It's become something of a mission statement for the band, the desire to make music that can elevate, that can transport the listener to a place that's emotionally honest ... and that can stir up one hell of a mess in the moshpit, as anyone who's heard their artfully pummeling riffage, savage breakdowns and vocal cord-rupturing vocals can attest. "I'd like to say that the music we write is more than just ‘in the moment,'" says vocalist Anthony Rivera. "We're looking to write something that stands the test of time, that people can look back on and still enjoy 10 years from now."
Drawing inspiration from likeminded artists such as THRICE, UNDEROATH and AS I LAY DYING, THE OVERSEER delivers hard-hitting, uncompromising hard rock that belies the members' young age. This isn't "cash in on the latest trend" music, it's "sweat and tears" hard rock, with a little blood thrown in for good measure.
Showing they've got the work ethic as well as the talent it takes to make it in the musical big-leagues, THE OVERSEER have proven themselves to be completely devoted to the rock and roll life, even when it meant hitting the road for 400 grueling days in the last two years as an unsigned band. The relentless push to connect with fans around the country has been a dynamic and rewarding experience for the band - if not always glamorous. "There's really nothing like sleeping in a van in a different Walmart parking lot every night and showering once a week - or less," laughs bassist Bradley Riggs. "Touring is a challenge, but it makes it a lot easier when you can do it with guys who you completely trust in life. We've seen the world together and been through a lot, both great and terrible. We probably know each other better than we know ourselves."
All of that hard work paid off when the band achieved one of the goals the members had set from the beginning - getting signed to Solid State Records, home to so many of the bands that indirectly helped to shape THE OVERSEER’s sound. With the ink still drying on the deal, the band set out to do what it does best - work hard. The members headed into Atlanta's Glow in the Dark Studios with Matt McClellan to record an as-yet-untitled debut album - the first taste of which was released to fans in January 2012 in the form of the hard-hitting lead single "Secrets."
Once the album is complete, it will be time for THE OVERSEER to do the OTHER thing they do best: Tour, tour and tour, taking their music and their spiritually-minded message to eager fans. "I expect great things to happen for us over the next few years. We believe in hard work and hopefully we can leave an impression on a our listeners and maybe become a musical influence to them in the future," Riggs says. "We know our most exciting days on the road are to come, and that keeps us moving forward."
Forget living "in the moment." THE OVERSEER are living for the future, and it looks like a bright one indeed.
Uproot
The Overseer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will take me down into the depths
How did I ever sink this far
As I descend
I have lost all my intent
I have created my own little Hell
A tomb I so badly want out of
With my final breath
So come down, come down
My veins are becoming roots in this hollow ground
Everything is dark
Shed the dead skin
Break through the barrier
I am the ugliest of man
Over and over again
Dear God how long will I live like I'm dead
I'm done wasting away
Buried alive
I see hope inside
Inside me
Reaching out, helpless, desperate
With my final breath
So come down, come down
My veins are becoming roots in this hollow ground
Dig me out, dig me out
Uproot my putrid rotting body
Dear God, I am alive
Awake my dead bones
Awake my dead body
The lyrics of The Overseer's song "Uproot" are a desperate plea for help and guidance. The singer is plagued by their own mistakes and the negative influences they have allowed to creep into their life. They fear that they have sunk too far and are now trapped in their own personal hell. The imagery of snakes biting at their feet represents the toxic influences that threaten to drag them down further.
The singer is reaching out for help, but feels helpless and desperate. They acknowledge that they have lost their way and are in need of a rescue. The reference to veins becoming roots in hollow ground represents a desire to find a solid foundation to take root in and grow from.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of hopelessness and despair, but also a glimmer of hope. The singer has the desire to break free from their past mistakes and start anew. They envision themselves as a rotting, putrid body in need of being uprooted and brought back to life. It is a desperate cry for salvation and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear God I fear my mistakes and snakes I've let bite at my feet
I am terrified that the mistakes I've made and the people who have hurt me in the past will bring me down to a dark place.
Will take me down into the depths
I am afraid that I will fall into a deep hole that I can't get out of.
How did I ever sink this far
I can't believe that I've let myself sink so low.
As I descend
As I continue on this downward spiral.
I have lost all my intent
I have lost my sense of purpose and direction in life.
I have created my own little Hell
I have made my own world of pain and suffering.
A tomb I so badly want out of
I am trapped and desperate to escape this miserable existence.
Reaching out, helpless, desperate
I am reaching out for help, feeling helpless and desperate.
With my final breath
I am at the end of my rope, with no energy left.
So come down, come down
I am pleading for someone to come and save me.
My veins are becoming roots in this hollow ground
I feel like I am taking root in this dark and empty place, unable to move forward or escape.
Everything is dark
My world is completely bleak and hopeless.
Shed the dead skin
I need to let go of my past and start over fresh.
Break through the barrier
I need to push through my obstacles and overcome my challenges.
I am the ugliest of man
I feel like I am the worst possible version of myself and hate who I have become.
Over and over again
I keep falling into the same patterns and making the same mistakes.
Dear God how long will I live like I'm dead
I feel like I am just going through the motions and not truly living life.
I'm done wasting away
I refuse to let my life continue to slip away from me.
Buried alive
I feel like I am trapped and suffocating in my current situation.
I see hope inside
Despite the darkness, there is still a glimmer of hope and optimism within me.
Dig me out, dig me out
I am begging for someone to rescue me from this dark place.
Uproot my putrid rotting body
I need to completely uproot and rid myself of the negative and toxic parts of my life.
Dear God, I am alive
I am still alive and fighting, despite my struggles.
Awake my dead bones
I need to revive my spirit and regain my energy and motivation.
Awake my dead body
I need to fully wake up and start living life to the fullest.
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.