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
Symbiosis
Salem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So intent to fulfill the prophecy
Maternal recession
Into infancy
Undividable grip
Irreversible lock
Alone I die
Your warm embraces - release me
Devide me not - erase me
Ours are sister souls - for we are one
I am the seed within - devour me
Make one move
Just one step
And I 'm torn apart
I 'm torn apart
Slow descent towards dependency
So intent to fulfill the prophecy
Maternal recession
Into infancy
Undividable grip
Irreversible lock
Alone I die
Symbiosis
In Salem's song "Symbiosis", the artist is exploring the theme of dependency in relationships, specifically in the context of a mother-child dynamic. The lyrics describe a slow descent towards dependency, where the person is feeling increasingly reliant on someone else to survive. They are intent on fulfilling the prophecy of this symbiotic relationship, where they are locked in an undividable grip. The maternal recession mentioned can be interpreted as a regression into an infantile state, where the person loses their autonomy and independence.
The lyrics also touch upon the theme of sacrifice, where the singer is willing to give up their individuality to become one with the other person. They describe themselves as the seed within, willing to be devoured by the other person. However, they also express a desire to be released from this relationship, fearing that it will consume them entirely. They are torn apart by the conflicting emotions of wanting to be free and wanting to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Overall, the song poses a powerful commentary on the dangers of codependency in relationships and the desire to maintain individuality within those relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Slow descent towards dependency
Gradual decline towards reliance
So intent to fulfill the prophecy
Determined to fulfill the prediction
Maternal recession
Motherly withdrawal
Into infancy
Returning to a state of infancy
Undividable grip
Unbreakable hold
Irreversible lock
Lock that cannot be opened
Alone I die
I will die alone
Symbiosis
Mutual dependence
Your warm embraces - release me
Your affection suffocates me
Devide me not - erase me
Don't separate me, just eliminate me
Ours are sister souls - for we are one
Our souls are connected, we are a single entity
I am the seed within - devour me
I am the source of this relationship, consume me
Make one move
Take one action
Just one step
Only one movement
And I 'm torn apart
And I will be destroyed
I 'm torn apart
I will be destroyed
Contributed by Liliana D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.