I can smell the cancer on the wind.
I can taste the fear
through three-story bay windows.
I can hear the quiet, shush, shush, shush,
of bare feet on carpet
through the humming of summer.
And you never speak its name,
but you can't forget that face.
Are these the screws that will be put to me?
And no one knows we're here,
no we never leave a trace.
And are these the maps that will set me free?
Is this you and me against the world?
Is this you and me against ourselves?
Are these bedposts gates to hell?
And we never speak its name,
but I can't forget its face.
Are these the screws that have been put to me?
And no one knows I'm here,
no I never left a trace.
And are these the lines that will set me free?
like a child's camera
scratched lens, dented corners
every image a new delight in an old light
the wildness of youth amidst frozen moments
but somehow you forgot
that life's just day to day
one foot placed after another foot
one grain placed next to another grain
and you got tired of
giving your life to it
just to become a shadow of a thing
clenched fists, walked right through them
but they still stopped you
leather jacket, new tattoo of
marilyn without makeup
oh action, distraction
the vacant call of 'I made this happen'
proud in that moment of the flame
but slow for cover and quick to blame
but soon you will remember that
this life's just day to day
one foot placed after another foot
one grain placed next to another grain
one path walked after another's path
one pain after every other pain
you are a present made to be given
and they will take
and take
and take
keep your eyes down, walk fast
but they still stop you
leather jacket, new tattoo of
marilyn without makeup
clenched fists, walk right through them
a golden wake of misery
black eyeliner, bloodied lips, you're
still marilyn without makeup
I can remember the days when there wasn't
a ring on this finger
my hand appeared rough and unloved
alone and unlettered
wild and unfettered
ahead of my time
when I met you
all those years ago
I set my heart's course
against the breakers
that guarded your heart's ports
as if the sea
was any more safe
than the lakes
you had left for that place
these foolish hands
how could they know
these foolish hands
they let themselves get trapped in your hands
a life set towards the
search for a meaning
between four walls and a ceiling
to find the answers inside
that uncomfortable comfort
our silence at night
or the walk to the store
or an afternoon gardening
wishing for more
oh why won't she touch me
I just want her to hold me
like she did before
oh I could run myself through
for hoping that you'd- no
the knives are all sharpened
but what good could it do
to teach these hands
raised upon score and screen
these foolish hands
they begged to become trapped in your hands
mistrust
worn like a black bandana
so you'll never have to see these eyes
shine again
withdraw
to a safe distance
so these ears
will never hear you call me friend
cauterize
this missing finger
what's a ring anyway
but a gaping hole
catherine, queen of swords
your fortune calls
and you have
dutifully fulfilled your role
Tracks 1 - 3 engineered at House of Wands by Alex Unger, using live arrangements performed throughout 2014 / 2015.
Track 4 produced and engineered by R0N1N.
"Cottage Bride" originally written and performed by The Dead Elm Society of Canada, from the 2010 "Distance" EP.
Three new songs and three remixes from Italian darkwavers Ash Code will surely grace goth club speakers once we can go pick cobwebs again. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 9, 2021
Cutting, serrated darkwave and eerie goth-ambient are the order of the day on this utterly spooky and bewitching album from our unseen guest Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 13, 2020
Darkwave synth that directly addresses our modern dystopian political environment, with proceeds going to the Voting Rights Project. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 17, 2018