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.
Warriors Dawn
The Lord Weird Slough Feg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rifles in the twisted canyons summon their surprise
Waking up the silent breeze puts shivers in their hearts
Crazed to death by casualties the calvary departs
We are the red men
Feathers-in-our-head men
Down among the deadmen
In bitter stars that cast their shrine upon the wilderness
Rabid eyes of shamen flood the moon's descending crest
Creeping in clairvoyance painted savaged are drawn
Lost in dire sacrifice to dance and die at dawn
We are the red men
Feathers-in-our-head men
Down among the deadmen
UM-POW-WOW!
I was born to walk on the plains
I was born to run in the hills
I was tough enough to spawn and die
Towards summer's end
And as you walk through the arid wilderness
You can hear my battle cry
We were torn from shackles and chains
We were born to run in the hills
We were tough enough to spawn and die
Towards summer's end
And as you walk through the arid wilderness
You can hear my battle cry
The Lord Weird Slough Feg's song "Warriors Dawn" is a portrayal of Native American warriors' lives in the wilderness. The song starts with the warriors coming home from a sacrifice, and their wives greet them. They are armed with rifles as they go through the twisted canyons; the element of surprise is on their side. The breeze, though silent, visibly puts shivers in the hearts of their wives. The cavalry departs; the warriors are crazed to death by casualties.
The chorus of the song highlights the band's attempt to identify with the Native American warriors. They call themselves "Red Men," "Feathers-in-our-head men," and ask listeners to hear their "battle cry" by chanting "UM-POW-WOW!" These phrases echo earlier depictions of Native Americans in modern entertainment and popular culture.
In the second verse, the stars cast their shrine upon the wilderness, and the rabid eyes of shamen flood the moon's descending crest. Painted savages are drawn, lost in dire sacrifice to dance and die at dawn. The lyrics continue with the idea that these warriors were born to walk and run in the hills, spawn and die at summer's end. The song leaves a lasting feeling of mourning the fate of the Native American people as they were ripped from their lands.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming home from sacrifice to meet our long-nosed wives
Returning home from battle to reunite with our loved ones
Rifles in the twisted canyons summon their surprise
Weapons hidden in the canyon, ready to ambush the enemy
Waking up the silent breeze puts shivers in their hearts
Even the slightest movement makes the enemy nervous
Crazed to death by casualties the calvary departs
The troops leave the battle, crazed and traumatized by the loss of their comrades
We are the red men
We are the indigenous people
Feathers-in-our-head men
We wear feathers in our hair as a symbol of our culture
Down among the deadmen
Fighting amongst the fallen soldiers
UM-POW-WOW!
A chant expressing our battle cry
In bitter stars that cast their shrine upon the wilderness
The stars in the night sky are a harsh reminder of the brutality of war
Rabid eyes of shamen flood the moon's descending crest
The crazed looks of our religious leaders are illuminated by the setting moon
Creeping in clairvoyance painted savaged are drawn
Moved by our prophetic visions, we paint ourselves for battle
Lost in dire sacrifice to dance and die at dawn
We accept the possibility of our own death as we prepare to fight at sunrise
I was born to walk on the plains
My destiny is to live amongst the wide-open spaces
I was born to run in the hills
I have a natural connection to the mountains and hills
I was tough enough to spawn and die towards summer's end
I am strong and resilient enough to face death, even in the hottest months of the year
And as you walk through the arid wilderness You can hear my battle cry
Even in death, my spirit still echoes through the barren landscape
We were torn from shackles and chains
Our lives were once enslaved and oppressed
We were born to run in the hills
Our destiny is to live free, in harmony with nature
We were tough enough to spawn and die towards summer's end
We are strong and resilient enough to endure the harsh realities of life and death
And as you walk through the arid wilderness You can hear my battle cry
Our fighting spirit will never truly die, even if we have already passed on
Contributed by Parker Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.