English post-hardcore band SHVPES grew out of the demise of an earlier iteration when vocalist Griffin Dickinson came aboard in 2015. The band expanded from a metalcore sound into something closer to more aggressive alternative hard rock with touches of hip-hop on their 2016 debut full-length, Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair.
Birmingham band SHVPES existed first as Cytota, forming in late 2009 and remaining active with little fanfare until 2014. Made up of singer Joby Fitzgerald, bassist Oliver Pike, drummer Harry Jennings, and guitarists Ryan Hamilton and Youssef Ashraf, Cytota played a blend of post-hardcore and metalcore, releasing a single EP in 2012. In 2014, Fitzgerald left the group and was replaced by Griffin Dickinson. The band's new singer was coincidentally the son of Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
In a state of reshuffling, the band changed their name to SHVPES and began reworking their sound to include nods to hip-hop, nu metal, and alternative rock, sometimes including sections of rapping and DJ record-scratching theatrics in their new material. The band released several singles, beginning with 2015's "Shapes." Pike left the band to be replaced by Grant Leo Knight and they completed work on their 2016 LP, Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair. They toured extensively in Europe and the United States and returned in 2018 with second album Greater Than. ~ Fred Thomas, Rovi
On July 10, 2020, the band stated on their social media that they have disbanded and left on good terms with the rest of the band.
https://www.shvpes.com
Smoke & Mirrors
SHVPES Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is my way
Show me a sign
Sweep me away
This is my word,
Heartbreaker, gatekeeper
I'm feeling far away, I'm feeling right there
Deep in my heart, deep in my mind
Take me away, take me away
This is my word
Dream maker, life taker
Open up my mind
All I believe
Is it a dream
That comes crashing down on me
All that I hope
Is it just smoke and mirrors
I want to believe ohh oh oh oh oh oh oh
But all that I hope
Is it just smoke and mirrors
All that I've known
Buildings of stone
Fall to the ground
Without a sound
This is my word
Heart breaker, gatekeeper
I'm feeling far away, I'm feeling right there
I'm starting to cave
I'm losing my flame
I wanted your truth
But I wanted the pain
To disappear
Dream maker, life taker
Open up my mind
All I believe
Is it a dream
That comes crashing down on me
All that I hope
Is it just smoke and mirrors
I want to believe ohh oh oh oh oh oh oh
But all that I hope
Is it just smoke and mirrors
Believe
I want to believe...
All I believe
Is it a dream
That comes crashing down on me
All that I hope
Is it just smoke and mirrors
I want to believe ohh oh oh oh oh oh oh
But all that I hope
Is it just smoke and mirrors
The lyrics of SHVPES’s song “Smoke & Mirrors” reveal the mental struggles of the singer who craves to separate reality from illusion. The words in the first verse, “This is my word, This is my way, Show me a sign, Sweep me away,” suggests that the singer is searching for a sign that would take him away from his present predicament. He goes on to say, “Deep in my heart, Deep in my mind, Take me away, Take me away". These lyrics indicate that the singer feels trapped by his own thoughts and is desperate for a way out.
In the chorus, the lyrics, “All I believe, Is it a dream, That comes crashing down on me, All that I hope, Is it just smoke and mirrors, I want to believe,” suggest that the singer's own beliefs and hopes are being tested. He wonders if they are just illusions or mere “smoke and mirrors,” and ponders if everything he has known, including his dreams and beliefs, are mere illusions that could crash down on him at any time.
In the second verse, the lyrics “To disappear, Dream maker, life taker, Open up my mind,” indicate that the singer is almost at the point of giving up, yet he still holds onto hope that there is a way out. In essence, “Smoke & Mirrors” is a reflection of the many battles people face daily in trying to discern reality from delusion, and also confront the fears and doubts that prevent them from forging ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my word
I am claiming my identity and stating my truth
This is my way
I am expressing my personal path
Show me a sign
I am seeking guidance or validation
Sweep me away
I am looking for something to take me out of my current situation
Heartbreaker, gatekeeper
I am experiencing conflicting emotions and relationships
I'm feeling far away, I'm feeling right there
I am experiencing a sense of detachment and closeness simultaneously
Deep in my heart, deep in my mind
I am introspective and reflective
Take me away, take me away
I am seeking escape from my current reality
Dream maker, life taker
I am acknowledging the power of my desires and fears
Open up my mind
I am asking for a new perspective or insight
All that I hope, is it just smoke and mirrors
I am questioning the authenticity of my hopes and dreams
All that I've known, buildings of stone, fall to the ground, without a sound
I am realizing how fragile and impermanent the structures of my life really are
I'm starting to cave, I'm losing my flame
I am feeling weakened and depleted
I wanted your truth, but I wanted the pain to disappear
I am struggling with the uncomfortable truths in my life
Believe, I want to believe...
I am trying to hold onto hope and faith
All I believe, is it a dream, that comes crashing down on me
I am doubting the reality of my beliefs and experiences
I want to believe ohh oh oh oh oh oh oh
I am searching for something to hold onto
Writer(s): youssef ashraf, harry jennings, oliver pike, griffin dickinson, ryan hamilton
Contributed by Elliot N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.