Started in 2005, when longtime band-mates and friends Tom Vath (guitar/vocals) and Matt Nowakowski (keyboards/synthesizer) started a new band with Tom’s brother Tim (guitar). Rounding out the band are Jason Jendre (bass) and Joe Czekaj (drums).
Initially influenced by metal, hardcore, and metal-core bands like The Devil Wears Prada, Underoath, Chiodos, and Despised Icon, the musicians of Skies of December have since expanded their interests and listen to a variety of music, citing everything from Pink Floyd to country to techno as influences.
Tom acknowledges that to those unfamiliar with the genre, all metal music might start to sound the same, but says that Skies of December aims to write songs with a high energy and epic sound. He says they love translating this energy when playing live, and that “I like to write as if the song could fit into a movie, usually with a strong buildup to some kind of epic climax.”
What started as a fun after-school hobby has grown over the past seven years; Skies of December has maintained a constant presence in the Cleveland music scene since their formation. What’s their secret to sticking around for such a long time, when local music can be so fickle and fleeting? “We really respect and value our fans and love seeing everyone at shows,” says Tom. “We aren’t doing any of this to get signed or to make money; we really just love playing fun concerts. That is where all the practice and hard work pays off.”
From their Myspace: 'Unsigned band, Skies of December from Cleveland, OH came out on the east-coast/mid-west regional scene swinging a few years ago, and have played a countless amount of shows with notable acts such as... Attack Attack!, Gwen Stacy, Broadway, Let's Get it!, I See Stars, Miss May I, Burden of a Day, We Came as Romans, and many more.
Skies constantly leave fans more than satisfied with their creative, visually alluring live show, and addictive song structure. They have combined emotional singing melodies, with heavy music from day one, and the results are exceptional, and truly recognized by all listeners willing to give them a chance. After previous lineup complications, the band have come into their own with a very impressive new lineup, featuring members of various local acts.
The guys have more ambition than ever, and have taken things seriously by tracking all of their music with producer/engineer Joshua Wickman of Dreadcore Productions (Within the Ruins, Knights of the Abyss, All's Quiet, And Hell Followed With) and by shooting and releasing two music videos with the up and coming Jason Jendre of Amira Media Group.'
Members:
Evan Mull - Vocals
Tom Vath - Guitar/Vocals
Tim Vath - Guitar
Matt Nowakowski - Keyboard
Jason Jendre - Bass
Joe Czekaj - Drums
Josh - Guitar
Ryan Winnen - Drums
Greg Martinis - Bass/Vocals
Andy Evensen - Vocals
Ryan Winnen - Drums
Erich - Bass
Steve - Drums
Brian - Guitar
Descend
Skies of December Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are all better off dead.
You've kicked the very ground I've left for you in my face,
without a single price to pay.
I've spent years and years and years in suppression.
I may appear as a sad old man
but I have carried things that would
bring your generation to their knees.
You think you know what it's like to be a hero?
You wanna know what it's like to be a hero?
I will descend to change this heartless race.
The look of fear on every face.
You have yet to embrace the pain.
You've kicked the very ground I've left for
you in my face without a single price to pay.
Now it's time to wake up tonight.
We're getting closer this time and tonight we wont pray,
and tonight we wont break.
This is it! I have finished this.
You deserve every consequence.
There's no pity for malice.
The lyrics of Skies of December's song "Descend" deal with the theme of a person who has been sent by God to fix the ignorance of humanity. This person acknowledges that people are better off dead because they have not valued the things that were left for them. The individual talks about having gone through years of suppression and carrying burdens that would bring the younger generation to their knees. Despite appearing as a sad old man, the individual is aware of what it means to be a hero and prepares to descend to change the heartless race.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that people have kicked the very ground that they were left with, without a single price to pay. The individual urges people to embrace pain, wake up and prepare for the consequences of their actions. The hero descends to bring fear to the hearts of the people and change their ways. The person reinforces that there will be no pity for malice, and they are prepared to finish what they started.
Overall, the song's lyrics have a strong message that emphasizes how the actions of humanity can have consequences. The song highlights the idea that it is possible for someone to rise above oppression and become a hero for a cause. It is up to individuals to be aware of their actions and take responsibility for them.
Line by Line Meaning
God sent me to fix this ignorance.
I have been sent by God to help fix the ignorance and lack of understanding that exists.
You are all better off dead.
In your current state, it would be better for you to not exist.
You've kicked the very ground I've left for you in my face, without a single price to pay.
You have disrespected and taken for granted what I have provided for you, without any consequences.
I've spent years and years and years in suppression.
I have endured years of oppression and suppression.
I may appear as a sad old man but I have carried things that would bring your generation to their knees.
Despite my appearance, I have endured difficult challenges that would be overwhelming for your generation.
Pick yourself up.
You need to gather the strength and motivation to keep going.
You think you know what it's like to be a hero?
You believe that you understand what it means to be a hero?
You wanna know what it's like to be a hero?
Do you truly want to know what it means to be a hero?
I will descend to change this heartless race.
I will come to bring change and compassion to a race that has lost its heart and empathy.
The look of fear on every face.
The fear and dread felt by everyone is evident.
You have yet to embrace the pain.
You have not fully experienced the pain and difficulties necessary for growth and change.
Now it's time to wake up tonight.
It is time to become aware and take action.
We're getting closer this time and tonight we wont pray, and tonight we wont break.
We are coming closer to our goals and will not give up, even in the face of adversity.
This is it! I have finished this.
This is the end! I have completed what I set out to do.
You deserve every consequence.
You should face the repercussions of your actions.
There's no pity for malice.
There should be no mercy for those who have acted maliciously.
Contributed by Gavin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Johnathan Longoria
2020 still here listening to this godly track.
Peanut Wars
Haha I love you! This is still so goooood
lake erie bass hugger
Played baseball and grew up with the drummer Ryan pure talent behind the drums
Kyuu_T
2023 and that break down still goes hard. This song is amazing.
loveandthebullet
i really appreciate the fact that the clean vocalist has an original voice and not a typical high pitched emo voice like. this band is original in my book. this song is solid all the way through. GREAT transitions and just great song writing. i'm officially a fan!
grunt life
most amazing song ive found thus far need more bands like this
Kevin B
I've known about these guys for about a year now and they still don't disappoint me. Unlike some bands that have horrible albums... Cough cough ADTR's new album! Keep it up guys. And keep coming with the sick music videos.
Rakdos
Man, it's kinda crazy how much their new vocalist looks and sounds just like their bassist here who does the back-up screams: "this is it", "you deserve every consequence", and "there's no pity for malice". Oh wait, that's probably because that is who their current vocalist is. And you should really get out to a show now, because he just keeps getting better and better every time I see him. His range has improved vastly over what it was when he started filling in for Evan.
Derek White
Epic song, lyrics and talent are supreme as far as this song goes
Ben Pechacek
These guys need to get signed. So under rated