fruits awake
Burning like frozen relics
In God's archaic graveland
Burn the visionaire
Kill the ideologies
Mankind must die
The doves and the angels return to their graves
With flames on their pestilent wings
While mushroom-clouds haunt their virgin white skies
To rape their Utopian dreams
Living the last days of evolution's end
From the nest of humanity, the graveland vultures rend
The song "Graveland" by In Flames is a powerful commentary on humanity's destructive nature and the consequences of our actions. The lyrics speak of mankind's pride and hunger for war and conquest, symbolized by the flag that we wave in glory. The use of the word "Titans" to describe our power and myth highlights the hubris that we feel.
However, the song also acknowledges the weakness and narrow-mindedness of humanity, as we continue to be driven by our primal instincts. The "jester race" is a metaphor for our foolishness, as we willingly submit to these destructive impulses. The lyrics suggest that every day of war is a failure for humanity, as we continue to be enslaved by our primal genes.
The song further asserts that humanity is a plague on the planet, described as "Nature's grand and last mistake". The metaphorical reference to planting the poisoned seed of cancer speaks to the damage that we're causing to the environment. The use of the phrase "Burning like frozen relics/ In God's archaic graveland" speaks to the inevitability of our destruction. The use of imagery from the apocalypse, such as mushroom-clouds and vultures, suggest that our end will be harsh and brutal.
Line by Line Meaning
Mankind, proud conqueror and king
Humanity, seeing itself as superior and in control
Swings its flag of primal glory to the winds
Celebrating its violent and animalistic instincts
Titans of the power-myth that failed
Leaders who believed in the myth of power, but were unsuccessful
Neanderthal hunger for the flesh of war so frail
Desire for war and destruction that shows humanity's primitive nature
So weak, so hollow-minded
Humans are weak and lack deep thinking
The primate flock responds
People behave like animals
The jester race submits
Even those in power are foolish and submissive
For each day of war is a failure for man,
Every violent day is a defeat for humanity
Enslaved in her mordial genes
Bound by primitive instincts
Illusions bleed from their fetid cores,
False beliefs and fantasies arise from corrupted minds
Bent to their rotten extremes
Taken to dangerous and extreme lengths
We, the plague of Terra Firma,
Humans are a disease on Earth
Nature's grand and last mistake
Nature regretted creating humanity
Plant the poisoned seed of cancer,
Spreading destruction and harm like a disease
Set the severed fruits awake
Waking up the consequences of their actions
Burning like frozen relics
Destroyed like forgotten artifacts
In God's archaic graveland
In a world abandoned by the divine
Burn the visionaire
Destroy the ones with vision and imagination
Kill the ideologies
Eliminate the belief systems that fuel conflict
Mankind must die
The end of humanity is necessary for peace
The doves and the angels return to their graves
Hope and goodness are destroyed by humanity's violence
With flames on their pestilent wings
Even angels are corrupted by humanity's evil
While mushroom-clouds haunt their virgin white skies
Nuclear explosions pollute the previously pure atmosphere
To rape their Utopian dreams
Destroying the idealistic and perfect visions of the future
Living the last days of evolution's end
In the final moments of humanity's existence
From the nest of humanity, the graveland vultures rend
Vultures of destruction feed on the remains of human civilization
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDERS PAR FRIDEN, BJOERN INGVAR GELOTTE, JESPER CLAES HAAKAN STROEMBLAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind