Formed in late 2004 by guitarist Mike Sullivan and bassist Colin DeKuiper (both formerly of another instrumental band Dakota/Dakota), they quickly recruited Dave Turncrantz, formerly of St. Louis band Riddle of Steel. In 2007 DeKuiper departed the band and Brian Cook (These Arms Are Snakes and Botch) took on the role of bass player for the writing and recording of their newest album, entitled Station, recorded in Seattle with Producer Matt Bayles.
Station was released on May the 6th, 2008 on Suicide Squeeze Records.
On October 20th, 2009, the band released their third album entitled Geneva The album featured the same lineup as Station, with Brian Cook taking a much larger role in the writing and creation of the album. Brian Cook described the band's take on the new album being "less concerned with making sure we could replicate the material live as we were with making a compelling album."
In 2011, Russian Circles signed to Sargent House who had previously only exclusively released the band's albums on limited edition vinyl. Their fourth studio album Empros was released on October 25, 2011. A supporting tour with Deafheaven followed the release. In May, 2013 the group began recording their fifth studio album, produced by Brandon Curtis. Memorial was released at the end of October 2013 and featured a guest-vocal by Chelsea Wolfe. Together they embarked on a co-headlining UK/European tour in the fall.
Death Rides A Horse
Russian Circles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
60 Second Wipe Out
The Death Of A President D.i.y.!
Pussycat pussycat! kill! kill! kill! (x4)
How far can we go? kill! kill! kill! (x2)
Pussycat pussycat! kill! kill! kill! (x2)
Kill! kill! kill! how far can we go?
Kill! kill! kill!
We bring the chaos to your house!
It's a death trap!
My life? - your life? what you gonna do?
We don't scream for total control!
Just a start but we move fast!
And if you steal this record... we don't care!
And if you buy this record... be aware!
They want to cut an advert out of your dreams!
No! what do you say? no! what do you say?
Cleaned up - be polite... quickly mainstreamed...
It's so dumb, man!
The atari no-culture's spreading like fire!
Faced up! destroy the buy out...
Some like it hot and some are too cool -
Moaning about - creating rules -
We try to survive in a society
That coordinated lives like files!
Wipe out! no more criticism -
Everybody's trying to get out...
If you denounce me i put the gun up your mouth -
Take you out! and do it loud!
The death of a president! d.i.y.!
Cute execution but i won't go
Another exemption won't free me!
The illusion grows that we ain't exist...
Your suicide attempt glows in the dark...
The death of a president! the death of a president! d.i.y.!
The death of a president! the death of a president! d.i.y.!
The death of a president! d.i.y.! (x6)
The death - the death of a president...
Kill! kill! kill! (x11)
The death of a president!
The death of a president! d.i.y.! (x6)
How far can we go?
Just a start but we move fast!
Spread like fire! faced up... spread like fire! faced up...
Destroy the buy out - destroy it now...
Destroy the buy out - destroy it now...
Take my eyes out of my head. take my eyes out of my head...
I can't take it anymore...
The illusion grows... that we ain't exist
The illusion grows... that we ain't exist
Everybody's trying to get out!
Can you help?
How far can you go!
I can't take it anymore! i can't take it anymore! [?]
The lyrics of "Death Rides A Horse" by Russian Circles are not related to the song by Atari Teenage Riot titled with the same name. Instead, it is an instrumental piece with no vocals. It's a heavy and hypnotic song that builds up slowly and reaches its climax through the interplay of bass, drums, and guitar. The song title is borrowed from an Italian Spaghetti Western film of the same name.
The track starts with a simple bass riff that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The drums gradually come in, adding momentum to the track, and the guitars enter after a minute, building up the intensity. The song's second half features an extended guitar solo that pushes the song to its climax.
The lack of vocals allows the listener to create their interpretation of the song's meaning. Some people hear a journey through life or death, others a metaphor for relationships, and some hear nothing more than a temporarily captivating instrumental.
Line by Line Meaning
Atari Teenage Riot
The band name, an allusion to chaos and rebellion.
60 Second Wipe Out
The title of their album reflecting their explosive sound and fast-paced style.
The Death Of A President D.i.y.!
A reference to punk ethos of DIY, taking control, and challenging authority.
Pussycat pussycat! kill! kill! kill! (x4)
A provocative and violent expression of rebellion against complacency and conformity.
