5. Orestes - A Perfect Circle

[skorgebassist]

This song is not about his mother - unless he hated her, that is! The song is about Orestes (Greek mythology) whose mother (Clytemnestra) killed his father (Agamemnon). He set out to avenge her, and the Greek storytellers (principally Homer) cite his anguish at having to kill his mother to avenge his father - hence the struggle in the lyrics in this song. That's my opinion, anyways. Such a great song, regardless.

[naomishaehedrick]

@skorgebassist said nicely lol

[TheBdweiserman]

Lost my mother after a long fight with kidney disease a couple months ago and these lyrics REALLY hit home now... Amazing the power of music and love.

[Sandtrigganigga]

@TheBdweiserman May the Almighty lord bless your mother and make her one of the dwellers of paradise. Ameen.

[AtrophicSilence]

@Sandtrigganigga Maynard would slap you for that comment.

[AJofhardrada]

man, i love you guys

[D0ST03VSKY]

Amazing song. Great soundtrack for fucking, as well.

[naomishaehedrick]

@D0ST03VSKY YES

[xXEliteSaintsXx]

Do the circle

[Mclovin171]

It took me a long time to get into Maynard's music, but I'm really glad I never gave up trying. Haha.

[you08poophead]

i called because what you put on fossil collective video and you wouldnèt talk to me. i tried once again and you fooled me. that was my last try. i love you

[zeninzionguitarist]

This song has very significant occult meaning to those who understand the words.

"Thus bind thyself and you shall forever be free" - Liber III vel jugorum

93/93/93

[BiggerCityDreamz]

@zeninzionguitarist - Hold back from sinning and be free?

[foreverjoeysgirl]

YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!

[WhiteEclips]

What's the message of this song

[Tiaaren]

@WhiteEclips I don't dare to say what Maynard wants the listener to think, but it's probably about the relation between he and his mother. Orestes was the main character of Oresteia in which he had to kill his mother avenging his father's death. He was forced to make an impossible decision which drove him crazy. Maynard was abused as a child and despised his mother for her christianity as well, but with time he began to have ambivalent emotions "don't want to feel this overwhelming hostility".

[naomishaehedrick]

@WhiteEclips its about his mom, she was paralyzed and in a coma and he had to make the choice to take her off life support or not. so he wrote this

[iiiNietzschiii]

@naomishaehedrick Thanks for the info; been listening to this song for about a year now and the fact it's about his mother make it even better.

[billbenblue]

@naomishaehedrick I don't think so. Why would he put a sympathetic song about his mother on the same album with a not so sympathetic song like "Judith"? He's essentially making fun of his mother in that one. The coupling of those two songs would be extremely fucked up (but then again, this IS Maynard we're talking about). He was an asshole to his mom before she died. It was only after she was gone that he suddenly felt bad and wrote a two-piece tribute to her with Tool.

Fucking typical.

[naomishaehedrick]

@billbenblue thats very true.

[WhiteEclips]

What's the message of this song?

[Tiaaren]

@WhiteEclips At least that is what I think. I can't fully imagine the situation he was in, but feeling Maynard's struggle and sorrow makes me appreciate what I have.

[Zellps0]

Goosebumps.

[acebandit92]

Why does what people like, no matter who makes it, or how different it is, even matter to you? Get over it and live your own life. Quit worrying about shit that doesn't even remotely matter to you

[PSCreativeGaming]

"[]" {[]} {[]} []_ 5h1t5 0n y0u

[BloodSpade1984]

just because you or I don't like Puscifer, doesn't mean it's bad... you might call it experimental, I happen to like APC more than TooL, some people would say that's blasphemous, but it isn't, it's all a matter of preference.... and there are a lot of Maynard "cock riders" but that doesn't take away from his genius (and his genius is huge, I've seen it)

[darkmagician1944]

@BloodSpade1984 I'd been listening to Tool for quite some time before i even considered listening to APC. Since listening to APC i also prefer them to Tool... But i'm not a fan of Puscifer either. It is just a matter of preference and opinion, it annoys me when Maynard dick riders immediately love everything he produces, even if it totally different to his last release.

[thisismyusername617]

@darkmagician1944 So I guess that makes me a 'cock rider'. I don't like all his music because 'OMG IT'S LIKE, MAYNARD'S MUSIC!'. I've listened to each one of his songs, and the instrumentals and his voice mix so fucking beautifully, it just leaves me breathless each time. (Don't get me wrong, I love Maynard, total fan girl). I like the fact it is different each time, he keeps his music from being all the same.

[ELeeHamm]

@darkmagician1944 First of all, if liking everything he produces makes me a dick rider, then I'm proud to be one. Second, maybe that's also a sign that 1) he's an amazing talent and 2) we like variety when it comes to our music. Granted I like some of his stuff more than others, but his style just fits me. I'm an eclectic person, and my taste in music reflects that. It awesome to find an artist who's the same way.

BTW - I hate the term 'fangirl' with a passion.

[loloolololololol]

@ELeeHamm wow that just totally blew my mind. yo uare out there girl, in the ether

[thatbastardson]

@ELeeHamm lol dick rider

[PSCreativeGaming]

@mwyngaert86 i realized that to. Manyards cock riders automatically love everything he makes even the bad stuff (puscifer) and they over analyze everything.

[mwyngaert86]

maynard would ignore your existence.... life feeds on life feeds on life feeds on life feeds on life

[mwyngaert86]

i enjoy apc but 95% of fan base a bunch of gay ass pussies, thats right gay, ass, and pussies all in same sentence.... fuck yourself

[verbalswordsman]

@mwyngaert86 I listen to Immortal Technique, Lowkey, Canibus and Vinnie Paz. I don't know how I got here... Something about the pineal gland. ;)

[SinisterMorales]

I think that for every really good song there's an angel that gets it wings. And for every perfect circle there a perfect song behind it for us to fly like demons.

[PSCreativeGaming]

@AceKid247 why wouldnt they play judith?

[scaranogaryj]

metaphor...for a mystic moment...

[mandalena119]

maynard has the most beautiful voice... <3

[whatevzgurl]

i just wish these guys would make music together again...here`s to wishful thinking

[AceKid247]

@whatevzgurl Haha, they had a reunion tour last year. saw them in San Antonio, TX. Was amazing. They didn't play Judith though. I understand why.

[krazy4samwalker]

um the embed code is wrong it keeps playin outsider

[TheKittenish]

Doesn't matter the genre, tone, or feeling of the song, Maynard kicks ass.

[scaranogaryj]

i love this song...

[TheJhon6969]

Fuck you I am a potato!

[KINGBEASTBLOOD]

Such a Solid Song To Bone Too.

[neworder36]

one shape? i thought it was "one shame"?

[PSCreativeGaming]

"[]" {[]} {[]} []_ 15 b3tt3r

[you08poophead]

@PSCreativeGaming I think they're both equally genius in different aspects :) Tool is badass <3

[yukiruogawa]

Maynard in APC is God......! <3

Jesse Lacey in Brand New is Jesus! o-o

who is Satan...? D:

[renegatess]

don't comment if you don't like this song. Everyone has there own taste of music. Go listen to Lady GaGa.

[SadCarnage1224]

@renegatess o.o

[celticthorn87]

58 people couldn't cut away

[repomayne]

maynard!! your song IS!! my medicated peaceful moment.

[vampirexion]

That awkward moment when you have to search for the negative comment to bitch out..

[matticusmusic]

The people who disliked this obviously like Justin Bieber so thats okay.

[opioadomicilio]

VIOLENTO ESTE GRUPO DE LO MEJOR

[JiveAssTurkeys]

ya go kill your self

[creativewriter1000]

@JiveAssTurkeys

What the hell? never say that

[Newproducersradio]

wow.... 2000... 12 years ago.. this song really got me through a lot of adolescence lol

[333HappyGOLucky]

This song makes me wanna cry it's so beautiful :,)

[jimmyskrunkvodka]

name of band came from this song...i know it's obvious..but still

[DIRTYYETTI]

I used to listen to this track and play fatal frame 2

[DamienTepesBlack]

A good song nothing short of perfection :)

[smith55s]

Love Maynard

[ClapY0HaNds]

Wow, this song fits my life perfectly.

[tjbayliss]

Can't believe I forgot about this album

Judith, 3 Libras, Magdalena, Orestes = Perfection.

[Angelkillsdevils]

This song is hypnotically beautiful <3

[tevaiscool]

this is really good.

[ToadsMGodes]

@tevaiscool as good as your grandmas lasagna?

[EllieLove21]

One more medicated peaceful moment............... ahhhh...

[Arthasdark666]

This one made me cry, the thing about his mother and all he lived.. Maynard is my greatest inspiration of all!

[Abby67Impala]

Only just getting into this band but I love it so far!

[KickinShadows]

the album to end all albums : Mer De Noms

[MaynardJamesKeenanJr]

Mer de noms should be voted as one of the best albums of the decade!

[IamLincolnLand1]

@MaynardJamesKeenanJr Your names pretty gay. MJK doesnt even write all the music for apc. Its a collaberation of all the members. Even Tool, they all agree on the ;yrics and talk about it. Dont forgot that maynard is just one instrument in a quadtuplet. And yeah i coinsider a voice, an instrument

[you08poophead]

And I don't wanna feel this overwhelming hostility

[N8009]

why are they're so many awful cunts on youtube comments?

[GenevaMode]

@N8009

Would it be so bad if people didn't feel the need to comment on the negativity, and thus contribute to it?

[N8009]

@GenevaMode Thank you very much for your constructive feedback. I think you have a very valid point, and hope you have a wonderful day GenevaMode. :)

[ToadsMGodes]

@N8009 this is the world we live in.. lol

[N8009]

@ToadsMGodes yeah. I wouldnt be so AHHHHH C-WORDS!!!! if the whole world/internet was like youtube comments though. i mean, of course not everyone's trolling, but it seems to happen enough.

[ToadsMGodes]

@N8009 I gotta tell ya, I had a steak and baked potato for lunch and now Ive got gas blasting out of my butthole with a rippling effect.

