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 FridΓ©n (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 FridΓ©n (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 FjΓ€llendahl. 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 7β limited vinyl single. In the summer of 2005, the recording of a new album started. This time it took place at Tyroon Production with JΓΆrgen Svensson as producer. The album is titled "City of the Damned".
To The Gallows
Raise Hell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They laugh at me and dishonour my name
In their eyes I steel and I'm a killer
But if they knew what they did when they sacrificed
Can't you see what they've done to me
I'm closing my eyes and I walk in the...
Licked by the flames
I am your liar
Fire!
Pathetic fools
A dying choir
Liar!
Now that I've turned you will kneel my anger
You will regret the rope round my neck
No longer safe in this sanctuary where you used to dwell
Go ahead and run my vengeance will find you
Now you feel what they've done to me
I'm closing my eyes and I walk in the...
Fire!
Licked by the flames
I am your liar
Fire!
Pathetic fools
A dying choir
Now that you've tasted my anger
Would you believe what they say again
I'm closing my eyes and I walk in the...
Fire!
Licked by the flames
I am your liar
Fire!
Pathetic fools
A dying choir
The lyrics to Raise Hell's song "To The Gallows" depict a man's journey towards his execution. He is being mocked by the people around him, who see him as a criminal and a murderer. However, he believes that if they knew the truth behind his supposed crimes, they would understand and regret their actions. As he approaches the gallows, he asserts his power and promises revenge on those who have wronged him. He describes himself as a "liar" and a "pathetic fool," but also as someone who has been "licked by the flames" of his own anger and frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk along the path to the gallows
Moving slowly towards my own death, the people around me mock me and speak ill of me as they view me with disdain and contempt
They laugh at me and dishonour my name
These bystanders find pleasure in taunting and shaming me for the stigma attached to my name
In their eyes I steal and I'm a killer
The way these people look at me indicates that they see me as a criminal, someone who steals and murders
But if they knew what they did when they sacrificed
If these people could realize the extent of their wrongdoings and misguided decisions, they would regret and repent them
Can't you see what they've done to me
Do you not understand the consequences of their actions upon me?
I'm closing my eyes and I walk in the...
In the face of my impending death, I choose to shut my eyes as I move forward
Fire!
An outburst of passionate anger and retribution
Licked by the flames
Metaphorically being consumed and devoured by the intensity of this wrath
I am your liar
The realization of truth that they come to know about me is that I was knowingly dishonest with them
Pathetic fools
These people are deserving of nothing but scorn and derision for their foolish and naive behavior
A dying choir
The sounds of their roar and clatter will soon fade away into silence as they face their demise
Now that I've turned you will kneel my anger
Now that I am incensed and vindictive, those who once detested me will soon need to bow down to my authority and wrath
You will regret the rope round my neck
The guilt and remorse for their past actions will overwhelm them as they comprehend the tragedy of what they have done to me
No longer safe in this sanctuary where you used to dwell
Their previous places of refuge and solace will no longer provide them with a sense of security and sanctuary
Go ahead and run my vengeance will find you
Even if they attempt to escape, my retribution and reprisal will ultimately catch up with them
Now you feel what they've done to me
Their own experiences and feelings now parallel the suffering and agony I endured
Would you believe what they say again
After witnessing the terrible consequences of their past actions, they will hesitate in trusting the opinions and beliefs of others
Contributed by Ruby V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.