Oceans Ate Alaska signed to Density Records in 2012, two years after their formation in 2010. They released two EPs with the label. In 2014, the band signed to Fearless Records. The band was featured on Fearless Records' compilation album 'Punk Goes Pop, Vol. 6', covering "Drunk in Love" by BeyoncƩ.
The band released their debut album 'Lost Isles' on February 24, 2015 and the next year played the entire 2016 Vans Warped Tour.
On December 16, 2016, the band announced on their Facebook that they were going into the studio to record their second album. They also announced that they had parted ways with vocalist James Harrison. On February 1, 2017 the band officially announced their new lead vocalist, Jake Noakes.
On May 25, 2017, the band released "Covert", the first single with Noakes performing vocals. On June 8, 2017 they released a new single titled "Escapist". On July 28, 2017, the band released their album Hikari' as well as a music video for the song "Hansha".
I the Creator
Oceans Ate Alaska Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make them run for the hills.
Men plagued with selfish minds, around every corner.
Reduced to rats, living life without wings.
What do you have to say?
A Mothers torment as her child leaves home.
Soon turns to lies on her husbands throne.
What do you have to say... for yourself!?
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
I, the creator, hold the key to life.
(Hold the key to strife)
Burning cities to the floor,
Growing forests strong and tall.
I, the creator, and so much more!
Children living spoilt lives, taking all for granted.
With turned up noses, treated like royalty.
What do you have to say?
They strayed from the path,
Never was what we were,
Never will be what we wish.
How can I lay waste to my own creations?
They broke all expectations.
Exceeded all my dreams...
But the seeds I planted so long ago still have yet to show.
They grew minds of their own, tried to overthrow their creators.
This is our battle cry!
I, the creator, hold the key to life.
(Hold the key to strife)
Burning cities to the floor,
Growing forests strong and tall.
I, the creator, and so much more!
The lyrics of "I the Creator" by Oceans Ate Alaska speak to the role of a creator or God in the world and the conflicts that arise between them and their creations. The battle cry at the beginning of the song sets the tone for what is to come: a call to arms for the creator to take action against those who have strayed from their path. The first verse describes these humans as "plagued with selfish minds" and "living life without wings," suggesting that they are trapped and unable to reach their full potential.
The second verse, however, introduces a familial element to the conflict. The line "A Mothers torment as her child leaves home" sets up a scenario of a mother losing her child, but the following line "Soon turns to lies on her husbands throne" adds a layer of complexity. It suggests that the parents of these humans have some responsibility for their waywardness, calling into question the creator's role in their behavior. The chorus then asserts the power of the creator, claiming they hold "the key to life" and can both create and destroy.
The third verse expands on the theme of entitlement and greed among the human creations. The line "Children living spoilt lives, taking all for granted" paints them as ungrateful and unworthy of their privilege. The creator questions how they can "lay waste to [their] own creations," implying that the humans are ultimately responsible for their own destruction. The bridge then adds a new layer to this conflict, suggesting that the humans have grown beyond their creator's control and are even plotting against them.
Line by Line Meaning
This is our battle cry!
We are declaring our defiance and readiness to fight.
Make them run for the hills.
We will scare our opponents into fleeing.
Men plagued with selfish minds, around every corner.
We encounter people who are egoistic and self-centered everywhere we go.
Reduced to rats, living life without wings.
These people are like rats or animals without their free will and the ability to soar.
What do you have to say?
We are demanding a response or explanation from someone.
A Mothers torment as her child leaves home.
A mother's agony as her child moves on from home.
Soon turns to lies on her husbands throne.
She may start lying to her husband to avoid the pain of separation.
What do you have to say... for yourself!?
We are demanding an explanation or justification for someone's actions.
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
An expression of excitement or anticipation.
I, the creator, hold the key to life.
The artist identifies themselves as the one who has the power to create life.
(Hold the key to strife)
They also possess the power to bring violence or conflict.
Burning cities to the floor,
They can destroy entire cities.
Growing forests strong and tall.
They can also create and sustain life by growing forests.
I, the creator, and so much more!
The singer has many other abilities that surpass what has been mentioned.
Children living spoilt lives, taking all for granted.
There are children who have everything in life and do not appreciate their blessings.
With turned up noses, treated like royalty.
These children behave arrogantly and are treated like kings and queens.
They strayed from the path,
These children have veered away from the right way.
Never was what we were,
They are nothing like the singer had intended them to be.
Never will be what we wish.
The singer has lost hope that these children will change.
How can I lay waste to my own creations?
The artist struggles with the idea of destroying their own creations, even if they are flawed.
They broke all expectations.
Despite being flawed, these children have exceeded the artist's expectations.
Exceeded all my dreams...
These children have even surpassed what the artist had dreamt for them.
But the seeds I planted so long ago still have yet to show.
The singer realizes that the choices they made in the past are still affecting the present.
They grew minds of their own, tried to overthrow their creators.
These children have developed their own will and tried to rebel against those who created them.
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jason Matthews
You guys are fucking awesome. You'll definitely go far. I've already told loads of my mates about this. You have a lot of talent and are already one of my favourite bands around. Well done.
Rishabh B
Jason Matthews same :D
Noble
Bro now this band is big and still going strong. You called it
Matt Bird
I love how bands are using that sort of AA stand up and scream sound but making it more progressive and adding more unique musical elements too it, really creates a new and original sound. (not sarcastic)
joos
Matt Bird stand up and scream was definitely a benchmark for a lot of metalcore
BornOblivious
+Matt Bird I personally do not see how this sounds anything like that album.. Like at all. By the way I am on my girlfriends profile so message me at Scott Smith.
Menetetty_
Matt Bird the fact that you said no sarcasm makes me think it was sarcastic
Pablo Mena
CatBugCat and i bet you disliked the vid too
Pablo Mena
CatBugCat I always see you say I've disliked so I assumed and that didn't make sense
Neil Fletcher
These guys are so freaking talented it's crazy. They need to be bigger. I'm a drummer and this drummer here has got some serious skills