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.
Throw Up
Red Fang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will spill the blood
If the flies that you eat are tasting twice as sweet,
they came from rotting meat
If the skin on your teeth is drawing thin like a leaf,
and you are feeling weak
You can thank me
Feel the pain that you feel today, I know
It's a puzzle that we figure out
Take the hate and you spit it out
Take what's left and you let it in, let it in
Now the scum from the creek is filling up your cheeks,
and you can hardly speak
While the bones in your brain grind themselves away,
they will make you sane
If the steps of your path reflect your building wrath,
they will be your last
And you can thank me
You say what you gotta say, I know
Feel the pain that you feel today, I know
It's a puzzle that we figure out
Take the hate and you spit it out
Take what's left and you let it in, let it in
Got all the symptoms of decay
You see disease and look away
Begin the swarming from the caves
Burning the fields of amber waves
Raising the dead up from the grave
Amass an army of rotting slaves
The lyrics of the Red Fang song Throw Up suggest a character who is willing to go to extreme lengths to help someone else, even if it means resorting to violent or disgusting actions. The refrain suggests the singer is aware that they are being manipulated or taken advantage of by someone else ("You say what you gotta say, I know / Feel the pain that you feel today, I know"), but they do it anyway. There is also a sense of inevitability or fate, as reflected in the line "If the steps of your path reflect your building wrath, they will be your last." The use of violent imagery and bodily fluids ("blood," "flies," "rotting meat") creates an unsettling atmosphere, underscored by the pounding, distorted guitars and aggressive drums that drive the song.
The song could be interpreted as a commentary on the lengths people will go to in order to avoid or ignore the unpleasant realities of life, whether that's addiction, mental illness, or societal decay. The repeated refrain suggests that there is a cycle of pain and resentment that people get stuck in, but that there is also a way out ("Take what's left and you let it in, let it in"). The verses continue to paint vivid, visceral pictures of decay and destruction, suggesting that the consequences of ignoring or repressing these issues will be catastrophic. It's a grim, intense song that challenges listeners to confront the darker aspects of human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's blood that you need to make the pills go down,
If you require blood for medication, I will be the one to provide it.
I will spill the blood
I am willing to shed blood for your benefit.
If the flies that you eat are tasting twice as sweet,
If consuming flies brings you joy, it's because they came from decaying flesh.
they came from rotting meat
Those flies you eat derive from decomposing flesh.
If the skin on your teeth is drawing thin like a leaf,
When the enamel on your teeth starts to thin out, and you become frail.
and you are feeling weak
You begin to experience vulnerability.
You can thank me
I am responsible for your current state.
You say what you gotta say, I know
I understand your words, even if you're not directly telling me.
Feel the pain that you feel today, I know
Your present agony is palpable to me.
It's a puzzle that we figure out
We must decode and piece together the situation.
Take the hate and you spit it out
Reject negative emotions like anger and disdain.
Take what's left and you let it in, let it in
Accept the remaining positivity and imbibe it.
Now the scum from the creek is filling up your cheeks,
The filthy contents of the stream are filling your mouth.
and you can hardly speak
You're having trouble articulating words.
While the bones in your brain grind themselves away,
Your thought processes are deteriorating.
they will make you sane
These changes can lead to clarity of mind.
If the steps of your path reflect your building wrath,
If your actions showcase increasingly hostile intentions,
they will be your last
You could face dire consequences, perhaps even your own demise.
Got all the symptoms of decay
You show signs of deterioration.
You see disease and look away
You ignore or deny the unpleasant realities around you.
Begin the swarming from the caves
Undead creatures are emerging from their burial sites.
Burning the fields of amber waves
The crops in the fields are being scorched and destroyed.
Raising the dead up from the grave
The undead are being resurrected.
Amass an army of rotting slaves
An army of undead individuals is being assembled.
Contributed by Alyssa N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bullosx6919
If it's blood that you need to make the pills go down
I will spill the blood
If the flies that you eat are tasting twice as sweet
They came from rotting meat
If the skin on your teeth is drawing thin like a leaf
And you are feeling weak
You can thank me
You say what you gotta say, I know
Feel the pain that you feel today, I know
It's a puzzle that we figure out
Take the hate and you spit it out
Take what's left and you let it in, let it in
Now the scum from the creek is filling up your cheeks
And you can hardly speak
While the bones in your brain grind themselves away
They will make you sane
If the steps of your path reflect your building wrath
They will be your last
And you can thank me
You say what you gotta say, I know
Feel the pain that you feel today, I know
It's a puzzle that we figure out
Take the hate and you spit it out
Take what's left and you let it in, let it in
Got all the symptoms of decay
You see disease and look away
Begin the swarming from the caves
Burning the fields of amber waves
Raising the dead up from the grave
Amass an army of rotting slaves.
Loveee😍
@streetcleaner_0000
The world needs a band like Red Fang
@SHORTYITALIAN
That riff is EARTH SHATTERING!! I can just imagine them playing it and the world shaking and crumbling around them from the sheer power being produced.
@jerrybojorquez4544
They have a phenomenal live sound... Its sounds just like they are on CD Perfect sound as far as I'm concerned. I saw them last month here in California....
@c0smicharlie
Red Fang is just the perfect band.
@kronoz78
Riff @4:52 brought me here because it was stuck in my head all morning. If you see them live everyone in the crowd will start head banging during that part involuntarily...
@niteclydn
FUCK!!!!!! I've been playing in a band 15 years, I tell the guys "let's write some HEAVY shit" they say ok, then they start playing 1000 mph! I've shown them Red Fang and The Melvins so I can define what HEAVY means! I'm so glad we got bands like this that still bring the "doom heavy" shit. I dont know what's on the radio anymore, I don't bother with lame radio shit. Red Fang, you guys got what I've been searching for for years!!! You rock!!!
@bullosx6919
If it's blood that you need to make the pills go down
I will spill the blood
If the flies that you eat are tasting twice as sweet
They came from rotting meat
If the skin on your teeth is drawing thin like a leaf
And you are feeling weak
You can thank me
You say what you gotta say, I know
Feel the pain that you feel today, I know
It's a puzzle that we figure out
Take the hate and you spit it out
Take what's left and you let it in, let it in
Now the scum from the creek is filling up your cheeks
And you can hardly speak
While the bones in your brain grind themselves away
They will make you sane
If the steps of your path reflect your building wrath
They will be your last
And you can thank me
You say what you gotta say, I know
Feel the pain that you feel today, I know
It's a puzzle that we figure out
Take the hate and you spit it out
Take what's left and you let it in, let it in
Got all the symptoms of decay
You see disease and look away
Begin the swarming from the caves
Burning the fields of amber waves
Raising the dead up from the grave
Amass an army of rotting slaves.
Loveee😍
@AmosPerry
Saw them the other night at the white owl social club, was fucking amazing. You wouldn't think they could be any better, but live they are. Rock on Red Fang
@azombiestool
I sat front row for them just last night.. this was the second song in their set. SO bad ass. WOW. I was a huge fan before, but now Im just full blast number 1!
@jimbo2346
If Red Fang were to tour with the Melvins, the heaviness may just crush everyone in the crowd.