Hell & Back

Rubicon Project

Rubicon Project

....I tried to change the world for good,

but the bastards wouldn't let me !

John Park Inter view with Jamie McDonald, October, 2011

The ‘Rubicon Project’ began

in 2001 as I stood at a cross

roads in life. Left; I went back

to where I started, right; I made

a life changing decision. It was

my infamous red pill / blue pill

moment.

Back then, I had reached a

point of no return, a critical

juncture. Ten years on, here I

stand, and the notion behind

Caesar and the Rubicon

has continued to provide

constant encouragement in my

moments of hardship.

So much so has the anecdote

aided me, it seemed only fitting

to release this, my first album,

somehow incorporating its

personal significance.

The project, ‘Hell & Back’,

began soon after a good

friend, Steve Donaldson shared

the lyrics for Halloween and

Sphinx with me. Written in

the mid 80’s, Steve had been

influenced by the many of the

same bands as I, yet despite the

fact that we would not meet

for another 10 years, we were

jointly inspired. It was this era

that fuelled my teenage dreams

and lead me to spend over 15

years developing what has now

become a lifelong passion.

This album is my first musical

Rubicon; demonstrating my

change in direction from

covering other’s songs, to

writing my own.

As cliched as it sounds, ‘Hell

& Back’ is the culmination of

a lifetime’s inspirations and

experiences. It’s a journey

through life representing both

the good and bad; a project

that’s inspired me to keep

going when all I could think of

was giving up, a light through

the darkness, an escape during

difficult times.

The next project will be

different, that much I know.

Exactly how different, is yet to

be decided; a Rubicon yet to

be crossed.

Until next time,

Rubicon Project

Granite Rocks

Instrumental

Halloween

The 31st, the woods are blackThe hellhounds howl in their packsDrunk with fear I start to sweatI know it’s me they’re out to get

The silence is shattered by the screech of an owlThe animals cower as the demons prowlPleading for mercy my voice is hoarseAll around me is an evil force

Halloween the day of deathThe fire licks up from the devils breathHalloween the night insaneThe living dead are walking again

Sullen trees under Satan’s willSurround their pray poised to kill The lightning cracks in the gathering storm As the hunters sound their deadly horns

Halloween the day of deathThe fire licks up from the devils breathHalloween the night insaneThe living dead are walking again

Halloween the day of deathThe fire licks up from the devils breathHalloween the night insaneThe living dead are walking again

In the grasp my souls is drainedCovered in blood my clothes are stainedMy mind is ravaged by my foe As I’m slowly pulled down below

Halloween the day of deathThe fire licks up from the devils breathHalloween the night insaneThe living dead are walking again, walking again

Halloween the day of deathThe fire licks up from the devils breathHalloween the night insaneThe living dead are walking againThe living dead are walking your streetsTonight

Sphinx

At the dawn of creationThe sentinel stands with a watchful gazeSurrounded by the majestyThe Sphinx enshrined by the Arten’s rays

Aware of one’s own beautyConquerors of this wondrous landHave come in worshipFull of admiration and praise

But within the Sphinx lurksA demon behindThat controls the godsAnd competes for our minds

Look to me, look look, to meThe true ruler of this plateauI alone have the power to controlBy inspiring the dreams of your pharaohLook to me, look look, to meTo protect the double crownBy driving the invaders from our lands And cutting our enemies down

The robbers came to sack and plunderSteal the gold from the royal tombFor those who violate the house of RaShall pain and death always loomFor the sphinx unleashed his hell on earthBanished them from the afterlifeTheir tortured souls they roam aloneShadows consigned to the gloom

Look to me, look look, to meThe true ruler of this plateauI alone have the power to controlBy inspiring the dreams of your pharaohLook to me, look look, to meTo protect the double crownBy driving the invaders from our lands And cutting our enemies down

In a body so strongAnd the head of one so fairI see no latent terrorAs the call to reverence Drifts through the Cairo airBut I now too am self consumedTo serve the SphinxMy lord and masterNever to see the dawns sunriseI relinquish my soul without a prayer

Look to me, look look, to meThe true ruler of this plateauI alone have the power to controlBy inspiring the dreams of your pharaohLook to me, look look, to meTo protect the double crownBy driving the invaders from our lands And cutting our enemies down

New Sun Rising

Take a look in the eyes of a warrior raceThey’ll fight to the end, a glorious death they embraceWith fanatical conviction they’ll defend their landIn the name of peace we must play this hand

Red sun rising, not a cloud in sightEnola Gay has flown through the nightWe can end this now with the flick of this switchNow power up those engines before the blast hits

New sun risingA fire in the skyHotter than the sun, turned to shadows as they runNew sun rising, a weapon, for the world to fearNew dawn of history, with power beyond all measureNo more war for ever, the legacy we treasureThere’s a new sun rising, but the black rain is pouring down

