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.
Walls of Shame
The Lord Weird Slough Feg Lyrics
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Behind the walls of gray
While you pray
The black and white won't stay
The end will haunt your cradle every night
Black and white
The lies that make you stable burn in the rite
While you hide
Behind the walls of shame
Deep inside
You know your master's game
The end will haunt your cradle every night
Black and white
The lies that make you stable burn in the rite
Black and white
"Look down below your feet
And down there is a well
Let Obscuranists cry
That down there's only hell"
The lyrics to "Walls of Shame" by The Lord Weird Slough Feg touch on themes of conformity, control, and the danger of blindly following authority. The first verse speaks to the idea of staying within the boundaries set by society, represented by the "walls of gray" behind which the singer stays. The phrase "black and white won't stay" implies a desire for something more dynamic and exciting than the dull, prescribed life that others would have them live. The second verse delves into the consequences of blindly following an authority figure, even when doing so goes against one's instincts or values. The "walls of shame" represent the shame one feels when they know deep down that they are doing something wrong or immoral but continue to do it anyway. The line "you know your master's game" speaks to the idea that those in positions of power often manipulate and control their subordinates for their own gain.
The chorus is a warning about what happens when one lives a life of conformity and unethical behavior. The phrase "the end will haunt your cradle every night" is a powerful image that suggests that one's choices will have long-lasting consequences. The "lies that make you stable" are the falsehoods that keep the person feeling secure within the bounds of their prescribed life, but ultimately, these lies will "burn in the rite." This last line suggests that the deception will lead to some sort of reckoning or spiritual trial.
The final line, "Let Obscuranists cry / That down there's only hell," feels like a challenge to those who try to tell us what is and isn't safe or acceptable. Obscuranists could be taken to mean those who obscure the truth or manipulate it for their own purposes. The singer is saying that they refuse to be held back by such people and that they will seek out what lies beyond the prescribed boundaries, no matter what naysayers might say.
Overall, the song seems to be a call to embrace one's own instincts and desires, even if it means going against what society or authority figures may tell us is right or safe. It warns that blindly following those in power or living a life of conformity will have dire consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
While you stay
If you choose to remain in your current situation
Behind the walls of gray
You're putting up walls and blocking yourself from progress
While you pray
You think that praying is going to help you, but it's not
The black and white won't stay
Things won't stay the same, things change, good or bad
The end will haunt your cradle every night
At the end of the day, all that's left is how you lived your life
Black and white
The truth vs lies
The lies that make you stable burn in the rite
The things that you believe are actually holding you back
While you hide
You continue to hide yourself from your responsibilities
Behind the walls of shame
You feel shame for not making progress
Deep inside
You know the truth about yourself, but refuse to accept it
You know your master's game
You know that you're not in control of your life
Look down below your feet
Pay attention to what's in front of you
And down there is a well
Within yourself is a potential for growth
Let Obscuranists cry
Don't listen to those who spread negativity
That down there's only hell
Don't let others bring you down by telling you that there's nothing to gain from your situation
Contributed by Lila N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.