Loyalty

Album: Catch The Throne: The Mixtape Volume II (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is Killswitch Engage's contribution to the second mixtape for HBO's hit fantasy series Game Of Thrones. Speaking to Dave "Higgo" Higgins of Australia's long-running rock station Triple M, the band's singer Jesse Leach stated about his involvement on the record: "It's crazy, man. I've always heard of the TV show, but I don't watch a lot of TV. I tend to be a documentary nerd. And I have a steady diet of The Simpsons and Family Guy; that's pretty much my speed," he said. "I wanna laugh and forget stuff, and then I wanna learn stuff; that's kind of my thing."

    "When we got asked to do it, I started doing my research and watching some of the stuff. And while I was writing the song," Leach continued. "I didn't really know what I was talking about. But [the show producers] give you a concept, they give you key words that you should use and sort of give you a storyline. And it was fun for me to work in that capacity, 'cause I'm used to just coming up with stuff on my own off the spot. And they had a lot of cool trigger words, so it was interesting to see that come together. And then start to watch the show, and then have it turn into… like, once we were done with the song, and it was all said and done, I watched the entire four seasons in, like, a week. [Laughs] I became completely addicted and enthralled in it."

    "So we are all really stoked on it, and I think it's one of our better songs," he concluded.
  • Leach explained the song's meaning to Kerrang!: "It's about fighting for honor, redemption and the sea, loyalty," he said. "The song is based upon House Martell, so it deals with offending death as well, based on Oberyn Martell seeking vengeance for the death of his sister!"

    "I also included the Martell House words 'Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,'" he added. "It's still really feels like a Killswitch song, though!"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.