Band members included:
James Martin (guitars/vocals)
Octavio Olaje (vocals)
Tom Shelden (bass/vocals)
Mike Armenta (drums/vocals)
As was typical of traditional hardcore punk, early Malignus Youth songs featured fast tempos, 4/4 time, slow introductions followed by fast verse-chorus-verse, and lyrics with social relevance. However, as they developed their musical style, song tempos became even faster while maintaining impressive tightness and control. Shouted vocals (as per the punk tradition) developed into an elegant singing of unified harmonized melody. The traditional verse-chorus-verse structure was scrutinized and altered into even patterns, each with its own structure. Bass lines became more melodic and experimental. Guitar lines served to counterpoint the melodic basslines creating a musical point-counterpoint, perhaps at this point, unheard of in punk rock.
One feature that characterized later Malignus Youth was a rush of lyrics from Martin as Olaje sang in the background, which would be seamlessly "switched" so that Olaje sang in the foreground as Martin sang in the background. By taking turns on the lead lyrics, the impression would be created that a single singer was belting out ultra-fast lyrics without interruption.
Despite its relatively short existence, Malignus Youth is also noted by its unusually devoted fan base, even many years after their breakup.
Eternity
Malignus Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When do we end?
Are we of God or only men?
Do we pay for our sins?
Will we ever live again?
Are we here just by chance?
Was it planned or accident?
Pitching pennies in a well,
Eternity
Will we ever know?
Eternity
Where do we go?
Who am I? Who are you?
What are we supposed to do?
How long will my life go on?
When will all this pain be gone?
Can't they see how I feel?
Can I have part of the deal?
Who can I call my closest friends
Who'll stick with me until the end?
Eternity
Will we ever know?
Eternity
Where do we go?
The lyrics of "Eternity" by Malignus Youth delve into the fundamental questions of human existence, addressing our origins, purpose, and ultimate fate. The singer contemplates the dichotomy between divinity and humanity and whether we are subject to divine judgement for our sins. They also question whether life is predetermined or accidental, using the metaphor of pitching pennies in a well to convey the uncertainty of our existence.
In the second verse, the singer shifts focus to their personal experience, expressing feelings of isolation and pain. They question the meaning of their life and ask if they can have a say in their destiny. They also express a desire for close companionship, hoping to find friends who will stay with them until the end.
The repetition of the refrain "Eternity, will we ever know? Eternity, where do we go?" emphasizes the uncertainty and sense of mystery that surrounds the human experience. The song ultimately touches on the universal human quest for answers about our existence and purpose, making it a timeless and thought-provoking piece.
Line by Line Meaning
When did we start?
We ponder on the origin of our existence.
When do we end?
We ponder on the cessation of our existence.
Are we of God or only men?
We question if we are divine or just human.
Do we pay for our sins?
We contemplate the consequences of our misdeeds.
Will we ever live again?
We wonder if there is life after death.
Are we here just by chance?
We question the likelihood of randomness determining our presence.
Was it planned or accident?
We inquire if our existence was predetermined or by chance.
Pitching pennies in a well,
We draw attention to the superstition of seeking answers from the unknown.
How the hell can we tell?
We express the difficulty of ascertaining the truth about our existence.
Eternity
We question the concept of infinite time and space.
Will we ever know?
We wonder if we could ever have complete knowledge of eternity.
Eternity
We reiterate our uncertainty about the nature of eternity.
Where do we go?
We question our destination after this life.
Who am I? Who are you?
We question the nature of identity and self-awareness.
What are we supposed to do?
We question our purpose and meaning in life.
How long will my life go on?
We express uncertainty about the duration of our lives.
When will all this pain be gone?
We express the desire to overcome suffering and unpleasant experiences.
Can't they see how I feel?
We experience frustration about not being understood.
Can I have part of the deal?
We express the desire to partake in something advantageous.
Who can I call my closest friends
We contemplate the nature of friendship and belonging.
Who'll stick with me until the end?
We express the desire for loyalty and companionship.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Anthony Armenta, Leonard Martin, Octavio Olaje, Thomas Shelden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind