I've never been touched so strongly by music in my life. I never knew music could move me in such a way...

(Yeah I know, this post is HUGE, but for some reason it became very important to me to share this with other people. I don't even know why I'm doing this but here you go.)

This band is magnificent. They are called Woods of Ypres. The lead singer died in a car accident last year. The lyrics are gloomy and depresive but they are, at the same time, a celebration of life and the living. Like the last moments of someone that knows he is about to die. It's almost prophetic in some sense. David Gold will be missed, he made some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

This is by far the best album I've heard in the last couple of years and I know I'll be listening to this record 'till the day I die. It's obviously for the fans of extreme music but believe me, it's amazing. Grab a cup of coffee and go for a walk on the cold outside while you listen to this. You can thank me later.

I want the song "Kiss my ashes (goodbye)" to be played in my funeral. Can't say enough good things about this album. I seriously cried while listening to Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light.

Give them a listen here:

Why are you writting about this here? You may ask, well here is why:

I've done my research on David Gold and I've come to the conclussion that Woods 5 was basically a suicide note. The lyrics are very clear, I'm not going to post them here to prevent this post for being longer than it already is but if you liked the band, I suggest you read them.

His twitter feed stoped on December 18, five days before he died. His tweets read as follows:

"#Wood5 is a dangerous record for how real it is and for how somewhere out there, those stories are unraveling in terrible ways in real life."

"I can only hope to never again create something around which there would be so much destruction, hurt and loss. We MAY survive THIS one. #W5"

"...far removed from the places and events but nearly 10 years in, to live WOODS OF YPRES for real is damn near lethal one day at a time."

"When meanings become so heartbreakingly ironic, it's hard to face the final product when you live the meanings like a prophecy come true."

"It's humbling to write something in strength and conviction, only later to fear what you've created because it hurts too much, is too close."

"If we make it to Woods 6, I think it would have to be a positive record. A life-comeback record. If we get through this, now.#Woods5"

I feel so sad now. This is someone I just found out existed about a couple of weeks ago. Discovering the true story behind this beautiful work of art is making me feel so depresed. I find myself so identified with his lyrics and the tone of his voice. It's giving me the chills. I should get some sleep now...

Music is a funny thing. I find it interesting how the same song can apparently move someone, like the op, very emotionally, yet the same song just sounds like generic music that does nothing for others, me.

That's a hell of a story, and a hell of a song. I've never heard of this band, but I'm seeing some heavy parallels to Type O Negative: An album, World Coming Down, that's strikingly more depressing and honest than the rest of the discography (to the point where TON refused to play anything from it at shows, and rarely acknowledged its existence), a sudden death right before a positive change... even the genre is similar. Of course, WCD was released 11 years before Peter Steele died, so the parallels aren't perfect, but still close enough to raise a surprised eyebrow.

I highly recommend you that album, by the way, if you aren't familiar with it. A couple of tracks call back to their funnier, parodic side ("Who Will Save the Sane", "Day Tripper Medley"), but songs like "Everyone I Love Is Dead" are goddamn soul-crushing, especially now.

I don't get it. The song, that is. No emotional resonance for me whatsoever.

@crusader8463 said:

Music is a funny thing. I find it interesting how the same song can apparently move someone, like the op, very emotionally, yet the same song just sounds like generic music that does nothing for others, me.

That's why music is art. I walk into an "Art" gallery and find nothing of interest, but believe the men and women in the gaming industry that come up with concept art and the end-product visuals are visionaries. To each his own.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM.

The song in the video very much reminds me of the parts of Metallica's Black Album that I enjoyed, and David's vocal tone reminds me of the singer from Mastodon. Those are both very good things, actually. I'm happy to enjoy this as much as I am. An intense story, to be sure. Reminds me of the first time I listened to The Wall after I truly "got" it. I was not high (I'm in fact still a completely sober kid) but I was grieving.

Great stuff.

I honestly thought it was Varg Vikernes you was talking about:

I know that cemetery. Nicest one in Toronto, a lot of my relatives are there. That being said the song had no effect on me either, probably because i have little respect for metal.

@crusader8463: Yes, music is very subjective.

@ShaggE: Yes! Type O is one of my favorite bands ever :D

@ccampb89: Exactly, what I may find beautiful some may find disgusting.

@ThePhantomnaut: DOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM.

@Little_Socrates: I'm glad you liked it. I know that feeling when you just don't get a band and after a few years you finally understand why it is so good. That happened to me with Tool.

@Sooty: Lots of people think he looks like him... maybe because he REALLY does.

Mount Pleasant, SC is my hometown. Weird.