Their first EP, The Butterfly Effect (EP), was released in 2001, and charted well on the ARIA Independent charts. This first release, featuring the Triple J single "Take Me Away", was more "nu-metal" than later recordings although contained much of what was to become their signature soundscapes. They followed this with the critically-acclaimed Begins Here, released on 3 August 2003. The album peaked at No. 23 in Australia, reaching gold sales accreditation by mid-2006. It produced the minor hit Always, and attracted considerable critical acclaim
On 17 June 2006, the album Imago was released, with a move towards progressive rock and a less heavy sound. It was produced in Los Angeles by Joe Barresi, who had just produced Tool's "10,000 Days" album. The album was commercially successful, being featured on national radio station Triple J, peaking at No. 2 in Australia in its first week and attaining gold sales accreditation just nine weeks later. The single A Slow Descent also peaked at No. 9 on the singles charts.
Their next album, Final Conversation of Kings, was released on 20 September 2008. It was produced by Forrester Savill on the Central Coast of New South Wales, and represented a significant change in their sound, but did not match either the commercial or critical success of previous releases despite charting at No.3 in its first week in Australia.
On 6 February 2012, the band announced on Facebook the following message:
The Butterfly Effect wish to inform their fans and media that singer Clint Boge is officially leaving the band to pursue other musical interests. The remaining members of the band, Ben Hall, Kurt Goedhart and Glenn Esmond will continue to work together and will announce their intentions in the not too distant future.
Clint’s departure is an amicable one and the band are giving fans a chance to see them perform together for the last time on the club circuit by announcing the “EFFECTED” national tour starting late April 2012. To celebrate 10 years of recordings The Butterfly Effect is releasing an “EFFECTED” compilation CD of their best work in April and signed copies will be available at shows on the tour."
In late 2013, the band introduced new singer Paul Galagher with the release of a single, "Eyes Down", and a small tour. However, the band soon became inactive, and in 2016, it was announced that they had permanently disbanded.
In July 2017, the band announced the reformation of their original lineup, with Boge again as the lead singer, and announced they would begin touring Australia again in March 2018. In 2019 they released Unbroken, their first new music since reuniting.
September 2nd, 2022 saw the release of the bands long awaited 4th Full length album IV.
Imago
The Butterfly Effect Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lost in aisles of white
Corridors are shaking
And I can see the lights
Waiting for something
Waiting for someone
I can barely breathe
I watch the ground beneath
No more the want to be
Waiting for something
Waiting for someone
Don't fall we could have had it all
Another breath you're taking
Slow rise your love is suicide
This heart is slowly breaking
The lyrics of Imago by The Butterfly Effect depict someone who is in a state of emotional turmoil - they feel trapped, suffocated, and overwhelmed by their circumstances. The first lines, "Soft pallet breaking / Lost in aisles of white / Corridors are shaking / And I can see the lights" evoke a sense of disorientation, as if the singer is lost in an unfamiliar place and feeling physically and emotionally unsteady. They are waiting for something or someone to help them escape or make sense of their situation.
The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "Waiting for something / Waiting for someone", emphasizes the singer's sense of longing and desperation. They are pleading to be released from their current predicament, which is causing them to feel like they can barely breathe. They are no longer interested in pursuing their former goals or ambitions ("No more the want to be"), as they are consumed by their current struggle. The final lines of the chorus, "Don't fall we could have had it all / Another breath you're taking / Slow rise your love is suicide / This heart is slowly breaking" suggest that the singer is in a romantic relationship that is causing them pain and could even be self-destructive.
Overall, Imago is a song about feeling trapped, isolated, and overwhelmed by difficult circumstances. The singer is desperate for something or someone to help them escape or find a way forward. The lyrics convey a sense of emotional intensity and urgency that is reinforced by the song's powerful instrumentation and vocal delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
Soft pallet breaking
My throat is closing up due to fear/anxiety
Lost in aisles of white
I am disoriented and scared, surrounded by a sterile environment
Corridors are shaking
The world around me feels unstable and unsafe
And I can see the lights
Despite my fear, I still have hope that there is a way out
Waiting for something
I am stuck in a state of anticipation for change
Waiting for someone
I am hoping for rescue or support
Please release me
I am begging to be freed from my current situation
I can barely breathe
My fear is suffocating me
I watch the ground beneath
I am hyper-aware of my surroundings, searching for any opportunity to escape
No more the want to be
I am losing my will to fight and survive
Don't fall we could have had it all
There was potential for a better outcome if certain actions were taken
Another breath you're taking
Time is ticking away, and every moment feels more critical
Slow rise your love is suicide
My relationship is causing me harm and may be my downfall
This heart is slowly breaking
My emotional state is deteriorating and I am losing hope
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BEN HALL, CLINT BOGE, GLENN ESMOND, KURT GOEDHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GuyInDogSuit
Recently discovered this band and I can't get enough of them. This album has been on repeat for almost a week now!
DannyB
Yeah it's classic, I come back to it every few years, sort of a nostalgia thing I guess cos I'm getting old lol. Do the same with Muse.
NimrodWarrior
I love this album. Always am jazzed by how Aisles of White builds and builds throughout. Starts so small and quiet but packs a punch. And that’s just the start of the album.
Mike Snow
Epic album! I was in high school when this released, and they did an under 18s gig in Melbourne as part of their tour. They opened with the first two tracks of Imago and it was such an awesome concert! Bloody legends <3
Genesio Carreiro
Estou curtindo muito a banda. Bom vocal e instrumental forte. Vale muito a pena conferir todos os álbuns.
dermikeh
Literally the best music I've heard this year. Please support this band so they can continue to make more amazing music!
JustShutUpNWatch
They are back together for shows in 2018
Ryan CrawCour
they have just released a new album, and it's very very good!
Claymourne's Den
God I absolutely love this album.... It gives me a feeling I've rarely felt from music before. It's wonderful.
Christian Goodworth
I listened to this back in the 00's... Its now 2017 and this album still powerful as ever;)