By 1999, this was already clearly evident, when Frédéric Guillemot (Drums) and Vincent Danhier (Bass) decided to join and secure the line-up. The press and fans enthusiastically praised and welcomed the band’s first release: a mini-CD, “The Blossom”.
This promising debut took a sudden tragic turn, when Frédéric Guillemot committed suicide just a few months later. The band members were inspired to exorcise the dramatic loss of their close friend by expressing the darkest feelings and frustration this trauma provoked in a new concept album. The result was “The Nameless Disease”, produced by Andy Classen (Legion Of The Damned, Dew-Scented, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Disbelief, Graveworm…) and mastered by Goran Finberg (IN FLAMES, Opeth, Dimmu Borgir…), an album which carried a powerful, aggressive and modern sound. In 2002, the band signed a deal with Season of Mist which finally gave Frédéric’s epic eulogy a proper release. The Old Dead Tree performed several shows and toured at various festivals for the record, with the likes of Opeth, Katatonia and Paradise Lost.
Franck Métayer, at the drums since 1999, decided to leave in 2004, later joined Breaklose for a couple of years, and is now a member of Interria. He was replaced by Foued Moukid (now in Arkan) whose debut performance with the The Old Dead Tree appeared on the 2005 album, “The Perpetual Motion”. The band played at several high profile festivals over the summer of 2005 to promote the album’s release, including at “Summer Darkness” (NL) and “Fury Fest” (FR).
Sophomore album “The Perpetual Motion” was fully produced by Andy Classen at the Stage One Studio (Germany) and the collaboration proved to be particularly successful. The album received raving reviews late Summer 2005. Throughout the fall and winter of that year, The Old Dead Tree hit the road with Dutch gothic metallers Epica for a full European tour, and performed several shows as headliners in France and the Benelux.
On May 2006, guitarist and founding member Nicolas Chevrollier called its quits to focus on his family, as he would soon become a father. The strong friendship binding the members of the band made the decision particularly difficult. A replacement was found in Gilles Moinet (main composer of doom metal act Luc Incerta), a man with a deep sense of melody who quickly found his place and brought new influences to The Old Dead Tree.
After several more shows, the band members started working on their third album early 2007. The recording sessions and the whole mixing and mastering process took place in June at the Stage One Studio, once again with irreplaceable producer Andy Classen. The wait is now over and The Old Dead Tree have given birth to their new album “The Water Fields”. This title is based upon an imaginary place where one finds refuge from pain and everyday doubts. “This is a concept album about avoidance, kidding oneself, and the urge we have to hide from reality and to remain passive when we are on tenterhooks...” says Manuel Munoz. “The band went further again, reaching a new stage in terms of song writing and maturity. This album is much heavier and darker, but also more diverse and full of sheer emotion! Even the production of Andy Classen outdoes the job on our previous material…”
The Old Dead Tree disbanded in November 2009.
In January 2013, The Old Dead Tree announced their reunion and that they will play at the Hellfest festival. The 2013 line-up is Manuel Munoz (vocals & guitar), Nicolas Chevrollier (guitar), Gilles Moinet (bass) and Raphaël Antheaume (drums)
By the Way
The Old Dead Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The more I think about this sad story
The more I feel deceived
Couldn't I have been betrayed after all?
Anyway
I understand that things have changed in your life
Should I feel guilty about that?
No I won't come maskless
All this ime
I did my best to protect my integrity
But it's a lost cause now
My will to belieave in humanity
Simply sank and faded away
The vanishing pride of a mortal man
Everyday
Since this evening of torment
This bloody argument
I felt so guilty
And evil
The Old Dead Tree's song "By the Way" is a reflection of a person's emotional turmoil after being betrayed by a loved one. The more he thinks about the sad story of betrayal, the more he feels deceived. He questions himself if he could have possibly been betrayed all along. He then goes on to express understanding about how things have changed in the other person's life, but denies feeling guilty about it. He no longer wants to pretend and wear masks.
The song is an expression of the singer's despair and loss of faith in humanity. He tries to protect his integrity, but eventually feels like it's a lost cause. He finds it hard to believe in humanity anymore and the pride he once had as a mortal man disappears. He is consumed with guilt and the feeling of being evil after an argument that has made him question his beliefs.
Overall, the song seems to be about the journey of coming to terms with betrayal, and the difficult process of confronting oneself and the loss of faith in others. It reflects how vulnerable and powerless betrayal can make us feel and the impact it can have on our perception of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
By the way
As a side note, I have something significant to say.
The more I think about this sad story
Reflecting on this unfortunate tale, my thoughts become more complicated.
The more I feel deceived
I believe I've been misled and let down profoundly.
Couldn't I have been betrayed after all?
Is it possible that I've actually been betrayed in some way?
Anyway
Regardless, I must face the reality of the situation.
I understand that things have changed in your life
I comprehend that your life has shifted in a significant manner.
Should I feel guilty about that?
Is it reasonable for me to feel remorse for the changes in your life?
No I won't come maskless anymore..
In the future, I won't behave as if everything is okay when it isn't.
All this time
Through this extended period of struggle and hardship,
I did my best to protect my integrity
I attempted to maintain my moral principles and values during this difficult period.
But it's a lost cause now
However, it appears this endeavor was fruitless, and my integrity has been compromised.
My will to believe in humanity
My faith in the goodness of people has been shattered and eroded.
Simply sank and faded away
It has gradually dissipated and disappeared without any notable cause or event.
The vanishing pride of a mortal man
My sense of dignity and self-respect as a human being is only receding more and more.
Everyday
Each day since that painful event,
Since this evening of torment
Specifying the occasion of the significant experience, the night of agony,
This bloody argument
The heated altercation we had that resulted in harsh words and actions,
I felt so guilty
I experienced overwhelming guilt and remorse for my involvement in this conflict.
And evil
Although it's irrational and unjustified, I perceive myself as a wicked person due to this event.
Contributed by Kaylee C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.