The group is effectively a re-branding of the touring group that performed under Welch's name to promote his solo album. Formed in 2009, Welch recruited musicians through open auditions via YouTube, and second-round auditions, in person, at his studio in Phoenix, Arizona. The original group was a six-piece group, that featured Michael Valentine on Bass, Ralph Patlan on guitar, Brian Ruedy on keyboard, Scott "SVH" Von Heldt on guitars and vocals and Dan Johnson on drums. After two years of touring, Von Heldt departed the band due to financial reasons, Ruedy was let go a few months earlier and later joined Whitesnake. Patlan also departed the band, but no reason was given. The search began to find a guitar player. In March 2011, two weeks before a tour, Welch discovered "the perfect fit" for his band through Thousand Foot Krutch's public audition videos for a new guitarist on Youtube. 15 years old at the time, J.R. Bareis was chosen by Welch to be the new guitar player and became an official permanent member of the band, as they settled on establishing themselves as a four-piece. The group released a single, "Paralyzed" in November 2011, under the Brian "Head" Welch name. In February 2012, the touring band was re-branded into the group Love and Death.
Love and Death was formally announced in February 2012 through an official statement made by Welch. In the statement, Welch explained that "I have wanted to use a band name for branding my music for a few years. It has been an ongoing discussion with my management, but we were just starting to tour and I was in the middle of supporting my third book and it seemed like a bad time to switch names. Now with the new music coming out, its time to really separate the things I do. I want the music to be about music. I will still be doing public speaking under Brian Head Welch. I am happy that all the confusion will be over."
Bruises
Love and Death Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hurting bruises spoken through their mouths again
Every letter breaks the skin
One by one the bruises find their way back in
They bleed you dry
They bleed you dry
Show us how to live
Through the bitterness
How do we get there
Show us how to die
How to give our lives
Living sacrifice
How do we get there
Many scars we try to hide
How much longer will we keep the pain alive
They bleed you dry
They bleed you dry
Show us how to live
How do we forgive
Through the bitterness
How do we get there
Show us how to die
How to give our lives
Living sacrifice
How do we get there
Now that I gave you all of my heart
Why do they rip it apart
Shattered and broken down again
Fix the pieces
The pieces
Show us how to live
How do we forgive
Through the bitterness
How do we get there
Show us how to die
How to give our lives
Living sacrifice
How do we get there
Show us how to live
Show us how to die
How do we get there
Show us how to give
How to give our lives
How do we get there
The lyrics to Love and Death's song Bruises express the pain and hurt caused by both physical and emotional abuse. The opening lines refer to hearing voices in your head, which could be interpreted as the internal dialogue of someone grappling with the trauma they have experienced. The next section talks about "hurting bruises spoken through their mouths," suggesting that the abusers are reinforcing the pain and damage caused by the physical violence.
The chorus then simply states "show us how to live, how do we forgive," conveying the confusion and desperation of the singer. The reference to bitterness implies that there may be a deep anger or resentment towards those who have hurt them, and the lyrics ask for guidance on how to rise above that negative emotion. The lines "how to give our lives, living sacrifice" suggest a willingness to move forward and seek redemption for their own pain, with the implied hope that this sacrifice will lead to a better, more fulfilling life.
The final lines "Now that I gave you all of my heart, why do they rip it apart, shattered and broken down again, fix the pieces" are particularly poignant, essentially asking why someone would give themselves fully to another person only to be hurt and broken, yet again. The repeated request for help and guidance underscores the sense of defeat and despondency that pervades the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Hearing voices in your head
The constant reminders of past pain and hurt that linger in your mind, replaying the words that cut deep into your skin.
Hurting bruises spoken through their mouths again
The abusers use their words to inflict emotional and physical pain leaving you with bruises–both visible and invisible ones.
Every letter breaks the skin
Each word spoken makes a permanent impression on you, leaving you with emotional and physical scars that justify the bruises.
One by one the bruises find their way back in
The slightest memory or thought triggers the pain of that moment, one by one the bruises keep coming back and haunting you.
They bleed you dry
The abusers drain out every drop of love and happiness left in you, leaving you empty and vulnerable.
Show us how to live
Help us escape this cycle of pain and learn how to embrace happiness and love.
How do we forgive
Teach us how to let go of the resentment and bitterness and move on.
Through the bitterness
Despite the presence of bitterness and anger, show us how to still see the good amidst the bad.
How do we get there
What steps do we need to take to escape the cycle of abuse and pain?
How to give our lives
Teach us how to give ourselves completely to love and happiness.
Living sacrifice
Living life freely, without the emotional shackles of bitterness and abuse, giving ourselves away to live fully.
Many scars we try to hide
We try to keep our pain hidden, concealing the scars of the past that won’t let us move forward.
How much longer will we keep the pain alive
How much longer will we let the pain define us and prevent us from living our lives fully.
Now that I gave you all of my heart
Despite all the pain and hurt, you gave your heart to someone, fully and completely.
Why do they rip it apart
Despite your efforts to love, your heart is constantly broken by the ones you have given it to.
Shattered and broken down again
Your heart has been shattered again and again, leaving you broken down and weary.
Fix the pieces
Help us put the pieces of our broken hearts back together and heal from the pain.
Show us how to give
Teach us how to give our love to people who will respect, cherish, and reciprocate it forever.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, ME GUSTA MUSIC
Written by: BRIAN WELCH, MARK L. HOLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind