Paatos has been categorized as Melancholic Post-Rock. This could be a description as good as any other. The Swedish band based in Stockholm has many influenses. The sum of Sigur Ros, Bjork, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Can, early Bowie, and many more, plus the inevitable affect of the Swedish constant state of melancholy and lack of sun during a better part of the year, creates its own voice. Ultimately it just needs to speak to you as a human being.
The five members of Paatos have varied musical backgrounds which they bring into the studio and rehearsals when the music is composed. The beauty is that this creates music that none of the members could accomplish on their own, as well as being a very unifying process for the band. One attitude which is nurtured is not paying too much attention to idiomatic aspects of style and other forms of do's and don'ts. An open mind can open many doors. And it's certainly a lot more fun!
some history:
Paatos was formed in August 2000. Stefan Dimle, Huxflux Nettermalm, Johan Wallén and Paatos' former guitarist Reine Fiske, were engaged to play a concert with Swedish folk rock singer Turid which resulted in a great wish to continue and work towards something more permanent. Paatos was thus born, at this point only as an instrumental band. After a few gigs Paatos was joined on vocals by Petronella Nettermalm.
Paatos records its first single, Perception, in spring 2001 which was the followed by the debut album Timeloss released early autumn 2002. At this point Paatos is playing more and more frequently. Guitarist Reine leaves the band and is replaced by Peter Nylander, Paatos' current guitarist.
While on a short tour in Germany and Belgium in summer 2003, Paatos had a meeting with Thomas Waber at Insideout Music. This meeting culminated in Paatos signing a deal with the label and to start working on the second album.
The second album, Kallocain, is recorded and subsequently mixed by Steven Wilson. This collaboration began with Paatos playing a few gigs with Porcupine Tree when they were on tour in Sweden. The prospect of Steven mixing Kallocain was fantastic as was Steven's magic to be heard in the final result.
After some touring around Europe, Paatos starts working on their third album, Silence of Another Kind, released spring 2006. From touring more and more, the music started to take on a slightly heavier tone, something which affected the music on this recording. The love for mesmerizing trans-like grooving landscapes was still there, but also the wish to create strong contrast.
Paatos writes collectively in their own studio, The Green Genie, in Stockholm. The fact that five different musical backgrounds and lives contribute ideas, makes for a sound that mixes and moves organically between worlds where boundaries and thresholds are blurred.
Paatos has toured with a.o.: the Gathering, Porcupine Tree, Lo-Ego
http://www.paatos.com
http://www.myspace.com/paatos
Shame
Paatos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet, there was no one sure of what he really meant
He lined up all the dissidents, said "paradise will come"
All nations mutilated and slaughtered one by one
Shame! Shame! Shame!
No one left to follow orders
There is no love in what you've done
There's no humanity
Your way of chasing demons is pure insanity
You line up all the dissidents, say "paradise will come"
Now all nations are mutilated and slaughtered one by one
Shame! Shame! Shame!
No one left to follow orders
You're expanding your borders by wasting everyone
There's no one left to hold your hand
No one left to hug you
No one left to make you smile
No one left to kiss you
No one left to watch you tie the rope around your stiff neck
No one left to hold your hand, no one left to watch you die...
The lyrics of Paatos's "Shame" convey a strong message regarding the cruel and inhumane actions taken by a leader who is referred to as a "psycho president". The song highlights the destruction and devastation caused by the president's orders to mutilate and slaughter all nations. The chorus of "Shame! Shame! Shame!" emphasizes the shame and guilt that the world should feel for allowing such atrocities to take place.
The lyrics suggest that the president's actions were justified by the promise of paradise, making the senseless violence and destruction even more frustrating. The song points out the lack of love and humanity in the president's actions, and that his "way of chasing demons is pure insanity". The song reaches its climax by describing the president's loneliness, as there is no one left to hold his hand or comfort him as he faces the consequences of his actions.
Overall, "Shame" by Paatos is a powerful protest song that highlights the destructive nature of abuse of power and the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
The world was trembling under one psycho president
The world was in a state of fear and chaos under the leadership of one unstable and dangerous leader
Yet, there was no one sure of what he really meant
Despite his grandiose speeches and promises, nobody could be certain of the intentions behind his actions and words
He lined up all the dissidents, said "paradise will come"
The leader gathered all those who opposed him and claimed that they would be rewarded with a perfect, ideal future
All nations mutilated and slaughtered one by one
As the leader's power grew, he unleashed violence and destruction on every country, causing immense suffering and death
Shame! Shame! Shame!
The artist expresses her disgust and condemnation for the leader's atrocities
No one left to follow orders
The leader's brutal regime has caused such devastation that there is nobody left who is willing to carry out his commands
He's expanding his borders by wasting everyone
The leader is using violence to conquer and add new territories to his empire, without regard for the lives and well-being of the people he destroys
There is no love in what you've done
The leader's actions are devoid of compassion, empathy, or kindness towards others
There's no humanity
The leader's behavior is cruel and inhumane, lacking any respect or value for human life
Your way of chasing demons is pure insanity
The leader's pursuit of power and domination is driven by madness and destructive impulses
Now all nations are mutilated and slaughtered one by one
The leader's violence and aggression have led to a global crisis, with many countries facing ruin and death
No one left to hold your hand
The leader is now alone, with nobody to comfort or guide him
No one left to hug you
Even the most basic forms of human connection and affection are denied to the leader, who has alienated and harmed everyone around him
No one left to make you smile
The leader has lost the ability to feel joy or happiness, as a result of his cruel and destructive actions
No one left to kiss you
The leader is so cut off from love and intimacy that nobody is willing to show him physical affection or tenderness
No one left to watch you tie the rope around your stiff neck
The artist imagines a gruesome and violent end for the leader, with nobody even willing to observe his final moments
No one left to hold your hand, no one left to watch you die...
The leader's reign of terror has left him completely alone and isolated, facing a lonely death without any companionship or comfort
Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marco33185
Voilà de superbes albums suédois à mi-chemin entre Landberk et The Gathering.
Du progressif très raffiné, mélodique, aux ambiances empreintes de mélancolie, aux sonorités envoûtantes, avec des guitares délicates, un super bassiste, un batteur avec un son et une dextérité fantastique, des claviers aux sonorités variées, 70's et modernes : Mellotron, Hammond organ, syntheziser, ... avec violon, violoncelle, flûte,.. section rythmique aérienne et affûtée, et le superbe chant aérien et mélancolique de Petronella.
De surcroît le son est excellent, tout en nuance.
De somptueux albums !!!!
Merci à Denis ;)