There aren't many words to describe the live show that Solipsist puts on for their fans. Some call it scary, intense, or even terrifying. This is because the guys in Solipsist are out to prove one thing...that real metal is alive and well in NE Ohio. Formed from the remnants of bands Belligerent and Amentia, Solipsist is out to bring the pain back to Cleveland metal.
Noah Buchanan's (ex-AMENTIA) vocals bring a death metal-esque darkness to the already gloomy sounds that Dave Vezdos (ex-AMENTIA), Steve Sinko, Dave Chojnacki (ex-Belligerent), and Mark Witherspoon (ex-Seven Year Dungeon Beard) bring to the table. With their debut EP "Medicate the Masses" released in early 2007, Solipsist has gained noticeable hype throughout the Cleveland music scene.
Solipsist is here to destroy everything you ever knew about metal, and make your ears bleed with satisfaction. SOLIPSIST is here to stay.
"Cleveland-based metal band Solipsist cops a sinister vibe on its debut EP, Medicate the Masses. And even if we can't understand a single word Noah Buchanan growls on songs like "Dead Derelict" and "Paralyze You," the battering rhythms and piercing guitar licks come through loud and clear. The group is made up of guys who used to play in the local bands Belligerent and Amentia. But this tough team-up turns out to be more than just the sum of its parts. There's an authentic crunch to the music that stems from a shared love of all things fast and loud. On its MySpace page, Solipsist filled in the "Sounds Like" tab with "an epic battle between a legion of vikings and a horde of ninjas." We couldn't have put it any better"
-Scene Magazine(Jan. 2008)
Monolith
Solipsist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A monolith to my destruction, in these halls of greed.
I hear the fluid pounding within my rotting heart.
My treasonous resistance is my light when all is dark.
Please hold still or I'll force you against your will.
Against your will.
Inside of these walls, I was never a hero.
Never a hero at all.
I call upon the dirt to smear my reflection.
I summon forth the sky to cure my infection.
You're carving out my heart, put a stone within my chest.
Digging a deeper hole, lay my heart to rest.
Please hold still or I'll force you against your will.
Please just wait, or I will soon decide your fate.
But you know why I'm here.
I visited your dreams.
The mind you think is yours is mine again.
You can't run to oblivion, the mind is an endless thing.
I'll grasp onto your heart
And crush it with all of my being.
After all this time, I set it all on fire.
Now hold still,
It's time to force you against your will.
Against your will.
Will I be silent? Or will I fight back to the surface.
Inside of these walls, I was never a hero.
Never a hero at all.
"Monolith" by Solipsist is a song about a person who is struggling to retain their sense of self and identity, despite being consumed by the greed and corruption of the world around them. They are trapped within a metaphorical monolith, symbolizing the oppressive forces that are pushing them towards self-destruction. The singer is fighting against these forces internally, with their resistance being their only source of hope in a world that seems to be crumbling around them.
The opening lines, "Pushing back, I devour the hand that feeds", indicates that the singer is rebelling against the systems and structures that they are being forced to be a part of. They see the world as a place of greed and exploitation, with the halls of power serving only themselves at the expense of the masses. The reference to a "rotting heart" represents the internal decay that the singer feels, as if they are being poisoned by the world around them.
The subsequent lines of the song reveal that the singer has a choice to make between staying silent and letting themselves be consumed by the oppressive forces or fighting back and trying to regain control. The chorus, "Please hold still or I'll force you against your will" can be interpreted in two ways; it could be a plea for the singer to submit to their fate, or it could be the oppressive forces speaking directly to the singer, exerting their control over them. Overall, "Monolith" is a powerful and melancholic song that captures the feeling of being trapped in a world that seems to be falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Pushing back, I devour the hand that feeds.
I'm rejecting the help of others and choosing to rely only on myself, even if it means going against those who have offered assistance.
A monolith to my destruction, in these halls of greed.
My own stubbornness and pride is causing my downfall, as I become consumed by the desire to acquire more at any cost.
I hear the fluid pounding within my rotting heart.
I can feel my inner battle between my own desires and the morality that is slowly decaying within me.
My treasonous resistance is my light when all is dark.
Even though I am going against what is right, I find comfort in my own defiance as I navigate through life.
Please hold still or I'll force you against your will.
I am asserting my power and control over others, using force if necessary to bend them to my will.
Will I be silent? Or will I fight back to the surface.
I am questioning my own actions and whether or not I will finally let go of my inner turmoil and allow myself to be vulnerable again.
Inside of these walls, I was never a hero. Never a hero at all.
Despite my outward appearance of strength and confidence, I am aware that I have never truly been a hero or done anything noble or selfless.
I call upon the dirt to smear my reflection. I summon forth the sky to cure my infection.
I am attempting to cleanse myself of my own wrongdoings and immoral behavior, but in doing so, am only further isolating myself from reality.
You're carving out my heart, put a stone within my chest. Digging a deeper hole, lay my heart to rest.
I recognize that my own actions are leading to the destruction of my emotions and the death of my true self, yet I continue down this path of self-destruction.
But you know why I'm here. I visited your dreams. The mind you think is yours is mine again.
I have invaded the minds of those around me, asserting my dominance over their thoughts and emotions, claiming them as my own.
You can't run to oblivion, the mind is an endless thing. I'll grasp onto your heart and crush it with all of my being.
I am aware that the consequences of my actions are far-reaching and unstoppable, and I will continue to harm those around me without remorse.
After all this time, I set it all on fire.
I have finally come to a breaking point, ready to destroy everything in my path, including myself.
Now hold still, it's time to force you against your will.
I am escalating my control over others, using fear and domination to bend them to my desires.
Will I be silent? Or will I fight back to the surface. Inside of these walls, I was never a hero. Never a hero at all.
I am grappling with my own inner turmoil, unsure if I will ever be able to break free from the cycle of self-destruction and become a true hero.
Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@der_pinguin44
Such an underrated song.