Currently, RAZED IN BLACK has released five solo records and have appeared as a remixer, producer, or guest artist on more than a hundred albums. Notable high profile albums include providing remixes for Berlin, Information Society, Bowowow, Switchblade Symphony, Gary Numan, and more; as well as contributing to tribute compilations to such artists as Depeche Mode, The Cure, Metallica, Skinny Puppy, and more.
RAZED IN BLACK's most recent offering, ‘DAMAGED,' has created quite an impact since its release. A pristine amalgamation of industrial, Goth, trance, synthpop, and metal, encompassed with the heart-clenching emotions delivered only the way Romell Regulacion could. ‘DAMAGED’ is definitely his best work to date, taking electronic music to the next level.
The music on this 2-CD full length is enhanced with a slew of underground star appearances, all executed through Internet connections – possibly the first effort of it’s kind. With the album written and recorded from Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Florida, having guests from as far as Japan to London would be quite a trek. Guests include Inertia, Gosumi, Spahn Ranch, Soil & Eclipse, Dj MissGuided, and Vicci Neptune. The second disc also includes remixes by Assemblage 23, Haruhiko Ash, Sonic State, and more. It doesn’t stop here. Pop the second disc in your computer to view Razed In Black ‘live in concert’ – a track filmed in Hollywood, and another compiled from video clips from fans! All of this is cuddled within a gorgeous special-fold digipak complete with a full color booklet.
Introducing RAZED IN BLACK to the cutting-edge scene in Japan, Dolphin Entertianment proudly licensed a collective entitled "Unearthed." With the success of its release, RAZED IN BLACK kicked it up a notch with a few shows in Tokyo, thus sparking interest in Romell's techno side-project, TRANSMUTATOR (which resulted in Japan licensing and more concerts in Tokyo). Currently, RAZED IN BLACK is working on increasing its worldwide exposure seeking out licensing with record labels in Europe. With numerous appearances on compilations, remix albums, and press in the region, the endeavor looks very promising.
Romell has even been awarded Best Rock Vocalist in the 1996 and the 1997 Hawaii Music Awards, and an AVN AWARD for 1999 Best Music in an Adult Film (Strange Life:The Breech). Video game mogul SONY PLAYSTATION has even caught its eye including 4 Razed In Black tracks on a game called "VS.". Blockbusters CARRIE 2:THE RAGE and MYSTERY MEN excite the screen with tracks from Romell as well, teasing viewers with a sonic edge only he can deliver.
TRANSMUTATOR arose with Romell's desire to explore more avenues of electronic music. Incorporating elements of trance, breakbeat, and drum&bass, this side-project has had three albums released, two US tours completed, and three music videos produced, one of which made its appearance on MTV. While it's compilation appearances number over 50 albums, guest appearances and collaborations exploded with artists in its home at HYPNOTIC RECORDS and its Japanese affiliate DOLPHIN RECORDS. TRANSMUTATOR has even caught the attention of media producers with music appearing in the NBC TV show "HOMICIDE" and SEGA's SONIC ADVENTURES.
TRANSMUTATOR's latest offering is entitled "The Colony of Sluts," twisting the eroticism of thumping beats and the trance-induced sonics into a sex crazed frenzy. This one definitely pushes techno to the hard edge of sensuality, a record destined to release the lustful beast within onto the dancefloor!
Taking his custom mixes and exclusive plates to the dancefloor, Romell takes on another avenue spinning as Dj RB. Since his debut on the scene as a deejay, he has already headlined and co-headlined events with the likes of Alice Deejay, Carl Cox, Simply Jeff, Neosoul, Daniel Myer, Dj Evil, G-Spot, and more. Dj RB has also been commissioned by record labels to provide continuous mixes of select tracks. Though the variety of genres expand from drum & bass to hardcore (spinning under Dj RB or Dj SkOOBY), the mixes are flawless and showcase the label's tracks very well. Keep your eyes peeled for compilations like This Is NeoGoth, This Is Electroclash, or Gothika, ... or even a guest appearance at your club!
For RAZED IN BLACK's recent US TOUR with SWITCHBLADE SYMPHONY, Ivan Delaforce primary performer for the hit broadway showstopper STOMP, will aid Romell in transcending the heartstopping beats on stage. The creative performance style of Ivan's percussion playing promises concert goers a full show and not the usual hum drum of electronic outfits playing to a tape. The guitars are driven with the sound and fury of grinding machinery due to Mesa/Boogie's support and the incredible wall of sound the two guitarists, Romell and George, deliver on stage. Collectively, Romell with his emotional driven voice and his coherts on stage deliver a show best described through the experience.
