No Innocent Victim originally formed in 1992. After releasing 2 self promot… Read Full Bio ↴No Innocent Victim originally formed in 1992. After releasing 2 self promoted albums, and non-stop touring, the band signed with Victory Records in 1998. 1999 saw the release of their Victory debut "Flesh And Blood" and a US tour with New York hardcore Godfathers - Agnostic Front. During that tour, Agnostic Front invited NIV to do a 5 week "Unity Fest" European tour with them and the US Bombs. This tour consisted of 33 shows in 35 days in a dozen different countries with an average attendance of 1,000 people each night. In 2000 longtime guitarist Corey Edelmann decided to leave the band and he was replaced by Tim Mason who had played in the NIV side project band - Dodgin' Bullets. The band took some time off to work on writing new material and then a summer tour was done with Hatebreed and One King Down. In 2001, the band recorded their second album for Victory (and fourth total) titled "Tipping The Scales". Lyrically this album was the most intense as it addressed the loss of Jason Moody's son Dominic. The closing track "Reunion" and some of the records artwork were done in dedication to him. In the summer of 2001 NIV did their final tour with long time friends xDisciplex AD and The Deal. All of the members decided to wind the band down in 2002 and there were only a few shows played including Cornerstone Festival, Furnace Fest and 2 final shows in Southern California. The final US show was Aug. 30, 2002 at the Showcase Theatre with Hatebreed, Terror, and Powerhouse. In late September the band flew to Puerto Rico to play 3 shows there. Those were the final No Innocent Victim shows. Until....

At 2004's Cornerstone Festival, the band made a surprise appearance and performed 3 songs on Seventh Star's set. Jason Moody announced at that time that the band was getting back together to work on a new album. Dissapointment with the lack of integrity in today's hardcore scene fueled the re-union of this band to do what they did best for the initial 10 years that they were a band - tell people the truth without fear of being rejected, mocked or ridiculed. Long time guitarist - Corey Edlemann has rejoined the band on guitar with Tim Mason which will see NIV as a 5 piece for the first time in their career. Former xDisciplex AD member - Neil Hartman was added to bass and the line up was finalized.

The band signed a deal with Facedown Records on Oct. 22, 2004 for the release of what will be the bands most anticipated album yet. Lyrically they will be tackling the issue that inspired the reunion - a lack of Integrity in the people that claim to be Christians. Drummer Jason Dunn states it like this: "If the world is to see the truth of the teachings of Jesus Christ, it will be because of His followers living those teachings out in their lives. If you claim to be something - live it. Challenge yourself to not be the hypocrite that people will base their rejection of Christianity on."

To the Death
No Innocent Victim Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

For messing with my friends
You will pay
You will be tormented
Forever night and day
The pain
Will be unrelented
You were the one
Who chose to walk away

You are the father of lies
And of pain
You've wrecked so many lives
I'm sure you're proud of your filth
I won't bust you my Father will
You will be thrown in the flames
I have been freed
From the death grip
You can't take me
Down to your grace

You've had your hands
Ripped from my neck

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of No Innocent Victim's "To the Death" sets a tone of determination and righteous anger. The band is singing about someone who has messed with their friends, and this person will now pay for their actions. This individual will be tormented forever, day and night, and the pain will be unrelenting. The singer of the song makes it clear that the individual chose to walk away, and therefore must accept the consequences of their actions.

The band refers to this person as the father of lies and pain, and suggests that they have wrecked many lives, without remorse or regret. The singer of the song won't take any action against this person, leaving it to their Father to judge them. The individual will be thrown into the flames and punished. The singer makes it clear that they have been freed from this individual's death grip, and they cannot be taken down to their level.

Overall, "To the Death" is a song about standing up for oneself and one's friends, and seeking retribution for past wrongs. It is a powerful message about not backing down in the face of adversity, and the importance of standing your ground.

Line by Line Meaning

For messing with my friends
If you mess with my friends, I won't stay silent.

You will pay
You'll face consequences for your actions.

You will be tormented
Your suffering will be endless.

Forever night and day
Your torment will never stop.

The pain
You'll feel the pain that you've caused others.

Will be unrelented
Your pain will never stop.

You were the one
You made the decision to walk away.

Who chose to walk away
You're responsible for the consequences of your decision.

You are the father of lies
You are a deceitful person.

And of pain
You're responsible for causing pain to others.

You've wrecked so many lives
You've ruined the lives of many people.