Eastern philosophies say that pain is a carrier of consciousness. In the West, however, they know that it is also a carrier of creation.
A tragedy may be the cause, perhaps even the reason for a creative climax.
Besides, it takes a lot of darkness to see the light, and our nature “points” it out regularly.
The song of Defision, “Medal of Honor” reminds us of this alternation of light and darkness.
A dipole that moves life itself and, consequently, creation is an integral part of it.
“(The song) is in our only official release, EP “A Thousand Bullets “, which was released in January 2016.“
He begins his narration, Stratos Vracholias guitarist of the band from Alexandroupoli.
“Medal of Honor is a special song for us, for Defision. Its creation, as well as its melody and its lyrics.
It was sparked by the unexpected loss of our friend and then guitarist of the band, Nikos”, Stratos continues.
Life may end, sometimes suddenly, but it always leaves behind time-indestructible stories.
“Musically the composition of the track began, as we basically work, in the studio where we did our rehearsals.
Any idea we had, we tried them and we all tried to build on it and join riffs and melodies.
So the “Medal” touched on two such ideas that we had for the overture and the lyrics.
And from there we started to work on it“.
Each band has its own way of creating a song, as described by the guitarist of the band.
And he continues:
“When the track had reached a complete form, it was time to dress it with lyrics.
Without having a plan, about where the lyrics of the song would lead…
Nikos (guitarist) tells us that he has already written some scattered lyrics that we could see. “
Every river begins with a few drops of water and every story with a few words.
“It is worth noting at this point that Nikos, although musically and synthetically had a long history on his back.
He had never written lyrics with his previous bands, Crossover and Overgarven.
Since I had written the lyrics for the only piece we had at the time, “The Fallen Demon,” he asked me to look at it together.
So in the next few days in the rehearsal, he brings a sheet of lyrics to give them a look.
At some point, we would be there to discuss what we could do.
Although they did not have a specific structure and form, I was excited, as the thoughts and the themes were interesting.
There were the feelings that Nikos wanted to go through”.
We are not always us, defining the facts that concern us.
One, incomprehensible to the human mind, a struggle between life and death, determines the facts.
“Unfortunately, fate had other plans, and a few days later our brother Nick was no longer with us.
We picked up our pieces and decided that the best way to honor his memory was to continue with Defision.
We had to complete the track using, of course, the lyrics he had left behind.
I had to shape up and finish the lyrics to complete the song.
There was a couplet left out, which I could not match, either in the verses or in the chorus. “
People are leaving us, but the stories that leave behind them are like fingerprints in their short passing from Earth.
“So dark in my soul
So cold in my heart”.
Stratos continues his narrative:
“Tragic irony, exactly what we experienced at that time, written by Nikos, a while ago before he leaves us.
So, on these emotions, we added the melodic bridge, which lies before the solo of the piece.
Melody framed along with these lyrics. With this latest addition, we’ve finally finished the song. “
When life and death shake hands, something new is always born.
Stratos also explains the meaning of the lyrics
“With the lyrics of the track describing grim images of war …
We added as an introduction the “War Never Changes” when it was time to record for “A Thousand Bullets“.
A part of the battlefield I had prepared and which sets the background for the song. “
Somehow a song was created.
Essentially, we can imagine how many events can fit, in a few lines and a few notes.
But the stories accompanying a song never end!
And the guitarist of the band tells us:
“As time passes, on our live performances, we were delighted to see that the “Medal of Honor” is what we call a “fan favorite“.
It is not missing from our setlist and it is the song with which we always close our performances“.
He finishes his narrative, by saying:
“In the end of Tychero Youth Festival, some children lit some fires when they heard the introduction.
It was a very nice movement that showed the support and the love of the world for what we are doing.
Unfortunately for us, the air that prevailed at that time brought all the smoke onto the stage.
So for most of the introduction, besides that we had to play it blind, it was played “breathless”.
In fact, when a song ends in our ears, it starts to play in our souls.
It also generates new stories, which can be an occasion or even cause for new songs.
