Subterranean Masquerade's music first came into the world back in 2000 with a cover version of Peter Murphy's classic "Cut's you up". The cover, released as part of an 80's metal cover compilation album, was recorded with guest appearances by Tomas Lindberg of At the Gates, Kobi Farhi of Orphaned Land and produced by Dori Bar Or from Eternal Gray.
The first official band release came in the form of a semi-acoustic two track EP (17 minutes long) entitled "Temporary Psychotic State", this recording featured Paul Khur of Novembers doom as the lead vocalist as well as JWW of Agalloch on bass guitar and Andy Winter from the band WINDS on some of the keys and synths. Released later that year by THE END RECORDS, the EP was received with highly positive reviews from media and fans alike.
In the midst of working on a full length album, the band entered the studio to record a DEAD CAN DANCE cover track. Combining lyrics from several other Dead Can Dance tracks as well as lengthy instrumental passages, the band's rendition of "Summoning of the Muse" was featured on a tribute album released by Black Lotus records.
"Suspended Animation Dreams" was released in 2005, "This was the most exhausting album I ever recorded… it brought oblivion to my personal life and took me to places I never wished to see.", recalls mastermind Tomer Pink. The album was mixed by Neil Kernon and have gained recognition as one of the most elaborated and accomplished metal albums ever recorded. Immediately upon completion of the album, Tomer packed his life in the US and decided to go on a journey and travel the world, study the art of sound engineering and wait for the right time to come back.
8 years after releasing S.A.D., Subterranean Masquerade entered the studio to record a new two-track EP with a new lineup including Matan Shmuely on drums, guitarist Or Shalev and bassist Mike Feldman of Novembers doom. They expended its sound with world-music-oriented instruments and beats, adding folk music harmonies and at the same time strengthening extreme metal guitar riffage and drum blasting.
"Home" EP included a new track and a cover version of THE MISSION's "Beyond the Pale" and released on Tomer's new record label TAKLIT MUSIC as a limited edition 7" vinyl only, making it a well-worth return to the front just before starting to record the new album.
6 months in the making, Subterranean Masquerade are finally ready with "THE GREAT BAAZAR", a new full length of everything you learned to expect from the band and a step further into the world of rich instrumentations and styles, a concept story about a man leaving home to find what's important in life and a dialog between so called "Good" and "Evil". the album featuring Kjetil Nordhus (Green Carnation, Tristania) as the band's new singer. "This is a great honor for us and a massive step forward for the band, I've been a fan of Kjetil work since the early Green Carnation albums, this is a dream come true! The album also featuring Orphaned Land's singer Kobi Farhi on vocals as a guest appearance.
"This is the first time I feel like we are a real band and not just a studio project" says Tomer. Adding keyboardist Shai Yallin and bassist Golan Farhi as band members Subterranean Masquerade are ready to take the carnival from your stereo to the road. Get ready for THE GREAT BAAZAR
The Rock 'N Roll Preacher
Subterranean Masquerade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let my rhythm shake your body
Take a chance, unwarp me
Let my sweet sound was the pain away
Now, I'm here to stay
(Just passing through!)
I'm not going away
I'm the aftertaste, I consolidate your emotions
And sign my name as your devotion to life
Strip down my knowledge; let the beat pump the poison in your blood
Addressing all your freedom to this hungry box inside
That solid state of mind of yours bound to never be alike
I will never change
(Now it's me and you!)
Or can be unmade
But on the other hand
Each time you scream my name
A golem, reborn by ashes from afar
Virtual ritual, desktop icon, link to your inside
The throat is itching, the head is spinning and sour feeling
As I'm breathing and dream walking to the other room just to see her cry
Tara's not the same, she can't make sense,
Her voice disappearing in the grace
That echoes as the circle breaks apart
Does it feel different inside?
In this classic affair of loud pantomime
Can't get a dial tone, busy line
A figure of small statue, but dare I say
Glued from pieces of your shell, identical we shall remain
The lyrics of Subterranean Masquerade's "The Rock N Roll Preacher" are rich with imagery and metaphor. The song is an invitation to be consumed by the rhythm of rock and roll, to let it wash away the pain and bring a sense of devotion to life. The singer of the song promises to stay, to be a constant presence in the listener's life, a golem reborn by ashes from afar. The beat of the music is like a poison in the blood, addressed to a hunger inside that can never be satisfied. The listener is encouraged to strip down their knowledge, to let go of their solid state of mind and allow themselves to be transformed by the music.
The lyrics also contain a sense of melancholy, as the singer describes the aftermath of a broken relationship. Tara, who cannot make sense of what is happening to her, is crying and disappearing into the grace that echoes when the circle breaks apart. The singer asks if it feels different inside, acknowledging the pain and confusion that comes with heartbreak.
Overall, "The Rock N Roll Preacher" is a powerful meditation on the transformative power of music, and the way it can both heal and hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and play me
I invite you to listen to my music
Let my rhythm shake your body
My music will make you want to dance
Take a chance, unwarp me
Give my music a chance, let it take control of you
Let my sweet sound was the pain away
My music can be a form of therapy, easing your pain
Now, I'm here to stay
My music is a permanent fixture in your life
(Just passing through!)
I'm not just a temporary presence, I am here to make an impact
I'm not going away
My music will continue to be a part of your life
Yes, I'm your new friend
Through my music, I am forging a new relationship with you
I'm the aftertaste, I consolidate your emotions
My music leaves a lingering impact on your emotions and consolidates them
And sign my name as your devotion to life
My music becomes a symbol of your appreciation for life
Strip down my knowledge; let the beat pump the poison in your blood
Listen to my music and let its rhythm energize you
Addressing all your freedom to this hungry box inside
My music is a medium to express yourself and find freedom within
That solid state of mind of yours bound to never be alike
My music will change your state of mind in a unique way
I will never change
My music will remain consistent
(Now it's me and you!)
Now our relationship through music is established
Or can be unmade
Our musical relationship has a lasting impact
But on the other hand
However, there is another side to this story
Each time you scream my name
Every time you listen to my music
A golem, reborn by ashes from afar
My music reinvigorates you, making you feel reborn
Virtual ritual, desktop icon, link to your inside
Listening to my music becomes a ritual and a link to your inner self
The throat is itching, the head is spinning and sour feeling
My music can have a visceral physical reaction
As I'm breathing and dream walking to the other room just to see her cry
My music can inspire a dreamlike state and emotional reaction
Tara's not the same, she can't make sense,
My music has a profound impact on Tara, changing her in some way
Her voice disappearing in the grace
Tara is overcome by emotion, losing her voice
That echoes as the circle breaks apart
The emotional resonance of my music causes a shift or change
Does it feel different inside?
My music can provoke introspection and self-reflection
In this classic affair of loud pantomime
My music is a classic representation of loud, theatrical performance
Can't get a dial tone, busy line
There is no escaping the impact of my music
A figure of small statue, but dare I say
Though small in stature, my music has a great impact
Glued from pieces of your shell, identical we shall remain
Through my music, we become connected and remain so in some way
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maria Diaz
Come and play me
Let my rhythm shake your body
Take a chance, unwarp me
Let my sweet sound was the pain away
Now, I'm here to stay
(Just passing through!)
I'm not going away
Yes, I'm your new frend
I'm the aftertaste, I consolidate your emotions
And sign my name as your devotion to life
Strip down my knowledge; let the beat pump the poison in your blood
Addressing all your freedom to this hungry box inside
That solid state of mind of yours bound to never be alike
I will never change
(Now it's me and you!)
Or can be unmade
But on the other hand
Each time you scream my name
A golem, reborn by ashes from afar
Virtual ritual, desktop icon, link to your inside
The throat is itching, the head is spinning and sour feeling
as I'm breathing and dreamwallking to the other room just to see her cry
Tara's not the same, she can't make sense, her voice disappearing in the grace that echoes as the circle breaks apart
Does it feel different inside?
In this classic affair of loud pantomime...
Can't get a dial tone, busy line
A figure of small statue, but dare I say
Glued from pieces of your shell, identical we shall remain
FieryLittleRaven
Wonderful composition. Yes and the painting !