|
1. Agenda [Music: Nefastus, Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
'Agenda' was the second finished track for the album and was conceived by Nefastus in Creeper Sounds in early 2010. The initial thoughts regarding the song was to make it a fast, straight forward piece of Black Metal. Initially when the guitars and the drums were presented the vocal arrangements were an easy fit thanks to the open style of the material. After several listens the lyrics were written, and along with final edits it didn't take long to consider the track finalized.
Lyrics:
Life is seen as the disease it is, where the physical and the abstract are the very same and just as meaningless, also time is introduced. Time is the narrator and serves as a reminder and to the reader a vanitas in written format.
2. Ashlands [Music: Nefastus, Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
The making of the title track was an extensive process and a tough one to finish. For a long time 'Ashlands' consisted solely of two guitar riffs. When the song eventually started to unfold all the rest of the bits fell into place quickly. The material stretches a bit between styles and it shows in the end result. The balk of the lyrics were already written before the actual song was composed. The breaks and the twists the end material took made for a smooth and a more interesting implementation of vocal arrangements.
Lyrics:
The title track is about the journey through emancipation and the liberation from the physical. It's a journey through inner conclusions to outer interpretations to the celebration of life's beautiful insignificance.
3. Blackline Sundown [Music: Nefastus, Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
'Blackline sundown' is one of the distinctive creations in the mix mostly because of the method it was made. Every note was written by Nefastus but the elements were patched into one piece in the rehearsal room; the band jammed the music into its final state. This technique, the type of spontaneity it reflects is very much related to what the lyrics are about. It's a straight on, in your face track without excessive use of finesse. Simple and raw yet effective.
Lyrics:
A tale about a short, fast paced life.
4. A Study Of Patterns And Habits [Music & Arrangements: Nefastus & Talon]
Background:
Serving as a bridge part for the album that relates to 'The chase', the track was the last to be recorded and is a part of the Creeper Sounds sessions.
5. The chase [Music & Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
A piece that had a different structure when first created. Three of the riffs were part of a finished song called 'Arcana Imperii', originally intended to be used on IXXI:s 'Elect Darkness' album. As it turned out, it didn't mesh too well with the rest of the material. Later on focus was placed on releasing it anyway so it was rewritten by Talon to fit the material of REV 16:8, thus 'The chase' was born.
Lyrics:
A presentation of conclusions by observations of various patterns and the repeating behavior tendencies in humans.
6. Serenade [Music & Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
The second track written by Talon for the album. Initial thoughts for 'Serenade' were to achieve material with an ominous aura to it, musically in mid paced grinding. The track took a while to finish and it had several versions before it ended up in the final state. In the beginning of the song, the tones heard in the short intro are played next to the tuning pegs.
Lyrics:
'Serenade' tells of a forced connection between fate and life. Life in this case takes the role of conscience. Fate is a passive observer in a predetermined realm of absolutes.
7. Rust Retinal Vein [Music: Nefastus, Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
Partly written in the rehearsal room. The intention was to create a big and epic track, containing both fast and slow parts. Writing the song was pretty time consuming, and it was one of the last ones to be completed for the album. The material is pretty diverse and the song kind of sums up the different influences that exist in the music.
Lyrics:
'Rust retinal vein' deals with an aspect of the album concept. Time is a main character that emphases nothingness and emptiness in life. All occurrences that happen and actions that are being set in motion have already been done before. Will is the only driving force that keeps this repetitive nature alive and eventually it too, along with everything else, blends into a pointless nothing.
8. Coal Mirror [Music: Nefastus, Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
'Coal mirror' was the first finished track for the album. This rather primitive and depressive piece served as a mood-setter for what was to come. The material started to unfold not long after the release of our previous album, and it clearly showed us in which direction we were heading.
Lyrics:
The words deal with the darkest of pasts, about hopelessness and the inability to affect occurrences in life and in your surroundings. It's when life has given up on you and vice versa.
9. When Your Words Are Obsolete [Music: Nefastus, Lyrics: Talon]
Background:
A track written live in the rehearsal room, and the last “traditional” piece to be made for the 'Ashlands' album. Final edits were done just before recording started in Necromorbus Studio.
Lyrics:
Addresses fear, the common man's most primal emotion.
10. Leave Me [Music & Arrangements: Nefastus & Talon]
Background:
The second instrumental track along with 'A study of patterns and habits'. Recorded in Creeper Sounds.
|
|
