Doubtlessly the band’s hardest hitting effort to date, 'Based On A True Story' easily meets the high quality of its predecessor and offers tons of soon-to-be-classic hardcore hymns like 'Dominated', 'Long As She’s Standing', 'The Divide' and 'Lowest Common Denominator. It features the most catchy and powerful material the band has ever written. It’s astonishing to see the band still boiling with rage at a world gone wrong and successfully transforming this natural and honest aggressiveness into hardcore hits. Two decades of experience as skilful songwriters, endless touring, plus an undying hardcore spirit make SICK OF IT ALL anno 2010 sound stronger and more determined than ever. 'Based On A True Story' is undeniable proof that the quartet is simply unstoppable and unrivalled within the hardcore scene in terms of quality and sheer impact.
Formed during 1986 in Queens, the band released their first self-titled EP on Revelation Records and began to accumulate a strong local following by playing famous clubs like CBGBs ('A Month Of Sundays' actually pays tribute to these glorious days at this legendary venue). Soon after, the band released their first full-length record 'Blood Sweat And No Tears' on In-Effect Records. Often revolving around politics, social injustices and life on the streets of New York, the band wore their heart on their sleeve and made no apologies, often including threads of positivity. When their second album 'Just Look Around' was released in 1992, it was a benchmark for the band and the New York hardcore scene, and kicked off their globe-trotting expansion with tours in Europe, South America and Japan. They released their breakthrough album 'Scratch The Surface' in 1994 on Atlantic, followed by the seminal album 'Built To Last' in 1997. After releasing three albums on Fat Wreck Chords, as well as a live album and a collection of rarities, the band took on the challenge to push themselves further. 'Death To Tyrants' was the band’s first cooperation with Century Media and was mixed by renowned metal producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Dark Tranquillity,) adding a refreshingly heavy edge to the band’s trademark NYHC sound. 'Death To Tyrants' was extremely well received by media and fans alike and followed up with three years of relentless touring.
The new album was also recorded with Tue Madsen, this time at Starstruck Studios in Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark, resulting in a massive metallic heaviness which increases the punch and drive of the new opus. Craig Ahead (bass) comments: “The end result of our three and a half weeks in the studio is something that we are all very proud of. An album that is pure SICK OF IT ALL and will stand up against any of our previous work and I believe raises the bar to a new standard. I hope you enjoy our offerings. We look forward to its release so we can again stomp the world. See you on tour!“ To walk the talk, the band plays a European tour with Dropkick Murphys in January/February 2010, followed by a UK run with AFI in April. More festival shows and touring activities are in the works.
'Based On A True Story' is another sonic statement that SICK OF IT ALL are an institution of hardcore. Their longevity and conviction has kept the band’s reputation untarnished and legendary. As Metal Hammer (UK) puts it: “SICK OF IT ALL – despite their ever-increasing age and fierce competition – are still the finest spokesmen for hardcore’s social conscience and values”, and this new release will allow them to maintain this leading position for many years to come!
The Reason
Sick of It All Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Defiant to the last - it's my life
Forged our own way outside the lines
For reasons they'll never understand
Sacrificed. considered great
Never crossed our minds - it's my life
Freedom to stand or fall
Our destiny is solely in our hands
no. this is not a joke
Or a stepping stone
Or some passing fad
Flows through our heart and soul
Some will never know
What they could have had
too late. no turning back
Wouldn't even try - it's my life
Live through the joy and pain
The blood. the sweat
This is our life
We all want a reason. a reason to exist
We all want a purpose in life - well we found this
The curse the darkness put out the light
To be a constant thorn in their side
To pull the blinders from your eyes
It might do nothing but at least we try
no. this is not a joke
Or a stepping stone
Or some passing fad
Flows through our heart and soul
Some will never know
What they could have had
It's my life
The lyrics of Sick of It All's song "The Reason" speak of the determination and defiance of outcasts who have found their purpose and passion in life. The first verse talks about the feeling of never fitting in and being defiant until the end. The outcasts have chosen to live life on their own terms and have forged their own path outside of traditional norms. The sacrifices they made were never considered great because it was all a part of their life's purpose. They have complete freedom to succeed or fail on their own terms, and their destiny is their own.
The chorus emphasizes that their purpose in life is not a passing fad or joke. It flows through their hearts and souls, and there are some who will never understand the passion they feel. The second verse speaks about the commitment to their purpose, even if it means there is no turning back. They will live through the joys and the pains that come with it, and it is all a part of their life. The outcasts found their reason to exist and it is their purpose in life, that helps them pull the blinders off of others’ eyes.
Overall, the song speaks of the drive and perseverance of people who are living their lives with purpose. It highlights those who might be seen as outcasts for living their lives outside of traditional norms and the determination they carry to achieve their goals. The message is that everyone needs a reason to exist, and this song is an anthem for those who have found it.
Line by Line Meaning
Outcast. never fitting in
Always feeling like an outsider, never belonging
Defiant to the last - it's my life
Being rebellious and unyielding, refusing to conform to society's expectations
Forged our own way outside the lines
Creating our own path and breaking free from conventional norms
For reasons they'll never understand
Having personal motivations that others cannot comprehend
Sacrificed. considered great
Enduring hardships and struggles that are often praised but not fully understood
Never crossed our minds - it's my life
Never considering giving up on our own life choices, always remaining firm in our convictions
Freedom to stand or fall
Having the liberty to succeed or fail on our own terms
Our destiny is solely in our hands
Being in control of our own future, with our own decisions shaping it
no. this is not a joke
This is not a trivial matter or a source of amusement
Or a stepping stone
This is not just a temporary means to some other end
Or some passing fad
This is not a fleeting trend or a temporary fashion
Flows through our heart and soul
This is something that deeply resonates with us and is a fundamental part of who we are
Some will never know
Some people will never understand or appreciate our perspective
What they could have had
The sense of purpose and fulfillment that we have found in our lives
too late. no turning back
There is no going back on the path that we have chosen, and perhaps it is too late for those who did not choose this path
Wouldn't even try - it's my life
Not willing to even attempt to follow our lead, because it is our personal journey to carve out
Live through the joy and pain
Experiencing the highs and lows of life, and finding purpose in both
The blood. the sweat
Enduring and persevering through the hardships that come with striving towards a goal
We all want a reason. a reason to exist
Expressing the universal human desire to find a sense of meaning and purpose in our lives
We all want a purpose in life - well we found this
Affirming that we have found our individual meaning and purpose, in the face of those who may not understand
The curse the darkness put out the light
Acknowledging that negative forces can often dim our sense of clarity and purpose
To be a constant thorn in their side
Embracing the role of being deliberately provocative to oppositional forces which dismiss our choices and way of life
To pull the blinders from your eyes
Encouraging others to see things from our point of view and awaken to the possibilities of unique forms of meaning and purpose
It might do nothing but at least we try
Acknowledging that the impact of our actions may be small, but iterating the value of making the effort nonetheless, however futile the gesture may seem in the moment.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
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