Since then the band has released three studio albums, Ironsword in 2002, Return of the Warrior in 2004 and Overlords of Chaos in 2008.
J.M. no longer plays all instruments. Instead he's the singer and guitarist, Arrno Maalm (Beto Arrais) is the drummer, and Rick Thor is the bass player.
Into the Arena
Ironsword Lyrics
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No will to live inside this cell
War prisoner, chained forever
Time has come for a last farewell
Trumpets now sound exciting the crowd
A bloody spectacle will soon begin
I choose my weapon and meet with fate
Into the arena
Gladiators fight till they die
Into the arena
Only the strong will survive
Bowdown or feel the whip
You are forced to fight
I will challenge the champions
Hatred burns within
Standing face to face
Who will match my fury
Wargods watch upon me now
Or the hell with you...
The combat I won, there's no one around
Just broken bodies and pools of blood
No will to live, it's kill or be killed
My time to die has not yet come
Into the arena
Gladiators fight till they die
Into the arena
Only the strong will survive
The lyrics to Ironsword's song "Into the Arena" describe the life of a gladiator during the Roman Empire, who is taken as a war prisoner and forced to fight in the arena for the entertainment of the crowd. The first verse talks about the gladiator's state of mind, feeling alone and hopeless in his cell. He knows that he is a prisoner for life, sentenced to fight until he dies. The trumpets sound to announce the beginning of the games and the gladiator knows that he has to choose his weapon and face his fate. He acknowledges the emperor's power and kneels before him.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the brutal nature of the arena. The gladiators fight until they die, and only the strongest ones survive. The second verse is about the gladiator's mindset before his fight. He knows that he has to fight or face punishment, and he is willing to challenge the champions. He is full of hatred towards his oppressors, and he is ready to face anyone who stands in his way. The bridge of the song describes the aftermath of the fight, with broken bodies and pools of blood around the gladiator. He knows that his time to die has not yet come, but he also knows that the arena is a place of death and no one knows when or how they will die.
Line by Line Meaning
Far from home I feel so alone
Being far from home I feel isolated and desolate.
No will to live inside this cell
I am trapped and have lost hope, with no reason to go on.
War prisoner, chained forever
I am a captive of war, held captive for eternity.
Time has come for a last farewell
It's time for me to say goodbye, as I am about to enter the arena for the last time.
Trumpets now sound exciting the crowd
The sound of trumpets excites the crowd in anticipation of the spectacle to come.
A bloody spectacle will soon begin
The fight that is about to happen will be brutal and gory.
I choose my weapon and meet with fate
I select my weapon and face my destiny head on.
Hail to the emperor, kneel before him
I pay homage to the emperor and bow down before him.
Into the arena
I step into the battle arena.
Gladiators fight till they die
Gladiators fight to the death in the arena.
Only the strong will survive
Those who are strong enough will come out of the arena alive.
Bowdown or feel the whip
Obey or face punishment.
You are forced to fight
I am pushed to fight, with no other option.
I will challenge the champions
I am ready to take on the best fighters in the arena.
Hatred burns within
I feel intense anger and loathing inside.
Standing face to face
I am standing in front of my opponent.
Who will match my fury
Who is strong enough to face my rage?
Wargods watch upon me now
The gods of war are watching me fight.
Or the hell with you...
I don't care about the outcome - I'll fight anyone.
The combat I won, there's no one around
I have emerged victorious, but there are no more challengers left in the arena.
Just broken bodies and pools of blood
The arena is littered with the wounded and dead.
No will to live, it's kill or be killed
There is no hope, only the will to survive at all costs.
My time to die has not yet come
I have survived this round, but I know my time will come eventually.
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.