Heed the growing power of the western nationsIf we don’t act quick, we will face invasionBuild the walls and the bombs, protect this landWith victory, destruction and no winning hand

Red storm risingA second fire in the skyHotter than the sun, but a cold war has begunNew sun rising, a fallout lasting 50 yearsNew dawn of history, the nuclear generation50 Years of terror, the legacy to treasure

There’s a new sun rising, paranoia, and suspicion shine

The cost of the MAD years, the dictator’s powersWe watched live of TV as freedom floweredThe people rose up to reclaim their landUnleashing hell’s arsenal into grateful hands

From the ashes of oppression a new phoenix roseConsumed with a hatred of their Western foesDistorting the teachings of a righteous manRecruiting for terror, destruction their plan

New sun risingA fire in the EastHotter than the sun, hatred burns in orphaned sonsNew sun rising, and all we do is fan the flamesNew dawn of history, a suspicious generationA whole new dawn of terror, a legacy to treasureThere’s a new sun rising but in black clouds it is enshrined

RealiTV Bites

It’s a sign of the situationA media revolution fills our livesI gotta get home from workI wanna see the latest challenge liveWill my favourite housemateMake it through the night

Welcome to RealiTVHome to the B-list and the wanna-bees

Vote nowJust push the button and make your choice

Vote now Let the nation hear your voice

It’s getting ever closer nowI can hardly bear to watchBut I have no choiceThe suspense is nearly killing meBut the democratic process must hear my voiceI owe it to the nation to make my choice

This is RealiTVYou just don’t know what you’re gonna see

Vote now‘Cause your time is running outVote nowCome on decide who leaves the house

You better move quickly now ‘cause the voting’s almost overYou have just one last chance Don’t let it slip away

It’s too lateYour time has just run outYou had your chanceAbout that there can be no doubtIt’s no use crying now It’s a sorry situationA sad reflection of the apathetic armchair nation

RealiTVIt’s the place for you and meLeave reality behindSwitch it onSwitch off your mind

All of my Life

As I look into your eyesI hope you realiseHow I feelYou’ve been there through the yearsThrough the happiness and tearsAlways by my side

If you could read the thoughts inside my mindYou’d realise, recogniseI would never want to be without youAll my lifeThrough all the shit life bringsI hope you’ll stay with meGrow old with meLet us walk this lifetime journeySide by side

No jealousy secrets or liesBehind those blue eyes there’s nothing to hideNothing to hide from meWith you there’s no pretendAlways loyal to the endAnd no need to question why

If you could read the thoughts inside my mindYou’d realise, recogniseI would never want to be without youAll my lifeSo much laughter through the yearsWe’ve taken all that they can throw at usUnshakable through this bond of trust We thrive

When I’m near youOr a thousand miles awayIt’s the thought of being with youThat gets me through the dayThe look upon your face when I walk in through that doorThis is the place to be the place for me With you forever more

If you could read the thoughts inside my mindYou’d realise, recogniseI would never want to be without youAll my lifeSo much laughter through the yearsWe’ve taken all that they can throw at usUnshakable through this bond of trust We thrive

Dreamland

A daily flight of imaginationRedefines the world we seeA constant journey for inspirationReshapes the realms of possibility

He’s living in a dreamlandA state of constant fantasyA sad prisoner of his own mindShutting out reality

Explore the riches that surround youHarness the power of your mindUse your dreams to shape the futureConnect the sights and sounds you find

Ignore the sceptics and the doubtersThey lack your vision or your driveTo make impossibly realityAnd realise your dreams will thrive

He’s living in a dreamlandA state of constant fantasyA sad prisoner of his own mindShutting out reality

Fill your life with rich new experienceRecombine what you know and learnAn endless cycle of creativityAnd realise the dreams you yearn

Don’t live your life, in dreamlandTurn your waking daydream visions, into hard realityWhat’s the point of having dreams, if you’re not gonna make them happen

Storm-chasers

Driving through the nightCaffeine fuelled heart beating, time is tightThe countless miles pass byI tell myself this time we’ve got it right

Pressure’s rising nowThe satellite feed says were right on itThe hail is pouring downThe wall cloud up ahead hides the beast inside

Out of the stillness of the nightWithout a warning the nightmare comes to townMoving across the landA trail of death and destruction in its wake

Storm-chasersHeading into the eye of the stormIt’s time to deployIt’s one last chance to finally make it rightWe’ll hit head onHeads down boys

The data’s streaming downUnlocking secrets inside the deadly shroudIt’s time to floor it nowIf we make it out in time we can win this fight

Storm-chasersFacing danger, cheating death they just mightThe innocent hopes they dependConstant pressure, endless days, sleepless nights

Storm-chasersUnlocking secrets of nature’s wrath, its a fightSo the innocent we can defendEarly warningSafe ‘till morning comes

Out of the Darkness

Take a look in the darkness,What do you seeIn the infinite emptinessA hidden power shapes our destiny

The dense remains,Of a burned out soul,Unleashed in a blinding light,From destruction the seed of life is sown

A stellar contradictionAt the heart of the galaxyCreation or destructionDark and light battle endlessly

When you look in the darknessWhat do you seeIn the endless emptinessA distant light, our destiny

Will the darknessSuck you inSlingshot don’t get caughtIt’s the comeback battleWe’ve got to win.

We hear youWe see youAll systems they are goIt’s time to start the show

The event horizonThe point of no returnInto infinity or oblivionThere’s no way home

Out of the stillness of the nightWithout a warning the nightmare comes to townMoving across the landA trail of death and destruction in its wake

Storm-chasersHeading into the eye of the stormIt’s time to deployIt’s one last chance to finally make it rightWe’ll hit head onHeads down boys

The data’s streaming downUnlocking secrets inside the deadly shroudIt’s time to floor it nowIf we make it out in time we can win this fight

Storm-chasersFacing danger, cheating death they just mightThe innocent hopes they dependConstant pressure, endless days, sleepless nights

Twisting and turningShip and body tortured constantlyWere burning, yearningPraying for an end to this Hell we scream

Body stretching, guts are wrenchingHeart is pumping fear through every veinHead exploding, hull implodingBlacking out from the endless pain.

Hurtling through the endless nightShip and body at the speed of lightCreation from destructionJourney on for humanity

Take a look in the darknessWhat do you seeEven in the desperate timesThere is always hope there has to be

The miracle of time14 billion yearsDon’t you ever give upYou’re as old as time, born in the heart of a star

What IF?

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in itAnd, which is moreYou’ll be a man My son

Rudyard Kipling 1909

If you can keep your headWhen those around are losing itYou gotta trust yourselfGot to leave the doubt behind

Through the tiredness waitDon’t listen or deal in liesDon’t give into the hatredLook to good or act to wise

It’s not just poetryIt can shape your destiny

If you can dram onBut don’t let them be your masterUse your head to plan your wayNavigate through the sea of lies

Deal well with the bad handsPlay well with the good onesDon’t be afraid to take that chanceIt might be a once in a lifetime plan you play

It’s more than poetryIt’s a personal philosophy

Toss a coinEnjoy the winningsLose it allBack to beginningBody brokenBut keep on goingDigging deepFinding the will to go on

If you believe itThe world will see itDon’t let them change your mindIf you hold on to itYou surely will do itIf you believe it to the heart of your soulIf it won’t matter, it’s only a question of time

If you walk the talkNever ever lose your virtueIf you walk with kingsDon’t lose that common touch

In the unforgiving minuteYou just have to fill itGotta run your heart outGive it all you’ve got and a little bit more

This can be a realityBut only you can make it be

If you believe itThe world will see itDon’t let them change your mindIf you hold on to itYou surely will do itIf you believe it to the heart of your soulIf it won’t matter, it’s only a question of time

If you believe itThe world will see itDon’t let them change your mindIf you hold on to itYou surely will do itIf you believe it to the heart of your soulIf it won’t matter, it’s only a question of time

Wilderness Way

Instrumental

All material in ‘Hell & Back’ by the Rubicon Project is written, arranged, performed, recorded, produced and mixed by John Park with the following exceptions:

Halloween (Lyrics by Stephen Donaldson & Alan Dunsmore)Sphinx (Lyrics by Stephen Donaldson)

The Project was Mastered by Russ Hepworth-Sawyer at Motto Sound Ltdwww.mottosound.com

Album Design & Photography: www.martinparkerphotography.co.uk

During the Rubicon Project John Park used the following;

Guitars & Basses: Fender, Gibson, Jackson, Music Man, Paul Reed Smith, Takamine & Taylor.

Guitar amplification: Line 6 and Mesa Boogie.

Guitar effects: Ibanez, Line 6 and TC Electronic.

Keyboards on Wilderness Way by Roland and Korg.

All copyright in this recording is the property of Energy Music Ltd.

Special thanks to my dearest wife Violet for accompanying me on the journey that is life, acting as executive producer for this album and keeping me in check when I went over the top with overly complex arrangements.

To Mark Jennings for encouraging me to get the ball rolling and providing the inspiration to use the poem IF.

© Copyright Energy Music Ltd

Granite Rocks

Halloween

Sphinx

New Sun Rising

RealiTV Bites

All of my Life

Dreamland

Storm-chasers

Out of the Darkness

What IF?

Wilderness Way