motW had a consistent core membership which consisted of Jason Byron, Greg Massi, and Toby Driver. Throughout motW's career, they saw a sort of "revolving door" of members and session musicians as they were needed. In this regard, it may be more accurate to think of motW as a project rather than a typical band, akin to Chuck Schuldiner's influential death metal project/band, Death.
motW's music, lyrics, and atmosphere dealt predominantly with the subject of astral projection. The band tried to find music rather than compose it. This was attempted through practicing astral projection and lucid dreams, from which the band were purportedly able to "bring back" pre-existing music from the astral plane. This idea is similar to the common dogmatic notion that "all good things come from God", but with a new-age spin.
In late 2001, motW began working on a fourth studio album. During this time, the band lost longtime members, changed labels, and ultimately renamed themselves to Kayo Dot. This fourth motW album was released in 2003 as Kayo Dot's Choirs of the Eye.
Bath and Leaving Your Body Map were re-issued by Dark Symphonies in 2006 and the label has recently announced plans to re-release My Fruit PsychoBells...A Seed Combustible in September 2007.
On July 27, 2008, Toby Driver released a statement in his blog which confirms that a new studio album will be recorded starting February, 2009. The album, entitled Part the Second, was released in May 2009 on the band's website. The record was entirely fan-funded, and people who contributed to the funding of the record are listed on their website. A double-LP edition pressed at 45rpm was issued in November 2010 thanks to fan donations.
In 2012, the bands whole discography was re-released on CD through Blood Music, including The Secret Song single and the first CD release of Part the Second.
Heaven and Weak
maudlin of the Well Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and pasted to a boy's back, like in that story
You waved to me from a mountain as I slipped away
Dimming into rust-lit winters with a burning apple branch.
Who are you that darkness my shade? You burned my door down.
Don't wait for me, because you're a liar
And each time you dream in colour, I'll be holding your head under
I know you'll hear me now...You missed your way out!
I thought I had it all
When I was left in shame, I gained even more!
You will welter on your hurried path with me as a prince to the world
All the beauty that is all of Life shall walk with me,
And you shall walk alone...in shame!
Dry as a bone withered and cold stuck with a dagger again behold me for I am centuries old cut on the lips by secretive men
terror I watch you nervous slowly insert the dagger again twisting the furnace walls gripping my breast writhing in want
smothered within your heavenly haunt cut on the lips by secretive men slowly insert the dagger again.
In "Heaven and Weak," maudlin of the Well paints a vivid picture of a broken relationship that has turned toxic. The opening lines describe an individual who feels like they are a burden on others, represented by the image of a swan's wing bloodied at the joint and attached to a boy's back. The reference to the story suggests that the person feels trapped and unable to escape their situation.
The chorus then illustrates the anger and resentment that has built up in the damaged relationship. The person addresses their partner, accusing them of being a liar and warning them that they won't be there to comfort them anymore. The imagery of holding their head under water suggests a desire for revenge against the other person, as if to say "you hurt me, so now it's my turn to hurt you."
The final lines of the song describe a transformation in the singer. They realize that the shame and pain they've experienced have made them stronger, and they now walk with all of life's beauty by their side while the other person walks alone in shame. Overall, "Heaven and Weak" is a complex and powerful exploration of the emotions tied to a toxic relationship, with its evocative lyrics painting a vivid picture of the singer's internal struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a swan's wing, bloodied at the joint
I feel damaged and broken, like a swan's wing that has been hurt at the joint
and pasted to a boy's back, like in that story
I feel like I am attached to a person who is struggling, like how a swan's wing might be attached to a boy's back in a story
You waved to me from a mountain as I slipped away
Even though I am leaving or giving up, you still acknowledge me, like waving to me from a distance
Dimming into rust-lit winters with a burning apple branch.
I am fading away into a cold, dark time of year, while still holding onto something that is burning and dying
Who are you that darkness my shade? You burned my door down.
I am confused and frustrated with whoever is causing me pain, as they bring darkness and destruction into my life
Don't wait for me, because you're a liar
I don't want you to wait for me, because I don't trust you and I think you are dishonest
And each time you dream in colour, I'll be holding your head under
Whenever you feel happy or hopeful, I will be there to bring you back down and remind you of the pain you have caused me
Who took my time away? I know you'll hear me now
I am questioning who has stolen my time and energy, and I hope you are listening now
You missed your way out!
You have lost your chance to leave or escape this situation
I thought I had it all
I believed that I was complete and satisfied with my life
When I was left in shame, I gained even more!
But after experiencing shame or embarrassment, I actually gained more insight or strength
You will welter on your hurried path with me as a prince to the world
You are rushing towards your future without considering the obstacles along the way, while I am struggling but still seen as a leader to others
All the beauty that is all of Life shall walk with me,
I believe that even though there is pain in life, there is also beauty that surrounds me
And you shall walk alone...in shame!
But you will be alone, and feel shameful for the actions you have taken
Dry as a bone withered and cold stuck with a dagger again behold me for I am centuries old cut on the lips by secretive men
I am feeling trapped and wounded, experiencing the pain of being silenced or attacked by others
terror I watch you nervous slowly insert the dagger again twisting the furnace walls gripping my breast writhing in want
I am afraid as I see you, nervous and shaky, hurting me again and again while I am trapped and struggling to escape
smothered within your heavenly haunt cut on the lips by secretive men slowly insert the dagger again.
I feel suffocated and trapped in this situation, hurt by people who try to hide their actions and intentions, as you continue to hurt me with your words and deeds
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.