Signing to Copro records in 1998, the band's first major release was the album lo def(inition) discord, which comprised re-recorded songs from their two demos with a few new tracks. Although it sounds as punchy as anything else on the British metal underground of the day, the whole record was produced on a budget of £500. Their harshest and noisiest recording, it quickly grabbed the attention of the British rock press, with favourable reviews in Terrorizer and Metal Hammer and a five-star rating in mainstream modern rock bible Kerrang!.
After extensive touring, Discord was followed in 1999 by Off-Kilter Enhancement. Again it was a critical success, but commercial recognition was limited. The band had more time and money to play with this time, and it is here that the classic et9 sound crystallised - harsh metal inspired by Helmet and Neurosis, mixed with softer textured moments, with Tool-esque dynamics and arrangements, not to mention enigmatic song titles and lyrics (eg. Moe-ra (t-talk), i nagual eye). Barely a year later, after the loss of bassist Graeme Watts, the band delivered their final album - considered by many to be one of the high points of recent british metal, arc'tan'gent was described by et9 as the first record they were truly happy with, having for the first time not been rushed in the recording process.
Hopes were high for an American record deal, and it seemed obvious to most that the climate of US radio at the time - very focused on the dominant nu-metal sound - could accommodate the cleaner side of earthtone9's output. But, ultimately, apart from some minor distribution of their existing material, all attempts fell through. They lost Hutchby, and after struggling through for a couple of years, the band announced their dissolution in early 2002. After their farewell tour their umpteenth rejected demo saw release as the Omega EP, hinting at a more melodic direction.
All members continued to play in bands - notably, Karl Middleton joined hardcore supergroup The Blueprint, and sings for Twinzero alongside Si on drums. Owen moved into the industry side of music, while Joe released a few solo mp3's online before dissaperaing altogether.
In 2004, hi-point (rem) hit the stores which was a remastered version of 2000's first EP hi-point. In May 2010 the band announced they were reforming "to play a handful of gigs to remind everyone just how good they were". A great hits compilation, 'Inside, Embers Glow…', was released for free download in July 2010.
Free album can be downloaded at their offical website, www.earthtone9.co.uk.
House of Leaves
earthtone9 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
indelible mark is made
those who wield the brightest flame
bring change
some marks are lighter
some courses are longer
some marks are lighter
some courses are longer
the remaining smoke ashes
the effort to remember
enslaves
some marks are lighter
some courses are longer
some marks are lighter
some courses are longer
but the autumn will still come
the leaves always fall
some will never fade
indelible mark is made
those who wield the brightest flame
bring change
some marks are lighter
some courses are longer
some marks are lighter
some courses are longer
but the autumn will still come
the leaves always fall
The lyrics of "House of Leaves" by earthtone9 depict the idea that change is inevitable and that everything that happens leaves an indelible mark on our lives. The song talks about how some people make a bigger impact than others, and how some of these marks are lighter while some courses are longer. Despite this, every single person will change in some way or another, and the remains of our efforts to remember the past only enslave us. The song ends with the reminder that, no matter what happens, the autumn will still come and the leaves will always fall.
Overall, the lyrics of "House of Leaves" highlight themes of change, mortality, and the inevitable passage of time. The idea that everything we do leaves a mark on the world and on us is a powerful reminder that we should strive to make positive changes in our lives and in the lives of others. The song also speaks to the fact that no matter how hard we try, we cannot escape the passage of time and the inevitability of our own mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
some will never fade
Certain impacts on our life will never disappear
indelible mark is made
Those impacts made an unforgettable impression on us
those who wield the brightest flame
People who have great power and influence
bring change
Are capable of making a significant difference
some marks are lighter
Some effects are less profound
some courses are longer
Some experiences take longer to recover from
everyone will change
Change is inevitable for all of us
the remaining smoke ashes
The remnants of our past can limit us
the effort to remember
The struggle to hold onto our memories
enslaves
Can trap us in the past
but the autumn will still come
Change is still coming
the leaves always fall
Nature and change is an inevitable force
some will never fade
Certain impacts on our life will never disappear
indelible mark is made
Those impacts made an unforgettable impression on us
those who wield the brightest flame
People who have great power and influence
bring change
Are capable of making a significant difference
some marks are lighter
Some effects are less profound
some courses are longer
Some experiences take longer to recover from
some marks are lighter
Some effects are less profound
some courses are longer
Some experiences take longer to recover from
but the autumn will still come
Change is still coming
the leaves always fall
Nature and change is an inevitable force
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DanMeagher
anyone else hear this song on a metal hammer cd years ago??
@buttondiet
Hahah I did! Thats how I know it and the reason I am back here to hear it again!!
@Bollthorn
It was either Metal Hammer or Terrorizer. But yes, it was a damn shame they broke up.
@thestubass
Hell yeah! That was the golden era or promo CDs on magazines! What a goddamn TUNE!
@HWCWTD
That CD just popped into my head! Such a great track.
@Patrick-yj4vz
My favorite song from this band
@pies9393
Its beautiful aint it
@anthonybarron6830
Supported them around the 2000 change over. Bloody great band!
@dlguitardude
I, too, forgot the name of this song and haven't heard this particular one in over 5 years. I must say that it is still as brilliant, emotive, powerful and beautiful as it was when I last heard it. I still have plenty of Earthtone's material but not this song. This is easily one of my personal favorites from this largely underrated band that just didn't get the right timing w/their career. They were prevalent when nu-metal was and toured w/some of those bands. This band is far more to me.
@kubakiller
awesome, really miss this band, all their albums were great!