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.
Starforsaken
In Flames Lyrics
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Malicious have light of day obscured
The sun has burned my skin
Open wounds are licked by sand
To be punished by this vortex of scorn
Wrists and ankles are chained upon this land
So this is my Golgotha, so this is my grave
The thieves, the liars, the hypocrite scum
I'd slay them if I only could
The endless sand, the blackest land
A cyclone of spine crushing anger
Meant for me
The overlords of the desert
Not one was meant to be
All human force now flee
Rules of anatomy lost
Rage into the extreme
The lyrics to In Flames's song "Starforsaken", from their album "Soundtrack to Your Escape", paint a vivid picture of a person lost and punished in the midst of a harsh and unforgiving desert. The opening lines describe the physical pain of being whipped by sand and having one's skin burned by the sun. The imagery of open wounds being licked by sand is particularly striking, as it suggests a kind of cruel and intentional punishment.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that the singer is being punished by some outside force, represented by the "vortex of scorn" that is whipping them. They are chained up and drawn through the desert, apparently to be sacrificed. The reference to Golgotha, the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, suggests a kind of martyrdom, as if the singer is being punished for some perceived or invented sin.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's anger and desire for revenge. They describe their tormentors as "thieves, liars, and hypocrite scum" and express a desire to slay them if they only could. The song ends with a final burst of fury as the singer declares that they will rage into the extreme.
Overall, "Starforsaken" is a powerful and evocative song that uses rich imagery to convey a sense of pain, isolation, and anger in the face of cruel and unfeeling punishment.
Line by Line Meaning
Whipped in the eye by the sand
Blinded by an onslaught of sand in the eyes
Malicious have light of day obscured
Evil intentions have blocked out the light of day
The sun has burned my skin
Painful burns from the intense desert sun
Open wounds are licked by sand
Exposed injuries stung by grains of sand
To be punished by this vortex of scorn
Being subjected to a merciless punishment, a whirlwind of negativity
Wrists and ankles are chained upon this land
Trapped and confined to the unforgiving desert
Drawn through the desert to be their sacrifice
Forced to trek across the desert to be offered as a sacrifice
So this is my Golgotha, so this is my grave
Feeling like this place is where I will meet my end
The thieves, the liars, the hypocrite scum
The deceitful, dishonest, and insincere individuals
I'd slay them if I only could
Desiring to eliminate these negative influences if given the opportunity
The endless sand, the blackest land
Enduring an eternity of sand and darkness
A cyclone of spine crushing anger
An out-of-control storm of anger that crushes the spirit
Meant for me
Directed specifically at me
The overlords of the desert
The rulers of the unforgiving desert environment
Not one was meant to be
None of them were supposed to exist
All human force now flee
All human life has fled this barren wasteland
Rules of anatomy lost
The very basics of life no longer apply here
Rage into the extreme
Fury pushed to the absolute limits
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDERS PAR FRIDEN, BJOERN INGVAR GELOTTE, JESPER CLAES HAAKAN STROEMBLAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind