Obituary is listed by Nielsen Soundscan as the fifth best-selling death metal band of all time and their albums have sold 368,184 copies. Their 1992 release "The End Complete" has also more than 103,378 copies in the United States alone.
After 1997's Back from the Dead album, the band had grown tired of touring which led to the band disbanding. During the hiatus, Donald Tardy played in Andrew W.K.'s touring band (during W.K.'s appearance on Saturday Night Live Tardy wore an Obituary shirt). Allen West focused on his two projects, Lowbrow and Six Feet Under while not playing in Obituary. Trevor Peres formed Catastrophic in 2001. The band reformed in 2003 and Catastrophic continued to exist alongside the reformed Obituary. Catastrophic released one album, The Cleansing, in 2001. Obituary's reunion album, Frozen in Time was released in 2005. The band's first live DVD, "Frozen Alive", was released in January of 2007.
Obituary are currently signed to Candlelight Records for their seventh album Xecutioner's Return, which was released on August 28, 2007.
Obituary's guitarist, Allen West, was recently imprisoned for D.U.I. (driving under the influence of alcohol) and released in January 2008. During his incarceration, Ralph Santolla served as West's replacement. It is uncertain at this time whether or not West will be returning to the band.
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Paralyzing
Obituary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Live for the dying need
Paralyzing
Pain evolves slow
Learns Me to suffer for
Finds Me the way
To the scar ...
Say what you will
Down towards secrets to grow
Working towards life
Calling the dogs
The lyrics in Obituary's song "Paralyzing" are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. The opening lines, "Up and decide / Live for the dying need / Paralyzing", could refer to a state of indecision and feeling trapped by one's own choices. The next lines, "Pain evolves slow / Learns Me to suffer for / Finds Me the way / To the scar", suggest that this indecision and paralysis is caused by past pains and traumas that have not healed, leading to a cycle of suffering and trying to find a way to cope. The chorus, "Say what you will / Testing to fall / Down towards secrets to grow / Working towards life / Calling the dogs" hints at a yearning for growth and change, but also the fear of failure and the challenge of facing the unknown.
Overall, the song seems to be exploring themes of pain, trauma, and growth, and the struggle to move forward despite the scars of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Up and decide
Make a choice and stick to it
Live for the dying need
Live life to fulfill your ultimate destiny
Paralyzing
Trapped and unable to move forward
Pain evolves slow
Painful experiences take time to heal and change us
Learns Me to suffer for
Teaches me to endure hardships for a greater purpose
Finds Me the way
Guides me towards my path in life
To the scar ...
Leading me to the wounds of my past
Say what you will
Speak your mind, regardless of others' opinions
Testing to fall
Taking risks to learn and grow
Down towards secrets to grow
Exploring hidden truths to develop oneself
Working towards life
Striving towards a fulfilling existence
Calling the dogs
Summoning inner strength and courage
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALLEN WEST, DONALD WILLIAM TARDY, FRANK WATKINS, JOHN RUSSELL TARDY, TREVOR LEON PERES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind