Nick Dominguez - Guitar
Joshua Colbert - Guitar
Chris Carbonell - Drums
Chad Neptune - Bass
Jason Berggren - Vocals
Strongarm started in 1993 and under this line-up recorded two demos: first there was a 3 track nameless demo recorded at this guy Tony Bartoli's house. It featured "Forgiven", "Stand Together" (both re-recorded for Atonement) and the otherwise unreleased song "Unfold". Shortly thereafter they recorded their second demo in a local studio with better production: a 4 track demo called "These Times That Try Men's Souls" (featuring the songs "Count The Cost", "Trials", "Remaining" and "Strenghtened In Faith". While recording this demo, Tooth & Nail Records contacted Strongarm expressing interest in them (how they heard of them is still a mystery today). Strongarm sent over their whole demo, and Strongarm’s song “Count the Cost” appeared on Tooth & Nail’s first compilation album entitled "Helpless Amongst Friends" (P.O.D. also appears on that). This demo, and Strongarm’s performance at Cornerstone Festival that year, caught the attention of Tooth & Nail Records president Brandon Ebel who signed them. The original line-up remained the same for the release of their debut album "Atonement" in early 1995. Shortly after the release of this album there were personal differences in the band, and Nick (who went on to form Tension) and Chris were asked to leave the band by Jason. They were replaced by Bob Franquiz on guitar (formerly of the South Florida band Amboogalard which also included a member who went on to join Marilyn Manson) and Steve Kleisath on drums (formerly of the Tampa band Pull). He also played in a band called Shai Hulud at the time; a band that had pretty much a similar sound. One of the reasons for this fact might have been that Joshua had played with Shai Hulud's guitar player Matt Fox around 1991 in a band called Planet X. They discovered that hardcore didn't necessarily have to mean powerchords... they experimented with other kind of chord arrangements and melody that led to the sound that distinguished both Strongarm and Shai Hulud from the hardcore scene at the time.
You can look at a copy in cache of how their artist page at Tooth & Nail looked like at that time by clicking here.
Bob Franquiz - Guitar
Joshua Colbert - Guitar
Steve Kleisath - Drums
Chad Neptune - Bass
Jason Berggren - Vocals
Under this line-up Strongarm composed 5 of the 9 songs that appear on their 2nd album (“Advent of a Miracle”, “These Times That Try Men’s Souls”, “Increase”, “Supplication”, and “Measure of Consequence”).They also did a video for Tooth & Nail, a rare 7-inch record entitled "Trials" which includes an early version of the song ‘Increase’ (with an awesome sample of Darth Vader), and a summer tour. Eventually personal differences came to a head again, and Jason and Bob decided to leave Strongarm to pursue other interests. Although only 5 songs had been written for their next album, the remaining members decided to regroup and press on. Nick rejoined the band on guitar and they were looking for a while for a good singer; but finally they decided that drummer Chris would rejoin as well, and do the vocals. Strongarm continued on and finished work on their album "The Advent Of A Miracle" which was released in 1997. The line-up for this album was:
Nick Dominguez - Guitar
Joshua Colbert - Guitar
Steve Kleisath - Drums
Chad Neptune - Bass
Chris Carbonell - Vocals
They did several tours and finally announced their break-up in 1998 at their final show at Cornerstone Festival. This is what Steve Kleisath said about it in an interview:
As far as the reason Strongarm broke up people always wonder. It wasn't any one thing; the commitment level needed wasn't there anymore. Two of the guys were married, Chris and Josh, and they weren't available to tour. And just to write a whole new album for us takes a long time. We had a few ideas, actually had a few new songs, which will probably never be released. The time that it would take to do it and then know we wouldn't be able to tour off it just wasn't worth it. We were supposed to go to Europe, and that fell through, which really took the wind out of our sails, we had planned it the summer before, and we were planning our whole lives around being gone for a month and that fell through at the last minute, like on our way to the airport. The promoter who set us up and also set us up with Zao and Living Sacrifice who were gonna meet us out there, he never sold the tickets, and that really let the wind out of our sails. That wasn't why we broke up, but at that point we sorta got the feeling "alright we’ve been around a while, I think we are in the twilight of the band."
But after a while Nick, Steve, Josh and Chad apparently couldn't live without being in a band so they decided to form a new band called Further Seems Forever.Click here to see how they announced it on the Strongarm homepage at the time. They found a vocalist called Chris Carraba to fill up Chris Carbonell's place. The musical direction had switched from hardcore to emo, and also the missionary aspect that Strongarm clearly had was no longer there.
In 2000, Strongarm made a reunion appearance at Furnace Fest. It was the same line-up as it was when they broke up. On the song "Trials", they had their buddy Matt Fox on drums.
Trials
Strongarm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Strongarm's song Trials delve into the theme of struggling with one's inner demons and personal faults. The artist expresses the difficulty in coming to terms with their weaknesses and acknowledges the pain that comes with facing them head-on. The trials they speak of are seen as a necessary evil of sorts, a means to an end in achieving wisdom and truth in life. The artist believes that by enduring these trials, they will find inner peace and overcome their shortcomings.
The mention of darkness in the lyrics alludes to the difficulty and pain that comes with sincerely facing one's faults. The artist acknowledges their struggle with temptation and self-indulgence, recognizing that it stunts their growth and prevents them from finding true fulfillment. The trials are seen as a blessing in disguise, as they offer a path to self-improvement and enlightenment, showcasing that challenges are not always negative but can be opportunities for growth.
The artist ultimately questions the purpose of releasing one's will to something that tries the soul. They push the listener to look beyond their understanding of the world and strive to find peace and wisdom beyond their current comprehension. In essence, Trials is an impactful song that highlights the importance of facing one's demons and enduring the trials of life to achieve wisdom, truth, and inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
again and again i struggle with my shortcomings
Repeatedly, I face difficulties with my imperfections and flaws.
my strength my soul weary of this
My mental and physical stamina is exhausted from these struggles.
i have to face the pain of my fault within
I must confront the consequences of my mistakes and flaws within myself.
these tests these trials the marks i miss
These challenges and obstacles reveal my shortcomings and faults.
what do i gain what is the benefit of self-indulgence
What benefits do I receive from indulging in my weaknesses and flaws?
the darkness reveals itself i must commit to absolving it
My faults become apparent, and I must commit to correcting them.
my fault my weakness torments myself
My mistakes and flaws cause me mental anguish and torment.
why should i sacrifice my dignity
What benefit do I receive from choosing to maintain my dignity over facing my faults?
the purpose of these trials holds peace for those that seek it
The purpose of these challenges is to bring inner peace to those who seek it.
the secrets of wisdom truth and life to this one must look
To find wisdom, truth, and the meaning of life, one must search for it.
what does it profit a man to release his will to that which tries this soul
What is the benefit of allowing external challenges to control one's thoughts and actions?
a test a trial a blessing in disguise
These challenges are disguised blessings and opportunities for growth.
offered to all that ask in time it shall be revealed
These lessons and opportunities for growth are available to all who seek them and will be revealed in time.
beyond that which is seen beyond a man's understanding
The true meaning and purpose of these challenges extend beyond what can be observed and are beyond human comprehension.
Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jacob price
I am 38 years old. And am an atheist, always have been but Strongarm is the greatest 90's hardcore band to ever exist. Hands down. Both albums define the entire decade. They dropped the 2 greatest hardcore albums ever. Atonement and Advent of a Miracle sound nothing alike and bring every 90's hardcore band to shame
HEY WHATS EMO?
Not to mention some of these dudes were in further seems forever the best 2000s emo band of all time
Integritydesign
Atheist here as well... this band has the VIBEs...!
St. Dedaelus
I've heard this said a few times. The guy at the final show said the same thing. The liner notes in Strongarms album state something along the lines of "We will fight for what we believe in and defend your right to do the same" Beautiful...
Dallas M
jacob price I’m a 38 year old Christian, and I couldn’t agree with you more.
Francisco Silva
such an underrated band
LL Void 82
I remember seeing these guys every Friday night at Limona Chaple in my home town when I was a teenager. so many good memories
Brian Doherty
I saw them with Shelter
Burns4x4
These guys are one of my all time favorites.
dave4shmups
I LOVE this song! After I received Christ in college in the Fall of 1996, one of my room mates, who led me in prayer that night, had this CD. I loved this song, and I had no idea that there was a music video for it! Cool! What happened to the group members? They released 2 CDs, and that was it.