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.
Sharks
Red Fang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's still too soon to have to choose a brighter doom
It′s hard to believe but I can see
How there could be so little left to lose
(Cracking open skulls like cans of beans on Christmas Eve)
Mama's not okay
She lights a candle for every day that you're away
Her final act of grace
In a pointless, endless race
Kid, you′re under fire
Your life is coming down to the wire
Maybe you′ll take the captains hand
Carry his ship through burning sands
Cradle your rifle like a man
Mama, she says: No way
She's lost it all, so you′ve got to stay to make her pay
She knows the fiend upon the throne's a goddamn sucker for the stone
Till the day he dies alone
Succumb
Succumb
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Succumb
Red Fang's song "Sharks" has striking lyrics that paint a vivid picture of desperation, fear, and determination. The song opens with a message to a younger person to maintain their composure because it's too early to accept an unfortunate fate. The lyrics suggest that the world may appear bleak, but there's still hope, and one should hold on to that. The imagery of cracking open skulls is violent and disturbing, and it portrays the cruel reality of the world. It could signify how easily people can lose their lives, just like cracking open cans of beans.
The second verse is about a mother's agony about her child's absence, and the only solace she gets is by lighting a candle for every day that the child is not around. However, today could be the day where she ultimately snaps out of sheer frustration and burns everything down. In her mind, it's the only escape she has from the constant pain, but it's also her way of making her pain felt. It represents her final act of grace, as it's a hopeless and meaningless race.
The following verse is about a soldier who is faced with a life-threatening situation. At this point, he has to decide whether to give up or take up the challenge and fight. The soldier is left with no other choice but to hold on and fight his way through it because cradling his rifle is the only way to survive. The chorus talks about letting go and giving in to the fear, which is understandable given the bleakness of the situation. However, it's better to remain steadfast and fight to survive at all cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Kid, don't lose your cool
Don't panic or get stressed out, keep a level head
It's still too soon to have to choose a brighter doom
You're not in a position to make a better choice, the options are still bleak
It's hard to believe but I can see, how there could be so little left to lose
Things are bad, and it's tough to imagine that they could get worse, but there's not much left to lose
Cracking open skulls like cans of beans on Christmas Eve
An extremely violent and graphic image of brutality
Mama's not okay
The artist's mother is struggling or upset
She lights a candle for every day that you're away
The mother misses her child and is praying for their return
Today could be the one she burns the mother fucker down
Today could be the one when she takes revenge/justice against an aggressor/oppressor
Her final act of grace, in a pointless, endless race
The mother's revenge may provide her peace, but it seems futile in the grand scheme of things
Kid, you're under fire
You're in trouble or danger
Your life is coming down to the wire
Your life is in a precarious situation and time is running out
Maybe you'll take the captain's hand
Perhaps you'll take control of your situation and lead yourself to safety
Carry his ship through burning sands
Metaphor for leading a group/crew through a difficult/loss-filled time
Cradle your rifle like a man
Steady and prepare yourself for the difficult task ahead
Mama, she says: No way
The mother does not approve of taking risks
She's lost it all, so you've got to stay to make her pay
The mother is grieving and wants the singer to stay close to punish those who have wronged them
She knows the fiend upon the throne's a goddamn sucker for the stone, till the day he dies alone
Likely a political commentary of an oppressive leader, who will remain obsessed with acquiring material wealth until they die alone
Succumb
To give in or submit to a greater power or force
Succumb
To give in or submit to a greater power or force
Succumb
To give in or submit to a greater power or force
Succumb
To give in or submit to a greater power or force
Succumb
To give in or submit to a greater power or force
Succumb
To give in or submit to a greater power or force
Succumb
To give in or submit to a greater power or force
Writer(s): Maurice Bryan Giles, David Sullivan, John Bryant Sherman, Aaron Beam
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.