Originally, they were a death/grind band called Bacterial Cancer, then Bacterial Disease. They changed their name to Phlebotomized and their style around 1990.
They reunited in 2013 and Immense Intense Suspense & Skycontact has been reissued as a double album in 2014.
Pillar Of Fire
Phlebotomized Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hallucination? No coincidence
Pillar of fire, beacon in days of distress
Hallucination? No coincidence
No coincidence
No coincidence
No coincidence
It carries some implications
A form, covering above
Not a divine property
A revelation at the very least?
A bigger context altering perspectives...
as long as we do not understand
A bigger context altering perspectives...
as long as we do not understand
To serve one goal, the other needs to be sacrificed
Choices determine fate. In what do we believe?
To live with doubt or with nothing at all...
Converted to energy of its own to explore
Not to intervene but to flow...
To find conformation in feeling it all
It will find its way. Not lost anymore...
The Unique Agony of Uncertainty
Want to go back, want to have faith
but in its absence what remains?
An invigorating ride?
The universe never lets anything go to waste
The odds, transcend or decompose
Reassembled in a different way
Reconstituted to keep the life cycle progressive
To be put together, divided by steps
Not festering for eternity but by reclaiming life with respect for everything... endlessly...
Though the monster is killed by moments of lucidity, moving back and forth between two worlds
Still, nothing is really ever gone... And the heart?
The heart needs to endure it drop by drop...
A bigger context altering perspectives...
as long as we do not understand
A bigger context altering perspectives...
as long as we do not understand
And the heart needs to endure it
And the heart needs to endure it
And the heart needs to endure it
And the heart needs to endure it
Drop by drop, drop by drop
Drop by drop, drop by drop
Drop by drop, drop by drop
Drop by drop, drop by drop
The lyrics of Phlebotomized's "Pillar Of Fire" evoke a profound exploration of existence, faith, and the human experience amid distressing times. The “pillar of fire” represents a guiding light in turbulent circumstances, suggesting that hope can emerge even in darkness. The repeated phrase questioning whether it is a hallucination or coincidence introduces a theme of perception, implying that what one might view as mere coincidence can hold deeper significance in the context of one's life. Distress often leads individuals to seek signs or meaning, and this pillar serves as a metaphorical beacon—a source of clarity and insight when overwhelmed by uncertainty.
The subsequent verses delve deeper into the ambiguity of understanding, where the lyrics assert that true revelation often comes with complexity and challenge. It hints that the perceived divine attributes may not necessarily align with traditional beliefs about spirituality; rather, they might arise from deeper realizations about life itself. The idea of a "bigger context" suggests that when we view our situations from a broader perspective, we can alter our understanding of our experiences. However, this alteration is contingent on our willingness or ability to comprehend it. The struggle with understanding becomes a central theme, highlighting how ignorance or lack of insight can hinder personal growth and enlightenment.
The polarized concept of sacrifice echoed in the lines about choices emphasizes the inevitable nature of decision-making in shaping one's fate. The juxtaposition of living with doubt against the void of nothingness manifests the human condition’s dichotomy: the struggle to find meaning against the backdrop of uncertainty. This tension is illustrated by the metaphor of energy that explores and flows without seeking to intervene, implying that the essence of life is to experience and understand feelings rather than seek absolute answers. The assertion that pain can transform into a purposeful journey suggests that while uncertainty can be agonizing, it can also lead to deeper insights and understanding, ultimately guiding one to reclaim a sense of purpose.
In the latter part of the lyrics, the focus on endurance reflects a commitment to facing life's challenges, emphasizing that the heart must persist through various trials. The recurring motif of the "heart" symbolizes resilience amidst emotional turmoil, signifying the necessity to endure hardships in a gradual process—“drop by drop.” This slow yet deliberate motion underscores that healing and growth are not instantaneous but occur through cumulative experiences. Ultimately, the lyrics convey an uplifting message about the cyclical nature of life, the endurance necessary to navigate existence, and the respect one must hold for its complexities. The idea that nothing is ever truly lost reinforces the interconnectedness of life's experiences, thereby encouraging listeners to embrace their hardships as integral to their journey towards greater awareness and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Pillar of fire, beacon in days of distress
A radiant source of guidance and hope amid times of suffering and chaos.
Hallucination? No coincidence
Is it merely a figment of imagination, or is there a deeper significance that is not just by chance?
Pillar of fire, beacon in days of distress
Once again, it symbolizes a steadfast light that offers direction during troubled times.
Hallucination? No coincidence
Reiterating the notion of questioning whether this experience holds real purpose or if it’s simply a mirage.
No coincidence
Emphasizing that the events unfolding are not random occurrences.
No coincidence
Reaffirming the previous assertion of meaningful orchestration in life’s events.
No coincidence
Further stressing the intentionality behind these experiences.
It carries some implications
This carries deeper meanings and consequences that are worth exploring.
A form, covering above
An exterior presence serving as a protective barrier or shield.
Not a divine property
This essence does not belong to any godly or celestial realm.
A revelation at the very least?
Could this be regarded as at least a significant insight or discovery?
A bigger context altering perspectives...
A wider frame of reference shifts how we view our situations and realities.
as long as we do not understand
This transformation in understanding is contingent upon our current lack of comprehension.
A bigger context altering perspectives...
Again highlighting how a larger narrative affects our interpretations.
as long as we do not understand
Reemphasizing that ignorance in understanding permits this shift.
To serve one goal, the other needs to be sacrificed
In pursuing a singular objective, we often must relinquish something else valuable.
Choices determine fate. In what do we believe?
The decisions we make shape our destiny, leading us to question our core beliefs.
To live with doubt or with nothing at all...
Faced with uncertainty, we must choose between skepticism or embracing emptiness.
Converted to energy of its own to explore
Transforming emotions and experiences into something vibrant, capable of discovery.
Not to intervene but to flow...
This energy moves naturally without forcing changes upon the world around us.
To find conformation in feeling it all
Seeking validation and truth through the full spectrum of one’s emotions.
It will find its way. Not lost anymore...
Eventually, clarity and direction will emerge, dispelling feelings of confusion.
The Unique Agony of Uncertainty
The particular pain that arises from living with ambiguity and unpredictability.
Want to go back, want to have faith
A yearning to return to familiarity and trust amidst the tumult of doubt.
but in its absence what remains?
In the void of faith, one is left to ponder what truly endures.
An invigorating ride?
Is the experience of navigating this uncertainty exhilarating and full of potential?
The universe never lets anything go to waste
Every experience, however challenging, serves a purpose in the grand scheme.
The odds, transcend or decompose
The possibilities can either elevate us or lead to breakdown and disassembly.
Reassembled in a different way
Transformation leads to a regrouping of our experiences and insights into something new.
Reconstituted to keep the life cycle progressive
Renewed understanding fosters evolution and keeps existence moving forward.
To be put together, divided by steps
The process of regaining wholeness occurs in incremental stages.
Not festering for eternity but by reclaiming life with respect for everything... endlessly...
Avoiding stagnation instead through ongoing appreciation and respect for every facet of existence.
Though the monster is killed by moments of lucidity, moving back and forth between two worlds
Clarity allows us to confront and dispel our inner demons, navigating the duality of existence.
Still, nothing is really ever gone... And the heart?
Ultimately, nothing truly disappears; rather, it lingers within our emotional center.
The heart needs to endure it drop by drop...
The heart must withstand every small moment of emotional strain, accumulating as it goes.
A bigger context altering perspectives...
Reiterating how the overarching narrative transforms our individual viewpoints.
as long as we do not understand
This shift remains contingent upon our present state of confusion and lack of insight.
A bigger context altering perspectives...
Highlighting yet again how the larger picture influences our thinking.
as long as we do not understand
Reemphasizing that this transformation relies on our current inability to grasp it fully.
And the heart needs to endure it
Underlining the necessity for the heart to withstand emotional challenges.
And the heart needs to endure it
Reinforcing the importance of resilience within our emotional core.
And the heart needs to endure it
Again emphasizing the heart's vital role in enduring emotional trials.
And the heart needs to endure it
Continuing to stress the importance of emotional perseverance.
Drop by drop, drop by drop
Each moment of emotional experience accumulates gradually, one by one.
Drop by drop, drop by drop
Reiterating the theme of incremental emotional experiences building up over time.
Drop by drop, drop by drop
Highlighting the ongoing nature of emotional endurance, piece by piece.
Drop by drop, drop by drop
Continuing to emphasize the slow accumulation of experiences in our emotional journey.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dennis Bolderman, Tom Palms
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind