Blog Post // 2020-11-27

Encouragement In Metal

I want to send out encouragement to people.

To those that are fighting illness, whether something that is easy to get over, or they are fighting for their life.

To those that are isolated because they want to be, or because they just don't have anyone in their life, or their region requires it during this pandemic.

To those that aren't safe because you have abusive caregivers, partners, or conflict in your family or friends.

To those that aren't safe because you live in a conflict zone, the weather is dangerous, local tensions, or a host of other issues that threaten you.

To those that have lost their business, job, or home, or that maybe didn't have these things to begin with.

To those that are dealing with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.

To those dealing with loss.

To those that don't have a secure place to live, food to eat when you are hungry, or clothes to cover your body.

To those who are struggling with day-to-day activities due to disability or injury.

To those dealing with pain.

To those feeling on top of the world like everything is going right.

I wish for you strength, resilience, support, courage, and knowledge.

On this theme I think it makes sense for me to mention some songs that I find encouraging. I don't often go to music for direct encouragement. Often a song can help me feel ready to tackle something, or accepting of how things are, even if they don't directly make me feel like things are perfect.

Sometimes I just prefer to hear someone work through pain in a song. In a sense, it is healing to me. There have been different times in my life I went to songs for support.

For today, I tried to think of some songs that encourage me more directly right now. Some with their words, some with the feel of the song. Some genres just feel more uplifting, as well.

Borknagar - Lights

I have yet to hear all that Borknagar has to offer. This song is impressive to me on many fronts. I love to sing along; the vocals are excellent. I like how it changes from part to part, which keeps my attention.

This feels like you are not only accepting the situation, but you are picking the pieces up and making them into something powerful, a crown. It also goes on to talk about a light shining through. If something is shining through, there is work involved. It is easier to just shut the light off.

To expand on his creation
I took the world and broke it up
To force it down
I picked the pieces up
And wore them like a crown

And the light shone through forever
And the sky would never hold
(No, it would never hold)
And my light shone through forever
And the sky would never hold

The Agonist - Blood As My Guide

Although I don't love every song by the band, the songs I do like I really like. They often have lyrics that are encouraging not giving up.

This song is pointing out that you will have people and circumstances that oppress you, but you need to press on. It is portraying it like a real battle.

I like how it has some distinct parts to it. I love how Vicky used her Greek vocals near the end.

We will survive!
At the end of the tunnel there's always a light
WE WILL SURVIVE!
If we stay strong we can win any fight

They prey on the sheep for the sheep are weak
And the watchdogs protect us from restless sleep
But the wolves and the dogs are few
And we are many
Survival's an instinct we forget we carry
So let us awake to the truth!

Iron Maiden - The Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner

This is a classic song.

It feels very energizing. It felt that way before I was a runner and after. I used to run 5km five days a week. I loved to feel the blood pumping through my body, the air rushing through my lungs, my feet hitting the pavement. You felt really alive, thankful, determined. (I have a heath condition that means I can't run anymore. I really want to... so this is hard.) But regardless, this song pushes you forward. It helps you feel like you can do it.

Tough of the track,
With the wind,
And the rain that's beating down on your back.
Your heart's beating loud
And goes on getting louder
And goes on even more till the sound
Is ringing in your head,
With every step you tread,
And every breath you take,
Determination makes

Marmozets - Vibetech

I don't like everything this band has created, but this song is a go to song for me when I need to feel like I can do something.

I feel like it is more about the music than the words in this one. Even so the lyrics seem to be trying to let go of something.

I like the movement and energy of this song. It makes something feel good in my brain.

My eyes are open so let me know the way
My tries are done with did I let it show
Oh no did I let it show
Oh no did I let it show

Infected Rain - Stop Waiting

Another band that I don't consistently like. This is a great song by them. They seem to often have encouraging themes.

This song is motivating you to get up and take things into your own hands. Don't wait for someone else to save you.

Waiting for someone to save us
Waiting for something to change
Waiting someone to forgive us
Waiting and swallowing the rage

As long as the heart keeps beating
Fight for your life, fight for your dreams,
As long as your scars keep on healing,
Just rise, rise from your knees.

Deep Purple - A Simple Song

I still haven't heard all of Deep Purple, but the album Now What?! makes me feel uplifted. It is kinda like a guilty pleasure.

This song is fun to sing a long with.

