Type O Negative was a gothic / doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York… Read Full Bio ↴Type O Negative was a gothic / doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York, US in 1990. They are well known for their dry, morbid and ironic sense of humor and their often slow and brooding music. "The Drab Four" (the nickname Type O Negative gave themselves) always succeeded in keeping their own unique style, mixing melodic, classic rock 'n' roll with slow, doom-like vibes, and down-tuned heavy metal guitar riffs with dark soundscapes. They were also known for doom metal riffs, deep bass lines, heavy but usually slow drums and bass-range vocals of gothic metal. Lead singer Peter Steele described their music as "bad songs written on a Tuesday night."

The two main influences on the band are the Beatles and Black Sabbath, and keyboardist Josh Silver has expressed a love of Pink Floyd--evidence of which can be heard in the atmospherics of his production techniques.

The band arose from the ashes of the band Carnivore and gained popularity with their songs "Black No. 1" and "Christian Woman" from the Bloody Kisses album. The album was the first in Roadrunner Records' catalog to go both gold and platinum. They have successfully toured with Pantera, Life of Agony, and dozens of other established and up-and-coming bands, as well as taking part in Ozzfest. The band had VHS and DVD documentary releases in addition to their CD releases and contributions to movie soundtracks and compilations.

Steele died of sepsis caused by diverticulitis (initially reported as heart failure) on April 14 2010 at the age of 48.

Singles and video-featured songs

Black No. 1 - 1993
Christian Woman - 1993
Cinnamon Girl - 1996
Everyone I Love Is Dead - 1999
Everything Dies - 1999
I Don't Wanna Be Me - 2003
Love You to Death - 1996
My Girlfriend's Girlfriend - 1996
Profits of Doom - 2007
September Sun - 2007
Summer Breeze - 1993

Discography

Slow, Deep and Hard - 1991
Origin of The Feces - 1992
Bloody Kisses - 1993
October Rust- 1996
World Coming Down - 1999
Life Is Killing Me - 2003
Dead Again - 2007

Members

Peter Steele - Vocals, bass guitar and songwriting (1990-2010)
Josh Silver - Keyboards (1990-2010)
Kenny Hickey - Guitar and backing vocals (1990-2010)
Johnny Kelly - Drums (1994-2010)
Sal Abruscato - Drums (1990-1993)

...A Dish Best Served Coldly
Type O Negative Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What makes you think that you have won?
When the battle has only just begun
Let the punishment fit the crime
Bad things come to those in all good time

My mistake was to put you first
Deceitful bubble was so soon to burst
I asked you - believe in just us

Now my faith lie in mine own justice

How many times must I say I'm not sorry?
And how many ways can I show I don't care?

Rotting bodies of enemies
Cannot smell sweet enough to me
What is the price of a friend
Who would carry out revenge?

In this bleak world of absent laws
One in which the just are whores
An honor to die for the truth
Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth

How many times must I say I'm not sorry?
And how many ways can I show I don't care?

Overall Meaning

Type O Negative's "A Dish Best Served Coldly" is a song about revenge and justice. The lyrics revolve around the theme of an eye for an eye, and the consequences that come with it. The song starts by questioning the victory of the antagonist, "What makes you think that you have won? When the battle has only just begun." It is a subtle reminder that actions have consequences and the antagonist is not off the hook for their misdeeds.

Peter Steele, the lead vocalist, describes his mistake of putting the antagonist first and believing in just "us." However, the deceitful bubble was bound to burst, and now his faith only lies in his justice. He does not feel sorry for his actions and wonders how many times he must say he's not sorry, indicating that he does not regret his actions. He is ready to carry out justice, even if friends have to pay the price.

In the world described in the lyrics, the just are whores, and there are no laws to protect them. Revenge is the only form of justice, and Steele seems to relish the thought of the rotting bodies of his enemies. In the end, he raises the question of the price of a friend who would carry out revenge. It is a haunting and thought-provoking song that can be seen as a commentary on the cycle of violence and how it affects us all.

Line by Line Meaning

What makes you think that you have won?
Do not mistake my silence for defeat

When the battle has only just begun
This war is far from over

Let the punishment fit the crime
Justice should match the severity of the offense

Bad things come to those in all good time
Karma will catch up to the wrongdoers eventually

My mistake was to put you first
I regret giving you too much importance

Deceitful bubble was so soon to burst
Your lies and deceit can only last for so long

I asked you - believe in just us
I trusted you to be loyal to me alone

Now my faith lie in mine own justice
I have lost faith in you and must seek my own justice

Rotting bodies of enemies
The corpses of my foes bring me satisfaction

Cannot smell sweet enough to me
I savor the irony of their downfall

What is the price of a friend
What lengths would a friend go to for revenge?