By 2011, the band had come full circle since its inception back in 2004 in Los Angeles, CA With the return of founding guitarist / songwriter A.J Minette, the band returned to a sound reminiscent of the critically acclaimed “Nocturne” album, while introducing classical technical rhythms their complex sound. Former From First To Last/The Color of Violence member Travis Richter also joined the ranks as vocalist just long enough to record "Digital Veil," the bands third LP. After only a few months of touring Richter quit the band in August, 2011. He brought to the table a worthy balance of guttural screams combined with ethereal harmonies and all of the vocal range fans would expect from THA. With syncopated harmonies meeting complex time signatures, precise yet pounding bass riffs and heavy bellows filling the album from beginning to end a new, albeit short lived, era for The Human Abstract had been firmly established.
Guitarist Dean Herrera and guitarist/keyboardist A.J. Minette formed The Human Abstract in 2004, adding drummer Brett Powell, bassist Kenny Arehart, and singer Nick Olaerts. The band recorded a couple of demos and played a number of regional gigs before signing with Hopeless Records in 2005. Soon after signing to Hopeless Records, THA replaced singer Nick Olaerts with Nathan Ells.
Nathan Ells joined the band only 1 month before heading into the studio (Jamie King - the basement recordings in North Carolina) to record the band's debut full length release "Nocturne”, which was published by Hopeless Records August 22, 2006. Their album Midheaven was released on August 19, 2008 and featured a new guitarist in Andrew Tapley, who had replaced A.J. Minette previous to the recording of Midheaven.
Nathan Ells was fired from THA in late 2009. Vocalist Travis Richter (x-from first to last, the color of violence) joined The Human Abstract in early 2010 along with original guitarist songwriter A.J. Minette.
Polaris
The Human Abstract Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not ashamed to say I take pleasure in burning all of my epitaphs
Search with out-stretched arms, a torch to hold on to
Turning the sands of time into glass.
Push through here and beyond
Endure every trial, breaking in from the outside
I vowed not to spend my life comforted by enclosure.
Better to cry out in pain than be uninvolved
Silent and lame to the life that beckons us.
Sirens calling me over the hills and trails
There to wander so restlessly, bold and tireless
Seeking to broaden the lines dividing identity.
Push through here and beyond
Endure every trial, breaking in from the outside
Back to the struggle to then find strength in a starting over
I vowed not to spend my life comforted by enclosure.
Better to cry out in pain than be uninvolved
Silent and lame to the life that beckons us.
The task at hand
To unleash the bondage
Of endless lives, pressures, actions, questions
Answers giving birth to questions
Unfolding like the petals of a lotus
Eternal longing until we die no more.
Because you never hold on to the spoils you've won
All your triumphs in vain if you can't embrace a change
All the paths I've been down, I still have never found
Something lasting through the years
But all these worthless fears that mean nothing
Compare your life, your loves
To the vastness of the endless stars above.
The Human Abstract's "Polaris" is a song about change and the courage it takes to face it. The lyrics encourage the listener to push through trials and not be comforted by enclosure or stay silent and lame to the life that beckons us. The lyrics suggest that it is better to cry out in pain than be uninvolved or be indifferent to life.
The song's tone is hopeful, urging the listener to be bold, tireless, and enthusiastic in their pursuit to broaden the lines dividing identity. The lyrics suggest that it is important to break free from the bondage of endless lives, pressures, and actions to achieve an eternal longing that never dies.
The song suggests that we should compare our lives and loves to the vastness of the endless stars above to gain a greater sense of perspective. The lyrics suggest that holding on to the spoils we've won is futile if we can't embrace change, as there is something more lasting than material possessions.
Overall, "Polaris" is a powerful reminder that change is inevitable, and we should embrace it rather than fear it. The lyrics encourage us to be courageous, strong, and open to new experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Face the change.
Embrace and confront the changes that life brings.
I'm not ashamed to say I take pleasure in burning all of my epitaphs
I take pleasure in leaving my past behind and moving forward.
Search with out-stretched arms, a torch to hold on to
Search for direction in life with a guiding light.
Turning the sands of time into glass.
Creating something lasting out of time.
Push through here and beyond
Persevere and overcome challenges.
Endure every trial, breaking in from the outside
Face challenges head-on and emerge stronger.
Back to the struggle to then find strength in a starting over
Finding strength in starting over after a struggle.
I vowed not to spend my life comforted by enclosure.
I made a promise to not let myself be confined to one place or state of mind.
Better to cry out in pain than be uninvolved
It's better to be engaged and feel emotions than to be indifferent.
Silent and lame to the life that beckons us.
Ignoring the opportunities and possibilities that life presents.
Sirens calling me over the hills and trails
The call of adventure and exploration.
There to wander so restlessly, bold and tireless
To wander with energy and curiosity.
Seeking to broaden the lines dividing identity.
Exploring and expanding one's sense of self.
The task at hand
The challenge that must be faced.
To unleash the bondage
To release oneself from constraints or limitations.
Of endless lives, pressures, actions, questions
The burdens of life that weigh us down.
Answers giving birth to questions
The never-ending cycle of seeking answers and discovering new questions.
Unfolding like the petals of a lotus
The process of spiritual awakening or realization.
Eternal longing until we die no more.
The longing for fulfillment that lasts beyond our mortal existence.
Because you never hold on to the spoils you've won
The realization that material possessions don't bring lasting happiness.
All your triumphs in vain if you can't embrace a change
Success is meaningless if you don't adapt to new situations.
All the paths I've been down, I still have never found
Despite past experiences, there is still much to discover.
Something lasting through the years
Something that endures despite the passage of time.
But all these worthless fears that mean nothing
The realization that many of our fears are unfounded or insignificant.
Compare your life, your loves
Reflect on your life and relationships.
To the vastness of the endless stars above.
Contemplate the vastness and wonder of the universe.
Contributed by Chloe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.