RAISE HELL (Stockholm, Sweden) was formed in 1996 by Jonas Nilsson (guitars… Read Full Bio ↴RAISE HELL (Stockholm, Sweden) was formed in 1996 by Jonas Nilsson (guitars) and Niklas Sjöström (bass) and after about one month, Torstein Wickberg (guitar) joined. A couple of different drummers tried out, but none of them cut the chase. When Dennis Ekdahl came to rehearse with the band, they knew that they had found what they sought.

The group started out under the name IN COLD BLOOD and it was under that name that the first demo, "Nailed", was recorded, which led to a record deal with NUCLEAR BLAST.

In May 1998, RAISE HELL entered the "Abyss studio" and recorded their first album named "Holy Target". Just before the release, the band changed their name to RAISE HELL. The release of "Holy Target" was followed by a European tour (with DISMEMBER, CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHT IN GALES and AGATHODAIMON) and also a gig at the massive metal festival Wacken Open Air (August of 1998).

In August 1999, RAISE HELL entered the studio again to record their second album "Not Dead Yet". This time, the studio session took place at Studio Fredman with Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES) as producer. After "Not Dead Yet" was released, the cult band DESTRUCTION heard the album and wanted RAISE HELL to support them for a mini tour. RAISE HELL gladly accepted and after a cool mini-tour with DESTRUCTION, Wacken Open Air stood at the door again (August 2000). The festival gig was a success for the band and was then followed by a European tour (with DESTRUCTION, HYPOCRISY, CREMATORY and KATAKLYSM) plus some club-gigs in Sweden.

The studio Flat Planet was booked in June 2002, and once again Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES), now with support by Fredrik Reinerdahl, as producers. The album was called "Wicked Is My Game". The release was in October 2002. In late autumn of 2002, RAISE HELL decided to get a new singer because Jonas Nilsson wanted to concentrate on his guitar playing. They decided to try an old friend of theirs, Jimmy Fjällendahl. He had been the singer of a local rock band called Driftaway. After just a few rehearsals, RAISE HELL could hear the capacity that Jimmy had and he almost immediately became a solid member of the band.

After three albums on NUCLEAR BLAST, the relationship came to an end, with which both parties were satisfied. A search for a new label was started and after some good offers, RAISE HELL finally decided to sign with BLACK LODGE (Sweden). At this point, Torstein realized that he no longer could put his full heart and soul into the band and therefore decided to leave RAISE HELL. There have never been any hard feelings. The member changes and label change came as a natural break for the band that resulted in nothing being heard from them in a couple of years except for a few live gigs.

In 2004, just after the signing with Black Lodge Records, two demo songs were recorded and they turned out so good that they ended up on a 7” limited vinyl single. In the summer of 2005, the recording of a new album started. This time it took place at Tyroon Production with Jörgen Svensson as producer. The album is titled "City of the Damned".

Destiny Deceiver
Raise Hell Lyrics

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The first time every thing was fine
The oracle foretold me
The second time I was told about things
Happiness no more

God won't be there for you
Prayers to him will be in vain

(Coro:)
Why will this happen to me?
It's all in your destiny!
What can I to prevent this?
Nothing!

The next night I couldn't sleep
cause Death was knocking on my door

A bullet through my brain will help me
change my destiny

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Raise Hell's song "Destiny Deceiver" describe a feeling of desperation and hopelessness when faced with an inevitable fate. In the beginning, the singer references a prophecy or oracle which initially informed them of a positive future. However, the second time around, they were told of a different, bleaker outcome, one that had no happiness to speak of. In both situations, it seems that the singer had no influence over their future and was merely being told what was to come.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of destiny and one's inability to fight against it. The singer asks why this has to happen to them, and the answer is that it's all part of their predetermined fate. There is nothing they can do to stop it from happening. The final verse takes a dark turn as the singer reveals that they are being haunted by death. They feel like the only way to change their destiny is through their own demise.

Overall, "Destiny Deceiver" portrays a sense of powerlessness when faced with a predetermined future. The singer is resigned to their fate, and the only way to escape it is through death.

Line by Line Meaning

The first time every thing was fine
At first, everything was going well for me

The oracle foretold me
A prophetic message warned me

The second time I was told about things
A second warning was given to me

Happiness no more
My happiness was taken away

God won't be there for you
The deity won't help or protect you

Prayers to him will be in vain
Any appeals to the divine will be fruitless

Why will this happen to me?
I'm questioning why this is happening to me

It's all in your destiny!
I'm being told that it's all predetermined

What can I to prevent this?
I'm asking what I can do to stop this

Nothing!
I'm being told that there is nothing that can be done

The next night I couldn't sleep
The following night, insomnia plagued me