Mentallo and the Fixer soon after began their long-term relationship with the American industrial music record label Metropolis Records with their second release Revelations 23. This release solidified the band's sound, which included "snarling distorted vocals, hard cutting sequencer rhythms, and a thunderous beat". However, Mentallo and the Fixer changed directions with their following release, Where Angels Fear to Tread, an album which was more heavily influenced by gothic music.
At this time, in 1994, the Dassing brothers formed a side project with vocalist Michael Greene called Mainesthai. Mainesthai's two releases, Out to Lunch and Mentallo and the Fixer Meets Mainesthai were also both released on Metropolis Records, but not until 1998. The Dassings still recorded as Mentallo and the Fixer, releasing their next album Burnt Beyond Recognition in 1997, along with two singles: "Centuries" and "False Prophets".
After the departure of Dwayne Dassing from the band in 1999, Gary continued to use the Mentallo and the Fixer name, and released several albums including Algorythum, Love is the Law, Return to Grimpen Ward, and Vengeance is Mine, along with the single "Systematik Ruin" to accompany Alogrythum. Gary Dassing has returned once again after a five-year silence with the newest Mentallo and the Fixer release, Enlightenment through a Chemical Catalyst. Mentallo and the Fixer formed in Austin, Texas USA in 1988.
Side Projects include:
Benestrophe (pre Mentallo & the Fixer)
Mainesthai
Shimri (Gary Dassing Solo)
Reign of Roses (Dwayne Dassing & Scott Berens)
Coward
Mentallo & The Fixer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Used...
Used...Confused... I'd rather be abused
Just maybe... one day..
Maybe... there will be the slight... possibility
On a dim dark night
Believing... intimacy...
May reach...beneath
Life... decays...
...and it's killing me
and God only knows
I'm so, easily forgotten
Going out of control
Soulless
Distressed
Just one more day... closer to death
Used... Confused...I'd rather be abused
Used... Confused...I'd rather be abused
Life has dealt me a cruel hand ... let it continue
But then I think...contemplate
I've got it better than most people do
So I deal with it
I'm so confused
and it's killing me
and God only knows
I'm so easily... forgotten
and god only knows...
How easily... I'm.... forgotten
The lyrics to Mentallo & The Fixer's song Coward seem to be depicting a person who feels used and forgotten by those around them. The chorus repeats the phrase "Used... confused... I'd rather be abused," indicating that the person would rather suffer mistreatment than continue to feel like they are being taken advantage of. The lyrics also suggest a longing for intimacy and connection, with the repetition of the phrase "just maybe... one day..." indicating a sense of hope that such a connection could be achieved. However, the following line "may reach... beneath" could imply that the person has difficulty making meaningful connections with others.
The verses describe a sense of decay and distress in the person's life, with lines like "life decays... and it's killing me," and "going out of control... soulless... distressed." The final lines of the song reveal a conflicted perspective from the person, recognizing that they have it better than some, but still feeling forgotten and confused.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a person who is struggling with feelings of isolation, confusion, and mistreatment despite some moments of hope for connection. The repeated refrain "used... confused... I'd rather be abused" could be seen as a cry for help or attention, as the person feels like they are being taken advantage of and forgotten by others.
Line by Line Meaning
Used...
Feeling worn out and exhausted
Used...
Feeling worn out and exhausted
Used...Confused... I'd rather be abused
Feeling worn out and confused, wishing to be mistreated instead
Just maybe... one day..
Hoping for a possible future improvement
Maybe... there will be the slight... possibility
Perhaps there is a small chance for change
On a dim dark night
During a gloomy and dark moment
Believing... intimacy...
Having faith in a close relationship
May reach...beneath
Could provide emotional support
But it always seems... to pass me by...
However, it always eludes me
Life... decays...
Life deteriorates and withers
...and it's killing me
It is causing great harm to me
and God only knows
Only a higher power comprehends
I'm so, easily forgotten
I am readily unremembered
Going out of control
Becoming unmanageable
Soulless
Lacking vitality or emotion
Distressed
Experiencing great anxiety or pain
Just one more day... closer to death
Each day brings me nearer to my end
Used... Confused...I'd rather be abused
I feel exhausted and disoriented and would prefer to be mistreated instead
Used... Confused...I'd rather be abused
I feel exhausted and disoriented and would prefer to be mistreated instead
Life has dealt me a cruel hand ... let it continue
My life has been harsh, but I accept it nonetheless
But then I think...contemplate
However, I also reflect
I've got it better than most people do
Compared to others, my situation is not as dire
So I deal with it
So I cope and manage as best I can
I'm so confused
I am feeling lost and bewildered
and it's killing me
It is causing me great distress and harm
and God only knows
Only a higher power comprehends
I'm so easily... forgotten
I am readily unremembered
and god only knows...
Only a higher power comprehends
How easily... I'm.... forgotten
How readily I am unremembered
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vault39
Thank you and everyone else who is submitting the lyrics of Mentallo & The Fixer and their side projects ♥️
@DonKamiloos
Yo! Very interesting music.
@blinkth3dog
I've never heard this song or seen this image...what's it off? Been listening to matf since 98 never heard this.
@vault39
Are you serious? It is one of my favourite songs of them. Just go to discogs and see what they published, seems you missed out on a LOT. Also take a look at the side projects (Benestrophe, Mainesthai). The image above I don't know either though.