Famous Last Words released their full-length Council of the Dead in August 2014 through InVogue Records. We’re excited to bring you the exclusive track by track of the album. Check it out below!

Track By Track

“Letter To The Council”

“Letter To The Council” is the introduction song to the Council Of The Dead concept. It is a spoken word track from “The Chairman”, who is the leader of the council meeting, explaining to the council members why they are all in this mysterious group therapy meeting in the afterlife. The Chairman tells them that they are all gathered there for a reason, that they are all connected in one way or another. He tells them that they have an opportunity that most souls do not have the privilege of receiving. He explains that their memories have faded because they have just experienced the traumatic incident of death, but as they move forward and begin to tell their stories of what they do remember, everything will become clearer.

“Council Of The Dead”

“Council Of The Dead” is a continuation from “Letter To The Council”. It is the Chairman explaining why he has gathered the council members together, but more in depth. It’s a song about acceptance to their circumstances, and it explains that there are many ways to look at death.

“The Fog”

“The Fog” is the first song that tells the story behind a council member. It is from The Chairman’s point of view. The song is about a woman named Nancy who suffered from Alzheimer’s. The Chairman tells us that Nancy was lost in the fog of her own mind and was ready to move on. It shows a more positive and accepting look at death from a woman who was suffering and ready to pass on.

“Hell In The Headlights”

“Hell In The Headlights” is about a man named Eric who was the victim of a hit and run by a drunk driver. Eric tells what he remembers from his last moments. Eric and his daughter were driving home one night when they were hit. He explains to the council that he does not really care about his own fate. He is not even thinking of his own death, but about what has happened to his little girl. He just wants to know if she made it or not. The song shows how precious, not only your own life can be, but also the people you care deeply about.

“Brothers In Arms”

“Brothers In Arms” is about a soldier named Jarred who died in battle over seas. In the song, he explains to the council that he was proud to die next to his fellow soldiers. He sacrificed his own life to save countless others. It sheds a more positive light on death.

“The Killing Zone”

“The Killing Zone” is the first song of Council Of The Dead that gives us an explanation of how the characters are connected. It is about a man named Daniel who steals drugs and money from his drug dealer and ends up getting gunned down in the street for it. His brother, Jarred, recently died overseas in the war. Daniel feels that his father wishes it were him who died instead of Jarred. His best friend convinced him that stealing drugs from their drug dealer would give him some sort of “street cred” and in desperation to find self worth, he went through with it.

“Fading Memories”

“Fading Memories” is about a man, Zack, whose struggle with addiction has taken a very real toll on his life. He selfishly convinced his best friend, Daniel, to steal drugs for him, knowing that he was putting him in danger. After Daniel was killed for stealing the drugs, Zack copes with it the only way he knows how and ends up overdosing.

“Entity”

“Entity” is the interlude track to give the listener an emotional break, and to set the tone for the next track, which carries a much more positive tone.

“The Uprise”

“The Uprise” is the only song that isn’t about someone who is actually in the Council. The song is about a girl named Aisha whose village was saved by American soldiers, one of them being Jarred. The soldier’s sacrifices gave Aisha and her fellow villagers the courage and inner strength to stand up and rebel. It shows that there is good that can come from death.

“My Life Before My Eyes”

“My Life Before My Eyes” is about a man who has lost everything. Both of his sons have been taken from him, Jarred and Daniel. As he slowly fades away in the hospital, he faces his greatest fear of dying alone.

“One In The Chamber”

“One In The Chamber” is about a man, whose mother, Nancy, recently passed away. Overwhelmed with grief and hospital bills, he develops a drinking problem. One night he goes out after having too many drinks, and hits a man and his daughter, Eric. He ends up killing the man and leaving the girl to live the rest of her life without a father. Unable to deal with his guilt and grief, he takes his own life.

“The End Of The Beginning”

“The End Of The Beginning” is the last song of Council Of The Dead. After each council member tells their story, the Chairman tells them to really look at their fellow council members. As they do, they finally start to remember who they are. Friends and family members are reunited in the afterlife. The Chairman explains to them that they have a choice now. How they move forward from this point is up to them. It leaves the concept open to any religious belief and interpretation.

Purchase Council of the Dead here: iTunes | Physical