Rorschach was a hardcore band from New Jersey, United States, that existed … Read Full Bio ↴Rorschach was a hardcore band from New Jersey, United States, that existed from 1989 to 1993 and again from 2009 to 2012. Their blend of hardcore with dissonant extreme metal had influenced many later hardcore, powerviolence, and metalcore bands.

The first release by the band, Remain Sedate, shows the band's sound at a stage when they played fast, dissonant metalcore with raspy vocals. As the band progressed, they developed a slower, more sludge style sound that was influenced by New York band Swans. Vocals evolved into high-pitched screaming instead of shouting, due in part to voice problems Maggio was experiencing at the time. This change in sound can be heard on their second album, Protestant. Shortly after, the group disbanded, some members joining Deadguy and Kiss It Goodbye.

Rorschach has performed occasional reunion shows from 2009 through 2012. Decibel magazine inducted Protestant into their Hall of Fame. Rorschach's song "Pavlov's Dogs" is depicted in the 2012 film Zero Dark Thirty.

Impressions
Rorschach Lyrics

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We try to hide
Afraid to admit
Subconsciously
A crime we commit
Fear of conclusions
Others will make
Determines what
Shape it will take

Feeling cheap
Unworthy of praise
Feeling helpless
Don't surrender
To
Feelings of
Incompetency
Realization is all
Is all that will overcome
The powers
To which we have succumbed
Prying loose
I don't need your help
All I need was
To be myself
What you see is no concern of mine
A day will come when we will all be blind
To what others might see as progression

All I see is an attempt of
Impression

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, Rorschach seems to be exploring themes of insecurity, fear of judgment and the pressure to conform to society's expectations. The opening lines, "We try to hide, afraid to admit," suggest that the singer is struggling with something that they are ashamed of, possibly a sense of inadequacy or failure. The phrase "subconsciously, a crime we commit" suggests that they may be unconsciously perpetuating their own negative cycles of thought.

The next few lines touch on the fear of being judged by others, which can be paralyzing and ultimately prevent someone from being true to themselves. The lines "determines what shape it will take, feeling cheap, unworthy of praise" all speak to the concern of how others perceive us, and how this fear can hold us back from fully embracing our own unique qualities.

However, Rorschach seems to be urging the listener not to let these feelings of inadequacy or fear of judgment hold them back. The lines "don't surrender to, feelings of incompetency" suggest that the singer is encouraging the listener to rise above their own negative thoughts and embrace their own sense of self-worth. The final lines, "All I see is an attempt of Impression," suggest that the singer is rejecting the idea of conforming to societal expectations or trying to fit a certain mold, and instead encourages the listener to embrace their own unique identity.

Line by Line Meaning

We try to hide
We attempt to conceal

Afraid to admit
Fearful of confessing

Subconsciously
Unconsciously

A crime we commit
An offense we perpetrate

Fear of conclusions
Anxiety over deductions

Others will make
Those made by others

Determines what
Informs what

Shape it will take
Form it assumes

Feeling cheap
Sensing worthlessness

Unworthy of praise
Undeserving of admiration

Feeling helpless
Experiencing powerlessness