Yes!! Fucking love Woods of Ypres. RIP - David Gold Would strongly recommend listening to more of their stuff. David also died tragically in an accident going home for Christmas in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario just before the release of his 5th album. David was the mastermind behind the band and did it all. By all accounts a very kind individual and well missed by his fans.
the song might seem sad at first, but it's a bait and switch , it's actually a life affirming metaphor about moving on - the old you must die, so the new you could be born (hence the "triumph" at the second part after reveal) song is based on vocalist struggling after end of relationship (theme of many of their songs btw), living in a place near mount pleasant cemetery, where everything reminded him of her (like the line "our tree was full and green, i had to leave it - the sadness was overwhelming, to be alone beneath it"), so he decided to move out and "bury" his old self in this cemetery (like vocalist in the music video, who symbolically shaves his beard in a tombstone reflection) well, anyway, one of my favorite bands (like in top 5 or something (if i had band top lists 🤣)), really glad you're checking them out! their song catalogue is really varied - some songs are pretty much entirely extreme vocals and doom/black riffs, other more like melancholic rock, like this one, really hope you gonna check out more of their stuff!
@@johnnylemon9610 sure, though this is more of a "plot twist" and that is more of an philosophical absurdist-esque "dont give up, skeleton!" twist on a way to perceive life hardships
It's not parody, it is a sad song of disappointment, of achieving nothing. Being buried and no one even knows your name other than family. Accomplished nothing, unceremoniously, as it were. Another song, but really the theme of the band, is "Your Ontario Town is a burial ground". It's about disappointment and misery of what people from the small towns never have achieved anything grand and he is exhausted and tired of it, would rather live in the wilderness than face those faces again. In the most genuine sense. In "Travelling Alone" David Gold references 'evidence of God' once he has travelled to the Middle East and experienced an existence less depressing. He found something to live for in his actual life, unfortunately a traffic accident on snowy highway 400 ended his life. His ambitions have never died though.
I really liked this song and would listen to it again. I really like the vocalist's voice and the elements of surprise when they shifted into new sounds and added new instruments. I've never heard of this band so I'm glad I clicked on it and gave it a listen.
I wrote this solo, some history behind it is, there are references to many events in Davids life. References to Canada, Joseph Mulgrew is the main character in the movie 'Hard Core Logo', the lyric unSARAHmoniously was a reference to an ex gf Sarah Greene, lots of meshing with green, death, and Canada. Just some of the inside jokes so to speak.
As frustrating as it might be to not completely understand a work, I love it when those little touches are added to art; details that only the people making it would have the knowledge about. Thanks for sharing that.
Love this band. The vocalist-slash-mastermind tragically passed away after a car wreck while driving home for Christmas, about a month after they finished recording an album. Naturally it became their final release, and the band dedicated it to his memory. I think it’s also some of their best work, and it would have been really exciting to see where they went from there. David Gold was a fantastic songwriter and only getting better. RIP. And to address your criticism about the melancholy feeling artificial and borderline satirical, I do agree (though don’t feel as strongly about it as you seem to), and it’s why the album this song is off is my least favorite from them.
I really like this song. Maybe especially that gorgeous, long oboe solo. Didn't hear you commenting on the oboe even being featured... Like often, I hear pure melancholy to a higher extent than you. Love beutiful melancholy since it's the music that touches me the most. To me, melancholic music can easily be paired with other moods in the samd song as long as it fits the narrative and I think it seemed to. Here, I guess the musically dramatic, more agressive part represents the brutality (murder?) in the narrative(?) Don't (as usual) pay too close attention to the lyrics.
As others stated, not really a parody. The album this song is from, 'Woods 4: The Green Album', is essentially a concept album about a breakup and all the raw emotions that come after, sort of one of those "12 steps of grief" things. Or at least that's how it seems to me. It's quite varied. The lyrics do seem odd at times when not taken as a whole. A lot of time it can come off as "train of thought" going through emotions.
Great band, glad to see you checking them out! Always appreciate your analysis. Understand what you're saying about the melancholy being maybe over the top. But in the context of the album and when you're familiar with the band it seems to fit better.
A lot of your criticisms are exactly what Doom is supposed to have. 😅 The sub genre will be a better experience once you can accept that. LOL Love Woods, I hope you hear more of them soon.
the burial is metaphorical, not literal as you interpreted it. as mentioned by someone else, its about moving on after getting dumped. thats the life that was taken from him - their life together. not his actual life. he buries his past and finally decides to move on to a new life - hence the shift in the music.
I'm a fan of the band for sure, but understand the laughing. I love the tone of this song, love David's voice, and this is probably my favorite track of theirs. It's a damn shame David passed away, as I seriously would have loved to see him potentially mature as a songwriter. I feel like the triumphant guitars transition well into the high-tempo finally, but it is a bit jarring as far as the overall tone goes. Almost like they were set on the final section of the song, but kicked around a ton of ideas to bridge into it or something. I'm here for the melancholic and sad lyrics/tone, but would say their songs can be very hit or miss between legitimate melancholy and, unfortunately, cheesy. Glad you seamed to enjoy them, though! :)
David Gold had a knack for seeing the good in the sad. It's a theme running through his entire catalogue. His music has always embodied that feeling of helplessness to me that everyone feels at times but it's always paired with a defiance, a fighting spirit. On the surface his lyrics are dark and bleak... but weirdly positive? Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye) is a great example of that. On his final album, the tenth track is called Finality and it sounds as sad as you'd imagine. But even after that, when you're down and there's nothing you can do, after a full minute of silence, there comes another track and changes your view. The eleventh and final track on his final album, Alternate Ending.
I think thre are some important points in the lyrics you are missing, which can explain a lot of the song including that sudden shift from sadness to triumph, so this is my take on the lyrics: First of all, the song is about a failed relationship or some kind of tragedy that drove the character in the song to depression. The monotony and oversoing the sad part was intentional, it makes you feel the monotony and the repetition of thoughts which are so common in depression. During the second verse he takes a walk across that cemetery, paying respects to the people burried there, and kind of gives up and burries his former self in order to recover from what happened to him. And at the end of his journey he's healing, so therefore the shift in tempo and emotion. Woods of Ypres are an awesome band, I think the genre they played was melodic doom metal. If you liked the vocals, you should definetely check their songs from "Dark skies and electric lights" album (which is their last album before the singer death and their best in my opinion). Especially the songs adora vivos, death is not an exit or Modern life architecture. On their last album I think they are more mature and the message they want to send in their songs is very straight and in your face, a kind of manifest of their philosophy if you will.
On the topic of parody, Wet Leather from the same album is that, at least in my mind. It's a turning point in an album that begins with self pity and wallowing in misery, but turns and ends with a theme of rebuilding oneself.
Yeah, his voice really nails it. I especially like his black metal screams on their first two albums: very intense and cold yet very clear and understandable.
This band means a lot to me and my friends. I don't think we would have decided to be musicians without "Career suicide (is not real suicide)". Fucking love Woods of Ypres RIP David Gold
I would also add for those who understand melancholy, it is often parody. And parody, satire, is a massive part of Gold's personality. But, it was also very, very legit. Type O Negative is often a band used in comparison largely for this reason.
Always thought of Woods of Ypres as a meh band, they never really impressed me with their music until Woods 5, holy shit what an album. Lyrics can be, as you say here, melancholic but so overdone it becomes funny, but that's one, maybe two tracks. Check it out if you ever get an urge for listening to something dark.
I liked most everything about this except the singer's voice; but the riffs and melodies were both really good, and the solo was actually pretty great. As for you hearing it almost as parody, a ton of metal is very campy, some more intentionally so than others. I've always found that was a feature more than a bug. One reason Iron Maiden is my favorite metal band is because they so thoroughly embraced theatrical camp.
Woods IV is probably their worst album, however this song IS AMAZING. And I don't think you are wrong to call in questions about it. It is over the top in depression, but all David's music is like that but he does it well. And to anyone who has been that deep in depression, it isn't melodrama, it's fucking real. All his lyrics are what just connects with me and others. I am also biased because I got to open for his band, do sound for his band and have them stay at my place for their tour. I loved meeting him and he was SUPPER kind
Woods 4 is by far my favorite woods album. I think I'm willing to admit that woods 5 is better, but that comes down to better production and cohesiveness. Woods 4 has all of my favorite tracks.
@@noahbeal4555 That's fair, each to their own, I should have make it more clear that it's just my opinion. My fav is Woods 2, then 3rd and 5th are tied. Then 4 and then 1. All are great, even 1 which they are still finding their sound.
I've been listening to metal, whatever that even means anymore, for nearly 30 years. There is nothing like Woods of Ypres. Missing my chance to see them live is one of my biggest regrets in life, and I have a lot to regret.
Yes!! Fucking love Woods of Ypres.
RIP - David Gold
Would strongly recommend listening to more of their stuff.
David also died tragically in an accident going home for Christmas in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario just before the release of his 5th album. David was the mastermind behind the band and did it all. By all accounts a very kind individual and well missed by his fans.
Yes you know the history, please have a look at my comment and fact-check it. It's to the best of my understanding and personal knowledge
the song might seem sad at first, but it's a bait and switch , it's actually a life affirming metaphor about moving on - the old you must die, so the new you could be born (hence the "triumph" at the second part after reveal)
song is based on vocalist struggling after end of relationship (theme of many of their songs btw), living in a place near mount pleasant cemetery, where everything reminded him of her (like the line "our tree was full and green, i had to leave it - the sadness was overwhelming, to be alone beneath it"), so he decided to move out and "bury" his old self in this cemetery (like vocalist in the music video, who symbolically shaves his beard in a tombstone reflection)
well, anyway, one of my favorite bands (like in top 5 or something (if i had band top lists 🤣)), really glad you're checking them out!
their song catalogue is really varied - some songs are pretty much entirely extreme vocals and doom/black riffs, other more like melancholic rock, like this one, really hope you gonna check out more of their stuff!
The other clue is when there's the opaque woman behind him as he's singing, her shade briefly comes in stronger then fades.
Couldn't have put it any better, feel the same way about the band, absolutely adore everything about it and its discography
yes! the will to give is the same, the first half sets up a sad picture, but then it goes off in a positive twist.
@@johnnylemon9610 sure, though this is more of a "plot twist" and that is more of an philosophical absurdist-esque "dont give up, skeleton!" twist on a way to perceive life hardships
It's not parody, it is a sad song of disappointment, of achieving nothing. Being buried and no one even knows your name other than family. Accomplished nothing, unceremoniously, as it were. Another song, but really the theme of the band, is "Your Ontario Town is a burial ground". It's about disappointment and misery of what people from the small towns never have achieved anything grand and he is exhausted and tired of it, would rather live in the wilderness than face those faces again. In the most genuine sense. In "Travelling Alone" David Gold references 'evidence of God' once he has travelled to the Middle East and experienced an existence less depressing. He found something to live for in his actual life, unfortunately a traffic accident on snowy highway 400 ended his life. His ambitions have never died though.
Hell yeah! This is my favorite song by them. RIP David Gold
Hope to see more Woods of Ypres in the future.
They stopped because David Gold died. He was the primary songwriter/mastermind of the band. He was to Woods what Akerfeldt is to Opeth.
I really liked this song and would listen to it again. I really like the vocalist's voice and the elements of surprise when they shifted into new sounds and added new instruments. I've never heard of this band so I'm glad I clicked on it and gave it a listen.
Check out their song "Lightning and Snow" ua-cam.com/video/RccRMksfU8c/v-deo.html
@@metalzonereactions +
Allure of the Earth
You were the light
@@metalzonereactions Nice! Looks like I'll be downloading their discography.
@@janeg6759 you're in for a treat, they're incredible. :)
I kind of envy you for being new to them. Discovering awesome music is so good!
Enjoy!
I wrote this solo, some history behind it is, there are references to many events in Davids life. References to Canada, Joseph Mulgrew is the main character in the movie 'Hard Core Logo', the lyric unSARAHmoniously was a reference to an ex gf Sarah Greene, lots of meshing with green, death, and Canada. Just some of the inside jokes so to speak.
As frustrating as it might be to not completely understand a work, I love it when those little touches are added to art; details that only the people making it would have the knowledge about. Thanks for sharing that.
Love this band. The vocalist-slash-mastermind tragically passed away after a car wreck while driving home for Christmas, about a month after they finished recording an album. Naturally it became their final release, and the band dedicated it to his memory. I think it’s also some of their best work, and it would have been really exciting to see where they went from there. David Gold was a fantastic songwriter and only getting better. RIP.
And to address your criticism about the melancholy feeling artificial and borderline satirical, I do agree (though don’t feel as strongly about it as you seem to), and it’s why the album this song is off is my least favorite from them.
I really like this song. Maybe especially that gorgeous, long oboe solo. Didn't hear you commenting on the oboe even being featured... Like often, I hear pure melancholy to a higher extent than you. Love beutiful melancholy since it's the music that touches me the most. To me, melancholic music can easily be paired with other moods in the samd song as long as it fits the narrative and I think it seemed to. Here, I guess the musically dramatic, more agressive part represents the brutality (murder?) in the narrative(?) Don't (as usual) pay too close attention to the lyrics.
Woods is definitely one of those bands were lyrics play a huge part.
As others stated, not really a parody. The album this song is from, 'Woods 4: The Green Album', is essentially a concept album about a breakup and all the raw emotions that come after, sort of one of those "12 steps of grief" things. Or at least that's how it seems to me. It's quite varied. The lyrics do seem odd at times when not taken as a whole. A lot of time it can come off as "train of thought" going through emotions.
Great band, glad to see you checking them out! Always appreciate your analysis. Understand what you're saying about the melancholy being maybe over the top. But in the context of the album and when you're familiar with the band it seems to fit better.
A lot of your criticisms are exactly what Doom is supposed to have. 😅 The sub genre will be a better experience once you can accept that. LOL
Love Woods, I hope you hear more of them soon.
I got serious Borknagar vibes from the vocals.
another discory thanks to your channel. Love this song, so melancholic, and heavy at least in the melody
the burial is metaphorical, not literal as you interpreted it. as mentioned by someone else, its about moving on after getting dumped. thats the life that was taken from him - their life together. not his actual life. he buries his past and finally decides to move on to a new life - hence the shift in the music.
This is exactly right, literally said by David himself!
I'm a fan of the band for sure, but understand the laughing. I love the tone of this song, love David's voice, and this is probably my favorite track of theirs. It's a damn shame David passed away, as I seriously would have loved to see him potentially mature as a songwriter. I feel like the triumphant guitars transition well into the high-tempo finally, but it is a bit jarring as far as the overall tone goes. Almost like they were set on the final section of the song, but kicked around a ton of ideas to bridge into it or something. I'm here for the melancholic and sad lyrics/tone, but would say their songs can be very hit or miss between legitimate melancholy and, unfortunately, cheesy. Glad you seamed to enjoy them, though! :)
David Gold had a knack for seeing the good in the sad. It's a theme running through his entire catalogue. His music has always embodied that feeling of helplessness to me that everyone feels at times but it's always paired with a defiance, a fighting spirit. On the surface his lyrics are dark and bleak... but weirdly positive? Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye) is a great example of that.
On his final album, the tenth track is called Finality and it sounds as sad as you'd imagine. But even after that, when you're down and there's nothing you can do, after a full minute of silence, there comes another track and changes your view. The eleventh and final track on his final album, Alternate Ending.
I think thre are some important points in the lyrics you are missing, which can explain a lot of the song including that sudden shift from sadness to triumph, so this is my take on the lyrics:
First of all, the song is about a failed relationship or some kind of tragedy that drove the character in the song to depression. The monotony and oversoing the sad part was intentional, it makes you feel the monotony and the repetition of thoughts which are so common in depression.
During the second verse he takes a walk across that cemetery, paying respects to the people burried there, and kind of gives up and burries his former self in order to recover from what happened to him. And at the end of his journey he's healing, so therefore the shift in tempo and emotion.
Woods of Ypres are an awesome band, I think the genre they played was melodic doom metal. If you liked the vocals, you should definetely check their songs from "Dark skies and electric lights" album (which is their last album before the singer death and their best in my opinion). Especially the songs adora vivos, death is not an exit or Modern life architecture. On their last album I think they are more mature and the message they want to send in their songs is very straight and in your face, a kind of manifest of their philosophy if you will.
This album had a recurring theme of death (of the old self) and rebirth (of a new self). My favorite band of all time.
Excellent breakdown.
On the topic of parody, Wet Leather from the same album is that, at least in my mind. It's a turning point in an album that begins with self pity and wallowing in misery, but turns and ends with a theme of rebuilding oneself.
great band. this is their most famous song, but imo their best song is the will to give. check that out sometime.
I love Woods of Ypres!! RIP David Gold... So many great songs!
Yeah, his voice really nails it. I especially like his black metal screams on their first two albums: very intense and cold yet very clear and understandable.
He did not do the vocals on the first album.
Rip gold
This band means a lot to me and my friends. I don't think we would have decided to be musicians without "Career suicide (is not real suicide)".
Fucking love Woods of Ypres
RIP David Gold
Dios quiso esa voz solo para escucharla él
R.I.P. David. We
Love and miss you. Which I could have met you. Talk about life, love, and depression.
I would also add for those who understand melancholy, it is often parody. And parody, satire, is a massive part of Gold's personality. But, it was also very, very legit.
Type O Negative is often a band used in comparison largely for this reason.
Fucking excellent
Always thought of Woods of Ypres as a meh band, they never really impressed me with their music until Woods 5, holy shit what an album. Lyrics can be, as you say here, melancholic but so overdone it becomes funny, but that's one, maybe two tracks. Check it out if you ever get an urge for listening to something dark.
I liked most everything about this except the singer's voice; but the riffs and melodies were both really good, and the solo was actually pretty great. As for you hearing it almost as parody, a ton of metal is very campy, some more intentionally so than others. I've always found that was a feature more than a bug. One reason Iron Maiden is my favorite metal band is because they so thoroughly embraced theatrical camp.
Woods IV is probably their worst album, however this song IS AMAZING. And I don't think you are wrong to call in questions about it. It is over the top in depression, but all David's music is like that but he does it well. And to anyone who has been that deep in depression, it isn't melodrama, it's fucking real. All his lyrics are what just connects with me and others.
I am also biased because I got to open for his band, do sound for his band and have them stay at my place for their tour. I loved meeting him and he was SUPPER kind
Woods 4 is fucking amazing
Woods 4 is by far my favorite woods album. I think I'm willing to admit that woods 5 is better, but that comes down to better production and cohesiveness. Woods 4 has all of my favorite tracks.
@@noahbeal4555 That's fair, each to their own, I should have make it more clear that it's just my opinion. My fav is Woods 2, then 3rd and 5th are tied. Then 4 and then 1. All are great, even 1 which they are still finding their sound.
I've been listening to metal, whatever that even means anymore, for nearly 30 years. There is nothing like Woods of Ypres. Missing my chance to see them live is one of my biggest regrets in life, and I have a lot to regret.