Strength of the Mind

Album: Incarnate (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the first track to be released from Killswitch Engage's seventh album, Incarnate. Drummer Justin Foley told Louder Noise TV why they chose to lead the band's new record with this track. "I think that one is a good representation of stuff that we do. But I also think it's a song that would sound good live," he explained. "It's a song that wasn't crazy, crazy fast, it wasn't crazy different from any of our stuff, so I think it was a good song to kind of ease into new material."

    "I think live, it was the kind of thing that we could get it to sound tight fairly quickly, which is helpful, 'cause we didn't have a whole lot of time to get it ready for [the last] tour," Foley added. "So that kind of helped us influence picking that song."
  • The jarring performance video mirrors the chaotic feel of the track. It was directed by Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci who also shot Killswitch Engage's clips for "Always" and "In Due Time."

    Frontman Jesse Leach explained to Nerdist: "The video visually captures a bit of the anxiety and chaos that the song touches on lyrically. It is almost a bit surreal and dream-like with the camera effects, called 'whacking.' It is always a pleasure to work with McFarland and Pecci, as they are both artists who give it their all with no shortcuts. Watching Mike work the camera live, while Ian paces around and directs, is a very involving and creatively satisfying experience."
  • Jesse Leach explained the song's meaning to TeamRock: "The line, 'I've seen rock bottom and I've smashed my fist against it' references the dark times, but in a positive way. People have different definitions of what rock bottom is, but this song is about being that desperate that you're punching inanimate objects because you're so angry. But it's totally a motivational song, and again it has two meanings – it's not just a self-help song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.