Having a few U.S. tours headlining and supporting high profile acts, RAZED IN BLACK puts on quite a show. Concert reviews are always positive. Crowds ofen comment how much more intense and moving it is to experience RAZED IN BLACK live. The live line-up consists of Romell, who programs the music and show for the live performance, plays guitar, and delivers the vocals - often recalling the feelings when the lyrics were written, Romell never fails at exerting them with intense emotional expression, Ivan Delaforce, behind his custom trap of three snares, remote hats, and triggers, only compliment his energetic thrust of beats - for years an integral part of the percussive performing broadway show STOMP, Ivan makes his last name his definition … ‘a powerful force’, and Phil Guerrero, who aggressifies the delivery with guitars and back vocals - also popular for his appearance as a host on YTV, one of Canada's hottest youth shows. Various guest musicians take up residence to fill the fourth slot. Previous Razed In Black shows have featured members of Hate Dept, Soil & Eclipse, Dj Evil, Dj Ronnie E, Chris G, Shirley Dayton, and more. Key to the success of the shows are also Razed In Black's tour manager, Conor - exclusive piercer for the band and runs the best piercing shop in Hawaii, and Razed In Black's gear tech, Danny - who also happens to be Romell's long time bud. They're all from the islands and definitely deliver a show like no other.
Don't miss out! This is the year's freshest new music, with the first taste of what electronic bands will sound like in the next millenium. RAZED IN BLACK/TRANSMUTATOR - "Crawl into my world!"
Caught
Razed in Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't hold up the conversation
It's difficult to sympathize
My need to resuscitate intensifies
The bolt thrust sharp right between my eyes
Inside I crumble, perishing, intentionally, explicitly
There's nothing I can do
There's nothing I can do
4, 3, 2, 1, boom explosions
Deep inside my head
It feels as if a tank just fucking tore apart my insides
Sometimes I wish that I was dead
It's me who's ping ponging back and forth
Across this empty space
I'd rather be slammed by two
Than to take anymore
So what's the use
So what's the use
(so what's the use?)
I never said I'd take you down there
Never said I'd see it through
Yet shit just happens
I'll never know what fucking hell has put me through
I guess that I deserve the beating
The kind that's not intentional
Why must I do only things that please me
There's definitely no escape
I'm caught
Oh No!
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Oh No!
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Oh Oh No!
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Oh No!
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Oh Oh No!
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Oh No
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Oh No!
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Oh Oh No!
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
The song "Caught in 2-3" by Razed in Black seems to be about someone who is struggling with their emotions and feeling overwhelmed by them. The first verse describes the difficulty of holding up a conversation and sympathizing with others. The second verse is more intense, with explosions and the feeling of being torn apart inside. The repetition of "I'm caught in the middle" in the chorus suggests a feeling of being trapped and unable to escape.
The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is struggling to keep up with a conversation and connect with others. They feel like they can't sympathize or relate to the people they are talking to. This could be interpreted as a feeling of isolation or detachment from others. The images of crumbling and perishing suggest a feeling of defeat or hopelessness.
The second verse of the song is more intense, with vivid descriptions of explosions and being torn apart inside. The lines "It's me who's ping ponging back and forth/ Across this empty space" suggest a feeling of being trapped in a cycle of emotions that they can't escape. The singer would rather be slammed by two, which could be interpreted as preferring physical pain to emotional pain.
The chorus repeats the lines "I'm caught in the middle" multiple times, suggesting a feeling of being trapped or stuck. The line "Oh No!" adds emphasis to this feeling of being trapped and unable to escape.
Overall, the song seems to be about someone who is struggling with their emotions and feeling overwhelmed by them. The repetition of the phrase "I'm caught in the middle" throughout the song suggests a feeling of being trapped and unable to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Quiet, I'm thinking it's kind of difficult
I need to concentrate, it's challenging
I can't hold up the conversation
I'm struggling to communicate
It's difficult to sympathize
I can't understand or relate to others' feelings
My need to resuscitate intensifies
I'm desperately trying to revive something within me
The bolt thrust sharp right between my eyes
Something has hit me hard and unexpectedly
Inside I crumble, perishing, intentionally, explicitly
My emotions and thoughts are deteriorating rapidly
There's nothing I can do
I feel powerless and trapped
4, 3, 2, 1, boom explosions
My mind is chaotic and explosive
Deep inside my head
My thoughts are overwhelming and intense
It feels as if a tank just fucking tore apart my insides
I'm experiencing extreme physical and emotional pain
Sometimes I wish that I was dead
I'm struggling to find a reason to live
It's me who's ping ponging back and forth
I'm conflicted and indecisive
Across this empty space
I feel isolated and alone
I'd rather be slammed by two
I'd prefer physical pain over emotional pain
Than to take anymore
I can't handle anything else
So what's the use
I'm questioning the purpose and meaning of my struggles
I never said I'd take you down there
I didn't promise to lead someone into my pain
Never said I'd see it through
I didn't promise to overcome my struggles
Yet shit just happens
Life is unpredictable and unfair
I'll never know what fucking hell has put me through
I can't fully comprehend the extent of my suffering
I guess that I deserve the beating
I feel guilty and responsible for what I'm going through
The kind that's not intentional
I'm not deliberately harming myself
Why must I do only things that please me
I'm struggling with selfish tendencies
There's definitely no escape
My problems are inescapable
I'm caught
I'm trapped and unable to escape my pain
Oh No!
Expressing despair and desperation
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Reinforcing the feeling of being trapped
Oh Oh No!
Heightening the sense of hopelessness
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Repeating the feeling of being trapped
Oh No
Continued despair
[I'm caught, Caught in the middle]
Final repetition of being trapped and unable to escape
Oh No!
Final expression of despair and hopelessness
Oh Oh No!
Final emphasis on the depths of despair
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: CHRIS S. BOTTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind