Lead into Gold is considered his 'solo' side-project after he joined Ministry. Under this name he put out 2 releases, a full length called: Age of Reason (featuring his brother Roland (from the Blackouts on one track and Ministry's Al Jourgensen on another) and a CD single/12" called: Chicks & Speed: Futurism. A video for the song "Faster Than Light" was created with Jourgenson & Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails) both making an appearance, which was available on the Wax Trax! Black Box. A 12" EP titled "Low and Slow" was released roughly 25 years after recording in 2015 on Wax Trax! Records.
In 2018, "The Sun Behind The Sun" was released on the label "No, So Yes Recordings", featuring appearances by people such as Bill Rieflin (of groups Ministry, Revolting Cocks and others.) on tracks 1, 2, 6, and 8. In 2023, Paul Barker and Josh Holley (Who co-owns MALEKKO Heavy Industry with Paul) joined the Skinny Puppy final tour as an opening act on both legs of the tour.
Beauty
Lead Into Gold Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The gods are laughing with me
With all, I see
Flesh into stone again
What does it matter if I'm living
Clutching this beauty
This eely feeling
That I perceive
And here the heart burns
From the smallest crack
From the kicking and the screaming
Flesh into stone again
The gods are winking with me
With all, I see
Flesh into stone again
The steely basis of the greatest dream
Embrace this beauty
This fiery feeling
This eely despot unrelenting
Here the heart burns
From the smallest crack
From the dreaming and
The breathing inside
From the dreaming and
The breathing
Inside
The lyrics to Lead Into Gold's "Beauty" are cryptic and enigmatic, making it open to interpretation. The phrase "flesh into stone again" might be interpreted as an indication of the singer's emotional detachment. The line "the gods are laughing with me" suggests that the singer is aware of their transformation, and they're content with it because they're making progress. They've transformed; they've improved; they've reached a higher level of consciousness. "Clutching this beauty," the singer appears to be holding onto an idea, a thought, or a feeling that seems slippery or elusive. Something that is beautiful but potentially dangerous, like the eel. The fiery, unrelenting despot might symbolize the singer's own thoughts and emotions, which can be tyrannical and tormenting. The mention of a small crack, kicking, and screaming may symbolize the pain and struggle of change, while dreaming and breathing suggest the calm and acceptance that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Flesh into stone again
Feeling numb and unfeeling once more.
The gods are laughing with me
Life is nothing but a joke to the divine powers.
With all, I see
Despite all that's happened, I still have my sight and perception.
What does it matter if I'm living
Existing without truly living or feeling is meaningless.
Clutching this beauty
Holding onto something that appears beautiful in the moment.
This eely feeling
A slimy, slippery sensation that can't be firmly grasped or understood.
This fiery despot unrelenting
An unstoppable, tyrant-like force that burns within.
That I perceive
That which I am able to see and understand with my senses.
And here the heart burns
The passion and intensity can be felt in my chest.
From the smallest crack
Even the tiniest opening in one's armor can allow for vulnerability and emotion.
From the kicking and the screaming
The struggle and resistance put up against the forces trying to keep us down.
The gods are winking with me
The same forces that laughed at me before are now acknowledging me with a sly humor.
The steely basis of the greatest dream
The firm, unwavering foundation of a lofty aspiration.
Embrace this beauty
Fully accept and cherish the alluring quality before me.
This eely despot unrelenting
The slimy, tyrant-like force cannot be stopped or ignored.
From the dreaming and the breathing inside
From the deep innermost parts of one's subconscious and physical being.
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.