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
Slave
Salem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Worship our land
Practice diminished
Slaves of the free world
Man made hunger
Bile and vulgar
Kneel
In the shadow of your mysterious death
Slave new world
In the shadow of your mysterious death
Dead man standing
Old man on his knees
Ragged glory
Evil breeds
Strapped by the angels
Freed by hate
Murder spree
Drop your gods and your primitive religion
Worship our land
Practice diminished
Slaves of the free world
Man made hunger
Bile and vulgar
Kneel
Brave new world
In the shadow of your mysterious death
Slave new world
In the shadow of your mysterious death
The song "Slave" by Salem is a dark and powerful commentary on the horrors of modern society. The lyrics are full of imagery that portrays the cruelty and degradation of life, which are often masked behind a veil of sophisticated culture and technology. The opening line, "Drop your gods and your primitive religion," is a strong denunciation of traditional beliefs and customs that have been passed down through generations. It suggests that people have lost faith in their gods and are looking for new ways to find fulfillment.
The next line, "Worship our land," refers to the notion that people are more connected to their physical surroundings than to any spiritual force. The repeated phrase "slaves of the free world" implies that despite the apparent freedom society offers, we are still trapped in a system of oppression that has been constructed by those who hold power. The following lines, "Man made hunger, bile and vulgar, kneel," allude to the dehumanization and suffering that are widespread in contemporary times.
The tenuous nature of existence in this world is further emphasized in the chorus that repeats the lines "Brave new world, in the shadow of your mysterious death, slave new world, in the shadow of your mysterious death." Here, the song contrasts the notion that the world is advancing and progressing, with the underlying truth that death and destruction continue to follow man's footsteps. The imagery of "Dead man standing," "old man on his knees," and "evil breeds" creates a sense of dread and despair.
Overall, the song offers a visceral description of the modern world, as seen through the lens of a dystopian society, where power and oppression have taken over from traditional values and beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop your gods and your primitive religion
Reject your outdated beliefs and traditional religions
Worship our land
Show reverence and respect for nature and the environment
Practice diminished
Embrace minimalism and reject excess and consumerism
Slaves of the free world
Despite being a part of a 'free' society, we are still slaves to societal norms and expectations
Man made hunger
Human actions and greed are responsible for famine and starvation
Bile and vulgar
The world is full of hatred and disgusting behavior
Kneel
Submit to the harsh reality that materialism and societal constructs have created
Brave new world
A future that appears to be full of potential and progress
In the shadow of your mysterious death
The uncertainty of the future and the unknown that awaits us
Slave new world
A future where we are even more enslaved than before
Dead man standing
Someone who is barely alive, just going through the motions of life
Old man on his knees
A symbol of weakness and submission to authority
Ragged glory
The beauty and value of life, even in its imperfect form
Evil breeds
Hate and negativity continue to perpetuate more of the same
Strapped by the angels
Feeling trapped by societal expectations and beliefs
Freed by hate
Hate and anger can lead to a sense of liberation
Murder spree
A metaphor for the destructive and violent nature of humanity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind