Reality EP was created to portray what the Metalcore genre means to me as an artist. Exploring how Metalcore came to be clearly explains a lot of the characteristics involved with the genre. Metalcore came around in the mid 80’s and gained a lot of popularity in the 90’s and early 2000’s onwards. It is a mixture of Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal and Hardcore Punk, bringing together the fast technical and aggressive guitar riffs of Metal with the emotional ‘in-your-face’ screaming vocals of Hardcore music. Metalcore is generally structured in classic verse chorus verse format with aggressive verses and melodic choruses complimented by clean vocals. Most songs will incorporate heavy palm-muted breakdowns and fast rhythmic double bass drums. The lyrics can range from political or religious views to personal breakup songs.
Reality EP encompasses these aspects and adds a personal flavor to the mix. The first track ‘Substance’ is a heavy repetitive song with no chorus per se but it repeats the aggressive verse and goes into a chuggy breakdown. The lyrics are to do with the spiritual nature of our being and that we’re not inherently physical.
The second track ‘Infected’ has a heavy main riff and contrasts low string chugs with more intricate lead lines. The lyrics are a description of an enemy one might face in a zombie apocalypse. This song has more of a fantasy story-telling aspect to it.
The third track ‘Word of Indifference’ is a fast-paced song that is in your face right from the get go. Fast double kick drums combined with fast guitar riffs give a high energy feel. The choruses are melodic and incorporate clean vocals. The lyrics explore the routine nature of Christian life that people can so easily fall into if they become ‘stagnant’ in their faith.
The fourth track is an interlude from all the aggressive songs so far. It is a slow soft ambient melodic song that gives the listener a breath of fresh air before the final track. Many Metalcore albums incorporate interludes in this way. The outro includes a reversed audio track and flows seamlessly into the final track ‘Speaking from Experience’.
This final track has a fast-paced chord progression complimented by a melodic lead line. The chorus is melodic but juxtaposed by the guitars that change from free-flowing chords to low chugging. The lyrics explore the life of a reckless man dwelling on things he can’t change wishing to go back and live in the past. The chorus presents the man’s current situation and urges the listener to learn from his mistakes.
Reality EP explores the Metalcore genre’s defining features, heavily incorporating them into the final composition, and combining my own personal influences to create a truly ‘Metalcore’ album. I believe that Metalcore is a very emotionally driven genre, allowing artists to write lyrics about whatever they feel passionate about. This cultural acceptance of emotion, I feel allowed the Christian community to incorporate themselves and reach critical acclaim alongside secular artists. This is what the Reality EP is about; emotional writing about what I’m passionate about.
Reality EP encompasses these aspects and adds a personal flavor to the mix. The first track ‘Substance’ is a heavy repetitive song with no chorus per se but it repeats the aggressive verse and goes into a chuggy breakdown. The lyrics are to do with the spiritual nature of our being and that we’re not inherently physical.
The second track ‘Infected’ has a heavy main riff and contrasts low string chugs with more intricate lead lines. The lyrics are a description of an enemy one might face in a zombie apocalypse. This song has more of a fantasy story-telling aspect to it.
The third track ‘Word of Indifference’ is a fast-paced song that is in your face right from the get go. Fast double kick drums combined with fast guitar riffs give a high energy feel. The choruses are melodic and incorporate clean vocals. The lyrics explore the routine nature of Christian life that people can so easily fall into if they become ‘stagnant’ in their faith.
The fourth track is an interlude from all the aggressive songs so far. It is a slow soft ambient melodic song that gives the listener a breath of fresh air before the final track. Many Metalcore albums incorporate interludes in this way. The outro includes a reversed audio track and flows seamlessly into the final track ‘Speaking from Experience’.
This final track has a fast-paced chord progression complimented by a melodic lead line. The chorus is melodic but juxtaposed by the guitars that change from free-flowing chords to low chugging. The lyrics explore the life of a reckless man dwelling on things he can’t change wishing to go back and live in the past. The chorus presents the man’s current situation and urges the listener to learn from his mistakes.
Reality EP explores the Metalcore genre’s defining features, heavily incorporating them into the final composition, and combining my own personal influences to create a truly ‘Metalcore’ album. I believe that Metalcore is a very emotionally driven genre, allowing artists to write lyrics about whatever they feel passionate about. This cultural acceptance of emotion, I feel allowed the Christian community to incorporate themselves and reach critical acclaim alongside secular artists. This is what the Reality EP is about; emotional writing about what I’m passionate about.
Lyrics:
Substance
As I tread the earth my spirit treads water
I am not of flesh and blood
This body is not my own
My spirit is what makes up my being
Such an element must reside in Heaven
Keep your eyes ready
Keep your ears ready
For what you need to see
Keep your ears ready for what you need to hear
Keep your eyes ready for what you need to see
And I know it's hard
I know it's hard
Don't dwell on pain
Infected
Blood dripping from the mouth
Always groaning always screaming
Slowly stalking what they're craving
Heightened sense of smell
Makes them hard to evade
Unrelenting undying
Makes them a formidable foe
Blood shot eyes staring at your soul
Never blinking always open
Always conscious never sleeping
Drawn to loud noises
Silence is your friend
All of our strength none of our weakness
Pushing our capabilities
Cardio is a necessity weapons are a must
Don't waste your ammunition
Your bullets are your lifeline
Always groaning always screaming
Always open never blinking
Always groaning always screaming
Always open never blinking
Hunting in packs of ten or twenty
Though masses always seem to follow
No training necessary
For overcoming military
Blood dripping from the mouth
Always groaning always screaming
Slowly stalking what they're craving
Always groaning always screaming
Always open never blinking
Word of Indifference
Take a step through the front door
Feel the presence of God
Greetings come to me
Good to see you
Take a step down the stairs
The room where the alter is
Singing starts and the crowd settles
Worship at your own content
Praise to the structure
Meeting the criteria
One by one check off the list
Control the spirit of God
Wise words come floating from a wise man
Spoken as an artist paints
Words of truth meet my attention
In one ear and out the other
The music comes to an end to exchange pleasantries
Take a seat now little sheep
Time for the shepherd to speak
Once upon a time my heart was on fire
Routine consumes my faith
Now a slave to the structure
I have forgotten the meaning
I have forgotten my faith
Don't let your faith be burned away
Even ash can insulate embers
Every ember has the potential to create fire to burn away the webs that entangle us
So, what do you say?
Pleasant Remembrance
*Instrumental
Speaking from Experience
Looking back on the days
I wore my heart on my sleeve and I'm amazed
How cloudy those dreams seem from here
As life goes on they seem to be less clear
It's such a funny thing as I
Lose sleep knowing things were much better
And now all that life brings is weeping
And singing the songs of yesterday
So welcome to my home
This is where I dwell
Containing all my memories
And stories they can tell
So, make yourself at home
There's something I can say
I hope you're full filled by what
Only God can bring your way
I am a reckless man
I survive the best I can
I dwell on situations past
I am a reckless man
I am a reckless man
I am a reckless man
Substance
As I tread the earth my spirit treads water
I am not of flesh and blood
This body is not my own
My spirit is what makes up my being
Such an element must reside in Heaven
Keep your eyes ready
Keep your ears ready
For what you need to see
Keep your ears ready for what you need to hear
Keep your eyes ready for what you need to see
And I know it's hard
I know it's hard
Don't dwell on pain
Infected
Blood dripping from the mouth
Always groaning always screaming
Slowly stalking what they're craving
Heightened sense of smell
Makes them hard to evade
Unrelenting undying
Makes them a formidable foe
Blood shot eyes staring at your soul
Never blinking always open
Always conscious never sleeping
Drawn to loud noises
Silence is your friend
All of our strength none of our weakness
Pushing our capabilities
Cardio is a necessity weapons are a must
Don't waste your ammunition
Your bullets are your lifeline
Always groaning always screaming
Always open never blinking
Always groaning always screaming
Always open never blinking
Hunting in packs of ten or twenty
Though masses always seem to follow
No training necessary
For overcoming military
Blood dripping from the mouth
Always groaning always screaming
Slowly stalking what they're craving
Always groaning always screaming
Always open never blinking
Word of Indifference
Take a step through the front door
Feel the presence of God
Greetings come to me
Good to see you
Take a step down the stairs
The room where the alter is
Singing starts and the crowd settles
Worship at your own content
Praise to the structure
Meeting the criteria
One by one check off the list
Control the spirit of God
Wise words come floating from a wise man
Spoken as an artist paints
Words of truth meet my attention
In one ear and out the other
The music comes to an end to exchange pleasantries
Take a seat now little sheep
Time for the shepherd to speak
Once upon a time my heart was on fire
Routine consumes my faith
Now a slave to the structure
I have forgotten the meaning
I have forgotten my faith
Don't let your faith be burned away
Even ash can insulate embers
Every ember has the potential to create fire to burn away the webs that entangle us
So, what do you say?
Pleasant Remembrance
*Instrumental
Speaking from Experience
Looking back on the days
I wore my heart on my sleeve and I'm amazed
How cloudy those dreams seem from here
As life goes on they seem to be less clear
It's such a funny thing as I
Lose sleep knowing things were much better
And now all that life brings is weeping
And singing the songs of yesterday
So welcome to my home
This is where I dwell
Containing all my memories
And stories they can tell
So, make yourself at home
There's something I can say
I hope you're full filled by what
Only God can bring your way
I am a reckless man
I survive the best I can
I dwell on situations past
I am a reckless man
I am a reckless man
I am a reckless man