From black and white
To blue and red
Golden circles
Flow above your head

Once you sang
A simple song
You got confused
And now it's gone

Nirvana - Come As You Are

The words are pretty straight forward, as is the song. It is a classic. You don't have to be anything specific, just be you.

Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy

Megadeth - Losing My Senses

I live by these first phrases. Life is hard to understand. I like to think one day it will make more sense, once all is said and done.

This song also speaks to the idea that we can make a difference. At least it does to me. If we only look at ourselves and get lost in our own struggle, we feed a self-focused world.

Life can only be understood in reverse
But must be lived forward
I'm losing my senses, I'm losing my senses

We watch as the living all die
Contemplating if we should
Ever open our eyes

If all that we touch
Keeps turning to sand
We will cease to exist
Till the last living man

Screaming Females - Ripe

This song is more about the feel than the lyrics. It just feels fun! Something about it makes me think of the 70's.

I think these lyrics actually speak to trying to tame or control the situation you are in. Like a bunch of horses that are galloping without a confident rider.

Miles of horses gallop to the edge
I saw murder in their mouths we try the whip
Powerful, more muscle and stiff lip
The reins are chains and I have lost my grip

I built this game to play and to pretend
You are a dark machine and I'm a cog
When engines crack, when fuel lines break off
I'll save your bits and let your motor rot

This part of the lyrics is interesting. Almost like a recognition that you are an important part of something, but that you aren't afraid to be independent either.

Kyuss - One Inch Man

This song is also more about the feel than the lyrics. It is easy going and fun!

A lot of their songs seem to be about sex and drugs.

One inch man, lonely soul
Two inch man (Two inch man), gimme more
Five steps and back, get him back
Three steps enough, get him up

Amon Amarth - Shield Wall

I have only heard a bit from Amon Amarth so far. This song is about the lyrics and the feel.

Yes, it is talking about war, but the reality is it took a lot of mental strength for people in battle to put their life out there. You can use this as a backing for any battle you may be fighting even though it may not be physical.

A chain is never stronger than its weakest link
We'll hold this wall together
Our hearts will never sink

Vikings!
Raise the shield wall!
Hold the front line!
Fight 'til death!

Spiritbox - Belcarra

The energy in this song draws me in!

I think the lyrics are talking about pressure and fighting off negativity, or depression.

I feel it compressing
They call it a blessing
I call it my grave

I feel a darkness
Survive off my beating heart
I was alive when the sun went down
I was alive when the sun went down
I feel a darkness
Survive off my beating heart
I was alive when the sun went down
I was alive when the sun went down

Tool - Forty Six & 2

This song is a lot of fun to sing a long with. It is from the first CD I ever owned. It is one of my most loved albums, period. It meets the progressive glory standard.

I think of this as looking at a shadow as something from your past that is following you around, something hard you can't let go of, or maybe it is holding on to you. I like how this song is changing it for the good. Coming out the other side means that you have made it. Changing the shadow is good.

See my shadow changing
Stretching up and over me
Soften this old armor
Hoping I can clear the way by
Stepping through my shadow
Coming out the other side
Step into the shadow
Forty six and two are just ahead of me

Katatonia - Old Heart Falls

I have recently learned of the vast array of work this band has done. I can't say I like them all on a same level. This one is done right for me. The vocals are just right to sing along with, the tone is of embracing a change you may not actually want. It is hard but possible.

For every dream that is left behind me
I take a bow
With every war that will rage inside me
I hear the sound
Of another day in this vanishing life
Returned to dust
And every chance I've pushed away
Into the night

Blindside - Gravedigger

I heard this song about a year ago. I thought it might mean that the band was coming out with more content, but they haven't thus far. This song is great to sing along with, which is one way to encourage me. It is straightforward, but I like the arrangement.

I like how the lyrics feel like it is the end as you embrace your own death. I think it is symbolic of giving up on yourself, feeling like you have no worth. I like how things change and you are so worth it. You are still surrounded by dirt under the ground but you are being taken out, rescued even if you don't feel you are worth it. I think everyone is worth it! Please reach out to someone if you don't know your worth.

Closed your eyes and stepped into the casket
And closed the lid
But don't start talking to angels yet

And I still feel it
Feel it from six feet under
Every heartbeat makes the ground shiver
It's time my dear to wake up and smell fresh air and soil
As I break open the casket piece by piece by piece