They released their first self-titled album, and played several major European festivals; namely the Aardschock Festival (with Venom & Metallica) and headlining the Earthquake Festival. They started writing and recording a new album, what was to become their most popular, Night of the Blade, but after it was finished, Alan Marsh was forced out of the band by the Management and Record Company, who wanted a more commercially viable vocalist.
Vic Wright was recruited, and re-recorded Alan's vocals on the new album. This was released, and followed by another string of festivals, in which they released a third album, Blackhearts and Jaded Spades. This album was more Americanised than their previous offerings, possibly due to the vocalist switch. Many fans disliked the album, and Vic soon left. The band then split up, with several members joining Alan Marsh in his other project, Shogun, and Andy Boulton continuing with the Tokyo Blade name, but not in the Tokyo Blade style.
In the early 1990's, many of the band found themselves together in Mr. Ice, and, due to the strong European support for Tokyo Blade, the management felt as if the band should revert back to the Tokyo Blade moniker. Boulton left the band, however, after more disagreements with the management.
The remainder of the band hooked up with Jez Lee and formed Pumphouse, and recorded an album, but, due to record company politics, it was not released for six years, and, when it was released, it was released under the Tokyo Blade name in order to cash in.
Eventually, the "true" Tokyo Blade put out another album, true in that they were called Tokyo Blade, and didn't have the name forced upon it. The album was Burning Down Paradise, released in 1995.
Discography
Tokyo Blade - 1983
Night Of The Blade- 1984
Midnight Rendezvous- 1984
Madame Guillotine- 1985
Blackhearts & Jaded Spades- 1985
Ain't Misbehavin'- 1987
No Remorse- 1989
Burning Down Paradise- 1995
Night Of The Blade - The Night Before- 1997
Mr Ice- 1998
Pumphouse- 1998
Live In Germany- 2009
Thousand Men Strong- 2011
Genghis Khan Killers- 2011
Unbroken- 2018
Dark Revolution- 2020
Fury- 2022
Break The Chains
Tokyo Blade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woke today, my heads a daze
I can't remember a thing about the night
Reflections of an empty face
There's something wrong and I'm lost without a trace
[Bridge]
Locked away, screaming in vain
Body wrapped in chains
Going insane, I can't stand the pain
[Chorus]
Break the chains, break the chains
Break the chains from me now
Whoa - oooo
Feeling cold, my fears returned
Close my eyes, but the nightmare still remains
I can't believe, my eyes reveal
I can't recall where I was the night before
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
[Solo]
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Tokyo Blade's song "Break The Chains" depict a character who wakes up with a foggy memory of the previous night. The person sees a reflection of an empty face and feels that something is wrong, but they can't figure out what exactly it is. The person feels like a lost cause, locked away and screaming in vain. They feel like their body is wrapped in chains, causing them to go insane, and they can't stand the pain. The chorus calls for someone to break the chains from the person, indicating that they need help overcoming whatever is causing them pain and confusion.
The lyrics suggest a struggle with addiction or mental health issues, where the person feels trapped by their own thoughts or actions. The bridge suggests that the person might be a "lady killer," someone who has hurt others in the past, but is now suffering themselves. The solo breaks up the tension with a musical interlude, giving the listener a moment to reflect on the emotions of the song. The ending repeats the chorus, indicating that the person still needs help breaking free from their chains.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke today, my heads a daze
Upon waking up today, my mind is fuzzy and unclear
I can't remember a thing about the night
I am unable to recollect any details about the events that occurred last night
Reflections of an empty face
The face that I see in the mirror appears devoid of emotion or personality
There's something wrong and I'm lost without a trace
I have a feeling that something is not right, and I am overwhelmed with confusion and uncertainty
Lady killer, a lost cause
I am an attractive person, but at the same time, I am a hopeless case
Locked away, screaming in vain
I feel imprisoned and helpless, and any attempts to express my distress are futile
Body wrapped in chains
I am figuratively bound and trapped, unable to move or escape my predicament
Going insane, I can't stand the pain
The psychological torment is driving me mad, and I cannot bear the agony I am experiencing
Break the chains, break the chains
I am pleading for someone to liberate me and free me from the chains that bind me
Break the chains from me now
I am urgently requesting for someone to break me free from my mental and emotional imprisonment
Feeling cold, my fears returned
I am experiencing a chilling sensation, and my anxieties have resurfaced
Close my eyes, but the nightmare still remains
Even when I try to shut out the disturbing thoughts and memories, they persist in tormenting me
I can't believe, my eyes reveal
I am stunned at what I see and cannot comprehend the disturbing image that confronts me
I can't recall where I was the night before
I am unable to recollect any details about my whereabouts and activities from the previous night
Contributed by Max O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.