Slough Feg was formed in Central Pennsylvania, but relocated to San Francisco, California in 1990 with the hopes of "resurrecting the Heavy Metal scene in America". The band produced three demo tapes in the early 90s before releasing their self titled debut album. Bassist Justin Phelps left the band shortly after. In 1998, the European music label Dragonheart signed Slough Feg and the band released their second album 'Twilight of the Idols' in 1999. The band released 'Down Among the Deadmen' in 2000, and 'Traveller' in 2003 (renowned for being based on Game Designer Workshop's 1977 science fiction role-playing game of the same name)..
In 2005 the band moved to the Italian record label Cruz del Sur and released their fifth studio album, 'Atavism'. The band also officially shortened their name to 'Slough Feg' after the album's release. After the change of name, John Cobbett left in good terms with the band, and was replaced by current member Angelo Tringali in January of 2005. Around the same time, drummer and founding member Greg Haa left the band for personal reasons, and was replaced by current member, Antoine Reuben-Diavola. In 2007 released their sixth album (second with Cruz del Sur), 'Hardworlder', recorded and produced with former bass player Justin Phelps. In 2008 the band released 'The Slay Stack Grows' on Shadow Kingdom Records. This was a double CD release of old demos and live recordings from the bands early days.
The band toured in Europe, and the United States, doing coast-to-coast tours summers of 2005 and 2006, including an appearance at the first annual Alehorn of Power festival in Chicago, Illinois. The band has also toured the United States, doing a coast-to-coast tour for the first time in the summer of 2005 with another such tour planned for the summer of 2006, which will include an appearance at the first annual Alehorn of Power festival in Chicago, IL.
High Passage/Low Passage
The Lord Weird Slough Feg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asteroid mining is a dangerous game
Imperial navy can't keep up my pace
Chasing a rock into Zhodani space
You heard about me in the frontier wars
Psionic menace carrying alien spores
A living legend in the asteroid mines
One-thousand credits is my humble price
Whether it's nickel, iron, stone or ice
Only the wayfaring patron would dare
A merchant cruiser, a skyway corsair
It's not a mineral that I seek here
High passage, low passage
Any way I'm outta here
I was born in colonies
On fringe worlds of the galaxy
Meanwhile in Zhodani space
Imperial flagships follow me
The Lord Weird Slough Feg's song "High Passage/Low Passage" is a narrative from the point of view of a space pirate. The lyrics describe their daring exploits as they navigate the dangers of asteroid mining and evade the Imperial navy. The singer is a notorious legend in the asteroid mines, known for outvoting tariffs and fines to get their wealth. The space pirate has even been rumored to be involved in the frontier wars and to have come into contact with dangerous aliens carrying psionic powers. All these adventures have led the singer to be relentlessly pursued by the Imperial navy, who follow them even into Zhodani space.
The lyrics of the song speak to a larger theme of rebellion and freedom. The singer is clearly someone who operates outside the bounds of established law and order, seeking riches and adventure in the vastness of space. Their pursuit of wealth and independence is a reflection of a desire to reject the constraints of society and to forge their own path. The use of the term "high passage, low passage" suggests a metaphorical journey, one that is both about the movement of the stars and also about navigating through life.
These lyrics paint a vivid picture of a space pirate's life and offer an insight into the motivations that drive such a bold yet dangerous existence. The song captures the thrill of adventure and the freedom of exploring the vast emptiness of space with a fearless spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a space pirate, you know my name
Introducing oneself as a notorious space pirate
Asteroid mining is a dangerous game
Describing the hazards of mining asteroids
Imperial navy can't keep up my pace
Boasting about outmaneuvering the imperial navy
Chasing a rock into Zhodani space
Narrating the pursuit of a valuable asteroid into Zhodani space
You heard about me in the frontier wars
Asserting one's reputation in previous wars
Psionic menace carrying alien spores
Indicating the dangers of encountering psionic threats and extraterrestrial life forms
A living legend in the asteroid mines
Boasting about being a revered figure in the mining community
Outvoting tarrifs and imperial fines
Claiming to overcome legal obstacles and imperial penalties
One-thousand credits is my humble price
Declaring a fair price for mining services
Whether it's nickel, iron, stone or ice
Offering to mine various types of minerals
Only the wayfaring patron would dare
Implying that only adventurous clients would seek their services
A merchant cruiser, a skyway corsair
Describing oneself as a daring and skilled trader
It's not a mineral that I seek here
Revealing that the current target is not a mineral
High passage, low passage
Referring to the modes of travel
Any way I'm outta here
Announcing departure
I was born in colonies
Background information regarding birthplace
On fringe worlds of the galaxy
Further elaborating on the birthplace as an obscure world
Meanwhile in Zhodani space
Transitioning to events in the present timeline
Imperial flagships follow me
Narrating the pursuit by imperial forces
Contributed by Sebastian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.