Formation of Damnation...a few observations.

[dan weapon]

Specifically track 3; 'The Evil Has Landed'. (a play on words on 'the eagle has landed' perhaps?) Great song, one of my favourites on the album. Anyway...

1) Possibly one of the silliest lines in serious metal history: "So many people killed, two thousand nine hundred and seventy four". Syllabically it doesn't really fit, and sounds awkward - especially as lyrically it's just a bit lame. Although I guess the sentiment is there.

2) On the line just before the solo "we will rebuild our home", how good is that vocal harmony!? Totally reminds me of Black Album vocals, 'Wherever I May Roam' in particular I think.

Anyone else pick up on these?

 

[Jaymz]

Yup but great album!

 

[Metaltastic]

at #1, I can only hope its referencing an actual historical moment! (and even then, oy) - as far as bad lines go, though, the one that comes to mind is in a Dark Tranquillity song off Character (Track 4, don't remember the title) where Stanne rasps "I - hear - a mighty cheer"

 

[Skinny Viking]

Jim picked up on it and they fucking killed him for it

to Jim!

 

[Metaltastic]

Jim picked up on it and they fucking killed him for it

to Jim!

Huh?

 

[Skinny Viking]

Huh?

Inside joke

 

[blackcom]

Wierdest thing about this album for me is that Andy has yet to give a statement to how the feels the EVH 5150 MKIII compares to the 5150 MKI and other amps like Triple XXX, Krank etc.
I know they used it on the album, but I rarely hear people talk about this amp at all. It's allways, "Mesa, Peavey or Krank"...

Fredrik Nordstom told me he thought he thought the MKIII sounded like "removing a blanket from covering the amp" when comparing it to the MKI, though. He really liked it more then the MK1.

 

[-J-]

yeah, that number phrase is pretty bad. plus, I always wonder when I hear it: is it off by one or two? chuck's lyrics are sometimes borderline juvenile, especially when it gets political, but his delivery and intensity always make up for it.

on a similar odd phrasing note, I think how dave says "abominations" in united abominations is very oddball how the syllables fall, but what do you do.

I also find it odd that metal bands seem to go back and forth on the patriotism. sometimes they're dissing people that go AWOL (from impact is imminent), but then come back with Scar Spangled Banner (on TOTD). one day the president is the most resented man (from PWYP), then it's all about freedom riders and the horrors of 911 (TFOD). Maybe I read into stuff too much.

 

[dan weapon]

I remember reading an interview or suchlike with Andy about how he feels that double tracking vocals can lose a bit of feeling or character, and suggested Mr Billy might like to do just one track - but Chuck was adament about double tracking. I believe Andy's words were "needless to say, the 6'7" red indian got his way!" (this was before 'Formation...' though).

I guess it might be the same when it comes to lyrics!

Love FoD though. Definitely one of the best testament albums (or at least one of my favourites)

 

[grywolf627]

Jim picked up on it and they fucking killed him for it

to Jim!

Alas...poor Jim. How long has it been since he was so tragically take from us?

 

[Force666]

2974 people died in the 9/11 attacks (excluding the perpetrators)

 

[Fifth_Horseman]

Specifically track 3; 'The Evil Has Landed'. (a play on words on 'the eagle has landed' perhaps?) Great song, one of my favourites on the album. Anyway...

1) Possibly one of the silliest lines in serious metal history: "So many people killed, two thousand nine hundred and seventy four". Syllabically it doesn't really fit, and sounds awkward - especially as lyrically it's just a bit lame. Although I guess the sentiment is there.

2) On the line just before the solo "we will rebuild our home", how good is that vocal harmony!? Totally reminds me of Black Album vocals, 'Wherever I May Roam' in particular I think.

Anyone else pick up on these?

I always stumble about 1), definitely not the peak of lyrical creativity...

I like 2) but it didn't stand out to me that much.

But to add a 3), I always think it's weird to hear the lyrics of "Afterlife" bellowed over a full force thrash metal song... for example "NEEEEEEEEVERENDING LOOOOOVE" *ROAR*

Wouldn't those fit better on a ballad?

 

[JeffTD]

I don't get how it doesn't fit, syllabically?

Two thousand, nine hundred, seventy four... 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 10, and it's delivered just fine?

Not really creative but for what the track is talking about it's fine.

 

[Meisterjäger]

That vocal line will fit syllabically if you say 'two-thousand, nine-hundred AND seventy-four, or at least pause where the 'AND' is in that phrase, but he does stumble over it, no doubt about it.

Awesome album

 

[JeffTD]

No, it fits better without "the" - just like it is in the song.