Originally concocted as a side project to King Fowley's old school Death Metal thrash attack, Deceased; October 31 began the first demo days immediately after Brian Williams was brought on board. Fowley and Williams clicked right away on a personal and songwriting level. Reminiscing about the glory days of 80's Heavy Metal and how they wanted to make their own mark with the traditional aspects that define the genre. This was the mid 90's mind you and finding other members could be quite the task. Years before the trendy Power Metal boom, meeting musicians that wanted to play Heavy Metal was hard enough, let alone the style Fowley and Williams desired. Keep in mind that they lived (and still do) about 6 hours away from each other. The burning ambition that churned between the two could not be put on hold and in 1996, the "Voyage To Infinity" cassette demo was recorded, marking the only O31 release with Casey Sayles (bass) and Frank Bauguess (rhythm/acoustic guitar), local friends of Brian Williams. Oblivion Studios, the same studio that will spawn Deceased's zombie thrash classic "Fearless Undead Machines" years later, would be the studio of choice and practically every session that followed.
The demo showed a mixture of Thrash, Power, subtle Doom and Classic Heavy Metal that could be compared to bands like Nasty Savage, Attacker, Killer, Griffin, Exciter and the endless list of unappreciated cult legends. Appropriate covers of "Child of the Damned" (Warlord) and "Harder Than Steel" (Jag Panzer) further proved that the intentions of October 31 derived from true Heavy Metal, loud and proud. This line-up however didn't last very long as a local scene friend of King Fowley joined for the permanent bass position, Jim Hunter (Revelation/While Heaven Wept/Blacklord/Twisted Tower Dire/every band in the vicinity of Northern Virginia). An old friend of Brian Williams, Kevin Lewis, began his first attempt at the rhythm position and the writing process but quit the band shortly before it was time to record the first full-length, 1997's "The Fire Awaits You". Leaving all the guitar parts to Brian Williams, left to figure out all the guitar tracks that he never played, "The Fire Awaits You" was still a defining record for October 31. The production is modest yet effective. The opening track, "The Warlock", takes everything that was so greatly intense from the Whiplash "Power and Pain" album, the majority of "The Fire Awaits You" churn an atmosphere being dark, heavy, melodic, and most importantly, memorable. Another obscure cover landed on Side B, "Day of the Saxons" from Witchkiller. The CD was released by RIP Records while the vinyl didn't come out officially until 1999 by Fowley's own Old Metal Records.
Kevin Lewis returned once again in 1998, attempting the full-time rhythm guitar position as the "Visions of End" EP writing and recording process began. Completely finished in under a week, "Visions of the End" is still one of my favorites and a most impressive EP. Despite one of the most ridiculous and maybe only covers of Lizzy Bordern's "Give 'em The Axe" that I've ever heard (mostly due to Fowley's interpretation of the vocals), this is arguable the greatest October 31 release. Full of pure energy yet never straying too far from that dark, doomy vibe and building their epic qualities with tracks like "The Legend of the Haunted Sea". Old Metal Records released "Visions of the End" on CD and again in 1999 with a different cover. Attached was the long out of print "Voyage To Infinity" demo already mentioned. Around this time the decision was made by King Fowley to have a live singer, being more comfortable with the drum duties for shows yet keeping his vocal position for the studio only. Once again, old friends of both Fowley (Chuck Parsons) and Williams (Shawn Pelata) were chosen among the fight for Metal supremacy. Parsons, having a more characteristic but rugged voice, showed energy on stage, but lacked the real abilities of a strong Heavy Metal singer and showman; Pelata being the mirror opposite, great voice-no stage presence. October 31 played a handful of shows with each vocalist around this time but under the demanding role that being in O31 calls for, going their separate ways was in order.
In 2000 "Meet Thy Maker" was released. Rip Records put out the original CD while Metal Blade Europe released the "Visions of the End" bonus CD version. What should have been possibly their best at that point, consisting of a bigger production, more keyboards, melody and acoustic sections, "Meet Thy Maker" suffered from a quirky final mix and many of the moments on the album being much too melodic for Fowley's street vocal style. Still, tracks like "For There is War!" showed that October 31 were not about to slow down. A cover of Saxon's classic "Power and the Glory" near the album's end has become a staple in closing their live set. Also that year, RIP put out the reissue of the "Visions of the End" EP with the original cover art but still being inferior to the 10 track 1999 Old Metal Records release, which made for a pretty pointless reissue.
