Biography
Before The Unguided was formed, all of the core members played in the Swedish metal band Sonic Syndicate (first known as Fallen Angels). Vocalist Roland Johansson left in 2009 due to issues with extensive touring. In October 2010, it was announced that vocalist Richard Sjunneson would not take part of the rest of the We Rule the Night tour to spend more time with his family, but a couple of days after he announced the break was permanent, that he left Sonic Syndicate due to creative differences.[3][4] Richard went on to form the new band, The Unguided, together with Roland Johansson and Roger Sjunnesson
On December 22, 2010, Richard revealed on his blog that the band would be releasing two brand-new songs in January. On January 9, 2011 the band revealed the artwork and title for their upcoming EP, Nightmareland. The artwork was done by Kuang Hong. The layout and booklet design was made by Gustavo Sazes, the same person who made the artwork for the Sonic Syndicate EP Burn This City. An alternative version of the artwork for later re-issues of the EP was made by Jose A. Aranguren, the same person who made the artwork for the Sonic Syndicate album Eden Fire. On the same day, it was also announced that the release date of Nightmareland would be delayed until February due to the band re-recording it in a professional studio and not in Richard's home studio. On January 18, 2011, the band announced the title of the two new songs for the Nightmareland EP: "Green Eyed Demon" and "Pathfinder". On the same day, it was revealed that the recording took place in The Abyss studio (same studio Sonic Syndicate recorded Only Inhuman, Love and Other Disasters and Burn This City) in Pärlby, Sweden with producer Jonas Kjellgren (same producer Sonic Syndicate used for Only Inhuman, Love and Other Disasters and Burn This City). On February 6, 2011, the band announced that their first concert would be as a part of the set-list for the 2011 Getaway Rock Festival. Richard also revealed that he had joined the Swedish metal band Faithful Darkness.
On February 16, 2011, the band released a video on their YouTube page including a preview of two tracks of the upcoming EP. On February 18, 2011, the band announced that the recording, mixing and mastering of Nightmareland was done. They also announced that the band had signed with the Swedish record label Despotz Records, on which Nightmareland would be released. March 7, 2011 the band announced that Nightmareland would be released on April 1, 2011 through Despotz Records. They also announced that the band would be re-recording songs they wrote when they still were in Fallen Angels. On the release day of Nightmareland, "Pathfinder" premiered on the Swedish radio station Bandit Rock.
On April 28, 2011, the band announced that pre-production of their debut album had officially begun. They also revealed that Jonas Kjellgren also would be producing the album and that The Unguided had signed a deal with Despotz Records to release and distribute it. On June 6, 2011 it was revealed that the second The Unguided concert would be on July 26, 2011 at the annual Grand Rock event at their hometown Falkenberg, Sweden. Richard had already hinted that fans needed to keep their eyes out for June 16, 2011 without revealing anything more than that it would be a special day. On June 16, 2011 without any official announcement The Unguided released their debut single "Betrayer of the Code". "Betrayer of the Code" was originally written by Roger and Richard when they still played in Fallen Angels. The artwork for the single was made by Jose A. Aranguren, the same person who made the artwork for the Sonic Syndicate album Eden Fire and the alternative version of Nightmareland. With the release of the first single, The Unguided had officially begun recording their debut album. Although the recording session had already been going on for a while, it wasn't announced until June 16.
On June 25, 2011, Richard announced that The Unguided would not be able to perform any of their songs written in Sonic Syndicate due to after Roland's departure of the band he signed a contract giving away all the rights of anything related to Sonic Syndicate, even performing the songs live. In order for the band to play their songs live, every member of the band (except new singer Nathan James Biggs) needed to sign a contract wherein they allow The Unguided to play their songs. Richard and Roger's cousin and guitar player in Sonic Syndicate, Robin Sjunnesson was the only person in the band not willing to sign the contract, therefore removing any possibility for The Unguided to play any of their old songs. Richard Sjunnesson included the following statement about the situation on his blog: "I know this comes as a disappointment to a lot of you who were looking forward to hearing Sonic Syndicate songs with the original singer setup but it’s totally out of our hands. Until we get that last signature there’s really nothing we can do. We in The Unguided don’t see this hindrance as a major obstacle, however. We see it as a great challenge since we immediately have to banish ourselves to the writing board, finish up, and rehearse a lot of new material. Keep in mind, we’re NOT Sonic Syndicate we’re The Unguided with all the properties that comes of that. Thus The Unguided’s upcoming live appearances will consist of entirely our own material".
On October 3, the artwork and title of their debut album Hell Frost was revealed at 616. The artwork was done by Kuang Hong, the same person who made the artwork for Nightmareland. The layout and booklet design was made by Gustavo Sazes. On the same day Despotz Records announced that the recording, mixing and mastering of Hell Frost. was completed and that it would be released on November 30, 2011. Richard had already announced on his blog that the album would include a cover song; on October 8, it was revealed to be "Tankens Mirakel" by the Swedish EBM duo Spark. The song has been translated into English and will appear on the album with the title "The Miracle of Mind". It will be the JakeBox exclusive bonus track for Hell Frost. On October 11 the Swedish radio station Bandit Rock premiered the song "Inherit the Earth", a preview of the song had been played the day before as well. On October 25, it was announced that "Inherit the Earth" would be the lead single. "Phoenix Down" was originally intended as the lead single. The single was eventually released on October 26, 2011. The artwork for the single was made by Jose A. Aranguren. On January 13, 2012 the band released their second single "Phoenix Down" and its music video, directed by Patric Ullaeus who has worked with all the members of the band on several occasions. The single was released as a 4-track single. The artwork for the single was made by Jose A. Aranguren.
Line-Up
Richard Sjunnesson - Vocals
Roger Sjunnesson - Guitars, Keyboards
Roland Johansson - Guitars, Vocals
Henric Carlsson - Bass
Richard Schill - Drums
Singularity
The Unguided Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The axe shall fall on those who wronged us
Let me, let me tell you about the fallen angels
Because there's so much, so much left to tell about a story soon lost in time
Two betrayers, three forgotten, and two kindred rulers
Brothers fighting the oppression as one to save a dying kingdom
Behind enemy lines
We summoned the army
To stand by the truth, to bleed for justice
And if we can't wake up the world, we'll simply have to destroy it
A new beginning to free what's left of mankind
WE ARE HANGING BY A HEARTSTRING
THIS DEATH GRIP THEY'LL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR
ALWAYS SIDING WITH THE TRUE KING
AND HE'LL LEAD US IN THIS ENDLESS WAR
They stole the hearts and souls of men and put them in machines
Mindless slaves to roam the nuclear wasteland that used to be our home
Where the eclipse darkens the fields that's where we mobilize
Right on the border of Hell Frost and Zion, we'll initiate the onset
Behind enemy lines
In a dark world we don't recognize anymore
We summoned the army
To stand by the truth, to bleed for justice
WE ARE HANGING BY A HEARTSTRING
THIS DEATH GRIP THEY'LL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR
ALWAYS SIDING WITH THE TRUE KING
AND HE'LL LEAD US IN THIS ENDLESS WAR
Upon returning from the never-ending winter
The axe shall fall on those who wronged us
When injustice becomes law
Resistance becomes duty, no retreat, no surrender
We will press on until they withdraw
Reclaim these godless lands, let them heal
Let them shine yet again in splender
The Unguided's song "Singularity" is a dystopian anthem of resistance against oppressive forces. The lyrics are full of fantastical and futuristic language, but the underlying message is clear: we must stand up against injustice, no matter how dire the circumstances. The song begins with the promise of retribution - "The axe shall fall on those who wronged us" - and from there, tells the story of a group of rebels who rise up against their oppressors.
The verse "Let me, let me tell you about the fallen angels" sets the stage for a tale of betrayal and strife. The identities of these "fallen angels" are not specified, but we get the sense that they were once powerful rulers who have been ousted from their thrones. The rebels are described as "brothers fighting the oppression as one to save a dying kingdom," suggesting that they are motivated by a sense of duty and loyalty to their people.
Throughout the song, we hear about a world that has been ravaged by war and environmental catastrophe. The rebels find themselves "behind enemy lines / In a dark world we don't recognize anymore," and are forced to fight against mindless machines and their human masters. Despite the odds, they remain resolute, declaring that "THIS DEATH GRIP THEY'LL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR / ALWAYS SIDING WITH THE TRUE KING / AND HE'LL LEAD US IN THIS ENDLESS WAR." The song ends with a glimmer of hope - "Let them shine yet again in splendor" - but the implication is that the battle is far from over.
Line by Line Meaning
Upon returning from the never-ending winter
After enduring a harsh and unforgiving season,
The axe shall fall on those who wronged us
Those who have caused us harm will face the consequences of their actions.
Let me, let me tell you about the fallen angels
Allow me to recount a tale of those who were once revered but have now fallen from grace.
Because there's so much, so much left to tell about a story soon lost in time
There are many details of this story that are in danger of being forgotten as time passes.
Two betrayers, three forgotten, and two kindred rulers
There were two traitors, three who have been overlooked, and two leaders who shared a bond fighting a common enemy.
Brothers fighting the oppression as one to save a dying kingdom
Two siblings banded together to stand up against those who were oppressing their people in order to rescue a kingdom in crisis.
Behind enemy lines
Operating from within the territory of their adversaries
In a dark world we don't recognize anymore
The world has become so bleak and hostile that it feels unrecognizable compared to what it once was.
We summoned the army
We rallied our forces together for a common cause.
To stand by the truth, to bleed for justice
Our goal was to uphold what is right and fight for the justice we believe in, regardless of the sacrifice it may require.
And if we can't wake up the world, we'll simply have to destroy it
If it is impossible to make the world see reason, we will resort to destroying it entirely.
A new beginning to free what's left of mankind
Through decimating the current state of things, we hope to create a fresh start that will liberate the remnants of humanity.
WE ARE HANGING BY A HEARTSTRING
We are surviving by the thinnest thread of hope.
THIS DEATH GRIP THEY'LL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR
Those who are responsible for our desperate situation will be held accountable for their actions.
ALWAYS SIDING WITH THE TRUE KING
We have unwavering loyalty to the ruler who represents what is right and just.
AND HE'LL LEAD US IN THIS ENDLESS WAR
This leader will guide us through this never-ending conflict.
They stole the hearts and souls of men and put them in machines
Our enemies have forcibly taken away the humanity of others and turned them into mere machines.
Mindless slaves to roam the nuclear wasteland that used to be our home
The ones who have been stripped of their freedom are now aimlessly wandering in a once-beautiful world that has turned into a barren wasteland due to nuclear destruction.
Where the eclipse darkens the fields that's where we mobilize
We choose to gather our troops where the darkness of the eclipsed sun shadows the land.
Right on the border of Hell Frost and Zion, we'll initiate the onset
Our attack will begin right at the border of the freezing Hell Frost and the sacred Zion.
When injustice becomes law
When what is wrong and unjust is treated as acceptable and legal.
Resistance becomes duty, no retreat, no surrender
It is our duty to push back against this injustice by any means necessary, never backing down or surrendering.
We will press on until they withdraw
We will continue to fight until our enemies have retreated or been defeated.
Reclaim these godless lands, let them heal
Our aim is to reclaim these lands that have been abandoned by any higher powers and allow them to begin the process of recovering and renewing themselves.
Let them shine yet again in splendor
We hope for these lands to eventually shine once more in all of their former glory.
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.