The quartet was headed up by guitarist Stephen O'Malley (Sunn O))), Burning Witch, Sarin, Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine, Lotus Eaters, Ginnungagap, Thorr's Hammer, Fungal Hex, KTL, Æthenor, Gravetemple) and bassist James Plotkin (O.L.D., Atomsmasher/ Phantomsmasher, Khlyst, James Plotkin & Tim Wyskida, Lotus Eaters, Regurgitation, etc.), two musicians whose reputations in the underground metal/experimental arenas precede them and can give listeners an idea of what to expect from the band. Rounding out the lineup were vocalist Alan Dubin (also formerly of O.L.D. and Regurgitation) and drummer Tim Wyskida (Blind Idiot God, James Plotkin & Tim Wyskida and Manbyrd). Khanate released their self-titled debut in the fall of 2001 on Southern Lord Records, a 12"EP 'Dead/ No Joy (remix)' off of Load Records in 2003, their second long player, 'Things Viral' off of Load Records (vinyl) and Southern Lord (CD) in 2003 and the 'Capture/ Release' mini-album released by Hydrahead Records (US version) and Trust No One Records (Euro pic-disc) in 2005. There are also two DVDs as well as a handful of live releases self released by the band and by Archive Records ('It's Cold When Birds Fall From the Sky', 2005).
As of September 24, 2006, Khanate have called it quits. Japanese re-issue CDs of the debut, 'Things Viral' and 'Capture/Release' albums are out now via Daymare Recordings. Each contain a second bonus disc with out-of-print and rare material but 'Capture/Release' contains the 'Dead & Live Aktions' DVD as its bonus. The posthumous album entitled "Clean Hands Go Foul" has been released in January 2009 on vinyl and digipack CD with bonus DVD "Capture & Release" on Hydra Head, picture LP on Trust No One and Japanese papersleeve CD version on Daymare.
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Dead
Khanate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not worth knowing
Visible awful but not seen
Alone always forever - beauty opposite
Transparent hear me - listen - right here
I was..
Right there kept walking awful unnoticed
Island stay off
Wait.. someone
sink alone not seen
It was time - end
It was time - end
I was..
Visible awful but not seen
Alone always forever - beauty opposite
Transparent see me - right here
I was..
Right there kept walking awful unnoticed
Beauty opposite deserted - alone
Island stay off
No.. someone wait
sink alone not seen
It was time - end
It was time - end
could have stopped it
Dead.
The lyrics to Khanate's song "Dead" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The repetition of the phrase "visible awful but not seen" emphasizes the singer's feeling of invisibility and worthlessness. Despite being present, they feel as though they are not noticed or acknowledged by others. The juxtaposition of beauty and aloneness suggests that the singer feels as though they do not fit in with others or conform to societal standards of attractiveness.
The mention of being "transparent" and urging the listener to "listen" could suggest that the singer desires to be heard and seen, but is unable to make a connection with others. The repeated phrase "sink alone not seen" emphasizes the feeling of being isolated and unnoticed.
The lines "could have stopped it" and "dead" at the end of the song suggest that the singer may have been contemplating suicide, and perhaps the lack of connection and isolation was too much to bear. The song overall creates a haunting and unsettling feeling, as though the singer is speaking from beyond the grave.
Line by Line Meaning
I was..
I, the singer, existed or lived
Not worth knowing
My worth as a person or entity is questionable
Visible awful but not seen
I was present but ignored due to my appearance or actions
Alone always forever - beauty opposite
I was always alone, and my circumstances were the opposite of beauty
Transparent hear me - listen - right here
Despite being ignored, I was transparent and needed to be heard and acknowledged in that moment
I was..
I, the singer, existed or lived
Right there kept walking awful unnoticed
Despite being present, I was walking (moving forward) and ignored due to appearing awful
Beauty opposite - alone
My surroundings were the opposite of beauty (ugliness), and I was alone
Island stay off
I was isolated and distanced myself from others
Wait.. someone
Despite my isolation, I still desired human connection
sink alone not seen
I felt alone and unacknowledged, and slowly began to succumb to despair
It was time - end
My despair brought me to the realization that it was time for my existence to come to an end
It was time - end
Reaffirms the previous line that my existence was at its end
I was..
I, the singer, existed or lived
Visible awful but not seen
Despite being present, I was ignored due to my appearance and actions
Alone always forever - beauty opposite
My circumstances were constant - I lived in isolation and lacked beauty
Transparent see me - right here
As my existence drew to a close, I needed to be seen and acknowledged, despite being transparent and previously ignored
I was..
I, the singer, existed or lived
Right there kept walking awful unnoticed
Despite being present, I was ignored due to my appearance and actions and continued to move forward in despair
Beauty opposite deserted - alone
My environment lacked beauty and felt barren, leaving me alone
Island stay off
I was isolated and avoided human connection
No.. someone wait
Refuses to accept that their existence is ending alone and begs for human connection
sink alone not seen
The singer is alone and sinking further into despair
It was time - end
Acceptance that their existence is coming to an end
It was time - end
They reiterate the acceptance that their existence is coming to an end
could have stopped it
The possibility of a different outcome is pondered - maybe their existence could have been saved?
Dead.
The reality of the situation - the singer is now deceased
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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Veetz44
Alan Dubin has the most amazing vocals I've ever heard. It's amazing he isn't more well known.
LV-426
Absolutely beautiful. Regardless of wether you like the music genre or not the video is an art piece on it's own. Khanate fucking owns, one of the most intense live acts I've seen, more so than most extreme metal concerts I've been to. Less is fucking more.
faultandfracture
yeah but more is more when it comes to actual volume in db, they're fucking loud as shit.
mikebott
holy shit, am i impressed. having not seen this, my appreciation of the band only augments. the first power chord at :30 is a genius of placement.
Jason Harris
One of the heaviest songs ever. I defy anyone to listen to that with the lights out and not piss your pants.
SonicTitan
seen me live a couple of times and they are/were great live. R.I.P khanate
NEIL WILDE
They're back.
michealdark
I LOVE this video. Things Viral sucks compared to the self titled and Capture and Release,but this song is pretty digestable,and the video is proof that a low budget video and a low budget band can be better than most of the stuff big name video directors and production companies can put out
howler77
I just can't get enough of this band... Video works too. riton, riton
Kane Montgomery
i dont think this song is at all about the liberation, it's so drawn out not because it's great to be killed but because how dark this world can be, and how and why he felt his life wasnt worth living. A Stunningly awesome song (in the non slang definition of awesome).