1. AS THE DEATH KNELL DOLLS

(Instrumental)


2. THE MADMAN'S LULLABY

Feel my breath. Sense my fury.
I hunt you down in the dark.
A silent approach. A defeating strike.
I've come for you. There's no escape.
But still I want some fun so...

Fight back. Refuse. Renounce.
And let me enjoy the ride.

Screams of anguish. Screeches of pain.
Your requiem starts to take shape.
Hide in the dark, where the madman awaits you.
They're all alike, don't think you'll live.
The first thing they all do is...

Fight back. Refuse. Renounce.
And let me enjoy the ride.

You'll never notice my hunger until it feeds on you.
It sleeps for days or years, but it always come through.
It hides my sanity there where I must bury your dreams,
Until I've found my redeemer.
I've seen you crossing my path, so it's already too late.
Now I shall rest no more, you've made it part of our fate,
Until I've ended your life, on the shooting sounds
Of the madman's lullaby.


3. TRAPPED

Trapped inside this prison of what I don't choose to be.
The pills that swim into my throat have their way with me.
The illusion that I am like this has always been so real.
But only when you're in my skin, you'll realize how I feel.
You don't know how it hurts. You don't know what it brings.
Leave it up to me and just continue your despise.
I will keep on running towards my day of demise.

[Chorus]
(Trapped)
What you see is merely my disguise. The reality I flee and I'll always fool your eyes

Violence, aggression, the blood starts to boil.
Swollen bloodshot eyes, it's time to go to the hole.
Put on the straightjacket, tie me down.
But it's no use breaking the body when you're after the soul.
You fight all you can. you pray to every God and man.
You hope every single day. But you end up alone, time and time again.

[Chorus]

You have to live with the thought that you're not what you seem.
As long as I don't ask for things, there's nothing to redeem.
I choose to walk alone with no-one by my side.
That spot's already taken. It's just me and my pride.
As tension's building up, my muscles pull me down again.

I take control once more, I know that I can.
This demon takes me with him and then leaves me alone.
I'll never break with this disease, I'll just make it my own.

[Chorus]


4. AFTER THE NOISE

Everywhere the bombs are falling from the sky today.
The day of judgement has arrived. It's time to play.
A velvet glove's put on and startsto move the pawns.
When in command, that's all it takes to shed blood.
Every father and son become a hired gun
In a war that isn't theirs to be fought.

The only thing left in your veins is adrenaline from the fear.
Prayers are futile. Hope's restrained.
Your time to join the afterlife's is here.
Deprived of sleep. The sanctity where all was holy again.
The dark fulfills it's role of humble servant to the inhumane.
As you ascend from the trenches.
You know you'll never get to see a new day's done.
Field start to flood as soldiers drag through the mud.
Ready to face the fate they're closing in on.

After a aloud noise and some darkness,
A bright light starts to shine.
What is this place ?
It's weird to know again how it feels without the pain.
I wished for death, I guess it wasn't in vain.


5. SHATTERED ILLUSIONS

False pretenses paved the way, ever leading me astray.
After all is said and done, you still remain second to none.
Dominated by regret, harassed by things I should forget.
Let me clear the sky once and for all.
All the time you didn't mean a thing to me at all.

I'm not sorry for th times I gave you the impression
That I needed your attention to make me what I am.
I'm doing fine without your dedicacion. Inever needed it,
So too bad if you thought that way.
All you ever did was hold meback.
And all I ever knew was how it would be better without you.
I'm looking forward to the day they lower you into your grave
And I'll smile, I will smile...

Keep ignoring what they say, that'll mek it go away.
Still abiding, years on end. Expecting that we'll make amends.
Maybe I just fail to see, you're merely being glad for me.
Time to empty your head, stuffed with illusions,
Burst the bubble, face the truth.
Aren't you sinck of being misunderstood ?

Left for dead with no repent, supposed to be my journey's end.
Covert missions to subvert, held me face-down in the dirt.
Defamation afterwards. Did it have the outcome you preferred ?
Face it man, the ship has sailed. And I'm being concerned about
The things you want, the things you try, 'cause all you do is fail.


