(Note: This lineup is now recording and performing as Mt. Helium.)

… Read Full Bio ↴(Note: This lineup is now recording and performing as Mt. Helium.)

Formed in 1999, The Apex Theory began as a local act not interested in being signed, only to have numerous labels contact them due to word of mouth. Three of the original band members (former vocalist Ontronik "Andy" Khatchaturian, bassist David Hakopyan and guitarist and current vocalist Art Karamian) are Armenian by heritage.

In 2000 the band released an independent EP entitled Extendemo, which resulted in their signing to Dreamworks Records in early 2001. Shortly thereafter, the band entered the studio with Don Gilmore (whose credits include the likes of Linkin Park, Velvet Revolver and Avril Lavigne), who produced their self-titled major-label debut EP, and their full-length debut, Topsy-Turvy, which were released on October 9, 2001 and April 2, 2002, respectively. The band's first (and only) singles, "Shhh... (Hope Diggy)" and "Apossibly" garnered the band mainstream success as both were featured extensively in MTV2's rotation. "Apossibly" was also used in promotion of the videogame Minority Report: Everybody Runs.

The band toured for a good portion of the next few years in support of their major-label albums, first playing Vans Warped Tour and co-headlining MTV2's Tour with Lostprophets in 2001. In the summer of 2002, the band played on the second stage of Ozzfest.

Later in 2002, vocalist Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian (who previously played drums for System of a Down before founding The Apex Theory) left the band due to differences in musical opinions. Khachaturian is currently involved in a solo project and a band dubbed VoKEE. After searching for a replacement, the remaining members decided to continue as a three-piece outfit, with guitarist Art Karamian taking responsibility for vocal duties as well.

The Apex Theory officially resurfaced in 2004, self-releasing their latest EP, inthatskyissomethingwatching. Though the band has not embarked on a national tour as of yet, they have successfully played countless shows in their home state of California.

On June 30, 2006, the band announced the completion of their first full-length album without their former vocalist, Ontronik. The album was titled Faces, and was released under the band name Mt. Helium.

Band members

Current lineup (2002 to Present)

* Art Karamian (Vocals, Guitar)
* David Hakopyan (Bass)
* Sammy J. Watson (Drums)

Previous lineup (1999 to 2002)

* Ontronik "Andy" Khatchaturian (Vocals)
* Art Karamian (Guitar)
* David Hakopyan (Bass)
* Sammy J. Watson (Drums)

Discography

* Extendemo (2000)
* The Apex Theory (2001)
* Topsy-Turvy (2002)
* inthatskyissomethingwatching (2004)
* Lightpost [EP] (2007)
* (as Mt. Helium) Faces (2007)

That's All!
The Apex Theory Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's been close to a year since we spoke last
You haven't changed
And now you're talking into my right ear
What happened when you ran off
With that friend of yours
Or was she useful?

Tossing around bah ra koontzae

Vroom vroom then be silent
... I sit around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
Tossing around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
I sit around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent

Bet on your life you can't
Remember when the clouds
Sang out that soft chant
The one you thought you had
And the one you thought was yours
Now you've come to a door, to adore

Tossing around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
I sit around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
Tossing around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
I sit around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent

Panic under pressure cooker
Thoughts lead me dying sooner
Rough mouth fits makes you calm
You thought all the while
You were smarter

By the way
Be sure to write
the last thing
makes it alright

Tossing around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
I sit around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
Tossing around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent
I sit around bah ra koontzae
Vroom vroom then be silent

Panic under pressure cooker
Thoughts lead me dying sooner
Rough mouth fits makes you calm
You thought all the while
You were smarter

Panic under pressure cooker
Thoughts lead me dying sooner
Rough mouth fits makes you calm

You thought all the while
You were smarter

Overall Meaning

The song "That's All" by The Apex Theory is an intricate piece that is full of metaphors and cryptic language. The first verse talks about a past relationship that has ended badly. The singer wonders what happened when his ex-partner ran off with a friend of hers, and whether the friend was useful to her. This could mean that the singer's ex-partner left him for someone else who may have been more beneficial to her in some way. The use of the phrase "what happened" suggests that the singer is still not over the relationship and is curious about what led to the breakup.

The chorus of the song is full of repeating and cryptic phrases that are hard to decipher. "Tossing around bah ra koontzae, Vroom vroom then be silent" is repeated several times, and it's not clear what it refers to. It could be a reference to the meaningless noise that we make to fill the silence when we are feeling uncomfortable or anxious. The repetition of this phrase could represent the feeling of being stuck in a loop, unable to move on from a particular situation.

The second verse talks about losing something that was once yours. The singer mentions clouds singing out a soft chant that the listeners believed was theirs, but which they have now lost. This metaphor could represent an idea or a dream that was close to their heart but that they have since abandoned or forgotten. The last line of the song, "You thought all the while, you were smarter," might suggest that the singer or the singer of the song thought they knew what they were doing, but in the end, they lost what was most important.

Line by Line Meaning

It's been close to a year since we spoke last
It has nearly been a year since we last spoke to each other

You haven't changed
You are still the same

And now you're talking into my right ear
You're speaking directly to me

What happened when you ran off
What occurred when you left

With that friend of yours
With your friend

Or was she useful?
Or did you gain something from her?

Tossing around bah ra koontzae
Being restless without a clear goal

Vroom vroom then be silent
Being active, followed by inactivity

I sit around bah ra koontzae
I am restless without a clear goal and not taking action

Bet on your life you can't
You definitely can't

Remember when the clouds
Do you recall when the clouds