1) A mononym of Aurelio V… Read Full Bio ↴Voltaire is a name of at least three acts:
1) A mononym of Aurelio Voltaire Hernández (b. 1967, Havana, Cuba), a singer/songwriter whose music has its roots deeply embedded in European folk and also has influences from the gothic scene. He has also been directing commercials and animating short films for ten years, the best known of these are his Hieronymus Bosch-inspired station MTV IDs.
Inspired by the films of Ray Harryhausen (Jason and the Argonauts, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad), Voltaire began animating at the age of ten on a super8 camera. By piecing together snippets of information from fanzines, he eventually was able to teach himself how to make foam rubber animation models and animate them. The films of his childhood landed him his first directing job in 1988 with MTV. The stop-motion tour of the hellish Garden of Earthly Delights won several awards.
He also teaches stop-motion animation at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
He also wrote the song "BRAINS!" for the Cartoon Network show "Grim and Evil" which has since split into two separate shows (The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Evil Con Carne) and the song can also be found on his album "Boo Hoo".
An avid fan of Star Trek, Voltaire frequently attends conventions and released a four track E.P. called "Banned on Vulcan". It was a set of comedy recordings poking fun at characters from the show.
He often takes part in Adventure Quest Worlds special musical events in which he is drawn incredibly well!
Discography:
The Devil's Bris (1998)
Almost Human (2000)
Boo Hoo (2002)
Then and Again (2004)
Ooky Spooky (2007)
To the Bottom of the Sea (2008)
Hate Lives in a Small Town (2010)
Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children (2011)
BiTrektual (2012)
Raised by Bats (2014)
Heart-Shaped Wound (2017)
What Are the Oddz? (2019)
The Black Labyrinth (TBD)
2) A German indie rock group from Bonn, too. They were founded in 2003 by Roland Meyer de Voltaire, who is the singer, songwriter and producer of the band. Their discography includes one EP and two albums, called "Heute ist jeder Tag" (2006) and "Das letzte bisschen Etikette" (2009).
Sites: Voltaire-Musik.De (official)
3) A Polish punk rock band who have released two albums.
4) An 18th-century French writer and philosopher, who might be scrobbled by people listening to audiobooks of his works.
Stakes and Torches
Voltaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scythes, pitchforks
A sickle with a sharpened edge
Swords and spades
And mallets that are made of lead
Anything at hand anything that can
Help us to remove the head
Of that filthy rich fat son of a bitch
Storm the steps
We break into the palace hall
It's so majestic we are frozen in our awe
Grandmother cries as she crumples
To her knees says, "I can understand
That the rich demand an amount of luxury
But I'd have never dreamed
It was so extreme
While we had nothing to eat"
The lyrics of Voltaire's song "Stakes and Torches" describe a scene of rebellion and uprising against the wealthy elite. The imagery used paints a vivid picture of the weapons and tools the oppressed individuals gather to carry out their revolt. Stakes and torches symbolize the anger and determination of the masses, while scimitars, bayonets, swords, and other instruments of violence illustrate their readiness to confront and overthrow their oppressor.
The lyrics highlight the stark contrast between the opulence of the rich and the dire circumstances faced by the poor. The mention of a sickle with a sharpened edge is a reference to the agricultural tools that may have been repurposed as weapons, suggesting that the rebellion arises from the desperation of the working class. The mention of a "filthy rich fat son of a bitch" implies a deep sense of resentment and anger towards those in power, who are depicted as callous and indifferent to the suffering of the less privileged.
As the rebellion progresses, the song describes the breaking into the palace hall. The sheer grandeur of the place leaves the rebels in awe, but it also serves to emphasize the extreme difference in social standing between the wealthy and the impoverished. The lyrics give voice to the cries of an elderly person, possibly a grandmother, who collapses to her knees in despair. Her lamentation speaks to the disbelief that such excessive luxury and privilege could coexist with widespread poverty and hunger.
Overall, "Stakes and Torches" presents a scathing critique of social and economic inequality, and the lyrics capture the simmering resentment, determination, and longing for justice that drive the rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
Stakes and torches scimitars and bayonets
Various weapons like stakes, torches, scimitars, and bayonets symbolize the anger and aggression of the oppressed.
Scythes, pitchforks
Simple farming tools like scythes and pitchforks represent the rebellion of the common people against the wealthy elite.
A sickle with a sharpened edge
The sickle with a sharpened edge signifies the readiness of the oppressed to fight for their rights.
Swords and spades
Traditional weapons such as swords and spades symbolize the determination of the lower class to bring about change.
And mallets that are made of lead
Even heavy mallets made of lead indicate the seriousness and strength of the rebellion.
Anything at hand anything that can
Any available means or weapon is embraced in the struggle against the oppressor.
Help us to remove the head
The objective is to overthrow the corrupt and powerful leader.
Of that filthy rich fat son of a bitch
Referring to the oppressive leader who is wealthy and contemptible.
While he's sleeping in his bed
Taking advantage of the leader's vulnerability, the rebellion plans to strike when he least expects it.
Storm the steps
The rebellious mob forcefully enters the steps of the leader's residence.
We break into the palace hall
The rebels infiltrate the grand hall of the palace, representing the ultimate symbol of power and wealth.
It's so majestic we are frozen in our awe
The grandeur of the palace overwhelms the rebels, momentarily leaving them astonished.
Grandmother cries as she crumples to her knees
The elderly, representing the suffering common people, expresses their deep sorrow and helplessness.
Says, 'I can understand
Expressing their empathetic perspective, the grandmother acknowledges her comprehension.
That the rich demand an amount of luxury
Recognizing that the wealthy class desires an excessive level of extravagance.
But I'd have never dreamed
The grandmother admits her surprise and disbelief at the extreme disparity between the rich and poor.
It was so extreme
The grandmother is shocked by the overwhelming extent of wealth disparity.
While we had nothing to eat'
Amidst their poverty and hunger, the grandmother highlights the stark contrast in living conditions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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