When Faith No More broke up in 1998 Mike Patton created the record label Ipecac Recordings, returned to work with his other band Mr. Bungle, and formed the experimental metal supergroup Fantômas with Buzz Osborne of the Melvins and Dave Lombardo of Slayer. Patton met Duane Denison in 1999 at a Mr. Bungle concert in Nashville and the two began exchanging music and jamming.
During May and June 2001 the band recorded their eponymous debut album in Nashville. The album was released on October 30, 2001, it was produced by Joe Funderburk. After the release of Tomahawk the band began touring extensively, playing in many countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, Europe and Japan. They generally headlined shows but were the supporting act for bands such as Tool. When opening for Tool on their 2002 summer tour of North America, the band was frequently booed for insulting the crowds.Tomahawk also played at various festivals, including the 2002 Big Day Out festival in Australia.
Second album Mit Gas, recorded with producer Joe Barresi, was released in 2003. Tomahawk took part in the "Geek Tour" during 2003, which featured labelmates the Melvins and Fantômas. During the band's early years they were known for dressing up as police officers in promotional photo shoots and during concerts. The band went on a short hiatus from 2004 to 2006 after finishing touring for Tomahawk and Mit Gas in late 2003 as the members began to focus on other projects.
The band's third album, Anonymous, was released on June 19, 2007 through Ipecac Recordings. Kevin Rutmanis left the band during the recording; reasons for his departure are unknown. For the album, Denison and Stanier recorded their parts in Nashville, and then sent their finished product to San Francisco where Patton added his vocals and samples. No live shows were performed during this period. Tomahawk remained inactive from 2008 to 2011.
In July 2011, Mike Patton announced that Tomahawk was preparing to record its fourth album. In early 2012, Tomahawk announced that Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, John Zorn, MadLove, Trevor Dunn's Trio-Convulsant) would play bass for the band. On April 21, 2012 the band released Eponymous To Anonymous, a box set containing the band's first three records released on vinyl for the first time. In late 2012, the band began playing their first live shows since 2003. On December 3, 2012, a full-length video for first single, "Stone Letter", was posted online. Oddfellows was released January 29, 2013. The band were scheduled to play in Mexico for the first time on March 21, 2014 but withdrew due to an illness. On April 9, 2014 the band announced they would be releasing two previously unreleased tracks from the Oddfellows recording session. The single, entitled M.E.A.T., was first released on May 23, 2014 on vinyl.
In February 2020, Duane Denison revealed that Tomahawk had been writing and recording new record material. On the 21st of January 2021, a single called "Business Casual" was released, which also revealed the name of their upcoming fifth album as Tonic Immobility, which has later been released on March 26, 2021. Bassist Trevor Dunn remarked in 2021, "Me and Duane [Denison] and John [Stanier] recorded all of our parts for that record about four years ago actually. Duane had finished the music and I guess Mike was busy at the time, so John and I flew down to Nashville and recorded with Duane. Then over the years, we’ve just been waiting for Mike, and he’s been doing other stuff so it took a while. I think the pandemic kind of helped spur it along because he was stuck at home, so he wrote the vocal melodies and the rest of the lyrics at his studio in San Francisco.
Critics have described the band's sound as alternative metal, alternative rock, avant-prog, progressive rock, and post-rock. In 2002, the band considered their genre to be "cinematic rock", since all members were fans of film soundtracks. Butch Lazorchak of the Boston Herald has compared the band's sound to 1970s hard rock groups such as Blue Öyster Cult.
The band's self-titled first album combines rock with elements of experimental music, country music, and hardcore; critic Blake Butler of Allmusic described their debut album as one of the most straightforward rock-oriented projects of Patton, otherwise known for his wildly eclectic music. Their second album Mit Gas features influences from metal as well as punk rock. The album also includes instrumental segues. The band's 2007 album Anonymous incorporates Native American music elements. Their latest album Oddfellows features a more accessible sound which the band has labeled as "avant-pop". The record includes influences from jazz music.
There are other artists with the same name:
2) Chinese band Tomahawk from Beijing. Plays Death Metal (early) - Half Thrash/Groove Metal (now).
3) Liquid Drum & Bass Producer -- Tom Kelsey aka. Tomahawk.
4) Swiss Hip-Hop Artist Thomas Murer (aka MC Tomahawk) -- 14 years ago, inspired by American Hip Hop and German stuff he had heard, he began to explore a hip hop career. Based out of Zug, Switzerland, he formed a trio with DJ Slice and Kniss Beatz. After it dissolved in 2005, Tomahawk began to focus on solo projects.
God Hates a Coward
Tomahawk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No footsteps go beyond it
I'll eat the death
Where the rooster crows
Flesh rodeo, yee-haw, it's
Just to push in your teardrops
Make you a cyclops
Breakin' the branches off your family tree
Ain't that enough of the
Look in the sewer for my pedigree
Your truly cause repeats its pulse
And makes your tears, if you needed too
Make me blow my brains out
Pointin' the gun
Put my neck in a noose
But I'm hangin' tough
Day, my, day, my, day, my, day, my
Day, my, day, my, day, my, day, my
Listen closer to your mother
You can hear ocean roar
Sittin' quiet in the corner
Put another record on
God hates a coward, sonny
Got a date with your VCR
Watch another action movie
Dream of me
On the only piano
Wrote the fuckin' concerto
Shoot pool with your eyeballs
Rack 'em up
Make a meal of your asshole
Gnaw on your fat soul
Dipping your heart in my vinegar
Like a million disappeared
Just how long did you think they would live
Prepare yourself
Come on defend
And everyone defend
And if you ever want to be
And give me something to kill
I'll never finish my plate
Or I'll burn it up
Day, by, day, my, day, my, day, my
Day, my, day, my, day, my, day, my
The lyrics to Tomahawk's song "God Hates a Coward" are cryptic and abstract, with violent and disturbing imagery. The song seems to explore themes of power, domination, and existential despair. The first verse describes the singer's violent sexual prowess, as they "sew their seeds" with a large number of partners, and then consume the "death" that results. The reference to a "flesh rodeo" suggests a kind of violent spectacle or exhibitionism, as if the singer is seeking to prove their dominance over others. The second half of the verse is more metaphysical, as the singer discusses "breaking the branches off your family tree" and "keeping you up like a fluffer girl" (a reference to the pornographic industry). These lines seem to suggest a desire for total destruction and domination, a kind of nihilistic impulse to tear down everything that exists.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "God hates a coward" several times, suggesting that the singer is urging themselves or someone else to take action, to be bold and fearless in the face of life's challenges. The reference to the VCR and watching action movies seems to add a layer of irony to this idea, suggesting that perhaps the singer is engaged in a form of escapism, trying to avoid the difficulties and complexities of real life.
The second verse returns to the violent and disturbing imagery of the first verse, with references to cannibalism, soul-eating, and heart-dipping. The singer seems to be reveling in their own power and cruelty, delighting in the destruction they can cause. Yet there is also a hint of desperation in these lines, as if the singer is searching for a way to fill some kind of existential void within themselves.
Overall, "God Hates a Coward" is a bleak and unsettling song, filled with violent and disturbing imagery. It suggests a world where power and domination reign supreme, where the only way to find meaning is through destruction and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
I've sewn my seeds with a metric grosse
I have spread my influence widely.
No footsteps go beyond it
My impact is so profound that no one can go beyond it.
I'll eat the death
I will face death and embrace it.
Where the rooster crows
I will be where life thrives and the world wakes up.
Flesh rodeo, yee-haw, it's
Life is a constant battle with oneself.
Just to push in your teardrops
I will challenge you to overcome your obstacles and conquer your fears.
Make you a cyclops
I will strip away your illusions and reveal the truth.
Breakin' the branches off your family tree
I will destroy the past and pave the way for a new future.
Keep you up like a fluffer girl
I will push you to your limit and help you reach your full potential.
Ain't that enough of the
Isn't that what you want?
Look in the sewer for my pedigree
My background is unknown and unpredictable.
Your truly cause repeats its pulse
My influence is constant and never-ending.
And makes your tears, if you needed too
I can bring you to tears if necessary.