How far can we go? kill! kill! kill! (x2)
Challenging the limits of social norms and expectations with aggression and chaos.
Pussycat pussycat! kill! kill! kill! (x2)
Repeating the violent phrase to emphasize its subversive power.
Kill! kill! kill! how far can we go?
Asking how much destruction and anarchy they can cause before being stopped.
We bring the chaos to your house!
Taking their aggressive message and sound directly to people's homes.
It's a death trap!
Warning that their message and influence can be dangerous and subversive.
My life? - your life? what you gonna do?
Questioning the choices and actions of individuals under oppressive social conditions.
We don't scream for total control!
Rejecting the idea of absolute authority and advocating for greater freedom and autonomy.
Just a start but we move fast!
Acknowledging the long road ahead, but insisting on quick and aggressive action.
And if you steal this record... we don't care!
Rejecting traditional notions of ownership and copyright, asserting their resistance to commercial and capitalist norms.
And if you buy this record... be aware!
Warning that their message and influence can be dangerous and subversive, requiring full commitment and action from listeners.
They want to cut an advert out of your dreams!
Condemning the commercialization of art and the suppression of individuality by media and advertising.
No! what do you say? no! what do you say?
Rejecting and resisting the capitalist and conformist messages of mass media and advertising.
Cleaned up - be polite... quickly mainstreamed...
Challenging the sanitization and homogenization of culture by commercial media and corporate interests.
It's so dumb, man!
Mocking the ignorance and superficiality of mainstream culture and media.
The atari no-culture's spreading like fire!
Celebrating the widespread and subversive influence of punk culture and rebellion.
Faced up! destroy the buy out...
Encouraging rebellion against commercial and capitalistic interests by exposing and opposing their influence.
Some like it hot and some are too cool -
Acknowledging the diverse and varying attitudes towards rebellion and subversion.
Moaning about - creating rules -
Challenging the stifling and oppressive rules and norms of society and culture that seek to limit individuality and expression.
We try to survive in a society That coordinated lives like files!
Describing the oppressive and conformist nature of modern society and how it seeks to homogenize and control individual expression.
Wipe out! no more criticism -
Advocating for the destruction of oppressive social norms and the end of criticism of rebellion and subversion.
Everybody's trying to get out...
Recognizing the shared desire to break free of oppressive social conditions and norms.
If you denounce me i put the gun up your mouth -
Asserting the power and aggression of rebellion against critics and opponents.
Take you out! and do it loud!
Promising to violently and triumphantly eliminate opposition to rebellion and subversion.
The death of a president! d.i.y.!
An allusion to rebellion and subversion, and a call for DIY resistance against oppressive social conditions and authority.
Cute execution but i won't go Another exemption won't free me!
Rejecting oppressive authority and calling for resistance, despite the cute or sophisticated means of resistance.
The illusion grows that we ain't exist...
Challenging the dehumanization and denigration of individuals and groups that resist authority and conformity.
Your suicide attempt glows in the dark...
A metaphor for the subversive and dangerous nature of resistance against oppressive authority.
The death - the death of a president...
A repeated expression of the subversive and revolutionary nature of rebellion against authority and social norms.
Kill! kill! kill! (x11)
A repeated, violent call for rebellion and subversion against authority and social norms.
The death of a president!
A final expression of the subversive and revolutionary power of rebellion and resistance against authority.
Contributed by Natalie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
rulyhyperion82
My parents played this album at the hospital. I was born right after this, on the song "Enter". My dad tells me I came out because of how awesome this song was.
True story.
MathCorp. Depression Enterprises
Yeah I was the dad
シグレ-Shigure-
you're born like less than 15years ago then ?
Halfdream Music
I can't find words to describe how epic this song is.
Moe Jartin
9 years makes me sad. I got into these guys a couple years ago but it still feels so fresh to me. These guys' energy is eternal
Willie G
this band is awesome and the fact that they are instrumental is awesome and they should stay that way if they want. but adding vocals to music is just like adding another instrument. it wont completely ruin a band and it wouldn't make them so much better it is just adding another instrument.
nuynobi
The transition starting around 5:05 is totally rad! I wish they went somewhere with it.
Kellen Packard
I absolutely love the tapping that starts at around 2:28!
samlovemetal
Fuck I like this. I imagine this is what my band would sound like if I had any talent.
Kirill Dementyev
its not question of talent. You just need to keep up the hard work, for a real long time~ And really love what you doing (=