The Lord Weird Slough Feg (shortened to Slough Feg in 2005) is a folk metal… Read Full Bio ↴The Lord Weird Slough Feg (shortened to Slough Feg in 2005) is a folk metal/heavy metal band that formed in Pennsylvania in the early 1990s. Deriving their name from a character in the Irish mythology-inspired Sláine comics, the band released their self-titled debut album in 1996. To date, they have released nine studio albums, the most recent being 'Digital Resistence' (2014).

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.

Traders and Gunboats
The Lord Weird Slough Feg Lyrics

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Down and out on the Solomani Rim
Now the spinward marches don't look so grim

(Chorus)
I hear the X-boats on my trail
Engines always on the run

I'm mercenary, live in hyper-drive

Traders and Gunboats keeping me alive

On route to Pscias always on the run
Busted in the Sword-Worlds with a loaded Gauss-Gun

Overall Meaning

The Lord Weird Slough Feg's "Traders and Gunboats" tells of a space adventure where the singer is on the run while being chased by X-boats. He is a mercenary who lives in hyper-drive, and his survival depends on Traders and Gunboats. The song highlights the hardships of living as a mercenary, always on the run, and never settling in one place. The singer is constantly in danger, having been busted in the Sword-Worlds with a loaded Gauss-Gun. The song's verses talk about the singer's journey, and in the chorus, the listener can hear the X-boats on his trail, with the engines always on the run.

The song's lyrics can be interpreted in different ways. It can be seen as a metaphor for life, where we are always on the run, trying to survive. The Traders and Gunboats can be seen as the people who help us along the way, those who keep us alive. The Sword-Worlds can be seen as the obstacles we face in our journey, and the loaded Gauss-Gun can be seen as our means of defense or protection.

Line by Line Meaning

Down and out on the Solomani Rim
In a state of despair and poverty at the periphery of the Solomani territory

Now the spinward marches don't look so grim
The military campaigns in the east are now seeming less miserable

I hear the X-boats on my trail
I sense that I am being pursued by interstellar couriers

Engines always on the run
My ship's propulsion system is continually active

I'm mercenary, live in hyper-drive
I am a soldier of fortune, existing in hyper-speed

Traders and Gunboats keeping me alive
It is the interstellar traders and military vessels that are ensuring my survival

On route to Pscias always on the run
I am travelling to Pscias and constantly evading danger

Busted in the Sword-Worlds with a loaded Gauss-Gun
I was caught in the Sword-Worlds and had in my possession a charged Gauss weapon

Contributed by Ian F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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