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.
Power And The Glory
October 31 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trained and I'm ready to kill
Put me in battle
I follow the sound of the gun
And give me an order
At many I'll fire at will
I got no emotions
I'm living with thunder and steel
I don't hear no lies
All I hear are your battle cries
I'm a soldier of fortune
I'm trained and I'm ready to die
To the power and the glory
Raise your glasses high
To the power and the glory
Be with me tonight
A cold death awaits me tonight
If I stumble or fall
My friends lay around me
Their bodies all tattered and torn
But mine is not to reason why
Mine is just to do or die
Can you feel the power,
Can you feel the glory?
Can you feel the power,
Can you feel the glory?
Can you feel the power?
Is it with you tonight?
I' fighting for freedom
I'm safe, I've got God on my side
But with what poison rights
Can you justify your battle hymn
The general says we'll win the war
Just sacrifice 10,000 more
The song "Power and the Glory" by October 31 is about a soldier of fortune who is ready to kill and die for his country. The lyrics reflect the mindset of a soldier who has no emotions and lives with thunder and steel. The soldier is ready to follow the sound of the gun and fire many rounds upon receiving an order. The chorus of the song is a celebration of the power and glory of war, where the soldiers raise their glasses high and invite others to join them. They do not fear death, but embrace it as a sacrifice for their country.
The second verse talks about the cold death that awaits the soldier, and the bodies of his friends that lie around him. Despite this, the soldier's duty is to fight without questioning or hesitating. The bridge of the song challenges the listener to feel the power and the glory of war, and whether it is with them tonight. The third verse questions the justification behind the battle hymn that is being sung by the soldiers. The general says they will win the war, but at what cost? The lyrics emphasize the sacrifice of more lives for the greater cause.
Overall, the song portrays the glorification of war and the mindset of soldiers who are willing to kill and die for their country. It highlights the power and the glory that comes with the fighting, but it also raises questions about the justification of war and its costs.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a soldier of fortune,
I am a warrior who fights for the highest bidder.
I'm trained and I'm ready to kill
I am well-trained to take the life of the enemy.
Put me in battle
Deploy me in the field of battle.
I follow the sound of the gun
I navigate the battlefield by following the sound of gunfire.
And give me an order
I will follow the commands given to me without question.
At many I'll fire at will
I will shoot without restraint and target multiple enemies.
I got no emotions
I show no empathy, remorse or sensitivity.
I'm living with thunder and steel
I thrive in the dangerous environment of conflict and weaponry.
I don't hear no lies
I am not influenced by false promises as I am focused on the battle.
All I hear are your battle cries
I am alert to the sounds of my fellow soldiers shouting as they fight.
I'm a soldier of fortune
I am a professional combatant whose services are sold to the highest bidder.
I'm trained and I'm ready to die
I have prepared myself to make the ultimate sacrifice for my cause.
To the power and the glory
Let us raise our glasses to honor the authority and prestige of our nation and its armies.
Raise your glasses high
Lift up your beverage containers in a display of celebration and admiration.
Be with me tonight
Come together to share in this moment of excitation and unity.
A cold death awaits me tonight
I face the possibility of death and it fills me with dread.
If I stumble or fall
If I make mistakes or fail at my duty.
My friends lay around me
My comrades in arms are lying nearby, possibly dead or wounded.
Their bodies all tattered and torn
The physical injuries suffered by my fellow soldiers are severe and gruesome.
But mine is not to reason why
It is not my place to question the orders given to me.
Mine is just to do or die
I have a simple role: to either succeed in my mission, or die trying.
Can you feel the power
Do you sense the strength and force of our cause?
Can you feel the glory?
Can you experience the pride and honor of our nation?
Is it with you tonight?
Are you feeling the same sense of national pride and purpose as I am?
I'm fighting for freedom
I am waging war in defense of our liberties and independence.
I'm safe, I've got God on my side
I am protected by my faith and belief that a higher power supports our cause.
But with what poison rights
However, what moral justification do you have for your actions?
Can you justify your battle hymn
Can you explain why you are resorting to war to achieve your goals?
The general says we'll win the war
Our leader has declared that we will be victorious in this conflict.
Just sacrifice 10,000 more
Our leader is ordering us to continue fighting, even if it means more of our soldiers losing their lives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: IAN SMYTH, JOHN DRUMMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind