Neuroactive was formed in 1991 by Jarkko Tuohimaa, Ville Brusi, and Vesa Rainne. Signing their first album, Morphology, in 1994 with Cyberware Productions, the group went on to produce Phonic Trace in 1997. Shortly thereafter, Brusi and Rainne left the group and Kimmo Karjalainen came on board to sing for two albums (Fiber Optic Rhythm, Transients). Following Kimmo's departure Jarkko has been working with various guest vocalists.
Neuroactive signed with A Different Drum in 1998, and continues to release material under that label.
Superficial
Neuroactive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always Remain The Same
Just Shine, Ingratiate
In Light But Don't Delay
On The Edge, On The Edge
Don't Say A Word, Don't Break
Your Code Don't Make Mistakes
Just Hide Your Inner State
On The Edge, On The Edge
Keep It Safe And Sleek
Keep It Nice And Neat
So Cold And Ultraclean
Don't You Ever Feel
The Shrieking Of Your Nerves
Anxiety Emerge
Just Keep On Laughing Loud
With The Worthless Herd
On The Edge, On The Edge
Artificial Joy
Superficial Fun
Cold And Monochrome
Your Superficialdome
On The Edge, On The Edge
Neuroactive's song "Superficial" is a commentary on the pressure and expectation of living a surface-level life in modern society. The lyrics proclaim the need to maintain a certain style and image, to always remain the same, and to ingratiate oneself into the public eye without delay. The phrase "on the edge" is repeated throughout the song, indicating the tenuous balance between keeping up appearances and slipping into one's true inner state. The pressure to hide one's emotions and true personality is evident in lines such as "just hide your inner state" and "don't you ever feel" - suggesting that any display of emotion or individuality can be seen as weakness.
The themes of artificiality and coldness also run throughout the song. The lyrics describe the need to keep everything "safe and sleek" and "cold and ultraclean," with a focus on maintaining a monochrome, superficial image. Lines such as "artificial joy" and "superficial fun" suggest that any sense of happiness or enjoyment is fabricated in order to keep up with the expectations of others. By the end of the song, "Superficialdome" is established as a place to exist, with the final repetition of "on the edge" indicative of the constant balancing act it requires.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep The Style, Don't Change
Maintain your current outward appearance and behavior
Always Remain The Same
Keep up the act, don't let anyone see the real you
Just Shine, Ingratiate
Present yourself in a positive light, gain approval and acceptance from others
In Light But Don't Delay
Be visible to others, but don't show any signs of vulnerability or hesitation
On The Edge, On The Edge
Living in a constant state of anxiety and fear of being exposed
Don't Say A Word, Don't Break
Keep quiet, don't reveal anything that could jeopardize your superficial persona
Your Code Don't Make Mistakes
Stick to your self-imposed rules and guidelines, avoid any missteps or slip-ups
Don't Slip Or Hesitate
Be confident in your actions and decisions, avoid showing any signs of uncertainty
Just Hide Your Inner State
Conceal your true emotions and thoughts from others
Keep It Safe And Sleek
Maintain a controlled, refined image of yourself
Keep It Nice And Neat
Present yourself in a polished, flawless manner
So Cold And Ultraclean
Appear unfeeling and unblemished, like a machine
Don't You Ever Feel
Suppress any emotional responses, avoid showing vulnerability
The Shrieking Of Your Nerves
The internal turmoil and anxiety you feel
Anxiety Emerge
The fear of being exposed or rejected becomes overwhelming
Just Keep On Laughing Loud
Conceal your true feelings with a forced, performative display of happiness
With The Worthless Herd
Blend in with the others who also prioritize superficiality over authenticity
Artificial Joy
Superficial happiness that is not based on genuine emotions or experiences
Superficial Fun
Surface-level experiences that lack depth or substance
Cold And Monochrome
Emotionally detached and lacking in color or vibrancy
Your Superficialdome
Your artificial reality that you maintain at all costs
On The Edge, On The Edge
Continuing to live in a state of constant anxiety and fear of being exposed
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AzrealShadow
Haven't found my fit yet, Can't be Cappy cause they are all dead and gone(I refuse to accept the Skulls are pure Cappy's), love of the Gangrel and their behaivor but they just don't sit right as a Kindred and their existance seems unfair, belonging to the Wyld. So all that's left for me are these degenerates. So "proud" to bear this mantle. "What is in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would still smell as sweet and the monster hiding behind it is still just as terrible." Love
DarkwingsDesending
I love it. You did a great job. :) The only thing was one of the pictures seemed a bit random..but don't worry..that's no bad though. 5 stars.
inflikkt
love neuroactive <3 best finnish music ever
Jessebied
GREAT SONG!!!!!!!
DukeNoche
The insanity to claim to see during embrace is what I control through the shadows. You Freaks may claim the the crown of madness, and wear it well. Though there are shadows even in the blackest of nights. In the dark corners of your mind that even insanity cannot reach and that is where I pull the strings. While your madness may serve no purpose to you, it serves a great deal of importance to me.
Igor Otero
Thank you!!!
WestWindsChild
gah.. Have these Kindred ever actually done anything?? or do they just snipe at each other every night? LOL jk very well done!
AuDD
TOREADOR THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
pissed1off1guy
i'd bet it's hell of a fun actually feeding that demon. By the way, tell Sam a wacky malkavian said hi(namely me of course ) and that i'd be haunting that ancestral demon any time soon ... My Childhood dream actually haunting a ghost(in this case a demon), ironic .yet righteous...
DarkwingsDesending
Cool! Will be waiting! (No pressure)