Make me blow my brains out
I will not surrender or back down.
Pointin' the gun
I am willing to take risks and face danger head-on.
Put my neck in a noose
I am willing to face the consequences of my actions.
But I'm hangin' tough
I will not cower or give in.
Listen closer to your mother
Pay attention to those who truly care for you.
You can hear ocean roar
The world is full of endless possibilities.
Sittin' quiet in the corner
Sometimes it is best to reflect on one's own thoughts and feelings.
Put another record on
Continue to move forward and enjoy the present moment.
God hates a coward, sonny
God does not favor those who do not take risks or stand up for themselves.
Got a date with your VCR
You are wasting your time on trivial pursuits.
Watch another action movie
You are living vicariously through others and not experiencing life for yourself.
Dream of me
Aspire to be like me and live boldly.
On the only piano
I am uniquely original and cannot be replicated.
Wrote the fuckin' concerto
I created something extraordinary and exceptional.
Shoot pool with your eyeballs
Challenge yourself to see and perceive things in new ways.
Rack 'em up
Prepare to play the game of life.
Make a meal of your asshole
I will expose the parts of you that you hide and force you to confront them.
Gnaw on your fat soul
I will consume the core of who you are and challenge you to rebuild yourself.
Dipping your heart in my vinegar
I will marinate your soul with my influence and transform you.
Like a million disappeared
My impact is so profound that it can erase the past and reshape the future.
Just how long did you think they would live
Nothing lasts forever and everything must come to an end.
Prepare yourself
Ready yourself for what lies ahead.
Come on defend
Defend yourself against your own weaknesses and flaws.
And everyone defend
Encourage others to stand up for themselves as well.
And if you ever want to be
If you aspire to be more than you currently are.
And give me something to kill
Challenge me and give me something to fight for.
I'll never finish my plate
I will always crave more and never be fully satisfied.
Or I'll burn it up
If I cannot have it on my terms, I will destroy it.
Day, by, day, my, day, my, day, my
The passage of time is constant and unstoppable.
Day, my, day, my, day, my, day, my
Each day is an opportunity to live boldly and make a difference.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DUANE DENISON, JOHN STAINER, KEVIN RUTMANIS, MICHAEL ALLEN PATTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Switcharoo12
I'll sow my seeds with a metric grosse
No footsteps go beyond it
I'll eat the dirt
Where the rooster crows
Fresh rodeos, behold it
Check your pulse in your teardrops
Make you a cyclops
Breakin' the branches off your family tree
Keep you up like a fluffer girl
Ain't that enough, sir?
Look in the sewer for my pedigree
Your truly cause repeats its pulse
And makes your tears, if you need it to
Make me blow out my brain or I'll point it at you
While I'm thinking of you
But I'm hangin' tough!
[Chorus]
Day, by, day, by, day, by, day, by
Day, by, day, by, day, by, day, by
[Bridge]
Listen closer to your mother
You can hear an ocean roar
Sittin' quiet in the corner
Put another record on
God hates a coward, sonny
Got a date with your VCR
Watch another action movie
Dream of me
Verse 2]
On the only piano
Wrote the fuckin' concerto
Shoot pool with your eyeballs, rack 'em up
Make a meal of your asshole
Gnaw on your fat soul
Dipping your heart in my vinegar
Like a million disappeared
Just how long did you think they would live
Prepare yourself, coming to defend
And if you ever want to be (?)
Coming to kill, I'll never finish my plate
Or I'll burn it up
[Chorus]
Voidwraith Prime
This is maybe the best live recording of a song ever.
The H0r5e
yes
Hi, Literature!
This and Flashback
NathanPajariBass(Heckle The Bassist)
Oh 100 percent I prefer this version over the album version all day even though it’s just as good
Bornekamp Raacing Bikes
this is one of the best recordings ever (no exclusions)
James Griffiths
Fucking incredible
Pirate Aleks
Im going deep into the Mike Patton rabbit hole 😂 this guy is nuts and I love him
Austin McGinley
Welcome to the hole, grab a sandwich and enjoy the stay.
SoloVoce
Joining you!!
Barbara B
Same, it’s insane & no one gets me lol 😭