Soulstorm was formed in May of 1991 by Nick Sagias (Bass/Vocals). Nick had … Read Full Bio ↴Soulstorm was formed in May of 1991 by Nick Sagias (Bass/Vocals). Nick had just disbanded his previous band Overthrow and played in Holland’s Pestilence before realizing he needed to do something new and exciting. Soulstorm were early pioneers of death metal with industrial overtones, sounding like a cross between Ministry, Swans, Godflesh, Celtic Frost and Obituary.

The band quickly recorded the “Control” demo (Epidemic, 1991). Four crushing songs, sounding like no other, quickly established the band as a force in the extreme metal music scene. After many impressive live shows it was time that Soulstorm was ready to release a full-length debut CD that came in the form of the highly acclaimed “Darkness Visible” (Metal Blade/Music For Nations/Epidemic) CD in 1992. Soulstorm then released their first video for the song “Disruption”, which was directed by Andrew Hunt (Sweet Karma) and was nominated for a Much Music Video Award for Best Metal Video in 1993. The band showed no signs of slowing down after opening for Entombed, KMFDM, Cannibal Corpse, Grave, U.S.S.A., Malhavoc, Suffocation, Clutch, Cancer, Massacre, Static X, Monster Voodoo Machine, Girlschool, Dee Dee Ramone and Milwaukee Metalfest ’93 as well as touring the United States and Canada with Sacrifice, Thought Industry and Genitorturers.

In late 1993, Nick took a new approach and re-invented the bands sound with a new touring line-up, touring across Canada with Juno award winners Monster Voodoo Machine and releasing a second full length CD, “From Euphoria To Paranoia” (Cargo, 1994). Also released at this time was the band’s second video for the song “Turning Point” that was co-directed by Sagias. After taking 1996 off, the “F.E.T.P.” line-up got back together, stripped down the sound of the band and released the “Under The Killing Sun” CD/EP to a limited run of 1000 copies on Sagias’ own label. A video for the song “Brand New Day” was also released, co-directed once again by Nick Sagias.

At the end of December 1999, Soulstorm called it quits and Nick Sagias put music on hold for the next 5 years, recording only once during that time. On and off from 2006 to 2011, Nick started laying down the foundations of Soulstorm’s 3rd full-length CD until 2011 when Sagias properly began work on “Fall Of The Rebel Angels”, which contains guest vocals and guitar by Sacrifice’s Rob Urbinati.

The return of Soulstorm and CD release show for “Fall Of The Rebel Angels” came as a co-headlining sold out show with New York’s Hanzel Und Gretyl, to a viciously great response to the new line up of guitarists Ryan Hawes (Nailed, Daedalus Project) and Kevin DeWilde (Nailed, Daedalus Project) as well as the return of "Darkness Visible" drummer, Patrick Harquail (Nailed, Daedalus Project). The dedication and live fury of these metal veterans really showcase how deadly a live band Soulstorm is.

Stranglehold
Soulstorm Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Penetrate this barricade
Caustic feelings dissipate
Smothered by the burning
All compassion drains

Crawling is unforgettable
Humiliate my sympathy
Crawling is unforgettable

(The) need to escape
So painfully aware
Crawling is unbearable
Recede into fragility
Damage becomes irreparable
Need to escape
>From this stranglehold

Reveal the pain of damaged walls
Once so secure now let me fall

Crawling is unforgivable
Reinforce my humanity

Crawling is unforgivable
Inner wounds now bleed

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Soulstorm's song Stranglehold speak about a person who is trapped in a seemingly unbearable and suffocating situation. The barricade that is mentioned could be referring to both a physical blockade, such as being trapped in a space or a room, as well as a mental one that is caused by the 'caustic feelings' that this person is experiencing. The burning may represent the intense emotions or stress that is causing the person to feel like they are suffocating. As a result of these intense feelings, the person's capacity for compassion has been drained, leaving them feeling trapped and seeking escape.

The chorus of the song repeats the idea of crawling, which could symbolize the vulnerability and helplessness that the person is experiencing. They are aware that they need to escape from this situation, but the pain and damage it has caused is so severe that their escape seems almost impossible. The words 'unbearable', 'unforgivable' and 'irreparable' hint at the seriousness of the situation, causing damage that may never be fully repairable. Despite this, the person reinforces their humanity, trying to hold onto their compassion and inner strength as they navigate the difficult situation.

Overall the song seems to be speaking about the difficulty and struggle of escaping from an oppressive or suffocating situation. The emotional and mental turmoil that the person is experiencing is palpable, with lyrics emphasizing vulnerability, damage, and the desire for escape.

Line by Line Meaning

Penetrate this barricade
Breaking down emotional barriers

Caustic feelings dissipate
Negative emotions fade away

Smothered by the burning
Being overwhelmed by intense emotions

All compassion drains
Losing the ability to care for others

Crawling is unforgettable
Feeling helpless and vulnerable

Humiliate my sympathy
Being ashamed of one's own empathy

(The) need to escape
Wanting to break free from emotional burden

So painfully aware
Realizing the harsh truth of the situation

Crawling is unbearable
Feeling overwhelmed by emotional distress

Recede into fragility
Withdrawing into a vulnerable state

Damage becomes irreparable
Realizing the permanent consequences of actions