The Unseen formed in Boston 1993 and released the demo EP Too Young To Know...Too Reckless To Care in 1994. Two other 7" EPs followed, before the release of their debut full-length, Lower Class Crucifixion on A-F Records. Another two albums followed on the same label before they signed to BYO Records, and then, Hellcat Records. Each of their albums have sold moderately better than previous releases.
The quintet also released a best-of compilation for the European market in June 2000 titled Totally Unseen: The Best Of The Unseen, which contained two previously unreleased tracks.
For the release of their 2001 album The Anger And the Truth, "Chainsaw" re-accompanied the band in the studio to record the song No Evacuation, a song he originally wrote.
After being a member of the band for nearly ten years and writing most of the material on Lower Class Crucifixion, So This is Freedom?, and The Anger and the Truth, Paul Russo left the band after only contributing vocals to one track on their fourth album Explode. Citing differences in direction, he is now the leader of The Strings, an indie rock/folk band. He remains friends with his former bandmates.
Mark Unseen, the lead singer, formed and currently runs ADD Records. He also briefly joined the Maine street punk group A Global Threat as a second singer, and recorded the full-length What the Fuck Will Change? and Until We Die before deciding to concentrate on his duties with The Unseen.
There has been some controversy concerning the band, including allegations that in recent years they have "sold out". Most widely cited is the fact that The Unseen have produced music videos to air on commercial music video channels such as MTV2, an avenue looked-down upon in the underground streetpunk scene. The band reacted to this perception with the song "So Sick of You."
They have toured Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and Mexico with many punk heavyweights from The Bouncing Souls and Rancid to decidedly more hardcore outfits like Hatebreed and Sick Of It All. Since the departure of Paul, the band has used many replacements on tour such as members from The Virus, Strike Anywhere, and F-Minus, however, recently, on their MySpace page The Unseen have included a fifth band member, Jonny, an ex-guitarist of A Global Threat who was in the band at the same time as Mark.
2006 also saw the release of Tripp's book So This Is Readin'?, which details the life and hardships of being in an underground band with dry comedy. It started as a lengthy band history on the band's website, but after a few amusing "chapters" he was contacted by a publishing company to release it in book form.
In May 2006, The Unseen announced on their official website that they would begin writing their sixth studio full-length album during the summer of that year. The album, titled Internal Salvation, came out on July 10, 2007. The first song released from that album is a track titled "Right Before Your Eyes". In support of the new album, the band has joined the thirteenth Warped Tour.
Explode
The Unseen Lyrics
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I'm losing my mind and my life's a mess.
Well everyone says do this and do that
Maybe they're right
I feel like I'm gonna
Explode I'm gonna explode
It is so big yet I feel so small
It's even in your shopping mall
Don't throw it away that's what they say
I don't want to go out and fail
Yet I fail at home every day
I wonder someday if I'll look back
With regrets on how I lived
Each way I turn I turn my back
Each time I turn I always look back
I'm trying to please everyone I don't know how
I feel like I'm gonna
Explode I'm gonna explode
What should I do I really don't know
Should I stay home or should I go
Well I'm struggling with my sanity
Is my life crumbling in front of me.
Oh.
Do you know how it feels?
To feel like your gonna explode
Do you ever feel
Like your gonna explode.
Explode.
The Unseen's song "Explode" is a raw depiction of the overwhelming feeling of being lost and feeling like life is slipping away. The lyrics suggest that there is something the singer needs to confess to feel better, but they are struggling to find their path or purpose. The song explores the constant societal pressure to succeed and the accompanying fear of failure. The line "I wonder someday if I'll look back with regrets on how I lived" particularly highlights an underlying panic and sense of urgency to make the right choices. The powerful refrain "I feel like I'm gonna explode" echoes the persisting internal turmoil and sense of unmanageability.
The song's universal theme of feeling lost, confused, and under pressure has resonated with many people, particularly young adults facing the uncertainty of the future. The lyrics capture the zeitgeist of growing up in the 21st century, where there is a constant expectation to achieve and succeed in a competitive environment. The Unseen's punk-rock sound and aggressive energy, combined with the relatable lyrics, make "Explode" a timeless anthem to the struggles of coming of age.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something I should get off my chest
I need to confess something
I'm losing my mind and my life's a mess
I'm overwhelmed and my life is chaotic
Well everyone says do this and do that
People are giving me advice
Maybe they're right
Their advice might be valid
I feel like I'm gonna
I have an intense sensation of
Explode I'm gonna explode
being unable to contain my emotions or thoughts
It is so big yet I feel so small
The situation seems enormous, but I feel insignificant
It's even in your shopping mall
The issue is everywhere
Is my life wasting away
Am I wasting my life?
Don't throw it away that's what they say
People advise me not to waste opportunities
I don't want to go out and fail
I'm afraid of failing
Yet I fail at home every day
Despite my efforts, I'm not succeeding
I wonder someday if I'll look back
I wonder if I'll have regrets
With regrets on how I lived
Regretting how I lived my life
Each way I turn I turn my back
Every path seems negative
Each time I turn I always look back
I'm second-guessing my choices
I'm trying to please everyone I don't know how
I'm attempting to satisfy everyone, but I'm uncertain how to do so
What should I do I really don't know
I don't know what to do
Should I stay home or should I go
I'm indecisive about staying or leaving
Well I'm struggling with my sanity
I'm grappling with my mental health
Is my life crumbling in front of me.
I feel like I'm losing control of my life
Oh.
Interjection of emotion
Do you know how it feels?
Asking if someone can relate to my emotions
To feel like you're gonna explode
To feel an overwhelming pressure to release emotions or thoughts
Do you ever feel
Asking if others have experienced similar emotions
Like you're gonna explode.
The intense sensation of needing to release pent-up emotions or thoughts
Explode.
The release of built-up emotions or thoughts
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: GEORGE EDWARD III PENDERGAST, JOHN ROBERT RICHARDS, RODNEY BROWNING, SCOTT PRESTON ALEXANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind