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.
Metaphor
In Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are the sickness in between
Let me in, I'll bury the pain
You taught me to be sad at you
You almost made me take it all
Let me in, I'll bury the pain
You beg me then you break me
Let me in, I'll bury the pain
You made me feel like a sinner
Now you fear you'll die alone
Let me in, I'll bury the pain
The sickness that you are
The plague that made me starve
You think you can show me how I've come this far
I feel it's taking over
Everything falls dark
Break me open
The desperate cry
In Flames's song Metaphor is a deeply emotional and introspective track that explores the idea of betrayal and hurt. The first line, "You stole my pure intention," sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer sings about someone who has taken something essential from him, his pure intentions. The next line, "You are the sickness in between," suggests that the person has done something harmful that has come between them. The chorus repeats the line "Let me in, I'll bury the pain," indicating that the singer is willing to forgive and forget if the other person takes responsibility for their actions.
The second verse takes a different angle, as the singer addresses the way the other person has affected him emotionally. "You taught me to be sad at you," could mean that the other person has made the singer feel like he's not good enough or has manipulated him into being unhappy. The line "You almost made me take it all" implies that the singer was at a breaking point but didn't let the other person win. The chorus repeats again, highlighting the singer's willingness to forgive if the other person takes accountability.
The bridge is the most intense part of the song, with the lyrics, "I feel it's taking over, Everything falls dark, Break me open, The desperate cry." The singer seems to be losing himself in his pain and is desperate for a way out. The final line is especially poignant, as it showcases the singer's vulnerability and his need for someone to understand his hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
You stole my pure intention
You took my honest thoughts and desires with deceit and manipulation
You are the sickness in between
You are an unwanted, harmful presence or separateness between myself and something else, a disease
Let me in, I'll bury the pain
I will hide or suppress the hurt and suffering if I can be a part of your life again
You taught me to be sad at you
You showed and conditioned me to feel unhappy and miserable in your presence
You almost made me take it all
You nearly made me accept and endure all the negativity that comes with you
You bend me and you shake me
You exert physical and emotional pressure on me, causing me to be unsettled
You beg me then you break me
You plead with me to comply, then you shatter or crush me either consciously or unintentionally
Let me in, I'll bury the pain
I will cover up or stifle the discomfort if you welcome me back into your life
You made me feel like a sinner
You caused me to feel guilty or ashamed for no valid reason
Now you fear you'll die alone
You realize the possibility of ending up by yourself and it scares you
Let me in, I'll bury the pain
I'll conceal or suppress the agony if you allow me into your existence
The sickness that you are
You are the disease or ailment affecting me
The plague that made me starve
You are the infectious epidemic that robbed me of nourishment and fulfillment
You think you can show me how I've come this far
You believe that you can demonstrate or prove to me the reason why I have progressed so much
I feel it's taking over
I sense that it is gaining control or dominance over me
Everything falls dark
Everything turns gloomy, obscure, or hopeless
Break me open
Destroy or rupture my shell or facade, expose and bring to light the real me
The desperate cry
A plea or call for help in a despairing, hopeless situation
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDERS PAR FRIDEN, BJOERN INGVAR GELOTTE, JESPER CLAES HAAKAN STROEMBLAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind