You know the sh*t’s about to get real when Angelic Kittens arrive on the scene!
School of Hard Knocks by P.O.D. is an interesting beast of a song with a really awesome, insanely unique music video. This is one of my favorite music videos by Payable On Death, a decision that is extremely though to make considering how many absolutely fantastic music videos these long-running Christian rockers have made.
P.O.D. is one of those bands, like Flyleaf, who are continuously pumping out Singles, songs that are not on any of their main albums, and come from movie soundtracks, compilations, holidays albums and all other sorts of non-typical album releases; meaning that there are tons of people who have never heard some of P.O.D.’s best material…
Songs like “School of Hard Knocks” from the Little Nicky Soundtrack, “Going In Blind” from the P.O.D. Greatest Hits – The Atlantic Years compilation, “Sleeping Awake” from The Matrix Reloaded soundtrack, or “If It Wasn’t for You” from The Warriors EP II… And there are many, many more that you’ve likely never heard, like P.O.D.’s The Chargers Anthem which was recorded live on-stage during a San Diego Chargers football game!
This music video for “School of Hard Knocks” is amazing, you get the band rocking out in the pouring rain, an epic Heavenly battle between Angelic Kittens and Demonic Dogs (no that is not a typo), and all kids of balls-to-the-wall crazy scenes interspersed with moments of Adam Sandler from the develish Little Nicky comedy. It all makes for one HELL of a unique music video, enjoy!
Mars iLL is DJ Dust on the left and rapper Manchild on the right.
Sphere Of Hip-Hop Part 1 and Part 2 from Mars iLL’s Raw Material album is a mind-blowing rap that mixes profound thoughts on life and hip-hop and how to the two collide with some awesome lines.
Mars iLL is arguably the group that made me into a hip-hop fan more than any other. This is not rap music, this is true hip-hop, no Eminem-style stuff here. The production quality isn’t super high, instead what you get is some raw rap with lots of turntable scratching and sampling in true oldschool hip-hop fashion. But it is some might good stuff!
Sphere of Hip Hop Part 1 and Sphere of Hip-Hop Part 2 are two of the greatest Christian hip-hop tracks ever recorded if you ask me, and I’ve been a big fan of Mars iLL since their debut major label album “Raw Material” dropped in 2000 (with the major label re-release in 2001 on Uprok Records, part of Tooth & Nail).
P.O.D. vocalist Sonny in front of the butterfly artwork from their self-titled album.
“When did this crowded room… get so lonely? Everyone keeps looking… at me…. I’m so tired, of faking my life… Don’t wanna feel this way”
“Let You Down” by P.O.D. from their album Testify is an extremely underrated song with absolutely fantastic lyrics. Some of the lines singer Sonny Sandavol belts out in this song are absolutely awesome.
If you have never heard the song, be sure to check it out!
The awesome cover art for P.O.D.’s Testify Album (2006, sixth full-length)
Let You Down Lyrics By P.O.D. from Testify:
No one knows what goes on inside of your head
And everything seems to be ok.
And your the same as you’ve always been (your the same)
If I’d listened, would you have talked to me?
I don’t wanna Let You Down,
But I can’t even pick up myself.
I only wanted to make you proud,
But I don’t think I can do this anymore.
When did this crowded room get so lonely?
And everyone keeps looking at me.
I’m tired (so tired) of faking my life (faking my life)
I’m so tired, I don’t wanna feel this way.
I don’t wanna Let You Down,
But I can’t even pick up myself.
I only wanted to make you proud,
But I don’t think I can do this anymore.
(do this anymore)
And you mean more, You mean so much more
And you mean more, You mean so much more
And you mean more, And you mean so much more
And you mean more, And you mean so much more
I don’t wanna Let You Down,
But I can’t even pick up myself.
I only wanted to make you proud,
But I don’t think I can do this anymore.
….The members of P.O.D. on the Testify album: From left: Jason Truby (Guitar), Wuv Bernardo (Drums), Sonny Sandoval (Vocals), Traa Daniels (Bass)
Just as interesting as the final song, is the demo which was called “New Wave”. New Wave has quite a different sound to it (a little less polished, but not as busy sounding, more simpler) and also contains a few extra lines. This was offered to fans on a special disc for the Testify Special Edition set. Give it a listen!
If you haven’t heard of Phinehas before, you will surely remember their name after watching this incredibly awesome metal video; with an absolutely insane drummer! These guys were discovered by the late Haste the Day, and have proven their headbanging worth after their “The Phinehas EP” made waves when it first dropped in December of 2009. It was a long time coming but they finally have a full album under their belts!
If you’re not into metalcore you may not like what these guys are doing, but regardless you can’t deny that it’s pretty darn awesome. They bring the heavy while also adding lighter tones to their music through clean vocals. Sounds absolutely beast to me. Trying to secure a review copy of this album, so hopefully you can look forward to that soon. :)
The Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 soundtrack artwork. Contains Hells March Remix
Today I am presenting you with an absolutely wicked remix of Command & Conquer’s Hell March song, originally from the first Command & Conquer: Red Alert. This time the soundtrack has been giving a crazy awesome spin, this from the soundtrack of Red Alert 3.
I can’t get enough of this track. I think I listened to it like … 8 times in a row already lol. And to think… I never even was a big Command & Conquer guy. Although I can definitely appreciate the games. I did play through Red Alert Retaliation for PS1 back in the day though.
Demon Hunter Grand Finale Artwork, the Heaven's Open
The Latest And the Last and Grand Finale from Demon Hunter, lyrics included below, are the titanic closing tracks from Demon Hunter’s crushing challenge to the realm of evil off their 2nd and 4th full-length albums; Summer of Darkness (2004) and Storm the Gates of Hell (2007).
These two tracks are, arguably, my two highest-regarded and favorite songs from Demon Hunter’s entire discography (even though almost all of their tracks could, arguably, be called my FAVS).
Both of them are awesome but are similar in style and in some ways theme. That’s why I think they are a great songs to contrast, equally great but also showing the growth in sound and sharp writing that cuts to the bone. Both songs have incredibly powerful and straight-up badass intros alongside with fantastic singing choruses that seem to beleigh the ferocious nature therein and yet perfectly compliment the whole.
The Latest And the Last Lyrics from Demon Hunter (Summer of Darkness):
Words of high cost
YOU SPIT A CURSE AT MY NAME
When thoughts of hate cross
I CAN’T DEVOUR YOUR BLAME
This is your choice
THIS IS YOUR HAMMER TO CRUSH
I have no voice
YOU’RE NOT THE HAND THAT I TRUST
THROW IT DOWN ON ME
THROW IT DOWN ON ME
Before you break your SILENCE…
Before we tear this OPEN…
We’ll count the dead and HOPELESS
For every word UNSPOKEN
Thoughts like blood run
FOREVER STAINING OUR HANDS
Mouth like cold gun
BEFORE THE BARREL WE STAND
The latest and the last
YOU PUT A PRICE ON MY HEAD
The latest and the last
THE WORST IS ALREADY SAID
Before you break your SILENCE…
Before we tear this OPEN…
We’ll count the dead and HOPELESS
For every word UNSPOKEN
Spilling through your TEETH
You’re sick of what YOU’VE SEEN
You point your guilt at every step we took IN LOYALTY
Before you break your SILENCE…
Before we tear this OPEN…
We’ll count the dead and HOPELESS
For every word UNSPOKEN
THROW IT DOWN ON ME
THROW IT DOWN ON ME
THROW IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!
