Originally working as Grid, they began their career as crusaders for the right to die, with their earliest tapes bearing many songs rallying around the Kevorkian banner.
Changing their name to Kevorkian Death Cycle (the name is politically motivated -- not merely an attempt at shock), the band released their first full length CD on the now extinct Ras Dva label, Collection for Injection, and began to appear on numerous compilations. Coupled with nationwide appearances (including a successful 1997 tour with Spahn Ranch and a sold out appearance at CMJ's New York City music marathon), the underground community was soon all abuzz about KDC. Combining social issues with throbbing synthetics and dance floor beats, this duo appealed both to the body and to the mind.
In 1998, Kevorkian Death Cycle signed to Metropolis Records, and issued their sophomore release, Dark Skies, in the fall. Still keeping with the darker side of industrial, KDC added more beats and electro attacks to their political formula, creating an astonishing sounding release. The band also had the opportunity to appear in concert with the fathers of the genre, Front 242; and embarked on a nationwide tour, culminating a series of dates with Front Line Assembly.
Kevorkian Death Cycle released their third CD in 1999 entitled A+O(M), and embarked on a two month tour of North America, loosely called the "Free Jack" tour - Jack as in Dr. Jack Kevorkian. The release explored a more electro side of KDC, and contained the dance floor favorites "Death To the Flesh", "Pulse", and a cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Relax".
The highly sought after debut, Collection For Injection was re-issued in 2000, and a re-mix single of "Relax" featuring mixes by KDC, Assemblage23, and Nikki Shifter, as well as a new version of "Kill For Christ" from the debut was released in 2001.
The Long Walk
Kevorkian Death Cycle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The begin
The race to hell
The man on the stand
You can't stop walking 'til you've reached the end
The falsifications
The hidden truths
Your feet are bleeding
Don't stop
Walk!
Something happens a sudden bend
You thought you came upon it
You thought you'd reached the end
Feed on one to become like him
The race to hell
The man on the stand
You can't stop walking 'till you've reached the end
Stop!
Constant screaming
Continual drone
The maze never ending you're all alone
The falsifications
The hidden truths
Your head is bleeding
Your feet retreating
Don't stop
Feed on one to become like him
The eye of the sun beats down on sin
The race to hell
The man on the stand
You can't stop walking 'till you've reached the end
The falsifications
The hidden truths
Your feet are bleeding
Your head's retreating
Don't stop
Feed on one to become like him
The eye of the sun to become like him
"The Long Walk" by Kevorkian Death Cycle is a dark and thought-provoking song that appears to be about the journey towards self-destruction and the unrelenting desire to become like those who came before you. The opening lines "Feed on one to become like him / The begin / The race to hell / The man on the stand" suggest that the path to destruction involves emulating the actions of an individual who has gone before you. The imagery of the "race to hell" and the "man on the stand" imply that this individual may have been judged for their actions, yet the singer continues to follow in their footsteps.
The chorus "You can't stop walking 'til you've reached the end" suggests that no matter the consequences, the singer is determined to follow this path until its bitter end. The second verse "Stop! / Constant screaming / Continual drone / The maze never ending you're all alone" indicates that this path is not an easy one, and that there will be moments of intense pain and suffering. However, the line "Something happens a sudden bend / You thought you came upon it / You thought you'd reached the end" implies that even when the journey appears to be over, there is always another twist in the road.
The final verse "The eye of the sun beats down on sin / The race to hell / The man on the stand" suggests that this destructive path is one of sin, one that is judged by an all-seeing sun. Overall, "The Long Walk" is a haunting commentary on the human desire for self-destruction and the relentless pursuit of an unattainable goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Feed on one to become like him
To emulate someone, one must consume them in order to become like them in nature.
The begin
One's journey starts here.
The race to hell
A fast-paced journey towards damnation and destruction.
The man on the stand
The person in power, who is making decisions and setting the course.
You can't stop walking 'til you've reached the end
One must continue on the path until it is complete, despite any obstacles or challenges.
The falsifications
Lies and deceptions that are believed to be true.
The hidden truths
Things that are not initially apparent, but may be discovered with perseverance and reflection.
Your feet are bleeding
The pain and damage caused by the arduous journey taken so far.
Your head's retreating
The exhaustion and defeat that starts to take hold mentally.
Don't stop
Keep moving forward, despite the difficulties and challenges.
Walk!
An encouragement to keep taking steps, no matter how weary or distressed one becomes.
Something happens a sudden bend
An unexpected turn in the path, which can cause confusion and turmoil.
You thought you came upon it
A feeling of near completion, or an end in sight.
You thought you'd reached the end
Believing that the journey was at it's conclusion, but discovering it was not.
Stop!
A warning or plea to halt before making a mistake or continuing on a dangerous path.
Constant screaming
A persistent and unrelenting noise or discomfort.
Continual drone
A monotonous and repetitive sound or experience.
The maze never ending you're all alone
Feeling trapped and stranded in a labyrinthine structure with no apparent end, with no one to help or guide.
The eye of the sun beats down on sin
A scorching and inescapable judgment from oneself, or society, or a higher power.
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.