After some demo releases between 2000 and 2002 the band signed a record deal with Finnish Lion Music for worldwide release of their debut album. Soon after, the band signed a contract with Marquee/Avalon Records for Japan.
The debut album, mixed by progressive rock mastermind Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon/Star One/Stream Of Passion), was recorded in early 2003 and released on October 22 of that year.
From late 2001 on, Sun Caged started building up an impressive status within their genre by playing lots of shows, including several remarkably sizeable ones. Interest from bookers and fans of progressive metal grew considerably. This also led to several interviews in prominent magazines and to some shows as a supporting act for bands like Vanden Plas and Queensryche.
Those who try to describe Sun Caged's music will find this a considerable task. Influences range from progressive metal to fusion and jazz, and atmospheric and ambient jaunts. The band's progressive blend is going to excite lots of listeners because of its diversity and excitement.
Sun Caged has also drawn comparison to such artists as Ayreon, Meshuggah, Iron Maiden, Kansas, Styx, Faith No More, Liquid Tension Experiment, Dream Theater, Pain Of Salvation, and Cynic.
The band released their second album, “Artemisia,” in March 2007.
Sun Caged had some lineup changes in the past; see below for past and present members:
Previous Band Members:
Dennis Leeflang - Drums (1998 - 2003), Discography: Scar Winter Demo (1999), Killer Banshee and CIAW session (2000), Dominion Demo (2001), Promo Demo (2002), Sun Caged (2003, Lion Music), Tribute To Jimi Hendrix (2003, Lion Music)
Rob Van Der Loo - Bass (1998 - 2006), Discography: Scar Winter Demo (1999), Killer Banshee and CIAW session (2000), Dominion Demo (2001), Promo Demo (2002), Sun Caged (2003, Lion Music), Tribute To Jimi Hendrix (2003, Lion Music), Demo for Second Album (2005)
Sascha Burchardt - Vocals (2001 - 2002), Discography: Dominion Demo (2001)
Joost Van Den Broek - Keyboards (2000 - 2004), Discography: Killer Banshee and CIAW session (2000), Dominion Demo (2001), Promo 2002 Demo, Sun Caged (2003, Lion Music), Tribute To Jimi Hendrix (2003, Lion Music)
Andre Vuurboom - Vocals (2002 - 2004), Discography: Promo Demo (2002), Sun Caged (2003, Lion Music), Tribute To Jimi Hendrix (2003, Lion Music)
On a Project Basis:
Laura Van Driel - Vocals (1999 - 2000), Discography: Scar Winter Demo (1999), Killer Banshee and CIAW session (2000)
Nick Hameury - Vocals (1999), Discography: Scar Winter Demo (1999)
Gregoor Van Der Loo - Vocals (1999), Discography: Scar Winter Demo (1999)
Thijs Cuppen - Keyboards (1999), Discography: Scar Winter Demo (1999)
Hollow
Sun Caged Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rote the sound relieves my pain.
Midst the machine.
Feed upon his stain.
Casted like a spell,
The need to feel has fled my will,
Still I can't tell
Wasted lies to deny
This hollow space inside
Wasted time passes me by
Many times I've tried
Wasted lies to deny
This hollow space inside
Wasted time passes me by
Many times I've tried
Let light come in to taste
The glass evasive stare.
Like shifting tides the picture
Bands the many sides this story has.
Wasted lies to deny
This hollow space inside
Wasted time passes me by
Many times I've tried
Redefine, Redesign...
The lyrics of Sun Caged's Hollow depict a sense of emptiness and despair, with the singer struggling to fill a void inside them. The first verse speaks of a whispered sound that relieves their pain, but this relief is only temporary as they are surrounded by machinery and forced to feed upon the stain of others. The second verse continues this theme of emptiness, with the singer admitting that they are unable to fill the void inside them despite their best efforts. The chorus repeats the line "wasted lies to deny this hollow space inside," emphasizing the futility of trying to ignore or deny the emptiness.
The third verse introduces a glimmer of hope, with the singer inviting light to come in and "taste the glass evasive stare." This suggests a willingness to confront their inner emptiness rather than continuing to deny it. The final repetition of the chorus is followed by the lines "redefine, redesign," which suggest a determination to find a new purpose or meaning in life that can fill the void.
Line by Line Meaning
Whispered like a breeze,
Softly spoken words, like the gentle wind, come as a relief to my suffering.
Rote the sound relieves my pain.
Repetitive sounds bring about a sense of comfort and release from the agony I feel.
Midst the machine.
Lost in the midst of chaos, as if trapped in a machine-like existence.
Feed upon his stain.
Consume the negativity left behind by others, allowing it to further fuel the void within me.
Casted like a spell,
Enveloped by a powerful enchantment, my drive to seek pleasure is dulled.
The need to feel has fled my will,
My longing to experience emotion has vanished, as if I am incapable of feeling anything at all.
Still I can't tell
I am unable to distinguish what is causing the emptiness within me, leaving me in a state of confusion.
The emptiness to fill
Despite my efforts, I am unable to find a way to fill the void inside me.
Wasted lies to deny
Falsehoods I tell myself in order to ignore the hollowness within me.
This hollow space inside
The ever-present emptiness that exists within me, consuming all that I am.
Wasted time passes me by
Time continues to elapse without meaning or purpose, slipping away into the void.
Many times I've tried
Despite my repeated attempts to fill the emptiness, I have yet to find a solution.
Let light come in to taste
Allowing positivity and hope to enter my life, even if just briefly.
The glass evasive stare.
A haunting, emotionless look in my eyes, as if viewed through a glass wall.
Like shifting tides the picture
A constantly changing view of my situation, as unstable as the tides themselves.
Bands the many sides this story has.
The different perspectives and layers of my struggles, bound together in a complex narrative.
Redefine, Redesign...
Changing my approach, adapting my actions, in order to better understand and hopefully overcome my inner emptiness.
Wasted lies to deny
Continuing to deceive myself, ignoring the root of my pain and emptiness.
This hollow space inside
The constant, unchanging void within myself that cannot be ignored.
Wasted time passes me by
Each moment that slips away only further highlights my inability to find a solution to my struggles.
Many times I've tried
Despite all my attempts and efforts, the emptiness remains.
Contributed by Carson N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.