After a number of affirming underground reviews and unexpected, humbling fan reaction, John and Tony decided the band would be more than just a one album 'fire and forget' project set on paying homage to their favorite bands, and quickly began working on the follow up "Sleepy Plessow" -- this time focusing on developing more of their own heavy/power metal sound and incorporating a wider range of their influences. The album was released less than 7 months later in June of 2013. The sophomore effort showed a departure from the speed and riff obsessed nature of "King of Rome" and focused more heavily on atmosphere, melody, slower tempos, more complex vocal arrangements, and bigger overall narrative concept. The album also brought in numerous guest vocalist from friend's and underground bands alike in order to portray the various characters and soundscapes needed for the album. The story of Frederick the Great of Prussia showed the band progressing into a more mature and developed territory as a band, but Judicator still remained a homemade recording project.
Feeling that "Sleepy Plessow" had demonstrated the improvement they wanted over the first album, John and Tony decided it was time to begin work on a third, and change the nature of the band to reflect a more a traditional setup and help progress the band's material to a more professional level. The band added drummer Jordan Elcess in late 2013 and began work on the third album "At the Expense of Humanity". This album took the band to new heights and finally sealed Judicator as a legitimate band, leaving behind the days of home laptop recording projects. The band played their first two live appearances at the Deland Rock and Metal Festival in Fall 2014 leading up to the release of "At the Expense of Humanity" in March of 2015. The album showed an even further expansion of the band's sound, both musically and production wise. The album pushed the band in a more progressive and personal direction, as the concept revolved around John's retelling of the story of how he lost his brother to cancer when he was 18 years old. The album's tragic and personal concept was illustrated by a more diverse and progressive approach to power metal. The band was able to partner with Dirty Viking Audio (Shadowdance, Noble Beast, Helion Prime, etc) and Tower Studios (Ayreon, Noble Beast, etc) to have their first truly professionally produced album, and with the help of fan support, was able to crowd fund the production for the album. Additionally, "At the Expense of Humanity" saw the band partner with Divebomb Records, which Tony had previously worked with in Project: Roenwolfe, for a widespread release of the album and beyond. The album was met with enthusiastic underground/online critical praise, noting the professional and mature change of direction for the band, and that Judicator had finally come into their own. The band was able to also embark on their first small regional tours throughout the Southwest and West Coast of the United States in Spring 2015 and Summer 2016 in support of "At the Expense of Humanity".
Currently, the band is hard at work on their fourth full length album "The Last Emperor" which will see a return to the historical based and speed/power metal approach of the first two albums, and follow the tale of a historical fiction taking place during the second crusade. The album will be released via Divebomb Records some time in 2017 and be produced once more by Dirty Viking Audio and Tower Studio with plans for a midwest/east coast tour to follow in early 2018.
The Elector
Judicator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Which seeks to rise from gray waters
Feel the light shine through the clouds of fear
Bring the fight, a clever fox with highest hopes
These are the prospects of our people
To free ourselves from constant shame
All eyes gaze upon the elector
-Who are you to judge me so?
A well meaning failure, "protector"
-Disregarded and mocked
All eyes gaze upon the elector
-I try my best to guide us through the fire
A poisoned and hesitant mindset
-I did my best for us all
Caught between the hammer and the anvil
Torn apart, my reputation's fate
These are the prospects of our people
To build a nation just as strong
All eyes gaze upon the elector
-The Swedish lion calls for war
A well meaning failure, "protector"
-No place for neutrality
All eyes gaze upon the elector
-No right choice to make
A poisoned and hesitant mindset
-I'm damned no matter what I do
This poor lame man was doomed to hang
But not from rope, but from his own shame
These were my prospects and ambitions
I try so hard but always fail
All eyes gaze upon the elector
-Who are you to talk me down?
A well meaning failure, "protector"
-A lame and courageous man
All eyes gaze upon the elector
-Ich laufe nach Ducal Preussen
Menschen koennen so gedankenlos
-A hero who accepts unjust shame
The Elector by Judicator is a song that speaks of the struggles of a leader who seeks to uplift his people but constantly faces rejection and defeat. The lyrics are filled with symbolism and metaphors, which require an insightful interpretation. The first two lines describe a bleak land that hopes to rise from sorrow and misery. The light that shines through the clouds of fear represents the hope that the leader seeks to impart to his people. He is compared to a clever fox with highest hopes, indicating his intellect and the magnitude of his ambitions. The prospects of the people to free themselves from shame are mentioned, while the elector is scrutinized for his intentions.
The elector is repeatedly referred to as a well-meaning failure protector who is disregarded, mocked, and judged by his people. He tries his best to guide his people through the fire of oppression and war but is faced with a poisoned and hesitant mindset. The verses indicate that he is caught between the hammer and the anvil, representing the challenges he faces as a leader. He is torn apart by his reputation's fate, and his prospects of building a strong nation seem unattainable. The Swedish lion's call for war puts the elector in an impossible position, with no right choice to make. He is damned no matter what he does, and his poor, lame fate is sealed.
Judicator's The Elector is a thought-provoking song with deep symbolism, metaphors, and allusions. It speaks of the struggles of leadership, the challenges of building a strong nation, and the judgment that leaders face from their people. It is a call to action for leaders to aspire to the highest ideals and to lead with courage, intellect, and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
A dreary land with no real hope
The land is gloomy and without real expectation.
Which seeks to rise from gray waters
The land desires to thrive despite the challenges it faces.
Feel the light shine through the clouds of fear
Despite fear existent within, one should acknowledge the light that prevails.
Bring the fight, a clever fox with highest hopes
Fighting with wit and aspirations in this difficult situation.
These are the prospects of our people
The people have aspirations to elevate themselves.
To free ourselves from constant shame
To overcome the perpetual shame that besets them.
All eyes gaze upon the elector
The focus is on the leader.
-Who are you to judge me so?
Why does the leader have the authority to judge me?
A well meaning failure, "protector"
The leader has good intentions but fails to protect.
-Disregarded and mocked
The leader has been ignored and ridiculed.
-I try my best to guide us through the fire
The leader has been attempting to lead amidst the difficulties.
A poisoned and hesitant mindset
The leader is doubtful and uncertain.
-I did my best for us all
The leader worked for the whole community.
Caught between the hammer and the anvil
In a difficult situation, the leader has to choose between two unfavorable options.
Torn apart, my reputation's fate
The leader's image has been gravely affected.
To build a nation just as strong
The aim is to build a strong country.
-The Swedish lion calls for war
The Swedish army is preparing for war.
-No place for neutrality
Neutrality is no longer an option.
-No right choice to make
There is no good choice to be made.
-I'm damned no matter what I do
The leader is condemned irrespective of the decision made.
This poor lame man was doomed to hang
The leader was doomed to face the consequences of his actions.
But not from rope, but from his own shame
The shame he felt was his downfall.
These were my prospects and ambitions
These were the leader's aspirations.
I try so hard but always fail
The leader repeatedly failed despite trying hard.
-Who are you to talk me down?
The leader challenges the authority talking him down.
-A lame and courageous man
The leader recognizes his weakness and bravery.
-Ich laufe nach Ducal Preussen
I am running towards Ducal Prussia.
Menschen koennen so gedankenlos
People can be thoughtless.
-A hero who accepts unjust shame
The leader is a hero who accepts unfair shame.
Contributed by James A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.