1) Salem (sometimes stylized… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple acts with this name:
1) Salem (sometimes stylized in all caps or as S4LEM) is an American band from Traverse City, Michigan. Considered to be one of the pioneering acts in the witch house genre, Salem's sound contains elements of electronic, chopped and screwed, dark ambient, hip-hop, shoegaze, trap, and crunk. The band was formed in 2008 by Jack Donoghue, John Holland, and Heather Marlatt. They remained active up until 2012; releasing several mixtapes, EPs, singles, and remixes, as well as their debut studio album, King Night in 2010.
They briefly returned in 2016 on Wolfgang Tillmans' "Make It Up As You Go Along - Salem Remix", before another 4-year period of inactivity. In May 2020, Salem returned once again with another mixtape, Stay Down, and released their second studio album, Fires in Heaven in October that same year, 10 years after their debut.
A few weeks prior to the release of Stay Down, Marlatt posted a photo to her Instagram page, alleging that the other 2 members of the band were "attempting to force her out". She has not been featured on any of Salem's output since 2012.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1300441-SALEM-6
2) Salem, also known as Church of Salem, is a British goth/punk rock duo, comprised of Creeper frontman Will Gould and his long-time collaborator, Matt Reynolds. Formed in 2020, they are known for the self-titled Salem (2020) and Salem II (2021) EPs, as well as for the track Fall Out Of Love, which was featured in the 2022 film Scream.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2978796-Salem-14
3) Salem, formed in 1985, is one of the first Israeli metal bands. They are often considered to be the fathers of "oriental" metal, playing death/doom metal very early on in the global underground scene.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/461981-Salem-3
4) A post-hardcore band from Florida, formerly known as As Friends Rust, that was active from 2002 to 2005.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1331200-Salem-7
5) A Japanese heavy metal band that was active from 1984 to 1994.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2986449-Salem-15
6) A British heavy metal band.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2848875-Salem-13
Aphrodite
Salem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lively through this dark divide
Falling over ourselves,
I kiss the ground 'till the pain subsides
Staggering and stammered are these words,
Do we so speak loud enough to make sure we're heard?
The truth and the meaning are corrupt and deceiving from spite
And we've yet to determine who's right
[Chorus]
I'm trying - Screaming at the walls she's crying!
The tainted wings of a saint are hard to mend
Under the veil of this evening's pretense
Exact you bitterness and lay me out
On your bed of nails
Because the harder we try and the harder we push
Is the way that we fail
I've opened up my veins of thruth to you
Strafe the scars and the pain, now they're cut like new
Your trust is wanning
Caught in the rain and the blood is streaming
[Chorus]
The songwriter is describing the challenge of maintaining intimacy and connection in a difficult, uncertain relationship. Tender moments are seen as a test of strength, a way to overcome the darkness that threatens to divide the lovers. However, even in these moments of vulnerability, communication is still difficult. Words are stuttered and the truth is obscured by deception and spite. The singer is left trying to be heard, but their words only seem to cause more pain and tears.
The chorus highlights the difficulty of healing in a relationship that is tainted by past hurts and bitterness. It's as if the singer is calling out to their partner, desperately trying to repair the damage, but struggling because trust has been lost. The imagery of "tainted wings of a saint" suggests that even someone who is supposed to be pure and good can be affected by the pain of a broken relationship. The song ends on a note of despair, with the singer "caught in the rain" and bleeding, unable to find a way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Tender moments are a test to step
Vulnerability can be challenging to embrace and navigate
Lively through this dark divide
We must push through difficult times with energy and determination
Falling over ourselves,
We can become overwhelmed and lose control in trying times
I kiss the ground 'till the pain subsides
We may have to suffer in order to find peace and healing
Staggering and stammered are these words,
Communication can be difficult and ineffective in turmoil
Do we so speak loud enough to make sure we're heard?
We must strive to communicate clearly and honestly, even when it is difficult
The truth and the meaning are corrupt and deceiving from spite
The truth can be distorted by malicious intent
And we've yet to determine who's right
There may be no clear answer or resolution for our struggles
I'm trying - Screaming at the walls she's crying!
We may feel helpless in trying to alleviate another's pain
The tainted wings of a saint are hard to mend
Even those who are considered good and pure can be harmed
Under the veil of this evening's pretense
We may hide our true feelings and intentions behind a facade
Exact you bitterness and lay me out
We may provoke others to hurt us as a form of emotional self-harm
On your bed of nails
We may be willing to endure pain in order to feel alive
Because the harder we try and the harder we push
Sometimes our efforts can only lead to more frustration
Is the way that we fail
Our attempts to succeed can actually lead to our downfall
I've opened up my veins of thruth to you
I have shared my honest feelings and thoughts with you
Strafe the scars and the pain, now they're cut like new
Acknowledge and confront past trauma and hurt in order to begin healing
Your trust is wanning
You are losing faith in me
Caught in the rain and the blood is streaming
We are in the midst of emotional turmoil and suffering
I'm trying - Screaming at the walls she's crying!
We may feel helpless in trying to alleviate another's pain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind