The vinyl debut LP "You Are The Victim" was released in 1983 through a small independent Italian label. In 1983 the band signed a deal with American indie-punk label Toxic Shock (Skin Yard, House Of Large Sizes...). "Screams From The Gutter" (Toxic Shock 1985) was most likely their best album so far. A rough mixture of seminal punk and sharp hard core. The same year the band flew over to the States for their first US tour (and have since then returned to tour the USA a total of six times). The reaction to the "Italian punk rockers" was great all around the States, and the album sold more than 40.000 copies strictly through independent distribution and shops.
"Wop Hour" (Toxic Shock - 1986), "After Your Brian" (Toxic Shock -1986) and "Mine To Kill" (Southern - 1989) helped to develop their heavier, more riff oriented sound. Raw Power, with only a small cult following in Italy, were considered in the States as one of the best examples of the "Crossover" sound, the music which evolved from punk and known to a much wider audience through bands like S.O.D., Corrosion of Conformity, D.R.I., and Attitude Adjustment.
During their long tours in the States Raw Power shared the stage with bands like the Circle Jerks, Adolescents, D.O.A., Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Agnostic Front, Dead Kennedys, Suicidal Tendencies, and in a small club in Seattle in 1986 a then unknown band called Guns'n'Roses opened for the Italian cult.
The band never enjoyed much more than cult status in Europe. Even though the band continued to play explosive live performances all over Europe, they never managed to get a foothold. This was due to the fact that Raw Power suffered from a lack of professional managers and structure, especially in their home country, where they never had the support they deserved and needed. Raw Power never had the chance to express in a studio album the great potential that the band is able to unleash in a live concert. Their first recording for Godhead, "Fight" (1995), with the great interest MTV showed for their clip, was just a step in the process of re-creating in a studio what they can do live, which is the musical equivalent of a nuclear bomb.
This bomb exploded on the 1st of March, 1996 at the Maffia, a club in Reggio Emilia, Italy. That raw, live sound was captured in the only way possible, live, for their latest release, "Live From The Gutter" on Godhead records. Twenty-seven songs, recorded with no overdubbing, perfectly reproduce the barely controlled aggression and raw attitude that recall that "Screams From the Gutter" period, which has been ever-present at Raw Power gigs.
In 1998 the band had several new songs ready for release and began shopping for a label in the U.S. to release them. The end result was "Reptile House", their greatest album yet, released on their original label Toxic Shock, now known as Toxic Ranch Records. Three American tours in support of the album followed.
Then in the year 2000 they released "Trust Me" through a new, and short lived American label called Hello Records. The record was given fantastic reviews, and at the bands 20 year mark, they were stronger than ever. In the summer of 2001, the band flew to Atlanta, Georgia USA and started the most successful American tour to date. The band was wildly welcomed in most major American cities. No matter how many member changes, label changes, etc., the two brothers that started Raw Power remained the core of the band, and as far as the world knew, would never stop!
In 2002, Raw Power went back into the studio to record yet another full length release. The new material was a celebration of the bands longevity, and the band decided to call it "Still Screaming After 20 Years". Shortly after the record was finished, on October 6, founding member Giuseppe Codeluppi suffered a fatal heart attack while playing soccer. Many thought the band would not recover from such a loss, but now in 2003 they are more active than ever. There has been no replacement for Giuseppe, the bands leader. Now the band consists of 4 members, carrying on the name and the music and proving the words that Guiseppe wrote....."Raw Power WIll Never Die!!""
http://www.rawpowerhc.com
Words
Raw Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
all it means you can't do what you want
shut up, quiet, silence
you're to talk only at their convenience
watch out, behave
they've got power, you are only the slave
WORDS WORDS WORDS
sit, still, order
study, career, learn
if you don't you'll end up getting burned
work, eat, sweat
you've been told that that's all you'll get
WORDS WORDS WORDS
The lyrics of Raw Power's "Words" depict the realities of societal oppression and coercion. The verses describe a situation where an outside authority figure uses language to impose strictures on a person's autonomy and free will. The opening lines of "stop, freeze, don't" are a clear signifier of the fact that freedom of choice and self-determination have been taken away from the individual. The following lines make it apparent that the authority figure wants complete silence and that if the person talks, it should only be at their convenience.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the authority figure has complete control over the individual's life. The person is only allowed to sit still and follow orders, comply with whatever the authority figure says, and work, eat, and sweat without any room for rebellion. The repeated emphasis on "WORDS WORDS WORDS" throughout the song is a telling sign that these limitations have been imposed on the individual purely through language.
Overall, "Words" is a powerful commentary on how individuals are often repressed by authoritative forms of language, which can in turn lead to restrictions on their life choices.
Line by Line Meaning
stop, freeze, don't
Do not act or do anything that goes against what those in power have dictated.
all it means you can't do what you want
Their instructions limit your freedom and autonomy, depriving you of the ability to make your own decisions based on your desires.
shut up, quiet, silence
Avoid voicing your own opinions or thoughts, and remain silent, only speaking when convenient for them.
you're to talk only at their convenience
You are only allowed to speak when it is beneficial for those in power, as they want to control the narrative and maintain their authority.
watch out, behave
Be wary of their power and act in a manner that satisfies their expectations, otherwise they will punish you.
they've got power, you are only the slave
You are subservient to their authority, and they hold all the power in the situation, leaving you powerless.
WORDS WORDS WORDS
All they offer is empty rhetoric, lacking substance or value, meant to distract or placate those under their control.
sit, still, order
Remain motionless and follow their directives, even if it goes against your own needs or desires.
you comply they get away with murder
If you blindly follow their orders without question, they can commit heinous acts without consequence or accountability.
study, career, learn
The expectation is that you dedicate your life to furthering your knowledge and career, with little regard for personal fulfillment or happiness.
if you don't you'll end up getting burned
If you do not follow their prescribed path to success, you will face harsh consequences and potentially ruin your life.
work, eat, sweat
Your existence is boiled down to the cycle of working to survive, eating to maintain your body, and exerting yourself to continue the process.
you've been told that that's all you'll get
There is no promise of anything beyond this mundane and unfulfilling existence, leaving you feeling trapped and without hope.
WORDS WORDS WORDS
Their promises and assurances are hallow and meaningless, offering no true benefits or value to your life.
Contributed by Vivian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@beautyamadi1765
This video should be in the cinema for people to see raw power of God
@prophetsamueladewaejembi868
I will show people on the cenema.
@OmGoody
I 100% agree
@foban
I MEDITATE on the WORD of GOD day and night and what ever I do prospers- Prophet -TB Joshua
@markdavidnneji4225
Very true statement, because our will becomes God’s will
@WisaniHlungwani
HONESTLY I CRIED 😭😭😭 [THE SOUND🔥🔥🔥] 'LORD TAKE MORE OF US AND GIVE US MORE OF YOU'🔥
THANKS FOR STRENGTHENING ME IN COMMITTING MYSELF TO JESUS🙏🔥😭
@tsenangmarksmanrollingston3994
Senior prophet TB Joshua 🔥 thank you Lord for the life of your humble servant
@melaniebeze
So unique, rest on prophet TB Joshua 😊😊
@mamaafrica8121
we've missed a true MOG😭
@brightonshedrack5018
I miss you daddy 😞😭 Thank you for your teachings that revealed the heart of God to us. Truly you were a gift and dime from God. Forever i will treasure you in my heart. I love you ❤