Faithless By Tranquillity: Song Analysis
The song “Faithless by Default,” off of Dark Tranquillity’s 2016 album, Atoma, is an exemplary song that serves a dual purpose. First, this song is meant to have an intense and steady melody coupled with a driving rhythm. This is a staple of songs that belong to the genre of melodic death metal. Secondly, this song is able to perpetuate the band’s ideas about religion and issues that it presents. Throughout various interviews, the members of the band have conveyed their distaste for religion and how it affects society. This is evident in an interview conducted by Deadtied.com with Mikael Stanne, the band’s lead singer and writer. Stanne said in response to a question about what he would change in the world that he would, “ban religion,
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or just get rid of it.” He continued to explain how religion is dangerous, as it is controlled by some other entity and that a large group mentality akin to religion can be harmful. Along with this idea, the aforementioned song conveys accurately conveys these principles in the way it takes issue with the idea of religion. Thus, this song proves to be an effective rebuke against the tenets of religion by citing them as stifling and divisive.
While this song challenges a large amount of issues with religion, one of the main topics it covers is how religion, and other forms of group mentality, can be stifling to society. Throughout the piece, the concept of how religion hinders society is omnipresent. For example, the song refers to religion as “work for idle minds”. This phrase is impactful, as it shows how religion causes a disruption in advancement by forcing individuals to think within its boundaries and not consider facts beyond its realm. Another facet of this line of thought is the idea that religion is filled with ideas and concepts that are never truly satisfied, while in turn, forcing its participants to adhere to certain ideals. This is brought up in the beginning of the song as the writer describes religion as a collection of “old empty promises.” Following this phrase, the writer also describes this collection as a “just reward for the blind,” meaning that those who follow these ideals blindly deserve their lack of reward. On another note, while the aforementioned phrases play a pivotal role in the message that the song delivers, the way in which it is performed enhances the meaning of the lyrics. A primary example of this would be the gruffness of Mikael Stanne’s vocals throughout the song. This weight conveys to the listener the level of passion Stanne has for the subject, as he is practically screaming at the top of his lungs to illustrate the level of importance of his message. Moreover, this weight becomes slightly more intense throughout the piece, while it never decreases in intensity. This further illustrates Stanne’s devotion to his argument and entices the listener to absorb and resonate with his message.
Another aspect of religion that this song challenges is how religion tends to be more divisive and therefore a distraction from important issues.
As a primary example, the writer illustrates this divisiveness by employing the idea that humans are “held hostage” by their “intolerance for the intolerant.” This bolsters the argument against religion as it shows that humans tend to divide themselves by arbitrary ideas in the name of salvation. In order to combat this, the writer commands for a world in which humans are not more than “the sum of what we know.” This phrase is particularly powerful as it calls for a return to focus on individuals advancing themselves rather than living by a collection of ideals that are perpetrated by others and set by someone else. This is extrapolated upon during the chorus where the writer urges the listener to “go...onward to the singularity” and to ignore what idealists say. While looking at these sections of the song melodically, the aforementioned vocals continue to play a major role. However, the strong presence of the drumming in the background of the vocals forces the listener to feel a need to continue to press through the song and examine its message closely. This correlates with the phrase aforementioned quote as it sends a strong message of perseverance. This is also coupled with a very strong presence of the electric guitar, which continues to hammer out consistent rifts throughout the song, which also contributes to the sense of need of persistence from the
listener.
Thus, the song “Faithless by Default” by Dark Tranquillity is a strong example of a song that fulfills its purpose of being a powerful message against forms of groupthink, namely religion. This song targets various facets of issues raised by religion, but it is evident that it focuses on how religion tends to stifle progress. Furthermore, this song also touches on how religion tends to divide society and pit others against each other. Both of these issues are counterproductive to the advancement of society in the eyes of the writer. Moreover, the instrumentation and vocals complement this message and estill it with the necessary power to convey the severity of its message.
or just get rid of it.” He continued to explain how religion is dangerous, as it is controlled by some other entity and that a large group mentality akin to religion can be harmful. Along with this idea, the aforementioned song conveys accurately conveys these principles in the way it takes issue with the idea of religion. Thus, this song proves to be an effective rebuke against the tenets of religion by citing them as stifling and divisive.
While this song challenges a large amount of issues with religion, one of the main topics it covers is how religion, and other forms of group mentality, can be stifling to society. Throughout the piece, the concept of how religion hinders society is omnipresent. For example, the song refers to religion as “work for idle minds”. This phrase is impactful, as it shows how religion causes a disruption in advancement by forcing individuals to think within its boundaries and not consider facts beyond its realm. Another facet of this line of thought is the idea that religion is filled with ideas and concepts that are never truly satisfied, while in turn, forcing its participants to adhere to certain ideals. This is brought up in the beginning of the song as the writer describes religion as a collection of “old empty promises.” Following this phrase, the writer also describes this collection as a “just reward for the blind,” meaning that those who follow these ideals blindly deserve their lack of reward. On another note, while the aforementioned phrases play a pivotal role in the message that the song delivers, the way in which it is performed enhances the meaning of the lyrics. A primary example of this would be the gruffness of Mikael Stanne’s vocals throughout the song. This weight conveys to the listener the level of passion Stanne has for the subject, as he is practically screaming at the top of his lungs to illustrate the level of importance of his message. Moreover, this weight becomes slightly more intense throughout the piece, while it never decreases in intensity. This further illustrates Stanne’s devotion to his argument and entices the listener to absorb and resonate with his message.
Another aspect of religion that this song challenges is how religion tends to be more divisive and therefore a distraction from important issues.
As a primary example, the writer illustrates this divisiveness by employing the idea that humans are “held hostage” by their “intolerance for the intolerant.” This bolsters the argument against religion as it shows that humans tend to divide themselves by arbitrary ideas in the name of salvation. In order to combat this, the writer commands for a world in which humans are not more than “the sum of what we know.” This phrase is particularly powerful as it calls for a return to focus on individuals advancing themselves rather than living by a collection of ideals that are perpetrated by others and set by someone else. This is extrapolated upon during the chorus where the writer urges the listener to “go...onward to the singularity” and to ignore what idealists say. While looking at these sections of the song melodically, the aforementioned vocals continue to play a major role. However, the strong presence of the drumming in the background of the vocals forces the listener to feel a need to continue to press through the song and examine its message closely. This correlates with the phrase aforementioned quote as it sends a strong message of perseverance. This is also coupled with a very strong presence of the electric guitar, which continues to hammer out consistent rifts throughout the song, which also contributes to the sense of need of persistence from the
listener.
Thus, the song “Faithless by Default” by Dark Tranquillity is a strong example of a song that fulfills its purpose of being a powerful message against forms of groupthink, namely religion. This song targets various facets of issues raised by religion, but it is evident that it focuses on how religion tends to stifle progress. Furthermore, this song also touches on how religion tends to divide society and pit others against each other. Both of these issues are counterproductive to the advancement of society in the eyes of the writer. Moreover, the instrumentation and vocals complement this message and estill it with the necessary power to convey the severity of its message.