Red Fang, formed in 2005, are a Portland, Oregon based Sludge Metal four-piece consisting of Aaron Beam on bass, Brian Giles on guitars, David Sullivan on guitars, and John Sherman on drums. Both Beam and Giles frequently split lead vocals, as well as Sullivan providing back-up vocals on their acclaimed first and also self-titled album; ‘Red Fang’ (2009). The album, the only of the band’s released on Sargent House Records features songs such as the opener “Prehistoric Dog,” “Humans Remain Human Remains,” and “Night Destroyer.” The album; with heavy bass lines and interesting time signatures was a success among the Doom Community, combining Doom with a faster element derived from Punk, as well as elements of Progressive Metal, Red Fang were just starting their journey.
The band’s motto, ‘Tour To Live,’ is more of a lifestyle, their regular diet consisting of countless cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and crappy gas station grub and fast food; and the lifestyle shines through in their music. With roaring riffs and unique time signatures Red Fang released their second effort, ‘Murder The Mountains,’ their first on Relapse Records in 2011. Featuring songs like the album opener “Malverde,” “Wires,” and “The Undertow,” the album was the band’s second success.
2013 would see ‘Whales and Leeches," also released on Relapse Records. It’s worth nothing that Whales and Leeches was also the title of a track on the band’s first album, while Murder The Mountains became the title of a bonus track on Whales and Leeches. With songs like “1516,” “Dawn Rising,” “No Hope,” and “DOEN,” the band provided crushing riffs and the choicest of Doom for the third time. The album also features Mike Scheidt on vocals on “Dawn Rising;” Mike Scheidt is the vocalist and guitarist for YOB, also an Oregon based Doom Band.
Good To Die
Red Fang Lyrics
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I think I got a reason, and I'll piss in your sky
I think I got a reason, I think I don't try
I think I got a reason, and I'm ready to die
Winters come and the sun hasn't shown his face it all
Every time that he wakes medicates with alcohol
He's depressed, it's the best time of year to end it all
I think I got a reason, I don't think I don't try
I think I got a reason, and I'm ready to die
Winters here kick it off with a cough and a cigarette
Your poor bodies done, dying lungs, spewing blackened breath
Go ahead take a drink if you think it will ease your mind
You knew it never could, does it feel really good to die? Yeah.....
That which was never good, will never good go bad
That which was never good, will never good go bad
Best thing you never had
The lyrics of Red Fang's "Good To Die" convey a sense of hopelessness and desperation, as the singer feels that they have a reason to die and are ready to take their life. The lines "I think I got a reason, and I'll piss in your sky" indicate a defiance towards others' expectations and a desire to take control of one's own fate. The following verses paint a bleak picture of winter, a symbol of death and barrenness, which exacerbates the singer's depressed state. The use of substances like alcohol and drugs, mentioned in lines like "meditates with alcohol" and "take a half dozen pills plus a fifth that equals problem solved," show a coping mechanism, albeit a destructive one.
Overall, the lyrics of "Good To Die" communicate a sense of nihilism and a desire to escape the pains of life through death. The repetition of the line "I think I got a reason, and I'm ready to die" underscores the finality of the decision to end one's life and the determination that the singer feels. The song, despite its dark themes, provokes reflection on the fragility of life and the importance of seeking help during times of crisis.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I got a reason, I don't think I don't try
I believe there's a motive behind my actions, although it may seem like I'm not exerting much effort
I think I got a reason, and I'll piss in your sky
I have a justifiable cause, and I'll make my presence known boldly
I think I got a reason, I think I don't try
I feel like there's a purpose to what I'm doing, but it may not require much exertion from my part
I think I got a reason, and I'm ready to die
I am confident that I have a worthy reason, and I'm even prepared to give up my life for it
Winters come and the sun hasn't shown his face it all
Winter season has arrived, and the sun has been absent completely
Every time that he wakes medicates with alcohol
Every time he wakes up, he resorts to alcohol as a form of medication
He's depressed, it's the best time of year to end it all
He's feeling down, and he believes winter is the ideal time to take his own life
Take a half dozen pills plus a fifth that equals problem solved
He intends to consume six pills in addition to one-fifth of alcohol to solve his problems
Winters here kick it off with a cough and a cigarette
Winter's arrival is signaled with a cough and a cigarette
Your poor bodies done, dying lungs, spewing blackened breath
Your body is giving up, your lungs are failing, and you're exhaling polluted breath
Go ahead take a drink if you think it will ease your mind
You can have a drink if you believe it will bring you peace of mind
You knew it never could, does it feel really good to die? Yeah.....
Deep down, you know it won't help, so does dying truly make you happy?
That which was never good, will never good go bad
Something that was never good in the first place can never turn out proper
That which was never good, will never good go bad
Something that wasn't good before can never be good later on
Best thing you never had
The best thing you could have ever done is not having anything to do with it
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.