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)
The Knock Out Song
The Old Dead Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time for the match to begin
Are you ready?
So let's start the fight
And spill blood
Is that the way you prove to your friend that you're a man?
Don't think that's pathetic?
Really?
What did you just say?
Don't apologise, you're dead anyway
Are you ready?
So let's start to fight
It's time to get in the spotlight and spill blood
I'm bleeding and bleeding still
Even if it hurts, I want to stand
"You know, it's like an old song, a sad fairytale
Punches and kicks remind me of wolves, witches and ghosts."
But.. I think I'm losing my mind, I had better wake up
Let's get in the ring!
The lyrics of The Old Dead Tree’s “The Knock Out Song” describes a boxing match and the mentality of the fighters involved. The song begins with a call to enter the ring and start the match. The lyrics then ask if the fighters are ready and prompt them to start fighting. The song questions the idea of proving one’s masculinity through violence and asks if such behavior is pathetic.
The final verses of the song describe the aftermath of the fight. The singer is bleeding and hurt but insists on standing up. He compares the fight to an old sad fairytale, with punches and kicks reminding him of wolves, witches, and ghosts. The song ends with a repetition of the opening call to get in the ring.
Overall, “The Knock Out Song” explores themes of aggression, masculinity, and the impact of violence on individuals. The lyrics question why people feel the need to engage in physically harmful behavior to prove themselves and the long-lasting effects such actions can have.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get in the ring
It's time for the match to begin
Are you ready?
So let's start the fight
It's time to get in the spotlight and spill blood
Is that the way you prove to your friend that you're a man?
Don't think that's pathetic?
Really?
What did you just say?
Don't apologise, you're dead anyway
Are you ready?
So let's start to fight
It's time to get in the spotlight and spill blood
I'm bleeding and bleeding still
Even if it hurts, I want to stand
"You know, it's like an old song, a sad fairytale
Punches and kicks remind me of wolves, witches and ghosts."
But.. I think I'm losing my mind, I had better wake up
Let's get in the ring!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind