Alan
Graeme originally wrote this as a take on the 9/11 attacks. I was a bit uncomfortable with being too specific about that as I felt that there was more than one way to interpret the motivations of the guys that carried it out; and also that suicide bombings are an issue in many circumstances other than that one dramatic attack in New York (the recent London attacks just go to underline this). So I've tried to make it a little less specific - although it can still be read that way. The heavy middle section screams out "classic Pallas" to me. Heavy, powerful and emotional. I'm particularly proud of the vocals in the "the girl wipes the sleep.." section. It really builds nicely from a warm, sleepy delivery to the all-out "Death comes on silver wings..". There's a power and control there I've not often managed to get on a recording.
Graeme
Now here's a track that was born in typical Pallas fashion. I cant quite recall what came first here but a quick look on the old computershows several ideas came together to form Warriors. Niall had his ripping opening riff that he played in a moment of metal weakness. He should have known better because we leapt on him and insisted we use it on the album despite his protests. Ron had a slow idea we had called "Rons Sweeny" which we sped up and used the chords for the chorus . I had a couple of bits; the opening chords with a fantastic gritty organ sound from the Motif over which we fitted Nialls riff, and the fast middle section with the bass riff and big big voices melody. Chuck it all in the Pallas jamming machine and the track came together.
Lyrically we felt the song had a very violent and martial feel. somehow the quiet mid section called up a very vivid memory I had from watching 9/11 unfold and seeing that plane in the clear blue sky . I had the "Death comes on silver wings" part of the lyric first and developed the rest of the lyric from there. There were obvious concerns from the rest of the guys due to the subject matter, and whether it was appropriate "to go there". A few lines were changed to soften things a bit, but I really fought for this one as I feel very strongly about the subject matter.
Niall
I seem to remember that this began with the guitar riff at the beginning and some how we managed to squeeze the Sweeney theme in there. Its sometimes difficult to not make these tracks to literal but the "silver wings" line gives it a rather definite context.
Colin
We initially played a version of this at Rotherham that no-one in the band was happy with, so we took the whole thing apart in the studio and tried to find something inspiring with it. Niall decided to go to Banchory for Cake and Tea, whilst Ronnie and I tinkered bout with an instrumental idea in 7/4 until he came back. It sounded really powerful, so we programmed it all into the computer and we all liked it. The drum part in the 7/4 part is quite a complex pattern, utilising EVERY part of the kit. The pattern is across the toms whilst maintaining a pumping Kick and snare part and as the intensity increases it moves from 7/4 into 4/4 and back, moving from Hi-hat, Ride to China type as it concludes. This section repeats again at the end to finish the track off bombastically.
Ronnie
This came together from jamming – a combination of everyone’s ideas. I think it will be great to play live
Lyrics
One small blue planet, so many shores
This land is mine, that land is yours
Your way is righteous, our way is wrong
That's been the sad and painful story all along
I recall like yesterday the horror of it all
One image burned the screen in every home and hall
We watched in shock and awe as flesh and faith collide
Changed the world forever shadows hide now in our minds
Warriors line up to die, face each other eye to eye
There is courage in what they do, strenght and honour respect is due
Suicide killer - why should heaven wait for you?
Suicide killer - how can you stomach what you do?
He feels his wings beneath him... he is flying
The world he's leaving will soon be changing
The gates of paradise are open, waiting
This is his dream
The girl wipes the sleep from tired eyes
Her elevator rises swiftly to the sky
Today is her birthday she hopes for a surprise
Death comes on silver wings from a cloudless sky
Warriors line up to die, face each other eye to eye
There is courage in what they do, strenght and honour respect is due
Suicide killer - why should heaven wait for you?
Suicide killer - how can you stomach what you do?