This is the merchandise summary page for our track, death mother goddess.
Category: Box of Toys
This is the merchandise summary page for our track, death mother goddess.
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This is the merchandise summary page for our track, crash landing.
Jan 26
Crash landing – Merchandise
This is the merchandise summary page for our track, full spectrum domination.
This is the merchandise summary page for our track, haiku priestess.
This is the merchandise summary page for our track, harder faster quicker now.
Welcome to George’s blog. I play keyboards in the Alice Syndrome, and I’m also very interested in psychology, spirituality and self-transcendence. Groovhead tends to write all our lyrics, which always touch on subjects that hit deep into my interests.
Lyrics I submit to the lord of the universe Wherever you are, death will overtake you Give glad tidings to those who patiently proceed By the token of time through the ages – Islamic break – Vie with one another, in good works Wherever you are, death will overtake you I submit to the lord of the universe Give glad tidings to those who patiently proceed Who so interveneth, in a good cause – Islamic break – Wherever you are, death will overtake you I submit to the lord of the universe I submit to the lord of the universe
Though you are in towers raised high
Vie with one another, in good works
By the token of time through the ages
Vie with one another, in good works
Verify, man is in lust
Except that which have faith
And do righteous things
And join together, in mutual teachings of truth
And of patience
And of constancy
Give glad tidings to those who patiently proceed
Though you are in towers raised high
Vie with one another, in good works
Shall have the reward thereof
And who so interveneth in an evil cause</span>
Will bear the consequences thereof
By the token of time through the ages
Though you are in towers raised high
The lyrics for our song, Flies, are inspired by the Islamic faith and the Quran. The lyrics include several verses that are either direct quotations or paraphrases from the Quran, such as “Wherever you are, death will overtake you / Though you are in towers raised high” (Quran 4:78), “Vie with one another, in good works” (Quran 5:48), “By the token of time through the ages / Verify, man is in lust / Except that which have faith / and do righteous things / and join together, in mutual teachings of truth / and of patience / and of constancy” (Quran 103:1-3), and “Who so interveneth, in a good cause / shall have the reward thereof / And who so interveneth in an evil cause, / will bear the consequences thereof” (Quran 4:85) (Ali, 2002). These verses suggest a theme of moral accountability, divine judgment, and human struggle in the face of temptation and evil.
At this point, we have a quote from Groovhead, which explains the thinking behind the track:
“the track flies was written a few years ago against the backdrop of a surging wave of islamaphobia and the demonisation of muslims both here in the uk,and globally .The words are taken directly from the Quran , in an attempt to show Islam not as the rabid death cult as it has been portrayed , but rather as a religion based on love , compassion ,and respect ,however , as with all religions (yes , american christian right wing fundamentalists ,were looking at you )words written in good faith and love are so easily corrupted and twisted tothemost evil of ends .This song is not pro islam song ,nor a pro muslim song , rather it is an anti anti muslim song.It is beyond horrendous that this song seems sadly more relevant now with the demonisation and dehumanisation of the palestinian people,whohave endured 75 years of aparthied ,56 years of theloss of their homeland through illegal israeli settlements , a 16 year blockade of gaza , and the ongoing genocide that has left upto 20,000 dead , and rising , the majority of which are women and children , .the alice syndrome rejects all and any religion that cannot respect the most basic human rights of others , and uses the words of their faith and dogma to suppress the rights of others to live in peace , with dignity and respect ,,,, from the river to the sea ,,,,,” groovhead
The song is a provocative and challenging piece of art that explores the themes of mortality, morality, faith, and action from an Islamic perspective. We use verses from the Quran to convey a message and to invite the listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and deeds.
The song begins and ends with the phrase “I submit to the lord of the universe”, which is a declaration of faith and surrender to God’s will. The song then contrasts the inevitability of death with the urgency of doing good works, as instructed by the Quran.
The song also emphasizes the importance of having faith, doing righteous things, and joining together in mutual teachings of truth, patience, and constancy. These are the qualities that distinguish the believers from those who are in lust, or who follow their own desires without regard for God’s guidance. The song also warns against intervening in evil causes, as this will result in negative consequences, while intervening in good causes will bring rewards.
The song Flies is a creative and courageous expression of Islamic values and principles, as well as a critique of the contemporary world that often neglects or opposes them. We use the Quran as a source of inspiration, as well as a tool for communication and education.
References
Ali, A. Y. (2002). The meaning of the Holy Quran. Beltsville: Amana Publications.
Jan 19
George’s Blog: Flies
Welcome to George’s blog. I play keyboards in the Alice Syndrome, and I’m also very interested in psychology, spirituality and self-transcendence. Groovhead tends to write all our lyrics, which always touch on subjects that hit deep into my interests.
I think it’s fair to say, that death mother goddess is our darkest track, by quite a long way. In my interpretation, it explores that darkest of inner dialogues, between two aspects of self which hate each other. It’s clearly exploring what could be going on in the mind of a traumatised individual, the voice being heard, one of a dissociated part of her personality.
Trauma is a psychological response to an event or situation that is deeply distressing or overwhelming. It can affect a person’s sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. Trauma can also disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, especially the parts that are involved in memory, emotion, and identity.
One of the ways that the brain tries to cope with trauma is by dissociating, which means separating or disconnecting from the traumatic experience. Dissociation can take many forms, such as feeling numb, detached, or unreal; having gaps in memory; or switching to different personality states. It can help a person survive the trauma in the short term, but it can also interfere with their ability to process and heal from it in the long term.
Dissociation can also affect how a person relates to themselves and others. When a person dissociates, they may lose touch with their own thoughts, feelings, and needs. They may also have difficulty recognizing and regulating their emotions, which can lead to negative voices or thoughts. Negative voices or thoughts are internal dialogues that are critical, hostile, or harmful. They can undermine a person’s self-esteem, confidence, and well-being. Negative voices or thoughts can also trigger or worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dissociation and negative voices or thoughts are common reactions to trauma, but they are not healthy or helpful in the long run. They can prevent a person from living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Mental health is a topic that affects many people, especially in the music industry. According to Help Musicians UK (2017), 71% of musicians have experienced anxiety and panic attacks, and 68% have suffered from depression. However, there is still a stigma and a lack of understanding around mental health issues, which can make people feel isolated, hopeless, and afraid to seek help. As a musician who has struggled with hearing voices, I know how hard it can be to cope with this condition. Voices can make you feel alone, depressed, and suicidal. They can also interfere with your creativity, performance, and relationships. That is one of the reasons we created this track, death mother goddess, to express this experience and to raise awareness of this issue.
This track is not meant to be easy listening. It is dark, intense, and disturbing. But it reflects the reality of many people who live with voices every day. They often face rejection, discrimination, and violence from society, even from their own friends and family. They are told that they are crazy, dangerous, or possessed. Likewise, they are forced to hide their voices or to take medication that may not work or have harmful side effects. They are denied the opportunity to explore the meaning and origin of their voices, or to find ways to cope with them that suit their needs and preferences.
But there is hope. There are many musicians who have been open about their mental health challenges and who have used their music as a way of healing and empowering themselves and others. For example, Craig David has spoken about his battle with anxiety and how he overcame it through therapy and meditation (BBC Newsbeat, 2016). Laura Mvula has shared her experience of living with bipolar disorder and how music helped her cope with depression (The Guardian, 2016). Tom Grennan has revealed his struggle with addiction and how he used music as a form of therapy (NME, 2021). These are just some of the artists who have been actively campaigning for mental health awareness and support in the music industry and beyond.
There are also many organisations and resources that can help musicians with their mental health. For instance, Music Minds Matter is a free 24/7 helpline run by Help Musicians for everyone in the music industry (Help Musicians UK, n.d.). Music Support also runs a helpline for anyone in the music industry struggling with ill mental health and/or addiction (Music Support, n.d.). The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) connects performing artists and musicians with free specialist health support (BAPAM, n.d.). These are just some of the services that are available for musicians who need help.
The aim of this track is not to glorify or romanticise mental illness, but to challenge the stereotypes and stigma that surround it. It is also to show solidarity and compassion to those who suffer from it. It is to say that you are not alone, you are not broken, you are not hopeless. You are a human being with a unique voice and a valuable story. You deserve respect, understanding, and support. Furthermore, you deserve to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
References
BBC Newsbeat (2016). Craig David: ‘Anxiety made me feel paranoid’. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-37468541
BAPAM (n.d.). British Association for Performing Arts Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.bapam.org.uk/
Help Musicians UK (2017). Can Music Make You Sick? Retrieved from https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/assets/publications/files/can_music_make_you_sick_summary.pdf
Help Musicians UK (n.d.). Music Minds Matter. Retrieved from https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/health-welfare/mental-health/music-minds-matter
Music Support (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.musicsupport.org/about-us/
NME (2021). Tom Grennan: “I’ve been through addiction – music was my form of therapy”. Retrieved from https://www.nme.com/features/tom-grennan-ive-been-through-addiction-music-was-my-form-of-therapy-2877310
The Guardian (2016). Laura Mvula: ‘I don’t know what happy looks like’. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/12/laura-mvula-the-dreaming-room-interview
Jan 19
George’s Blog: Death, Mother, Goddess
This is George’s Blog at The Alice Syndrome website, about our track, death mother goddess.
Welcome to George’s blog. I play keyboards in the Alice Syndrome, and I’m also very interested in psychology, spirituality and self-transcendence. Groovhead tends to write all our lyrics, which always touch on subjects that hit deep into my interests.
There are too many books I have not read Take the knife and mark my skin Warning signs will go unnoticed I want more days so I have time
too many words I have not said
Too many feelings left untouched
Harder faster quicker now
Lessons learnt will be forgotten
As I plot another process
plot another path of torment
harder faster quicker now
As my soul is spread so thin
Drain me slowly, take it all
Harder faster quicker now
As I work on through the process
Choosing not to see the dangers
Harder faster quicker now
To reclaim what is rightfully mine
Though it never can be returned
Harder faster quicker now
The lyrics of harder faster quicker now, express a sense of urgency, frustration and self-destruction. The narrator feels overwhelmed by the things they have not done, the emotions they have not felt, and the life they have not lived.
Many people experience a sense of anxiety or guilt when they think about the tasks they have not completed or the goals they have not achieved. This is a common psychological phenomenon that can affect anyone at some point in their life.
There are various factors that can contribute to this feeling, such as unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, procrastination, stress, or lack of time management skills.
There are also effective strategies to cope with this feeling and reduce its negative impact on one’s well-being and productivity. Some of these strategies include prioritizing the most important or urgent tasks, breaking down large projects into smaller and manageable steps, setting realistic and achievable goals, rewarding oneself for accomplishments, seeking help or support when needed, and practising self-compassion and mindfulness.
As the lyrics continue, it becomes clear they resort to a compulsive and reckless behaviour, ignoring the consequences and the warnings. They inflict pain on themselves, both physically and mentally, as a way of coping with their dissatisfaction and emptiness.
Negative coping is a term that describes the use of maladaptive strategies to deal with stress or emotional distress. These strategies may provide temporary relief or distraction, but they often have harmful consequences in the long term. Examples of negative coping include substance abuse, self-harm, gambling, binge-eating, or excessive spending.
Negative coping can be seen as a form of compulsive and reckless behaviour because the person ignores the negative effects of their actions on themselves and others. They may also disregard the warnings or advice from their friends, family, or professionals who try to help them. This can lead to a vicious cycle of increasing stress, emotional pain, and unhealthy behaviour.
Negative coping can sometimes be overcome by learning and applying positive coping skills, such as relaxation, exercise, meditation, hobbies, or seeking support. Positive coping skills can help reduce stress, enhance well-being, and improve the quality of life. However, there can be underlying issues that drive this coping behaviour, often making it all the more dangerous and difficult to manage for the individual concerned.
As the lyrics continue, the individual also seems to have a delusional hope of reclaiming what they have lost, even though they know it is impossible. The chorus repeats the phrase “harder faster quicker now” as a mantra that reflects their obsession and desperation.
The song can be compared with other songs that deal with similar themes of alienation, self-harm and nihilism. For example, “Hurt” by Nine-Inch Nails (and later covered by Johnny Cash) describes the feeling of being numb and isolated, and the use of drugs and cutting as a way of escaping from reality.
