Since its creation in 1997, Paris, France by Manuel Munoz (Vocals, Guitars)… Read Full Bio ↴Since its creation in 1997, Paris, France by Manuel Munoz (Vocals, Guitars) and Nicolas Chevrollier (Guitars), The Old Dead Tree always stood apart in the current European metal scene thanks to its unique musical identity: a style which combines extreme metal and dark rock / pop with exceptional vocals, gliding from one style to the next.

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)

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The Old Dead Tree Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How dould I've fallen so low?

What tortuous ways could lead me here,

But is that really unfair?

Would I be able to say "I'm sorry"

What king of man am I really?

Will I one day find again

My will to be?

How many years did I waste?

How many chances did I Miss?

I don't want to count them anymore

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

I thought I did my best

But I still lost control

I can't stop this endless fall

Yes I fall down constantly

Have all my friends deserted me?

How could I've fallen so low?

I don't know!

I can't stand this idea

Am I too blind to see

That I always did my best

To stay fair, to stay right?

It didn't seem to be enough

Now I'm lost in the night

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Old Dead Tree's song "Down" reflect a sense of regret and disappointment, as the singer questions how they could have ended up in such a low place. The lyrics suggest that the singer may be feeling a sense of unfairness or injustice, but at the same time, they seem to be reflecting on their own shortcomings and mistakes. The line "How many chances did I miss?" suggests that the singer may have missed opportunities to improve their situation, while the repeated refrain of "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8" seems to emphasize a sense of counting and keeping track of losses.

Throughout the song, the singer questions their own character and integrity, wondering if they are truly a good person and if they will ever regain their sense of purpose and willpower. The line "Have all my friends deserted me?" suggests that the singer may be feeling isolated and alone, while the repeated phrase "Yes, I fall down constantly" emphasizes a sense of persistent failure or weakness.

Overall, the lyrics to "Down" suggest a deep sense of sadness and uncertainty, as the singer struggles to understand how they have ended up in such a difficult place and wonders if they will ever be able to find their way out.

Line by Line Meaning

How dould I've fallen so low?
What led me to my current state of despair?

What tortuous ways could lead me here,
What convoluted paths have brought me to this point?

But is that really unfair?
Is it truly impossible to overcome my circumstances?

Would I be able to say "I'm sorry"
Could I ever make amends for my mistakes?

What king of man am I really?
What sort of person have I become?

Will I one day find again My will to be?
Can I regain my motivation and drive?

How many years did I waste?
How much of my life have I squandered?

How many chances did I Miss?
How many opportunities have I let slip away?

I don't want to count them anymore 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
I'm tired of tallying all my failures and shortcomings.

I thought I did my best But I still lost control
I tried my hardest, but things still didn't go as planned.

I can't stop this endless fall Yes I fall down constantly
I feel like I'm constantly stumbling and unable to get back up.

Have all my friends deserted me?
Are the people I once trusted and relied on no longer there for me?

How could I've fallen so low? I don't know!
I can't fathom how I've ended up in such a lowly state.

I can't stand this idea Am I too blind to see That I always did my best To stay fair, to stay right?
It's too difficult for me to accept that I may have always been doing my best, yet still failed.

It didn't seem to be enough Now I'm lost in the night
All my efforts and hard work didn't yield the results I desired, and now I'm left feeling aimless and lost.

Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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