Album Review // 2020-07-08

Harakiri for the Sky

Arson

Released: 2018-02-15

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The first song I heard by Harakiri for the Sky was Funeral Dreams. I had been warned that it was a hard topic. The video that goes with it is full of the terrible things humans do and is hard to watch, though it is reality. This song captured my attention and left me wanting to hear more from this band.

Hearing their name I was very curious about the meaning. I googled Harakiri and found out it was suicide by sword causing self-disembowelment. It was commonly performed by Japanese samurai. It was considered an honourable death in defeat done voluntarily, or in response to self shame, or as punishment. Pretty heavy and disturbing but thoughtful to use in a band’s name.

Upon further investigation the name with the addition of “for the sky” refers to “the time during a fall when you feel like you are flying, even though you know there is an impact following”. Apparently, this idea came to JJ the vocalist. 

I watched a few interviews with this band and I really liked the humble nature they have. They seem to love creating music and are glad if it reaches others. They don’t live for fame and glory. This is something I can really respect!

I decided to listen to their 2018 album titled Arson.

Here are my personal thoughts about this album:

Album Art

The art only uses a few colours. It appears to be lots of feathers and an owl in the middle. I am not sure what it symbolizes for the band. It is a night creature which is found in darkness. I guess it is within flames which makes sense considering the name of the album. I like that you have to look hard to see the owl. You don’t see it immediately.

Mood

This album is poised and graceful yet sharp and painful. A great mixture for me!

I find this entire album works well together and never feels disjointed, never makes me want to skip a song! This is a feat for me. Albums I like from front to back are few and far between.

Vocals

JJ’s voice is passionate and emotional. There is always an intensity, which I personally love!

Music

I am very impressed by Matthias’ ability here. He composes all the instrument parts. He does a good job of putting together both melodic and intense parts. There is lots of variety in both guitar and drums which is excellent for someone like me that enjoys changes throughout a song. Many of the choruses get stuck in my head. Writing a memorable song isn’t easy.

Lyrics

The lyrics in this band are written by JJ. It is safe to say he has endured lots of loss and pain. I like the words he comes up with. They accurately describe how hard places feel. He doesn’t hide the fact that suicide has been a part of his losses and that depression is something he lives with.

Fire Walk With Me

I think this song addresses the way we often carry guilt or even shame. After all we have all done things we regret. We have all had moments we wish we could burn our choice away, or even burn our self to the ground. 

I usually keep my sadness pent up deep inside
Where it can fester quietly
To become mental illness. 

I found this line spoke to me in a personally way. I am the poster girl for this way of dealing with things. I know the effects it can have to never let things out that need to a way out!

The Graves We’ve Dug

Teach Your heart how to cherish people around you before they depart
You know they surely will, if not by choice, death steals them away

These words speak truth. We spend so much time not appreciating the things we have. Nothing lasts forever on this earth.

You Are The Scars

I think this song is talking about a relationship full of regrets. Thus the person in the relationship is the Scars. The pain of the relationship failure stays with you like a scar.

Too weak to continue swimming, yet not weak enough to give up and sink

These lines spoke to me. They speak to being extremely determined. I feel like I have been in this place so many times!

Heroin Waltz

To me this song seems like it is about lacking true connection with people, maybe feeling like you hurt people, feeling anxious and like you need to keep moving on. It could be related to the nature of touring and not feeling grounded in a “home” but finding it elsewhere.

Somewhere there’s a garden of everlasting love within me
But I fear that all you can see are the scars that grace my skin

Tomb Omnia

A google search told me that Omnia mean wish in Arabic and everything in Latin. It definitely fits if we  said Tomb Wish or everything. This song is about a suicide, that was very clear. It seemed so personal like it had been experienced by the writer. I found out after hearing this song that it is based on JJ’s step father’s suicide which affected his sister who was alive to experience it. It left a mark on the family. I think it is great that he uses this song to release the pain of this situation. I like how it recognizes that some things just don’t go away even in time.

These days of autumn at least wrecked their lives
And in the long run, somehow it too shattered mine
There’s no way anybody will get well again
And in no way, anybody will be the same again

Stillborn

I think this song is focused on the struggle with depression that is consuming and doesn’t let off. The title makes me think of a still born child who from the beginning doesn’t have life. So, maybe depression has been for what seems like from birth.

Cause death is not the greatest loss in life
But what dies inside us while we fledge

These words spoke to me. I think it is true that death isn’t the greatest loss. I am not scared of death myself, but it hurts a lot when we lose someone to death. We recognize that, but the way we respond to it can cause such deep injury. We don’t even recognize ourselves.

Voidgazer

This one makes me think of being fed up with how things have played out and have continued to play out. Looking into the void. 

Some say time heals
But I'm pretty sure that's a lie
What they really mean
Is that you will eventually get used to the void
You will simply forget
Who you were without it
You'll forget what you looked like
Without all these scars

I think there is truth to the fact that hard experiences change you forever.

Playlist Pick

This album is done well!

Fire Walk With Me & The Graves We've Dug will make it to my playlist. I am looking forward to hearing them among other songs!