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.
food for the gods
In Flames Lyrics
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Introduces itself to the
Concept of total loneliness
Sensations repressed
Make friends with
Suicidia and
Here the leeches begin to
Suck away the lust for life
Thus
Escape takes lead
Into a world unknown uncontrolled by all
Where border are erased and potential infinite
Chosen cells glands and transmitters
Blast the body with joy
Astral feet running
Up to dimension covered with gold
Stairs of glowing ectoplasm
Sapphire onyx and buzzing vibrations
A dead man banquet
Food for the gods
There's only 1 real world
Our earth is but a shadow
Created from a child's heart a living jewel
From now on abode for a soul in its setting
Now
Shutting the bloodline
Re-tie the bleeding roots
To a heavenly ship of glass
And let it drift in passive arrogance
In a one-word dialogue with the stars
The song "Food for the Gods" by In Flames explores the theme of escape through substance abuse. The lyrics describe a person who is overwhelmed by feelings of shame and guilt, leading them to seek solace in drugs or alcohol. Repressed feelings are personified as "Suicidia," a friend who encourages self-destructive behavior. The person's desire to escape their emotional pain takes them to an unknown world where boundaries and limitations no longer exist. They are transported to a dimension filled with gold, sapphire, and buzzing vibrations. The imagery indicates that the person has died, and this new world is perhaps heaven or another plane of existence.
The lyrics suggest that the person has found temporary relief in substance abuse, but the consequences of their actions are severe. The line "A dead man banquet, food for the gods" implies that the person has sacrificed their life for this momentary pleasure. The last verse of the song suggests that the person has passed on and is now in another world, represented by "a heavenly ship of glass." The ship drifts off into the universe, indicating that the person has left behind their earthly life and is now in dialogue with the stars.
Overall, the lyrics to "Food for the Gods" suggest that although escape from emotional pain is possible, it comes at a high cost. The temporary relief that substances may provide ultimately leads to a permanent departure from life on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Shame marries the guilt
The feeling of disgraceful conduct and the responsibility for wrongdoing are inextricably bound together, causing an unbearable sense of remorse.
Introduces itself to the
Shame and guilt manifest themselves as abstract entities that come into one’s life like unwelcome guests.
Concept of total loneliness
The idea that one is completely alone in their suffering and there is no one who can understand their pain.
Sensations repressed
The emotions that are suppressed and hidden from others, leading to a deep sense of despair and frustration.
Make friends with
The negative emotions become familiar and comforting to the point where they are embraced as companions.
Suicidia and
The temptation to end one’s life becomes a constant thought, and it is ever more appealing as one bonds with their negative emotions.
Here the leeches begin to
The negative emotions have taken hold to the point that they drain all of the enjoyment and motivation from life.
Suck away the lust for life
The energy and passion once felt for living have slowly diminished, leaving behind a sense of emptiness and apathy towards life.
Thus
As a result of the above circumstances.
Escape takes lead
The desire to escape from the pain and suffering takes over, leading to a search for a way out.
Into a world unknown uncontrolled by all
The quest for refuge leads to a new world that is free from any rules or control by others.
Where border are erased and potential infinite
The limitations that once existed are removed, allowing endless possibilities to exist.
Chosen cells glands and transmitters
The cells, glands, and transmitters in the body that determine one's state of mind are now consciously chosen and directed.
Blast the body with joy
The body is now overwhelmed with feelings of happiness and euphoria.
Astral feet running
The soul is now liberated and unrestrained, free to explore new horizons.
Up to dimension covered with gold
The destination is a place of great beauty and wealth, where all earthly troubles are left behind.
Stairs of glowing ectoplasm
The path to this world is mystical and otherworldly in nature, built with a substance that has no physical form.
Sapphire onyx and buzzing vibrations
The surroundings are awe-inspiring, emitting a mysterious and captivating energy.
A dead man banquet
A feast prepared for a person who has lost all ability to feel alive.
Food for the gods
The banquet has been prepared for a higher power, where the earthly sorrows and struggles have no power or effect.
There's only 1 real world
The concept that only one reality exists and all others are but an illusion.
Our earth is but a shadow
The physical world is a faint reflection of a deeper, more profound existence.
Created from a child's heart a living jewel
The world was brought into being by a pure and innocent child's imagination, making every aspect of it infinitely valuable and precious.
From now on abode for a soul in its setting
The world is now home to a soul that has found its place and purpose within it.
Now
At this moment, after experiencing it all.
Shutting the bloodline
The end of life, the ultimate closing of all connections with the physical world.
Re-tie the bleeding roots
The bonds with the earthly existence are re-established, though now only as memories.
To a heavenly ship of glass
A way of moving on, to another world that is transparent and ethereal in nature.
And let it drift in passive arrogance
The soul's transition is complacent, secure in its knowledge of what lies ahead.
In a one-word dialogue with the stars
The soul is now part of an infinite conversation with the universe, where the only language spoken is one of pure emotion.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDERS PAR FRIDEN, BJOERN INGVAR GELOTTE, JESPER CLAES HAAKAN STROEMBLAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind