With a foundation steadily built from self-released recordings and self-booked tours, This or the Apocalypse signed to LifeForce Records. Their first commercial debut, "Monuments", reached American shelves on September 07 and the rest of the world the following month. The album ripped along at a driving pace, thoughtfully interchanging syncopated polyrhythmic grooves, striking melodies, and a passionate approach unheard in heavy music. With inspiration taken from vintage poetry and classic literature coupled with Armellino's tenacious and honest vocal delivery, the album offered listeners a welcomed change of pace from typical heavy music themes.
"Monuments" blurred the lines between hardcore and metal, dodging the gimmicks of both. The band toured relentlessly performing through North America for 10 months out of 12 months in support of the release during it's debut year. Focused and unwilling to stop writing new material, the band used recording equipment to create pre-production demos while on the road. It provided an opportunity to creatively experiment as a band without the limitations of deadlines. While on stage the band displayed an array of musicianship and energy, which caused them to stand out in distinction amongst others on the bill. At the 2009 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler was in attendance to one of these noted performances. Chris fondly recalls his first impressions of the band:
""I received advance copy of 'Monuments' from my friend Drew at Lifeforce and I flipped on the drummer. I called Drew and asked if this was the real deal or programming; he assured me it was real. I saw they were playing a festival LOG was on months later, very early in the day. I drug my drum tech to come watch with me and about 12 other people stood in awe with jaws dropped. I found the drummer, Grant, later that day and we discussed all things metal over a bottle of vodka in the back of my bus all night. I realized after that hang, specifically, that this was a band that could be and do anything and I was entirely addicted"
Shortly after Chris approached the band about producing their next album. Chris explains, "I knew that if I was going to ever work with another band that it would have to be a very special circumstance. I've had literally thousands of bands ask, but I never felt the connection and belief I felt when I saw and hung with TOTA. I'm happy to be a part of this. I feel like this is an important moment." Chris also brought along with him famed producer/engineer Josh Wilbur (Avenged Sevenfold/Atreyu) to work on the project. The band brought into the session enough material to record three full albums.
While the core of the songs retain the trademark TOTA sound, each member made a commitment to push their individual arrangements and performances well beyond any previously established boundaries. The synergy between the band and the co producers was the perfect storm of aggressive and creative youth coupled with experience and wisdom. The blistering ensemble of tracks will undoubtedly blaze a new path for the band and turn the world of aggressive music upside down.
Mauna Kea
This or the Apocalypse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That made you tie your hands?
With your soul fastened to the earth, and no birds sing.
My best man hears the golden verse but he don't even know.
We've loathed ourselves more than our vices.
You're two handfuls of soil,
Thrown against the pavement -
Batter this nation; batter its heart.
Just like an usurped town, to another due,
There is a rhythm underneath the falling arches.
Just let me through.
I'll come like a foreign tirade,
With anguish moist and fever-dew,
Enmeshed in all the shackles of decline,
And they'll scream to you that I have thee in thrall.
Just let me through.
We are the rain fall.
We break apart across the stones.
And we seek another river,
Half flushed like my lady's throat.
Joined back together and tumbling wayward.
But we are not the water,
No, we are no water at all.
For our earth is cold and dry, and no birds sing.
The lyrics to "Mauna Kea" by This or the Apocalypse are quite abstract and poetic, making it difficult to interpret their meaning. The song opens with the lines, "What was it about that outstretched knight, That made you tie your hands? With your soul fastened to the earth, and no birds sing." This could be interpreted as a reference to feeling trapped or restricted by societal norms or expectations, with the metaphor of tying one's hands representing an inability to freely express oneself. The mention of the soul being tied to the earth and the absence of birds singing could symbolize feelings of despair or hopelessness.
Later on in the song, the lyrics turn towards self-loathing and a desire to break free from the constraints holding them back. "We've loathed ourselves more than our vices. You're two handfuls of soil, Thrown against the pavement - Why won't you grow?" This could represent a struggle with self-acceptance and feeling unable to move forward in life. The lines "Batter this nation; batter its heart. Just like an usurped town, to another due" could be interpreted as a call to action against societal injustices or oppression.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mauna Kea" seem to touch on themes of self-reflection, struggle, and a desire for change. The use of poetic and abstract language allows for a variety of interpretations and could resonate with listeners in different ways.
Line by Line Meaning
What was it about that outstretched knight,
Questioning the reason behind surrendering one's self to someone who may not even be worthy of the trust
That made you tie your hands?
Asking why one would willingly give up control and restrain themselves in a situation where they could be vulnerable
With your soul fastened to the earth, and no birds sing.
Feeling grounded in reality and lacking any signs of hope or positivity
My best man hears the golden verse but he don't even know.
Acknowledging that even those who seem to have it all together may not truly understand the deeper meanings behind certain experiences
We've loathed ourselves more than our vices.
Recognizing that self-hate can be even more destructive than succumbing to bad habits
You're two handfuls of soil,
Comparing oneself to something that is seemingly insignificant and easily disregarded, like dirt
Thrown against the pavement -
Thrown into a harsh and unforgiving environment
Why won't you grow?
Questioning why personal growth seems so difficult to achieve
Batter this nation; batter its heart.
Calling for a revolution that destroys the current system and its core values
Just like an usurped town, to another due,
Comparing the overthrow of a governing body to that of a town overtaken by a new ruler
There is a rhythm underneath the falling arches.
Recognizing that even in the midst of chaos and destruction, there is still a pattern or flow to life
Just let me through.
Requesting to be allowed to move forward, possibly through obstacles or barriers
I'll come like a foreign tirade,
Promising to arrive with an overwhelming force, like a powerful and aggressive speech
With anguish moist and fever-dew,
Describing the intense emotions that come with fighting for change
Enmeshed in all the shackles of decline,
Feeling trapped and weighed down by the negative state of current affairs
And they'll scream to you that I have thee in thrall.
Warning that others may try to twist the narrative and make these efforts seem like they are harming people instead of helping
We are the rain fall.
Comparing the group to the natural occurrence of rainfall
We break apart across the stones.
Acknowledging that obstacles can be damaging and cause people to fragment and dissociate from each other
And we seek another river,
Looking for a new path or direction to take
Half flushed like my lady's throat.
Describing the desired river as being relieving and cathartic, like a soothing drink
Joined back together and tumbling wayward.
Bonding together again while still remaining uninhibited and free-spirited
But we are not the water,
Acknowledging that while they may be fluid and adaptable, they are not simply a small part of a greater whole like water
No, we are no water at all.
Asserting that they are their own entity, distinct from anything else in the surrounding environment
For our earth is cold and dry, and no birds sing.
Describing the harsh reality of the current situation and the lack of hope or positivity in the world
Contributed by Reagan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BlackPillMV
I recently heard this band by chance and they're amazing. It's a crime that they are so unknown.
Holyz Smokz
Plz keep uploading more, thanks for such cool, hard hitting music! I love It!
hussguy1990
memories... first song I heard by these guys, still awesome.
WinarsPokemaster
You're right man.I don't believe that is fair to play so good like this....and what is the result?Other people will never hear your work.I personally respect this band.They deserve to be known!
jakob tue hansen
theese guys will rise to the top. no doubt!!!!!!! Hunt whats left really shows there potiential.. love em..
cainerbator78
so much better than haunts whats left.
Fading Light
Still Listening To This Album :D
cooperdrumboy69
upload the whole discography
Claudenio Alberto
sooooooo ...fuckin...one of the best introductions for me!
SHADOWZEROKYO
@bigstabby fyi metal was popular during the 80s it was a world wide phenomenon until mid 90s when it went underground so one day it will come back.