October 31 had landed on many compilations, played every dive on the east coast, recorded two more cover songs "I Don't Know" (Ozzy/guitar solo courtesy of Deceased's very own Mark "Chainsaw" Adams) and "Public Enema Number One" (Iron Maiden) along with just as great an accomplishment as any, playing the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. Things were moving right along until the road of optimism was brought to a halt once again by Kevin Lewis, deciding to leave the band once more. Dave Castillo (ex Hatred/VA) was brought in to fill in on drums for certain shows, allowing King to run the stage and some shows were only played as a three piece, Fowley/Hunter/Williams. Northern Virginia's Twisted Tower Dire members Tony Taylor and Scott Waldrop were next to serve their time in the revolving door positions. Taylor having a very melodic voice that would havee been best suited for the "Meet Thy Maker" album and Waldrop's natural ear for great harmonies seemed to set the stage for what would be possibly the best October 31 release yet. Sadly, only a 7" single birthed from this line-up in 2002. Maniacal Records released a redone version of "Salem's Curse" along with Judas Priest cover "Electric Eye", pressed in a small quantity. While the single showed much promise of things to come, disagreements within the band left Tony Taylor and Scott Waldrop out of October 31 while Jim Hunter shortly joined the bass position for Twisted Tower Dire, keeping his position in October 31.
As if that wasn't enough of a catastrophe, Fowley's darkest days shortly followed. Following the death of his mother, two blood clots and a sudden stroke left him for dead. This not only stopped the advancing of the band they had worked so hard at, the iron fist of sickness left Fowley's recovery process a slow one. Thankfully, strong will and determination prevail as King makes a full recovery. Before King's sudden streak of horrible luck, Jason Tedder, being the best rhythm guitarist O31 has ever had is the next contestant after Waldop, makes his entrance as the rhythm guitarist in Williams' side band, K-Octave (who also has Shawn Pelata on vocals). Dave Castillo also gets a permanent spot on the drums as King takes his rightful position as the front man. "Stage Fright" gets released by Thrash Corner Records in 2003, capturing a moment in time at Classic Metal Fest 2 with obviously no overdubs. Another demo is recorded, a cover of "Missing in Action" (Q5) that gets lumped in the same category as the Lizzy Borden cover by yours truly, an amazing vocal performance from Fowley on "Danger Zone" (Black Sabbath) and original brain smasher "Powerhouse", which has yet to get an official release.
Finally, having a steady line-up and with the drive of making Heavy Metal music still abundant within the group, October 31 release their long awaited "No Survivors" album. "No Survivors", being their
heaviest and fastest recording to date, lands October 31 back in the valid music category. William's leads are furious as ever, Castillo keeps the fast yet original style of Fowley on past records keeping up the rhythm section with Hunter as Tedder helps add a huge multi-tracked guitar sound that has never been heard on any O31 recording, producing a slightly more stripped down and in your face direction. After breaking off their contract with Metal Blade Records and deciding not to put it out on Fowley's other label, Battlezone Records, "No Survivors" is released on CD by Thrash Corner Records in 2005.
This sky is the limit for October 31. Having played hundreds of shows all across the United States over the past 10 years, persevering over all life's many obstacles, October 31 is proof that some bands still play for the sheer love of Heavy Metal. With plans of another album and a possible tour(s), they're just getting things warmed up.
For There Is War!
October 31 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside his mind it's '69
Somewhere in Vietnam
Yes, in his head there's millions dead
From guns, grenades, and bombs
For he's the one that feels the thunder
A prisoner of the times
Just trapped alone in a mental shock
As evil unfolds before the eyes
The horror of killing another man
One nation under God
For all around him there is pain
So is the wage of sin
The memories on the battlefield
Are buried deep within
For now the future's only past
And broken is this man
Eternally his life was lost
While fighting for his land
As evil unfolds before the eyes
The horror of killing another man
One nation under God
War! Forever there is war! For there is war!
He can thank the USA
For the way he feels today
For there is war! There is war!
I see them all around me
They're all living just to die
Just trying to make their way
And moving on
But nothing stops the torment
Of those days in Vietnam
As the battle in their minds
Is raging on
Shellshocked mindless madmen
For deep inside there is war!
They had the strength of courage
And they had the will to fight
But in the end they learned
Just how to die
And as they live the terror
Of a time so long ago
It's now too late
To save their wasted lives
And so again the music plays
The battle hymn of war
For there is war!
And every night within the dark
Those nightmares comes again
For there is war!
War!
So here's the lesson to be learned
Amongst this grief and pain
And that's in life there's nothing
Worth the hell of war again
So leave the courage to the fire
And vengeance will stay free
And liberty will carry on
For all eternity
As evil unfolds before the eyes
The horror of killing another man
One nation under God
War! Forever there is war! For there is war!
The song "For There Is War!" by October 31 is a poignant tribute to the mental and emotional anguish that soldiers experience during and after war. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a soldier who has returned from Vietnam, haunted by the memories of the atrocities he witnessed and committed. The opening lines of the song, "Inside his mind it's '69 / Somewhere in Vietnam / Yes, in his head there's millions dead / From guns, grenades, and bombs," set the tone for the rest of the song. The soldier is stuck in a perpetual state of trauma, unable to escape the horrors of war. He feels isolated and alone, "just trapped alone in a mental shock / And wanting just to die."
The lyrics also touch on the wider impact of war beyond the individual soldier. The line "For all around him there is pain / So is the wage of sin" suggests that war is a sin, and that it brings pain and suffering to all those affected by it. The song also highlights the futility of war, with lines like "And they had the will to fight / But in the end they learned / Just how to die." This speaks to the senselessness of conflict and the idea that no one really wins in war.
Line by Line Meaning
War!
This song is about the terrible and endless nature of war.
Inside his mind it's '69
The singer is describing a Vietnam War veteran who is still traumatized by what he experienced.
Somewhere in Vietnam
The exact location of the veteran's experience isn't important; what matters is that it happened.
Yes, in his head there's millions dead
The veteran is haunted by memories of all the people who were killed.
From guns, grenades, and bombs
These are the instruments of death that the veteran saw and heard around him.
For he's the one that feels the thunder
The veteran is still reliving the sounds and sensations of the war.
A prisoner of the times
The veteran is stuck in his trauma, unable to fully move on with his life.
Just trapped alone in a mental shock
The veteran is isolated by his experiences, unable to connect with others who haven't been through the same thing.
And wanting just to die
The veteran is in so much pain that death seems like a viable option to him.
As evil unfolds before the eyes
The singer is describing the horror of seeing other human beings kill each other.
The horror of killing another man
The veteran has to grapple with the fact that he was responsible for other people's deaths.
One nation under God
This is a reference to the national motto of the United States, which suggests that God endorses the country's actions.
For all around him there is pain
The veteran is surrounded by other people who are also suffering as a result of the war.
So is the wage of sin
The singer is suggesting that war is a punishment for humanity's sins.
The memories on the battlefield
The singer is describing the traumatic memories that veterans carry with them long after the war has ended.
Are buried deep within
The memories are so painful that veterans often try to repress them or keep them hidden.
For now the future's only past
The veteran is stuck in his memories, unable to fully move forward with his life.
And broken is this man
The trauma of war has left the veteran feeling shattered and unable to pick up the pieces.
Eternally his life was lost
The singer is suggesting that the veteran's trauma has robbed him of a full and fulfilling life.
While fighting for his land
This is a reference to the patriotism that often motivates people to go to war.
He can thank the USA
The singer is suggesting that the veteran's country is partly responsible for his trauma.
For the way he feels today
The singer is suggesting that the war and its aftermath have left the veteran in a state of emotional turmoil.
I see them all around me
The singer is describing the many people who are still suffering from their experiences in the war.
They're all living just to die
The artist is suggesting that these people are so traumatized that they feel like they're just waiting to die.
Just trying to make their way
Despite their suffering, these people are still trying to live their lives as best they can.
And moving on
The singer is suggesting that these people are doing their best to heal and cope with their trauma.
But nothing stops the torment
Despite their efforts, the trauma of war continues to haunt these people.
Of those days in Vietnam
The singer is specifically referencing the Vietnam War, but this could apply to any war.
As the battle in their minds
The singer is describing the ongoing struggle that veterans face as they try to come to terms with their trauma.
Is raging on
The images and memories of war are still causing emotional turmoil for these people.
Shellshocked mindless madmen
The singer is using this phrase to describe the state of mind of traumatized veterans.
For deep inside there is war!
The singer is suggesting that the war never truly ends for people who have experienced it.
They had the strength of courage
The singer is recognizing the bravery that it took for these people to go to war in the first place.
And they had the will to fight
Despite the trauma they experienced, these people were motivated by a sense of duty or patriotism.
But in the end they learned
The singer is acknowledging that these people gained a valuable but painful lesson through their experiences.
Just how to die
The artist is pointing out that many veterans lost their lives in the war, and that this was a tragic and wasteful outcome.
And as they live the terror
The singer is describing the ongoing emotional trauma that these people experience.
Of a time so long ago
Despite the passage of time, the memories of the war are still fresh and painful for these people.
It's now too late
The singer is acknowledging that the trauma of the war has irreversibly impacted the lives of these people.
To save their wasted lives
The singer is recognizing the toll that the war took on the people who fought in it.
So here's the lesson to be learned
The singer is suggesting that there is a moral to this story, and that we can learn from the experiences of veterans.
Amongst this grief and pain
Despite the sadness and loss that the war has caused, there is still a lesson that we can take away from it.
And that's in life there's nothing
The singer is suggesting that war is a terrible and pointless endeavor.
Worth the hell of war again
The artist is saying that we should avoid engaging in war at all costs, because the toll it takes is too great.
So leave the courage to the fire
The singer is suggesting that we should leave bravery and heroism to the realm of fictional stories, and instead focus on peace and diplomacy.
And vengeance will stay free
The singer is suggesting that we shouldn't seek revenge or retribution for past wrongs, but instead focus on creating a peaceful future.
And liberty will carry on
The singer is suggesting that we can achieve a freer and more just society by avoiding war and fostering cooperation and understanding instead.
War! Forever there is war! For there is war!
The singer is reminding us that as long as people continue to engage in war, there will always be new tragedies and suffering to deal with.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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