Another example is “Basket Case” by Green Day, which portrays the experience of having a panic disorder and feeling paranoid and out of control. Both songs also use a fast tempo and a distorted sound to convey the intensity and chaos of their emotions.
Jan 19
George’s Blog: Harder Faster
This is George’s Blog at The Alice Syndrome, about the track harder faster quicker now
This is the resources page for The Alice Syndrome’s track, death mother goddess
Download Merchandise George's Blog Potential triggers
Voice 1 Voice 1 Voice 1 Repeat to end.Lyrics - 1Lyrics - 2Lyrics - 3
“And what makes you think you are good enough?
There is nothing about you that is appealing.
You sicken me”
Voice 2
“And what makes you think you are good enough?
There is nothing about you that is appealing.
You sicken me”
Voice 1
“I will dig my blade into your soul
and twist until you writhe in pain
I will send poison through your very being
and screaming demons inside your brain”
Voice 2
“You are worthless
I will destroy all your hopes
I will take all your joy
and poison your smile
I will dig my blade into your soul
and twist until you writhe in pain
I will send poison through your very being
and screaming demons inside your brain”
Voice 1
“I will warp and twist and tighten me grip
until there’s nothing of you of left
and I have recreated you in my own image
sad, and bitter and twisted, devoid of light”
Voice 2
“I will warp and twist and tighten me grip
until there’s nothing of you of left
and I have recreated you in my own image
sad, and bitter and twisted, devoid of light”
Voice 1
“I will lurk in every shadow
every corner of your mind
I will be every part of you
until you are nothing but me”
Voice 2
“I will warp and twist and tighten me grip
until there’s nothing of you of left
and I have recreated you in my own image
sad, and worthless and devoid of light”
“You are worthless
I will destroy all your hopes
I will take all your joy
and poison your smile
I will dig my blade into your soul
and twist until you writhe in pain
I will send poison through your very being
and screaming demons inside your brain”
Voice 2
“You are worthless
I will destroy all your hopes
I will take all your joy
and poison your smile
I will dig my blade into your soul
and twist until you writhe in pain
I will send poison through your very being
and screaming demons inside your brain”
Voice 1
“I will warp and twist and tighten me grip
until there’s nothing of you of left
and I have recreated you in my own image
sad, and worthless and devoid of light”
Voice 2
“I will lurk in every shadow
every corner of your mind
I will be every part of you
until you are nothing but me”
Voice 1
“I will warp and twist and tighten me grip
until there’s nothing of you of left
and I have recreated you in my own image
sad, and bitter and twisted,”
“Twisted”
“Twisted”
“Twisted”
“I will destroy you”
“Twisted”
“Twisted”
“I will destroy you”
Voice 2
“I will destroy you”
Voice 1
“Tearing, rip-apart and savage
Until all you hold dear is shredded and broken
Nothing will or can protect you
I know you too well”
Voice 2
“Tearing, rip-apart and savage
Until all you hold dear is shredded and broken
Nothing will or can protect you
I know you too well”
“I will walk in every shadow
every corner of your mind
I will be every part of you
until you are nothing”
Voice 1
“I will walk in every shadow
every corner of your mind
I will be every part of you
until you are nothing”
Voice 1
“I will destroy you”
Voice 2
“I will destroy you”
Voice 1
“Rip apart and savage”
“I will walk in every shadow
every corner of your mind
I will be every part of you
until you are nothing”
Voice 2
“I will walk in every shadow
every corner of your mind
I will be every part of you
until you are nothing”
Voice 1
“I will destroy you”
Voice 2
“I will destroy you”
Voice 1
“Rip apart and savage”
Voice 1
“Rip apart and savage”
Voice 1
“I will exploit every dark fear and memory
Leave your mind broken, and twisted
Twisted”
Voice 2
“I will exploit every dark fear and memory
Until you are lying broken on the floor”
“Twisted”
Voice 1 and Voice 2
“I will destroy you”
“I will exploit every dark fear and memory
Leave your mind broken, and twisted”
