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 Beyoncé.
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".
To Catch a Flame
Oceans Ate Alaska Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I hope you’ll be waiting.
It’s growing ever brighter,
I’ll never stop chasing you down!
I can taste the smoke in the air,
But then you slip right through my fingers.
Learning to look but never to touch.
I guess it’s just bad luck.
Catching flames, is such a dangerous game to play.
All your left with is burnt fingers; black cinders in the palm of your hands.
You’ll always be the place I call home.
Warming the coldest of rooms, I know I’m not alone.
The thought of you keeps me warm!
In the coldest of weather.
You always leave me in the dark.
If I can feel the spark, then why can’t you?
Tempting men to fuel the fire.
Boiling their blood, like you knew you would.
You always leave me in the dark.
If I can feel the spark, then why can’t you?
Tempting men to fuel the fire.
Boiling their blood, like you knew you would.
Catching flames, is such a dangerous game to play!
All your left with is burnt fingers; black cinders in the palm of your hands!
The song "To Catch a Flame" by Oceans Ate Alaska seems to portray a chase between two people. The singer is chasing someone who they hope is waiting for them at the end of the tunnel. The light at the end of the tunnel represents hope and the idea that the singer will never stop chasing the person they are after, even though they sometimes slip through their grasp. The smoke in the air represents the obstacles they face, but they are willing to face these challenges to catch the flame.
The chorus delves into the danger of playing with fire, that is, pursuing something that may end up hurting the person in the end. The metaphor of burnt fingers and black cinders implies that this game may lead to pain and destruction, and the chorus serves as a warning to the singer about the risks they are taking.
Towards the end, the lyrics reveal the object of the singer's pursuit - a person who can spark a feeling in them, but is not reciprocating the same feelings. This person is described as tempting men to fuel the fire, boiling their blood, as if they are playing with their hearts. These lyrics show that the chase is not only physical, but is also emotional, and may leave the singer in the dark and hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
There's light at the end of this tunnel.
Despite the darkness, there's a glimmer of hope that I'll find you at the end of this journey.
Where I hope you'll be waiting.
I long for you to be there, waiting for me.
It's growing ever brighter,
The light is getting stronger as I get closer to you.
I'll never stop chasing you down!
No matter how difficult it becomes, I'm determined to catch you.
I can taste the smoke in the air,
I sense danger and risk in this pursuit of you.
But then you slip right through my fingers.
You remain elusive and out of reach, even when I think I'm close to catching you.
Learning to look but never to touch.
I've realized that admiring you from afar is safer than trying to possess you.
I guess it's just bad luck.
Perhaps my inability to catch you is simply a matter of fate or chance.
You'll always be the place I call home.
You are my comfort and my safe haven no matter where I am.
Warming the coldest of rooms, I know I'm not alone.
Your presence fills the emptiness and brings me comfort and companionship.
The thought of you keeps me warm!
Just thinking of you brings me the comfort I need to keep going.
In the coldest of weather.
Even in the harshest circumstances, my love for you warms my heart.
You always leave me in the dark.
You keep me in the dark about your intentions, leaving me unsure of where I stand with you.
If I can feel the spark, then why can't you?
I sense a connection between us, but you refuse to acknowledge or act on it.
Tempting men to fuel the fire.
You intentionally allure men to chase after you and fuel this fire of desire.
Boiling their blood, like you knew you would.
You have a power over these men, arousing them and causing them to act on impulse, just as you intended.
Catching flames, is such a dangerous game to play!
This pursuit of you is a risky and dangerous game that could potentially harm me.
All your left with is burnt fingers; black cinders in the palm of your hands!
If I continue to pursue you, I'll only end up getting hurt and left with nothing but pain and destruction.
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
elliott samme
no lie and im watching this in 2020 thinkiing is not the most underrated vocalist like.... ever?
Zac Togepi
the guitarist, the vocalist and the drummer are all underrated, unfortunately their (OAA) songwriting is not too much "accessible", even for metal and core people
Devils Student
They're insane live, and this song always kills live, the lead singer always ends up going into the pit everytime I see them (and even their guitarist when they supported Chelsea Grin), great band \M/
Devils Student
@Jay Ward I meant when I saw Chelsea Grin at Underworld, and Oceans Ate Alaska was supporting them
Ddelop Kwapn
+Exact Your Destiny wait what u mean about chelsea grin
Masked Drummer
They have such a killer Drummer!!! Loved The double bass pedal techniques!
Daspper1
Love his enthusiasm he puts in his playing..to look badass and to play perfect can be tough..i b would get headaches from headbanging and playing...guess I overjam..lol..practice practice practice
Just a guy
That bass flip at 1:30 tho.... DAMN SON
John Neff
bassists always needed to stand out in these genres, they were always underrated, yet, a crucial part of the breakdowns
madafok
Samouraï move