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
Traxx
Salem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beyond the earth
But come down
No sabbath
I'm a sinner
Cast me out
Take my manna
I′m not there
They have my woman
I'm not where
They have my woman
You'll save me
When its over
So save me
Pay my murderer
I′m a sinner
Cast me out
Take my manna
They will learn
I′m not there
They have my woman
I'm not where
They have my woman
The lyrics of Salem's song "Traxx" evoke a sense of confrontation and defiance. The opening lines "You say you’re beyond the earth, but come down, no sabbath" suggest a challenge to someone who claims to be superior or otherworldly, but is called out for not practicing what they preach. It sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the singer seems to be standing up against hypocrisy and false righteousness.
The repeated refrain "I'm a sinner, cast me out, take my manna" conveys a sense of self-awareness and acceptance of one's own flaws and sins. The singer seems willing to face judgment and punishment for their actions, acknowledging their own shortcomings. The reference to manna, the food that sustained the Israelites in the Bible, could symbolize a plea for sustenance or forgiveness in the face of guilt and wrongdoing.
The lines "They will learn, I'm not there, they have my woman, I'm not where, they have my woman" introduce themes of betrayal and loss. The singer seems to be expressing a sense of abandonment or betrayal by those close to them, particularly highlighting the loss of a woman who may have been taken away or deceived. There is a sense of vulnerability and helplessness in these lines, as if the singer is left to deal with the consequences of their actions alone.
The closing lines "You'll save me when it's over, so save me, pay my murderer" offer a glimpse of redemption and a plea for deliverance. Despite the acknowledgment of sin and guilt earlier in the song, there is still a hope for salvation or forgiveness. The mention of paying the murderer could suggest a desire for justice or retribution, hinting at a complex mix of emotions and motivations driving the singer's actions. Overall, "Traxx" by Salem delves into themes of sin, betrayal, redemption, and the complexities of human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you're
Claiming to be something you're not
Beyond the earth
Exceeding earthly boundaries or limitations
But come down
Eventually revealing true intentions or nature
No sabbath
No rest or peace
I'm a sinner
Acknowledging personal flaws or wrongdoings
Cast me out
Pushed away or rejected by others
Take my manna
Stealing or depriving of essential nourishment
They will learn
Others will eventually understand or discover the truth
I'm not there
Physically absent or missing
They have my woman
Someone else has taken away someone important to me
You'll save me
Expecting salvation or rescue
When its over
When a situation or ordeal has ended
So save me
A plea for help or deliverance
Pay my murderer
Seeking justice or retribution for wrongdoing against me
Writer(s): Heather Marie Marlatt, John Alexander Holland, John Merlo Donoghue
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.