The Word Alive was founded in 2008 by Craig Mabbitt (lead vocals) with Zack Hansen (lead guitar) and Tony Pizzuti (rhythm guitar) who were former members of the bands Calling of Syrens and Clouds Take Shape. As a side-project of Mabbitt during his part in Escape the Fate, the remaining required members he recruited to start The Word Alive were chosen to be Nick Urlacher (bass), Dusty Riach (keyboard) and Tony Aguilera (drums). The group recorded songs with the intention of releasing them as a self-titled EP, despite that it never surfaced. Later on, the band forced Mabbitt to leave due to their dissatisfaction with Escape the Fate's schedules, which required Mabbitt to work as a full-time member.
The day after, Mabbitt posted a blog to his fans via his Myspace account explaining that leaving the band was not his decision and that "[The Word Alive] pretty much replaced me while I was on the road due to the fact that they wanted to tour and couldn't until I was available, I started that band with those guys and I'm very hurt at how they replaced me while I was touring...it's bullshit." On December 3, the band officially announced that Tyler "Telle" Smith, who was formerly one of the vocalists for In Fear and Faith and bassist for Greeley Estates, joined The Word Alive as their new frontman.
Feeling somewhat stagnant in their progression beforehand, the addition of Smith catapulted the band’s ambitions to the forefront. With this initiation, their goals and aspirations were much more a reality, and they set to work on what would become their record label debut, Empire.
During March 2009, the band were taken in with a contract by a new label, later on during the 26th of that month the group officially confirmed that the label they were then signed to was Fearless Records. Smith stated "We hope to just keep touring, touring, touring... we couldn't be happier or more appreciative to be on tour right now, I think despite having some of the worst luck in the early beginnings of being a touring band yet never missing a show, we always have a positive attitude and that will make us a stronger band." The band set out to create an EP to be released through the label wherein it was titled Empire and was recorded with producer Andrew Wade in Ocala, Florida. It was released on July 21, 2009 where it reached #15 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart.
During February the band reached an agreement to leave founding drummer, Tony Aguilera out of the group. Both parties (Aguilera and the rest of the band) shared their concerns and reasoning for the matter publicly. It was overall described that the band wanted to pursue a different percussionist of alternate talent than the founding member. Aguilera was replaced with Justin Salinas, whom previously was a part of the bands Scars of Tomorrow and Catherine as well as serving as a past live drummer for MyChildren MyBride.
In April 2010, The Word Alive entered the studio in Ocala, Florida with Andrew Wade to record their debut full-length album, Deceiver. By June, Deceiver was fully mastered and engineered. On June 23, 2010 the band premiered their first single from the album, “Epiphany” as streaming media online.The following day, Fearless Records released their 2010 Summer Sampler which also featured the track "Epiphany". A week later, the album's album art and track listing was released. Guitarist Zack Hansen explained upon this premiere that "We all felt like that was going to be the best choice considering how comfortable the recording process is with Andrew. The tracking was a lot of fun and everyone had a good time. We got the opportunity to stay in a house while we recorded and surprisingly we didn't party as much as I thought we would haha." Hansen later followed along explaining that his favorite track on the record is “The Hounds of Anubis”, which was written by him and Pizzuti and stated that he "wrote this song with an 'Egyptian feel' to it and I think we got our point across." Smith described that its lyrics describe the times of when The Word Alive overcame their hardships that they face with the help and support from their fans. "The Hounds of Anubis" was released as the album's second single on July 26, 2010. It premiered on the official Revolver website.
By November of 2011, the band made plans to return to the studio on February 7, 2012 with Joey Sturgis to begin recording their next album, with an expected recording session lasting from that time until mid-March. However by February (and before the date of entering the studio), the announcement of two members leaving occurred; keyboardist, Dusty Riach and drummer, Justin Salinas were simultaneously confirmed to no longer be a part of the band. Salinas stated his reason was because he grew tired of touring, although Riach's reason was preferred to be kept silent.
In regards to the band's second studio album, it was reported that 17 songs were recorded in its process. 13 of those will be on the standard edition of the album, while the another three will be included on the deluxe edition. The name of the album will be Life Cycles and both editions will be released the same day.On March 23rd of the year, the group issued a statement that 18-year old Arizona resident Luke Holland has joined as the new drummer, however, Holland was not included for the recording sessions of Life Cycles. The drumming for the record was done by a friend of the band named Matt Horn wherein Holland joined after these sessions were already completed.
On March 18, 2014, the band released a new single entitled "Play the Victim." Along with the song, they also announced their third full-length album Real. would be released on June 10. The album would be the first to feature Luke Holland on drums.
The band released their fourth album, Dark Matter, on March 18, 2016. The band also revealed the tracklist and a headlining North American tour with support from Fit for a King and Out Came the Wolves. The album's lead single, "Trapped", was released January 8.
In November 2016, Luke Holland announced he would be leaving the band at the end of 2016 after finishing their last tour of the year to pursue other musical endeavors. In February 2017, the band announced that Matt Horn would be taking Holland's place as drummer. Shortly after, a new single "Misery" was released.
On August 7, 2017, The Word Alive and Daniel Shapiro mutually announced they were parting ways due to a "new musical adventure" of Shapiro's. The next day, The Word Alive announced that they would be joining I Prevail on their Rage on the Stage Tour along with We Came as Romans & Escape the Fate.
evolution
The Word Alive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This stories heading for its final twist
(ready for its final twist)
I finally see what it means to cut you out
From the peace I lived without
I tried to see this through, so many times before
But you’ve always had a way of reeling me back, back for more
Back for more, of your fucking deceiving eyes
I can't describe how much I despised my life
I can’t explain how much I wish you’d fucking die
(Wished you’d fucking die)
I want to know what you’re thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I'm back for more
I wanna tear you apart
I wanna see you fall to the floor
I wanna watch as you reach out your hand for mercy
And then you'll finally breathe no more
Breathe no more
Tell me what the hell were you thinking
Realize at best you're disgusting
I want to know what you’re thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I never thought that I’d find a way to say to you
I couldn’t take anymore
I'd become something I hated to face everyday
I couldn’t take anymore
Can't take anymore
I'm not me anymore
Can't take anymore
If you want me, Drag me to hell
Drag me to hell
If you had the chance, slash your wrists
I do believe
You love the misery
I wanna know what you’re thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I never thought that I’d find a way to say to you
I couldn’t take anymore
I'd become something I hated to face everyday
I couldn’t take anymore
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
The lyrics to The Word Alive's "Evolution" paint a picture of a deeply emotional and personal struggle. The singer is back for more after trying to cut someone out of their life. They recount the times when they tried to see things through, but the other person always "reeled" them back in. The anger and bitterness are palpable in lines like "Back for more, of your fucking deceiving eyes/I can't describe how much I despised my life." The singer wants to tear this person apart, watch them fall to the floor, and see them beg for mercy. They feel as though they have become someone they hate, but they cannot take it anymore. They ask if this person even knows what it means to be loved, but it seems as though they do not. The song ends on a haunting note, with the suggestion that the person the singer is addressing might even enjoy their own misery.
The lyrics are full of pain, anger, and confusion, and there is a sense of catharsis in the way the singer is expressing themselves. The repetition of the phrase "I'm back for more" reinforces the idea that this is an ongoing and cyclical struggle. The use of violent imagery ("tear you apart," "slash your wrists") is jarring and adds to the intensity of the song. The reference to the concept of evolution in the title suggests that the singer is undergoing their own personal transformation as they try to move on from this toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back for more
The singer is back for more of the story or situation they are in, implying that they have tried to overcome it before.
This stories heading for its final twist
The situation or story is building up towards its final reveal or climax.
I finally see what it means to cut you out
From the peace I lived without
The singer has realized that removing someone toxic from their life has brought them peace and happiness.
But you’ve always had a way of reeling me back, back for more
Despite trying to move on, the person the artist is addressing has a way of drawing them back in, making them want more even though it's not good for them.
Back for more, of your fucking deceiving eyes
I can't describe how much I despised my life
I can’t explain how much I wish you’d fucking die
The artist is back for more torment from the person they are addressing. They feel immense hatred towards this person and wish for their death.
I want to know what you’re thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
The singer questions if the person they are addressing knows what it means to be loved or if they understand the pain they have caused others.
I wanna tear you apart
I wanna see you fall to the floor
I wanna watch as you reach out your hand for mercy
And then you'll finally breathe no more
Breathe no more
The singer wants revenge on the person they are addressing, imagining them suffering at their hands and ultimately dying.
Tell me what the hell were you thinking
Realize at best you're disgusting
The artist demands to know the thought process of and calls out the disgusting behavior of the person they are addressing.
Can't take anymore
I'm not me anymore
If you want me, Drag me to hell
Drag me to hell
If you had the chance, slash your wrists
The artist feels like they are at their breaking point and are no longer themselves because of the pain caused by the person they are addressing. They wish for the person's death or want them to suffer immensely.
I do believe
You love the misery
The artist states that they believe the person they are addressing actually enjoys causing the pain and suffering of others.
I never thought that I’d find a way to say to you
I couldn’t take anymore
I'd become something I hated to face everyday
I couldn’t take anymore
The singer has reached a breaking point and can't take the situation or the person they are addressing anymore. It has caused them to become someone they don't want to be and they need to express that they can't handle it anymore.
I'm back for more
The artist reiterates that they are back for more, indicating that even though they are at their breaking point, they can't fully let go of the situation or person they are addressing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TYLER SMITH, ANTHONY JOHN JR. PIZZUTI, ZACK HANSEN, DANIEL HARRISON SHAPIRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zander J
I'm back for more
This stories heading for its final twist
(Ready for its final twist)
I finally see what it means to cut you out
From the peace I lived without
I tried to see this through, so many times before
But you've always had a way of reeling me back, back for more
Back for more, of your fucking deceiving eyes
I can't describe how much I despised my life
I can't explain how much I wish you'd fucking die
(Wished you'd fucking die)
I want to know what you're thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I'm back for more
I wanna tear you apart
I wanna see you fall to the floor
I wanna watch as you reach out your hand for mercy
And then you'll finally breathe no more
Breathe no more
Tell me what the hell were you thinking
Realize at best you're disgusting
I want to know what you're thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I never thought that I'd find a way to say to you
I couldn't take anymore
I'd become something I hated to face everyday
I couldn't take anymore
Can't take anymore
I'm not me anymore
Can't take anymore
If you want me, Drag me to hell
Drag me to hell
If you had the chance, slash your wrists
I do believe
You love the misery
I wanna know what you're thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I never thought that I'd find a way to say to you
I couldn't take anymore
I'd become something I hated to face everyday
I couldn't take anymore
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
OfTheDevilToRemember
This is definitely my favorite singing Telle does on the album. The chorus creeps up on you, and then he switches to the delicate falsetto to sweep you away, and the finishes it with powerful raw singing...a perfect chorus.
Zander J
I'm back for more
This stories heading for its final twist
(Ready for its final twist)
I finally see what it means to cut you out
From the peace I lived without
I tried to see this through, so many times before
But you've always had a way of reeling me back, back for more
Back for more, of your fucking deceiving eyes
I can't describe how much I despised my life
I can't explain how much I wish you'd fucking die
(Wished you'd fucking die)
I want to know what you're thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I'm back for more
I wanna tear you apart
I wanna see you fall to the floor
I wanna watch as you reach out your hand for mercy
And then you'll finally breathe no more
Breathe no more
Tell me what the hell were you thinking
Realize at best you're disgusting
I want to know what you're thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I never thought that I'd find a way to say to you
I couldn't take anymore
I'd become something I hated to face everyday
I couldn't take anymore
Can't take anymore
I'm not me anymore
Can't take anymore
If you want me, Drag me to hell
Drag me to hell
If you had the chance, slash your wrists
I do believe
You love the misery
I wanna know what you're thinking
When you find yourself alone
Do you even know what it means to be loved?
I never thought that I'd find a way to say to you
I couldn't take anymore
I'd become something I hated to face everyday
I couldn't take anymore
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
I'm back for more
h z
you can tell it's going to be intense just by listening to the first couple seconds. absolutely amazing. I loved the guitar, it's so heavy, exactly what i expected from The Word Alive, this album has been just down right Amazing.
Jaron Martin
This song makes me want to listen to more of their songs.
Kyle Dameron
Definitely the best song on the album so far! SO. FUCKING. HEAVY.
omega458
I love this song! it is one of the best they have made!
War-Cry
By far the best on the album.
junix
this song is crazy good. dammit i wish the whole post hardcore community can listen to these guys and put them on the top with AA and MIW
Stardust Spirit of The Most High
“I’ve Tried To See This Through, So Many Times Before.”
“But You’ve Always Had A Way of Reeling Me Back, Back For More!!!”
Best Lines Ever!!!!
RikkuX10
Amazing!!!<3