Record second album "Spit Or Swallow" in 1994, whereof 4 songs were released in December as a MCD "The Facelift EP", which breaks in the Danish singles chart at number 42, being first ever extreme metal release featured on the list to this day. "Spit Or Swallow" released in April 1995, followed by festival appearances including Roskilde Festival in June, where the band performed in front of 12000 raving metal heads, and recorded the performance for the first ever Death'n'roll live album "Live Eraser". Released 1996.
After extensively touring for "Spit Or Swallow", the band broke in half with Johnny Nielsen and Kim Mathiesen breaking out to form FACELIFT, and Anders Lundemark and Thomas Christensen continuing KONKHRA with hired help. Chris Kontos and James Murphy joins the ranks and in 1997 " Weed Out The Weak" is released and quickly becomes Diehard Records best selling album, a record that stands to this day. Festivals and tours followed peaked by the bands performance at Roskilde Festival in 1997 in front of 18000 people. Chris is replaced by ex-Invocator drummer Per M. Jensen and his involvement marked the start of Konkhra's experimental period.
The Death/Thrash influences were shelved for the recording of 1999's "Come Down Cold", an elaboration of Konkhra's sound into a more subtle direction. International touring followed, and also the completion of the contractual obligations with Diehard Records. Per M. Jensen left to join a band called The Haunted, and Anders decided to end the years of confusion and gave Johnny a call to see if it was time to reform the band in its original and most cheered shape. Some touring for CDC was finished, including 1 month supporting King Diamond in 2001, with the original line-up
intact.
In 2002 the bands fifth album "Reality Check" was recorded at Anders' studio Starstruck in Copenhagen, months were spent prepping the album and no outside influence was allowed, the album is featured on the bands own Chopshop Records imprint and licensed to a world wide release through code666 Records.
And for this fifth album the world seemed to agree: Konkhra is back to form and Reality Check is the bands strongest release to this day. International touring is planned, kicking off in Tel Aviv, Israel. This will be the first show performed by Konkhra in Israel as well as on the Reality Tour 2003, and an appropriate place to kick it off indeed.
Konkhra continues to wave their flag in the face of ignorance by major labels as well as independents, as they drag unknown labels out of the closet and puts them on the map. This is beating the odds when they are worst, and that's when you know it's pure: They do it because they have to.
Stranded
Konkhra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In desperation and fear he lies
The truth he has tried to conceal
In his mind... before his flesh will part
He was caught in the web of temptation
That norns had woven for him
He had chosen the faddish path of violence
He was one of the proud
He was violence unleashed
Bend to his will of power
Or join the hordes of deceased
Now he pities himself for his doings
Told by Christ that his motive were wrong
How come he had tread the evil path
While he felt his willpower strong
At the centre of conscience
My fear stares at me
White rimmed eyes, ceremonial mask
No human face, what I see
The lyrics of Konkhra's song Stranded talk about an old man who is nearing the end of his life and lying at the shore in desperation and fear. The old man had tried to conceal the truth about his life, but now he knows that he cannot hide it from himself anymore. The lyrics suggest that the old man had been caught in the web of temptation that was woven by fate, and he had chosen the path of violence and sacrifice for his belief in ancient gods. The lyrics suggest that the old man was once proud, and he had unleashed violence on those who did not bend to his will. The old man had believed that his willpower was strong, but now he pities himself for his doings, and he wonders how come he had tread the evil path.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the old man has been confronted by Christ, who has told him that his motives were wrong. The old man is filled with regret and remorse as he realizes that he had been mistaken in his beliefs. The lyrics also suggest that at the centre of conscience, the old man's fear stares at him, and he sees a white-rimmed eyes ceremonial mask instead of a human face.
Konkhra's song Stranded talks about the internal turmoil and regret someone can feel when they realize that they have lived their life with wrong motives and beliefs. The song suggests that it is never too late to change, but it is important to confront the truth and be honest with yourself.
Line by Line Meaning
An old man at the shore of his life
An elderly man reaching the end of his life
In desperation and fear he lies
Feeling hopeless and frightened
The truth he has tried to conceal
Hiding something from himself and others
In his mind... before his flesh will part
Before he dies
He was caught in the web of temptation
Fell into the trap of temptation
That norns had woven for him
A trap set by fate
He had chosen the faddish path of violence
Chose the popular route of aggression
And sacrifice... for ancient gods belief
Made sacrifices in the name of ancient deities
He was one of the proud
He was proud
He was violence unleashed
He was unrestrained in his violent actions
Bend to his will of power
Submission to his desire for control
Or join the hordes of deceased
Be added to the many who have already died
Now he pities himself for his doings
He regrets his past actions
Told by Christ that his motive were wrong
He was made aware by Christ that his intentions were misguided
How come he had tread the evil path
He wonders why he took the malevolent route
While he felt his willpower strong
Despite feeling like he had strong self-control
At the centre of conscience
In the core of his moral judgment
My fear stares at me
He is intimidated by his own fears
White rimmed eyes, ceremonial mask
Possessing ceremonial features emphasizing fear
No human face, what I see
The lack of humanity in his reflection
Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.