The United Dictators Of Mars - SONG

Comatose

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Music: Hensley, Words: Harris

If you listen very close you can hear the echoes low. Sensors vibrating sending cold chills up your spine. Are you in a trance? Will you ever live a life inside the norm? Will you never conform?

Look to the sky and let your spirit flow.
Let good feelings come your way and always let them show. If you don't make a stand you'll die by your own hand. This rage inside your helpless mind, dramatic in it's find.

Always seeking in your mind. Searching for a peaceful place. Standing in the shadows of your past. If you're asking forgiveness, make a stronger bond in thought. Let your mind at ease. Feel your floating soul.

Leave this world behind.
You've got to take the control in your mind.

Comatose predates me joining Harbinger. It was recordrd during sessions the band had in 1990 and I'm not sure why we chose to record it again. Not that I was against it, I just don't remember why. Todd did a great Job writing it and Billy does a nice job not overplaying but still being able to add his bass signature. I think Todd had told me he helped him structure the bass but I'm not 100% sure. As for this recording Jeff was at the helm and he captured a really clean recording but he was also self producing and his performance probably suffered without someone pushing him a bit. I'm not sure what he thinks but it's one of my least favorite of his recorded performances. Though he let's loose with conviction coming out of Todd's solo. And speaking of solo's, Todd graciously allowed me a solo (at my suggestion) coming out of the first chorus. Jeff calls it one of my tastiest but despite it being simple and melodic, I was never comfortable playing it. It was the type of solo that required the perfect sound or I just couldn't do it and I struggled with it live. I remember doing a ton of takes and then telling Jeff to give me a longer delay because I just wasn't hearing it right. He did not aggree and felt it would get drowned out but he indulged me and I nailed the solo- he obviously liked the results. Todd's solo that ended up on tape was among his top 2 solos in my opinion (the other being Only Fools on Harbinger "the Inevitable"). Todd didn't write his solos in advance though he may work on a starting structure. He tended to do alot of takes and got frustrated easlity. We never punched his in and with some prodding and support the right take would come and we all knew it when he nailed it. Jeff added the keys section for some depth- nice touch!

Wow! This song goes back to before I even came into the picture with a band later to be named Lynx. The band consisted of Andy James-Drums, Todd Hensley-Guitar, Chad Darrah-Guitar and good ol' Billy Rock-n-Roll. And then I was in the band and was able to write Comatose to Todd's masterpiece. We recorded it once in the first version of Harbinger without Tom in the picture and obviously again here on this work. It was the last song we recorded on this work in that cold closet of our rehearsal space which used to be the old school in Smyrna NY. The conditions sucked! Singing this song really requires a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit or better. 40 degrees didn't cut it. I am unsure of what Tom hears in this performance, but I am pleased with how it turned out as I listen to it for the first time in over a decade. As far as what the song is about, I prefer to let the audience interpret for themselves. Todd's clean guitar is very tasteful. Then it kicks into a powerful chord progression which makes it the power ballad that it is. Tom's solo comes in with taste and I love his trademark harmonics at the end of it which follow my vocal lines. Billy and Brian really do a very nice job of holding down the rhythm section. It is my opinion that this is the best solo that Todd has ever recorded. He tore up the fret board with taste. I think I played the keys on this which isn't listed in the credits as is the case for Tom in No Shadow on the Harbinger (2) CD. Not that I am fussed about it or anything. I just thought I would give mention. It seemed somewhat obscure to play them and sing live and be the front man at the same time. There were no keys in the chorus sections which made it easy for me to yank the mic from the stand and come out front which is where my comfort level is best. I have always liked this song and everything about it. It is greatness... in my book.

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