Grand Finale Lyrics from Demon Hunter (Storm the Gates of Hell Album):
You’ll find me FACE DOWN
HANDS BOUND
Ready for the blade to MAKE ME TWO
If judgment falls to meet this ground
THAT FATE WILL RUN ME THROUGH
No DAY OF WRATH will see me break
For that FAITHLESS BREATH OF SHAME
When the HERETICS come to make that list
BE TRUE
To speak MY NAME
Leave all you see
The curse of man is dead
The hourglass turned on its head
And every care will FADE AWAY
To wake a new day
Take every throe within us all
The very breath inside our soul
We bleed the life into your hold
The very death of our control
No man can bring
A fatal sting
And I laugh at the GALLOWS THRALL
Just line it tight
Around my neck
So my words will break THAT FALL
FALL!!!!!!!
Leave all you see
The curse of man is dead
The hourglass turned on its head
And every care will FADE AWAY
To wake a new day
Leave all you see
The curse of man is dead
The hourglass turned on its head
And every care will FADE AWAY
To wake a new day
That final day will fall
And those who curse the sky
WILL FACE THE EARTH
The many turn to One
The God of Gods’ own RIGHTEOUS SON!
BEGGING FOR
THAT SECOND BIRTH!!!!!!!!
Leave all you see
The curse of man is dead
The hourglass turned on its head
And every care will FADE AWAY
To wake a new day
Storm the Gates of Hell Demon Hunter logo. Metallic look. I was disappointed they didn't do more for the logo though for this album.
Storm the Gates of Hell and Lead Us Home from Demon Hunter, lyrics included below, are the titanic opening tracks from Demon Hunter’s crushing challenge to the realm of evil off their 5th full-length album (2007). The title track is a blistering, fast-paced song with punishing vocals that pound your eardrums from start to finish. That song then transitions into the incredibly heavy crushing intro to a slower, beautiful Heavenly ode called “Lead Us Home”.
The devastating one-two punch is one of Demon Hunter’s best and proof-positive to all metal fans, Christian or not, that Demon Hunter can melt your faceoff with righteous lyrics powerful enough to shatter a mountain in a single blow. Both songs are included below with lyrics, listen to them back-to-back for the full experience! Be sure to start playing Lead Us Home as soon as Storm the Gates starts to end. Be careful of the volume on Storm the Gates which starts off extremely loud, you’ll then want to turn up the volume on Lead Us Home as the video is much quieter compared to Storm the Gates, and that intro is one of the coolest of all time, so you’ll want it as loud as can be!
Storm the Gates of Hell Lyrics from Demon Hunter (Storm the Gates of Hell Album):
Broken teeth, a shattered jaw
Ten to one, BEHOLD MY GOD
Wicked sons of Heaven’s loss
Raise your own INVERTED CROSS . . .
Kings of earth, iron fist
Serve the sacred you dismissed!
Stand before your final day
Choke on every LINE YOU PRAY
Raise your glass to death
Not one second left…
Wake the lifeless, die to fight this
Stand beside me, STORM THE GATES OF HELL
Wake the lifeless, die to fight this
Stand beside me, STORM THE GATES OF HELL
STORM THE GATES OF HELL!
Coward’s heart, a serpent’s tongue
Stand to face what you’ve outrun
FEAR OF DEATH, FEAR OF PAIN
Bound to all you took in vain
No more lies, no regrets
SEVER TIES and hollow debt
OPEN EYES, live to learn
Or watch your BLESSED TEMPLE BURN!
Raise your glass to death
Not one second left…
Wake the lifeless, die to fight this
Stand beside me, STORM THE GATES OF HELL
Wake the lifeless, die to fight this
Stand beside me, STORM THE GATES OF HELL
STORM THE GATES OF HELL!
HELL HATH NO FURY AT ALL!
Lead Us Home Lyrics from Demon Hunter (Storm the Gates of Hell Album):
ONE MORE DAY
This time I’ll bite the bullet . . .
LET ME STAY
And set this life ablaze
Give myself to compromise
And let the hammer FALL . . .
From blackened eyes to broken ties
I’ve bled to know them ALL
Driven to the brink of death
I heed deceptions CALL
Through bitter tears, forgotten years
I’ve come to sever ALL
Lead us home . . .
Lead us home . . .
Our tired hearts are failing now, from the inside out
Lead us home
ONE MORE TIME
This day I kill the witness . . .
Take back what’s mine
And give disgrace a NAME!
Give myself to compromise
And let the hammer FALL . . .
From blackened eyes to broken ties
I’ve bled to know them ALL
Driven to the brink of death
I heed deceptions CALL
Through bitter tears, forgotten years
I’ve come to sever ALL
Lead us home . . .
Lead us home . . .
Our tired hearts are failing now, from the inside out
Lead us home
BLESSED HANDS will tear me off
And BREAK ME at the wrist . . .
Drag me back to SOLID GROUND
SLAY THE FATE I KISS!
OH!
Lead us home . . .
Lead us home . . .
Our tired hearts are failing now, from the inside out
Lead us HOME
Behind the Song – Storm the Gates of Hell (By Ryan Clark, lead vocalist of Demon Hunter and writer of all their material)
“The lyrics for this song came to me when I was reading the Psalms. It talked about the “kings of the earth” and worldly rulers. My intention is to warn these people, in our day and age, to beware of the almighty power of God. It also acts as a call for everyone who listens, to lay down their worldly cares, take up their swords, and fight with us against the evil and Godless powers of this world. To “storm the gates of Hell,” means to boldly stand in the face of adversity, and strike back against Satan’s deceitful ways.”
“Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.” – Psalms 3:7 – Ryan Clark, Demon Hunter
Behind the Song – Lead Us Home
“This song is simply about the constant struggle in this life to make the right decisions. In the song I ask the Lord for “one more day” to make things right. I think that seems to be a common thought amongst Christians, that if we just had more time on this earth, we could learn to be better followers of Christ. And although that may be the case for some, we will always face temptation, sadness, depression and pain in this life. And in light of that fact, my plea in this song is simply for God to lead us home, to him. Time and time again, day after day. It’s a song of surrender, that Christ would show us his face in our times of failure or pain.”
“I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.” -Proverbs 4:11 – Ryan Clark, Demon Hunter
Feel As Though You Could From The World Is A Thorn, Demon Hunter artwork
Feel As Though You Could is arguably my favorite track from The World Is A Thorn, Demon Hunter’s previous album. However due to the hard-to-remember name of the song, it’s a track that is easily forgotten and I think it’s one of their lesser known songs.
However it has some of the best lyrics on the entire album in my humble opinion, and is one of the heaviest songs on the album as well (along with Tie This Around Your Neck).
Unfortunately I don’t like the bridge of this song nor the ending. The song is strongest during the first two verses, both of which are amazing. Enjoy!
Feel As Though You Could Lyrics from Demon Hunter (The World Is A Thorn):
REBELLION!!!!!!!!!
Oh cheap thrills and vacant youth
Carry out your own will
Shovel deep and bury truth
Social stain
PUNK WRECK
Mother’s own . . .
DEFECT
Sing that song you know so well
SING IT ONE FOOT IN HELL
EYES
WIDE
BLACK
TURN
YOUR
BACK!!!!!!!
Oh how the foolish will see . . . . . . . . .
How every man he does bleed . . . . . .
THE VULTURES
CIRCLE
HALO OF THE DEAD
Another
VICIOUS
CYCLE
SWALLOW WHAT YOUR FED
And now
THE VULTURES
CIRCLE
HALO OF THE DEAD
Another
VICIOUS
CYCLE
Be true to your DISSENT
Somehow . . . Feel . . .
Feels though . . .
You could . . .
Somehow . . .
In all your petty suffering (suffering)
BURN THIS DOWN
REJECTION!!!!!!!
Of weak trends and fake hate
This is what you’re fighting for?
Some fools MISTAKE
I WILL DEVOUR YOU
I’LL OVERPOWER YOU
Rise from the ashes
Screaming ETERNITY
THE VULTURES
CIRCLE
HALO OF THE DEAD
Another
VICIOUS
CYCLE
SWALLOW WHAT YOUR FED
And now
THE VULTURES
CIRCLE
HALO OF THE DEAD
Another
VICIOUS
CYCLE
Be true to your DISSENT
Somehow . . . Feel
Feels though . . .
You could . . .
Somehow . . .
In all your petty suffering (suffering)
GO!!!!!!
OHHHHHHHHHHH
Ignite (ignite)
Upon (upon)
These words (these words)
And breathe defeat
Your shallow deeds
Make hell
FOR
Wood and stone
Flesh and bone
THIS ALONE!!!!
Somehow . . . Feel . . .
FEELS THOUGH
You could . . .
Somehow . . .
In all your petty suffering (suffering)
BURN THIS DOWN
……BURNTHISDOWN…… *repeat*
——————-
Behind the Song – Feel As Though You Could (By Ryan Clark, lead vocalist of Demon Hunter and writer of all their material)
The heavy metal scene is a culture steeped in pointless, juvenile rebellion. In some extreme cases, some delusional metalheads have murdered and raped for what they see as a rebellious or “true metal” lifestyle. More specifically, there are a number of church burning occurrences that led me to write this song. I understand that these burnings were committed in an attempt to regain some supposed pagan landscape, however, I would also assume that the real goal is to destroy Christianity, and not just a building. With logic now introduced in the scenario, I offer the concept that you cannot physically burn down something existing in a spiritual realm, therefore attempts at destroying something that dwells within our souls are futile.
“But the temple he had spoken of was his body.” – John 2:21
Lead vocalist Ryan Clark in the 4th iTunes Album Podcast Episode: “The lyrics of the song Feel As Though You Could are specifically about youthful rebellion, more particularly in the metal scene itself. I think that alot of fans take the subversive nature of metal a little bit too far and bring it into their own lives. And the way that manifests itself alot of the time is through sometimes violent rebellion or just mindless rebellion. This song to me just points out those aspects of the scene that are immature and disrespectful. These things are a common byproduct in the metal scene. I think people like to be subversive for the sake of being subversive, but to me it’s just a sign of immaturity.” – Ryan Clark, Demon Hunter
Fanmade artwork for Demon Hunter's THE WIND single off of Tooth & Nail's "Happy Christmas Volume 5" album from December 2011
The Wind from Demon Hunter, lyrics included below, is Demon Hunter’s first Christmas song Single, released as part of Tooth & Nail’s “Happy Christmas Volume 5″ annual compilation, made up of songs from the entire Tooth & Nail/Solid State family. Other artists who appeared on the album included Hawk Nelson, Thousand Foot Krutch, August Burns Red, Bon Voyage, Queens Club, FM Static, Surrogate, Neon Horse, Family Force 5, Sent By Ravens, Ivoryline, Emery and Copeland. Quite the lineup! The album was released at the tail-end of 2011 last year, to celebrate Christmas.
Demon Hunter jumped on the bandwagon and offered up a really unique song called, quite simply, “The Wind”. Given that this song is a single and was not released on any previous album, many fans have never heard the song. The song could be classified as rock, and is a slow piece that lacks in any growling. However Ryan Clark’s deep voice shines on this piece and you’ll likely be very satisfied. I love the church bells at the beginning. Be sure to have the volume low at the start because the instrumental in the opening is hard to hear, so you’ll be tempted to turn it up, but then it kicks in with a really loud opening vocal compared to the quiet that comes before it.
The Wind Lyrics:
These city lights illuminate your BREATH…
As you tell of all the ways that you feel DEAD
December left you COLD and ALONE
I’M SORRY but I have enough to fear on my OWN…..
Dying to care…
I’m searching for some SOLACE in this AIR…
But THE WIND
It cuts to my bone
THE WIND
This hollow breath of COLD
The snowflakes fall like ASHES into DIRT
Like every hope that ROSE and dissolved into HURT…
Dying to care
I’m searching for some SOLACE in this AIR…
But THE WIND
It cuts to my bone
THE WIND
This hollow breath of COLD
THE WIND
It cuts to my bone
THE WIND
In WINTER’S ARMS I feel AT HOME
And I won’t LET GO
But I will take you with ME
Right to THE END
But the wind
It cuts to my bone
The wind
This hollow breath of cold….
THE WIND
It cuts to my BONE
THE WIND
This hollow breath of cold….
THE WIND
It cuts to my BONE
THE WIND
In WINTER’S ARMS I feel at HOME
The Science of Lies from Demon Hunter, lyrics included below, from their The Triptych album is a really cool song that is another lesser-known tune. The song is one of my favorites on the album because it is very aggressive. In some ways it’s similar to the also lesser-known and underappreciated Triptych track called “Relentless Intolerance”.
If you enjoy this article and song, please like it at the top of the website and share it on Facebook and Twitter, I’d greatly appreciate it! And leave a comment if you’re so inclined. :)
I love almost song on The Triptych though, and this one is no exception! Enjoy!
BOW DOWN
Before the god of CASH
The philosophy of modern man is sinking FAST
No foundation for the frame by which you set your MIND
Just a legacy of fiction for the feeble to FIND
Desperation breeding faith unto a pitiful LIE…
“Give us your money and we’ll open up your gullible EYE”
No redemption
Not a reason
But a symbol of WHY
This digression of surrender is the SCIENCE OF LIES
No redemption
Not a reason
But a symbol of WHY
This digression of surrender is the SCIENCE…
OF LIES
BELIEVE
The sacred blasphemy
THEY FEED
That hollow voice inside your head…
RECEIVE
The fleeting fallacy
THEY BREATHE
Trace every step from where you were led…
Look back and tell yourself what they said
NOW FLEE
AND NOW
You feel it pulling DOWN
How can you buy into a faith that hasn’t permanent GROUND?
Give me blood-soacked, sacrificial WORTH
Not the artificial product of a fraudulent BIRTH
Give me selfless, consecrated REPRISE
Not a worthless contribution to the SCIENCE OF LIES
Blood-soacked, sacrificial WORTH
Not the artificial product of a fraudulent BIRTH
Give me selfless, consecrated REPRISE
Not a worthless contribution to the SCIENCE…
OF LIES
BELIEVE
The sacred blasphemy
THEY FEED
That hollow voice inside your head…
RECEIVE
The fleeting fallacy
THEY BREATHE
Trace every step from where you were led…
Look back and tell yourself what they said
NOW FLEE
FEEL IT PULLING…
DOWN
BELIEVE
The sacred blasphemy
THEY FEED
That hollow voice inside your head…
RECEIVE
The fleeting fallacy
THEY BREATHE
Trace every step from where you were led…
Look back and tell yourself what they said
NOW FLEE!!!
——————-
Behind the Song – The Science of Lies (By Ryan Clark, lead vocalist of Demon Hunter and writer of all their material)
“‘The Science Of Lies’” is about the popularization of Scientology in today’s society. I did some research on Scientology and found it to be one of the most absurd “religions” I’ve ever heard of. It’s a cult based around mental health and what seems to be some sort of science fiction- involving aliens and other plants. Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard actually used to write science fiction novels for a living before he decided to bring his stories to life in a cult. L. Ron Hubbard, who claimed to be a nuclear physicist (which is untrue), apparently realized the “truths” of Scientology on an operating table after sustaining injuries in the war. These “truths” include the idea that aliens, called Thetans, were sent here on a mother ship from an overpopulated galaxy named Xenu 75 million years ago. These Thetans we dropped here on earth and killed with hydrogen bombs. Now their spirits infest our human bodies and it’s our task to remind them of their tragic death, in order to kill them and thus, rid ourselves of these alien spirits that haunt us. The kicker is that, as a part of The Church of Scientology, you need to pay exuberant amounts of money to find out the truths of the “religion,” which is why the more popular members are Hollywood’s elite. In short, this song is about the ridiculousness of this cult and how tragic it is that anyone would believe in it.- You must not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked to be a malicious witness. – Exodus 23:1″ – Ryan Clark, Demon Hunter