6. LORD OF LUNACY

Welcome, lord of lunacy, it's great to have you back.
To what do I owe the pleasure of this next surprise-attack ?
Don't get me wrong, I fancy unpredictability.
But why don't you just give a call ? Check if I'm free ?

Oh well, you're here now, let's pick up where we left off.
Certainly my head won't mind taking some time off.
I honestly don't know why I keep let him coming back.
It would be best for both of us if he got sacked.
(Give in the lunacy)
Remember me ? I'm what you need.
That hunger inside I feed.
So bow to me. You'll be set free.
I am the lord of lunacy.

The sweet sensation of losing all self-control.
Nothing beats lucidity claiming a minor role.
I can't resist. It's what I've missed. It surpasses every high.
The inner beast is ready to feast. Let it shine.

Now, as I'm leaving you, return to sanity.
Soon we'll meet again, my friend. That I guarantee.
I know your tendency to believe each time is a farewell.
Don't jump the gun, I'm coming back, no warning bell.


7. SALVATION

(Instrumental)


8. THE TOWER

The chains have become like a second skin. Above gasp the lonely skies.
There's nothing left of what once has been. The spirits all are paralyzed.
No spark of hope is left in me. I know the end is near. It's a relief, 'cause it will set me free. Not long now before they're here...

feeding numb by the loss of blood.
Approaching the flames that all the others fought.
Mask and robes, it all seems so weird.
But knowing it's real, makes it even more feared.

I start my prayers and I fold my hands.
Longing for some soothing words from the saints.
But all I ever hear are roars and cries.
They all all warn me : it's time for you to die.

In a daze I hear the hymns.
I feel the teeth going into my limbs.
The tower will never have enough preys.
It will keep on taking 'til the end of days.

Up in the tower I stare death in the eyes.
Butchered like cattle. Even the angels cry.

When they look up in the tower and death stares them in the eye.
Butchered like cattle. Forever the angels cry.


9. PATH TO THE GALLOWS

Suffocated by the bag on your head. Total blindness.
Hands firmly tied behind your back. On your knees.
The roars are coming closer as the chariot escorts you.
Thrown on the platform, you know what comes newt.

They pull off the bag to read you your verdict.
Through the sweat and the blood, your eyes spot the disgust.

Face the consequences of your acts. You knew the risk, breaking their laws.
Now the hangman starts to laugh and the noose is opening her jaws.

Your head gets swallowed by the rope. There's no turning back now.
Soon you will be dangling there, solely fighting for your life.
You pray to God your spine will crack, so you can die in peace.
If not, the hangman jumps on you to make the breathing cease.

You're way too numb to listen, only noise is getting through,
But you already know the outcome, so there's nothing left to do.

Face the consequences of your acts. You knew the risk, breaking their laws.
Now the hangman starts to laugh and the noose is opening her jaws.
The blood has no more way to go.
Your instinct to survive is all you know.
And get you realize all is in vain because you've walked your path to the gallows.

As you fall into the void, your respiration's put on hold.
Asphyxia occurs. No ignoring the pain. The executioner lurks.
The hangman throws his weight on you. Now there's nothing left for you to do.
You feel your life flowing away. Salvation is near, it's yours to claim.
Guilty...


10. BACK AGAINST THE WALL

Stumbling along the wrong roads
In this maze that they call "life".
Perishing at every crossroads
Because I never seem to win the strife.

The right path remains unchosen.
Like it was meant to be this way.
No light, guide or safe haven.
And both choices appeal to me.

[Chorus]
(Pushed) back against the wall.
Hands wrapped around my neck.

His eyes are staring at me, obliging me to answer
When I haven't even made my choice.
Choose one, lose one.
Decisions don't come with a spare.
It all seems easy when you're holding the dagger
And you don't know what you're about to wreak.

Close to the final crash.
Or what seems to be just that.
Trapped inside this rush.
Dillemas that lead us to a state of wrath

[Chorus]