Song of the Day Redux, Day 25: Al the Killer (Original Acoustic Demo)

Al the Killer - Original Acoustic Demo

Couldn't find this one on Youtube, so Grooveshark will have to do. If at any time in the future this (or any other song) becomes unavailable, PM me and I'll find it again for you.

The Content: It's mostly about what's missing in this demo that makes it interesting. It looks like this song wasn't always as firmly conceptual as it is. No lyrics like "when I kill her I'll have her" or "die white girls." We only get "bye bye world." The disturbing lyrics in the song, without that context, aren't actually too unprecedented in Coheed - we get lyrics like that in Godsend Conspirator ("locked the children in the floor.") This song isn't yet framed through Al, who may not have even been written yet. The album ordering I found, if valid, suggests that this song wasn't yet associated with Faint of Hearts, and Backend of Forever wasn't even written yet. This is the song Claudio wrote before solidifying that part of the concept. Maybe its lyrics reflect an earlier part of the concept, who knows?

The Music: We have an acoustic intro that sounds a lot like the start of Random Reality Shifts, and then the song explodes. Not unlike the start of Welcome Home. Some interesting lead guitars by Claudio. "Let this colony know in the name of the dead we're coming" is whispered, which is pretty effective. We also have a clean placeholder solo in stead of the "should the heroes play dumb" part. Then he does an instrumental verse and pre-chorus section before bringing back the chorus. We don't get "In the name of the dead" on the last chorus.

The Differences:

• Quiet intro followed by louder intro
• Let this colony know in the name of the dead - whispered
• "Bye bye world" is the only lyric in this section - no "when I kill her I'll have her", no "die white girls"
• "In the name of the dead" is the only lyric in its part, instead of the graves of the dead
• No bridge lyrics; solo instead
• No "name of the dead" in the chorus after the bridge

The Part: That simple little solo! Am I crazy or are parts of it (notes?) actually in the studio song, buried beneath all of that noise? I never noticed that before, but now I can't unheard it!

At birth given scars along tender heart liberties
injustice for awkward living situated casualties
they lay dead along your floor
careful not to wake them they're sleeping
in the morrows good mourning
the dying will discard the wish to live

Let this colony know in the name of the dead we're coming

Bye bye world, bye bye world 
In the name of the dead, in the name of the dead 

You'll get nothing for something
arise the hidden war of a dead song, unsung
the night of your children's day
beneath the surface sealed by the floors boarded up
seal the lips of your voice with haste
and cower at the sounds as they make their way
surprise speed and malice
the opposing break the surface hold ready

Bye bye world, bye bye world
Bye bye world, bye bye world

Next up: The Light and the Glass (Original Acoustic Demo)