With the release of MANIFEST DESTINY, Mindless Faith delivered one of the strongest and most noteworthy albums of 2000. The CD is a conceptual, thematic soundscape that confronts the social dynamics leading a nation to rampant expansion and imminent collapse. Praised as "...an all out war on your body, mind, and soul" and "worth 10 orgasms," MANIFEST DESTINY received rave reviews in countless online and printed publications, including a 5 out of 5 in Outburn Magazine. Legends Magazine called it, "An infectious, riveting ensemble... a truly insurmountable sound experience!" And Starvox.net exclaimed, "There is no shortage of excellent production quality and sound nor creative style and talent to be found anywhere on this album. I could not possibly begin to sing enough praise to do Mindless Faith the justice they deserve."
Mindless Faith brings this musical excellence to the stage with intense, dynamic live performances - touring the East coast and performing with Spahn Ranch, Pigface, Switchblade Symphony, Flesh Field, Genitorturers, Godhead, Hanzel und Gretyl, Acumen Nation, Bile and many others. Against a backdrop of synchronous, manipulated video and pulsating lights, Mindless Faith hammers out beats on electronic percussion and metal objects, propelling crowds into a frenzy. Infectious keyboards and guitars meld with powerful vocals to complete the aural assault that continuously expands their devoted fanbase.
They appear on over 16 national/international compilations such as The Unquiet Grave V. 3 (Cleopatra), "Nod's Tacklebox o' Fun" (Reconstriction), and in Europe on "Elektrauma V. 5" (Triton Records), New Forms of EBM V. 1 (Bloodline), Cryonica Tanz V.1 (Cryonica). Their music has also been featured in the movie Sex, Death and Eyeliner(from the producers of "The Prophecy" and "Drive"), several independent films, a CD-ROM for Canon, and MTV's "Road Rules" and "Road Rules/Real World Challenge."
Mindless Faith's third full length CD titled "Momentum" was released in 2004 to North America on Metropolis Records and in Europe on Dependent Records, where it debuted at #7 on the DAC - German Alternative Charts! The CD received rave reviews and the band was featured in all the top European magazines covering these styles of music, including being Sonic Seducer's "Band of the Month!"
"Momentum" has also been a favorite in clubs through North America, Europe, and beyond. While the new CD focuses more on the dance floor, it still retains the diversity and songwriting that separate the band from the rest.
Mindless Faith remixed two Nine Inch Nails songs: 'Only' and 'The Hand That Feeds' from the album 'With Teeth'. They won a number of radio remix contests in doing so, and met Trent Reznor as part of the prize, who said their remix was 'better than some I've paid for'.
2007 saw the release of their latest album 'Medication For The Misinformed', which has garnered much critical praise.
Rat Race
Mindless Faith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have an empty heart again
And the world just stumbles along
I can't resist, but I can't give in
So far, so way off course
Hope for the best expect the worst
The big picture's invalid now
Because it's the little things that hurt
Now, wanting to believe you tried
Does it matter if we close our eyes
Sugar-coat, disguise the taste
More like rust than a golden age
Pointing fingers, twisting knives
Hellbent on that dollarsign
Still behind, can't keep the pace
Just lose your mind in the rat race
Eyes fixed on merchandise
They're getting in line for the sale
Those sheep that meat market
It makes no sense and I feel like hell
Just keep them pacified
Dangling carrots in my face
But I don't want a consolation prize
For a game I didn't even want to play
In Mindless Faith's song Rat Race, the lyrics portray a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the world we live in today. The opening lines "I have that sick feeling, I have an empty heart again" suggest a feeling of emptiness or lack of fulfillment despite all the pursuits and ambitions pursued. As the world goes on relentlessly, the singer finds themselves unable to resist the flow but at the same time unwilling to fully give in, feeling that they are so far off-course that the notion of hope and the big picture seem irrelevant.
The chorus of the song expresses how society is society becomes obsessed with materialism and "the rat race," a metaphor for the endless pursuit of wealth and success at any cost. Despite this, the singer sees through the illusions of societal norms and doesn't wish to play this game at all. The lyrics "Those sheep that meat market, it makes no sense and I feel like hell" illustrate how the singer feels in society, like they are surrounded by people who blindly follow the crowd and the notion of consumerism without thinking about the consequences. The song closes with the singer yearning for an authentic and fulfilling life not based on culture standards.
Line by Line Meaning
I have that sick feeling
I feel unwell or uncomfortable
I have an empty heart again
I feel emotionally drained or unfulfilled
And the world just stumbles along
The world continues to move forward without regard for my feelings or well-being
I can't resist, but I can't give in
I am caught between opposing forces or desires
So far, so way off course
I feel lost or directionless
Hope for the best expect the worst
I am trying to remain optimistic but fear the worst
The big picture's invalid now
The larger perspective no longer seems relevant or helpful
Because it's the little things that hurt
Small details or everyday occurrences can be painful or damaging
Now, wanting to believe you tried
I want to believe that you made an effort
Does it matter if we close our eyes
Is it important to avoid reality or ignore the truth?
Sugar-coat, disguise the taste
Cover up or hide something unpleasant or unsavory
More like rust than a golden age
Things have deteriorated rather than improving
Pointing fingers, twisting knives
Lashing out or blaming others for problems
Hellbent on that dollarsign
Completely focused on making money
Still behind, can't keep the pace
I am struggling to keep up with the demands of society or work
Just lose your mind in the rat race
One way to cope is to give up and become complacent in the pursuit of success or money
Eyes fixed on merchandise
People are obsessed with buying things
They're getting in line for the sale
People are willing to wait in line for the chance to buy something
Those sheep that meat market
People are behaving like mindless animals, following the masses
It makes no sense and I feel like hell
I do not understand why people behave this way and feel terrible as a result
Just keep them pacified
Society tries to keep people content and distracted with material possessions
Dangling carrots in my face
Tempting me with promises of success or reward
But I don't want a consolation prize
I do not want to settle for second best or a less desirable outcome
For a game I didn't even want to play
I never even wanted to be a part of this society or system in the first place
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.