1. |
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Guitar Solo: Chris Millard
One man with a stolen fleet
breaks out to sea and sets sail
defiant and driven by greed,
for our weak peace he must fail
I see what must be done
governor please send me on the run
I will track
I will hunt and bring back
this man under my gun
far away
treasonous men cite glory to slay
and they mustn’t make
it to the city on the lake
This life, that he will lead
there is no redemption
for what he will bleed
his knife
is the the last thing I’ll see
a future half-blinded
and a land cursed by disease
on his trail
at first we find
tattered and burned sails
stolen ship self sacrificed to keep from turning tail
for God’s sake!
some had followed him
for vengeance they partake
and those too proud to let him pass
we found shattered in his wake
Fated Storm
The tempest binds
no mortal man can brave
call the sentinels into sleep
our strength we must save
conquistador!
attack , I swore to bring him back
but as I slept he gambled fate
I’m looking down his blade too late
This life, that he will lead
there is no redemption
for what he will bleed
his knife
the last thing I’ll see
a future half-blinded
and a land cursed by disease
Guitar Solo: N.L. Sponsel
Man’s soul, it's easy to peel
for God, for Gold, for glory they steal
No duty, no honor they bow to the Gambler
for promises he vomits like a rambler
my folly has multiplied his forces
adding pages to the courses
of this misery history
no matter how holy I feel
I am part and parcel of this Satan Shame and Steel
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2. |
From Zenith To Nadir
04:06
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From Mountains
from deserts,
from backwater lands
ill-clad boys take command
we rise against the seat
of power
their tower
will crumble and fall
as we answer our call
from reckless hoards
new empires are born
and spread across the ruins
through paths that are well worn
[Chorus]
It’s time to scribe another line
to a history that rhymes
in some form though it’s seems unclear
it’s the end that stays the same
with some steps that seem to change
as we fall
from zenith to nadir
optimistic
chauvinistic
this new age is duty-bound
and our currency’s renowned
as generations turn
hedonistic
fatalistic
reputations fade
as our monuments degrade
our reach recedes
great walls replace our zeal
our vapid needs
are now central to our ideals
(chrous)
with each changing face
through revolving ages
empires rise and fall
what do we change
maybe nothing at all
each civilization is on a carousel
from hell
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3. |
Subjective Subjugation
04:03
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Behind the gates where the world is a stage
a privileged few write the script
don’t fool yourself
they keep the rabble at bay
under tightened grip
can’t let it slip
or lose the crown
scales have to tip
on the powers that be
to whom you’re forced to bow
we all play dumb when we want some
twist those who wear their heart on their sleeves
baffled and incensed
when the tables have turned
then and only then
hear cries for honesty
for the here and right now
please take heed
of the powers that be
to whom you’re forced to bow
[Chorus]
you write the rules
we play the game
expectations are to obey
a rule for me
but not for thee
it’s subjective subjugation...
that will be the push
to make us find our way
we are forced to stay one step ahead
outsmart the fox
always painted red
they’re watching somehow
don’t wind up dead
through the powers that be
to whom we’re forced to bow
[Chorus]
you write the rules
we play the game
expectations are to obey
a rule for me
but not for thee
just imagine if the standards
were applied evenly
every dispute
you plant the seed
that only one side must concede
a rule for me
but not for thee
it’s subjective through and through
it’s subjective subjugation
Guitar Solo: Nicky Love Sponsel
hold your tongue
watch what you say
just get through
the day to day
push it down
push it down
all your thoughts have to drown
your vapid veneer will
never slander or smear
their sacred cow
everyone jeer
the powers that be
and never bow
[Chorus]
you write the rules
we play the game
expectations are to obey
a rule for me
but not for thee
can’t you see that this game
ushers in violent ends
that never ends
pushing the theme
that only one side must concede
a rule for me
but not thee
it’s subjective subjugation
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4. |
No More Time
05:52
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the Future feels like an eternity,
that’s always available to serve your needs
and never takes
but always gives more time
but as it burns you at both ends
casual mistakes are taken for granted
and every forgiven sin
begins to thin
[Chorus]
Pushing
Fighting
Taking one side
Creating new rifts out of pride
Repeating
Repentance
atoning your crimes
Assuming that there’s always more time
tell me now
please tell us all
that it’s okay
these mistakes are so small
and time will heal all wounds
as they say
hold on tight
and hold on dear
this life takes a turn suddenly
everyone
and everything disappears
[Chorus]
Pushing
Fighting
Taking one side
Creating new rifts out of pride
Repeating
Repentance
atoning your crimes
Assuming that there’s always more time
no more time
it’s counting down
behind your back
then attacks
Guitar Solos:
N. L. Sponsel
Chris Millard
[chorus]
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5. |
Paradise Lost
04:08
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Set out to challenge the world
With ideas too grand for the pack
One last attempt before it all goes away
Fireball screeching into the sky
Separation heralds cheers of mirth
As we watch him fall to Earth
[Chorus]
Strain against the push to the edge
As we race ahead to the stars
Fight against a push off the ledge
From the devils settling scores
Woah
Keep building no more matter the cost
Woah
Give into the mob and our future is lost
It doesn’t matter the good that you do
They’ll cheer you on
Just to watch you torn down
don’t rely on their cheap validation
Petty destruction is all they can do
While acts of creation are left up to you
[Chorus]
Strain against the push to the edge
As we race ahead to the stars
Fight against a push off the ledge
From the devils settling scores
Woah
Keep building no more matter the cost
Woah
Paradise Lost
Guitar Solo
Set out to challenge the world
And that is what you’ll do
Spread humanity’s reach far beyond Mars
Understanding laws of reality
Engineering feats of strength
If we push to the limit
the species remains
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6. |
Raised in Hell
05:05
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going out on the hunt in the dead of night
bad intentions never felt so right
looking for a mind of a certain kind
that even the devil can't bind
no
you're my vessel, dear,I will fill you in time
each thought corrupting sweetly
disappear in here and confess all your fears
so I can stitch another thread that we're weaving
I let her go
she shouldn't have followed
the left-hand path
but she wouldn't turn back
[chorus]
but she didn't know
that I was raised in hell
now she's too far gone
she's an angel that fell... for me
Raised in Hell
Guitar Solo: Dan Todd
it's so easy to take when it's for your own sake
just ignore all those who are paying
your precious time is not my compromise
this is just the game I play
I let her go
she shouldn't have followed
the left-hand path
but she wouldn't turn back
[chorus]
Guitar Duel:
N.L. Sponsel
Dan Todd
But I didn't know that she was raised in hell
now it's far too late
there's no way I could tell
oh no
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7. |
Aurora Ante Bellum
03:34
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There are kingmakers
casting illusory dreams
spinning webs to substitute
reality at the seams
slowly ousting cogs in
the machinery of the mind
bifurcating what we see in kind
two worlds quickly misaligned
dead walk amongst us
the living remain out of phase
until the gates are opened
and the heedless come face to face
slowly ousting cogs in
the machinery of the mind
bifurcating what we see in kind
watch the masks of sanity unwind
...
manifest the golem of antipathy
as the anger sparks
they’ll feed it
they’ll bleed it
and then wield its corpse
some will reinterpret
their own clairvoyance
others bemoan their lot
no returning
after burning
and embers are still hot
we wade into the fog
just chasing our dogs
to our demise
entertaining
no explaining
lead by the unwise
charge ahead and hear from behind
these words: momento mori
spit venom
pure bedlam
aurora ante bellum
there are kingmaker
plotting devious schemes
aggregating power for its own sake
to play the extremes
slowly ousting cogs in
the machinery of the mind
bifurcating what we see in kind
redefining rules in
the machinery of the mind
til all we share in common is maligned
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8. |
On the Edge of Empire
03:49
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I see the tendrils spread and grow
from this dynasty
What was once frontier
Loses autonomy
It’s nothing more than
Tax and graft for legions so divine
Pay for protection from these kings blessed so benign
So far apart these lives we lead
Disconnected but protected
From nature’s cruelty
Oh no and
I don’t need this pain
Added by bueracrats
It seems we’ve devolved to a state between the wolf and rat
[Chorus]
woah
they say their glory extends
from city lights to the edge of the world
but no
the towns at the roads-end
are not just your resource whore
on the edge of empire
Keep an eye on the men
building the coliseum
Their generosity
Oh it’s a cursory scheme
Effigies of vanity
Are erected from collected
Lives poached from the country
[Chorus]
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9. |
The Hive
07:33
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awake...
...awake...
.......awake... I hear the voices say
I feel the sparks within my heart
but outside it's still just shades of gray
a single question will shatter the mirror
and as the smoke disappears
I'm left with insurmountable fear
and suddenly it's clear
we are victims caught in the madness of the maw
where minds are left vacant
and souls are consumed
[chorus]
break out through the veil
and managed to survive
I ran so far away
to find myself back in the Hive
We're tossed around like human scraps
we defy, we defy...
but will we die?
use our body as you please as long as we
keep the fire in our heart alive
facing down a new nightmare
it seems we've encountered every human flaw
brave the desert no matter the cost
and we'll lead the victims towards the freedom that we saw
where minds are replenished
and souls are exhumed
[chorus]
I made it through trial and pain
if you ask me, what did I gain?
well I know, just how it goes
you cynics can sit back and laugh
tell me that this freedom will never last
it's not the end, but the journey
that gave me the strength
I made a new home
but the corruption will creep along
so long as it remains
this pursuit for purity
will destroy all that you see ahead
when lies turn truth...
lies and truth will wed
[chorus]
break out through the veil
and manage to survive
I ran so far away
to find myself back in the Hive
I managed to survive
survive!
ran so far away to find myself
back in the...
Hive
...
...they're coming
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