[N8009]

@ToadsMGodes well, there ya go.

[shelleynes]

I believe I read that this song is about when he had to remove his mother from life support. listen to it from that perspective and you see it is a great expression of the emotion he had with this.

[hunny2224]

I love that one of the lyrics is "perfect circle"

[Sp0oN27]

I got major chills when I heard, "I can almost hear you scream".

[SculptedThoughts]

@Sp0oN27 Turns me on.

[cannibal4cannabis]

sometimes i think i like this song more than smoking weed

[mrode001]

For some reason i've listened to this album, particularly this song, every Christmas Eve for the last 10 years, or however longs its been.

For me, Orestes hits a certain nerve thats dead center between dark & light.

"I don't want to feel this overwhelming hostility"

[Chinomareno]

@mrode001

It's heavily decided by our own bias, the music is good at being a Rorschach test. I think most people love it(myself included) because they can read their own significance into it.

[EyeOnTheTV]

Great song. Takes me back to my quasi-emo days as a teenager. No seriously, this got me through difficult times.

[zion2train]

let the songs mean whatever they make you feel when you hear them

[dteach08]

I cashed in my v-card to this song. Good times!

[dylanaholcomb]

@dteach08 at least yours was kind of sexy i "cashed mine in" to clutch elephant riders lmao

and no she wasn't "that" big

[jawsrs]

I wonder if you can wear A Perfect Circle shirts in school?

[XxAlmsivixX]

@jawsrs why wouldn't you? I do, so why not you? :P

[RISEoftheFALLE]

@TheWideLoad37 Agreed.

[kevinb138]

a perfect circles better then tool

[Jerdemy]

This is exactly why I dislike fellow Maynard fans. They think they know everything, just shut up and listen to the music. Nobody cares what your interpretation of the song is.

[troycm89]

@Jerdemy People don't realize that the best part about Maynard's work is that it's just him expressing himself. He expresses himself in music that is widely distributed so as to influence others, make them feel good, and expose them to an abstract aspect of music that they may otherwise have overlooked. Same goes for all the other members of Tool and A Perfect Circle and what they aim to achieve. It's called being a musician.

[zion2train]

@Jerdemy agreed good sir

[Bbassist101]

I thought this song was about his mother who was paralyzed for years and then had to be taken off life support

[amarendra420]

@Bbassist101 I believe your looking for "Judith" it's on the same album.

[YummyBaer]

My second favorite of APC. The first one being 3 Libras

[pipugwesajig]

i hope this comment gets into the top commets and i have a feeling it will...

TESTICLES 

[DeacesoiX]

watch?v=K6pCrYJkj0o

[shadowwalk17]

Give me, One more medicated peaceful moment...

[AnnaxBear]

Very metaphorical. (hence the song title being Orestes) And very deep. Definitely on my top five favourite songs by A Perfect Circle.

[allthree88]

the real brilliance of Maynard:

To get every single person who has ever listened to his story to walk away knowing more than when they started. The real glory and mesmerizing heroism of his music is the fact that whether or not you have come close to even trying to live his life, you feel the pain, torture, pleasure,misery, pride, sarcasm, strength and utter fucking unsettling peace that comes from having the pleasure of being able to say that you heard something so righteous.

[zion2train]

my favorite song by a perfect circle

[KadruH]

@GhostOfTomJones1 fuck god. maynard bless all of you.

[BoosieBoosieBoosie]

@KadruH Maynard would hate you for saying that

[thisnameisuniq]

this is my favorite apc song

[whatislovedonthurtme]

third time playing this song. it's hard to separate myself from the umbilical cord.

[Sp0oN27]

This song gave me chills. Nicely done APC

[Phummuph]

@fireflydemigod Sorry to hear that friend

[Steezums2]

Most beautiful song I have ever heard

[Liamandrewmusic]

Hey peeps! Hate doin this, but surroundins are forcin me to! And since it's the only way to get heard.. Just poppin by my fave bands and throwin this up, I just finished my debut demo. Inspired by Maynard greatly and thats why I feel no shame, think he'd let me! If anyone want's to then feel free to pop by and give a listen, throw a comment or PM about what ya think and spread it around. 1 view in denmark is like scoring 1000 elsewhere. So every little helps! Take care, Much love! - Liam Andrew

[aquariusIII34]

ssssssoooooooooo soothing and self absorbing music 4 me 2 listen 2

[neonblackd]

Ehm.. This song is based on Greek culture, a tragedy by Sofocles about Orestes, a son that wants to kill his mother. The name of the book is Electra.

[TheBdweiserman]

@neonblackd Also ties into his mother in the hospital...

[elcake]

Billy howerdel wrote this when he was in high school, maynard just put the finishing touches on it. Give credit where its due.

[tool4132]

@elcake That's what I like about Ashes Divide. All Howerdel. I love Maynard and it's not a slam on him at all, but listening to Ashes you really get to hear how much of APC is Billy. It's a shame that he gets overshadowed. He's just as talented as Maynard.

[pipugwesajig]

@prettyboy629 Sea of Surnames

[prettyboy629]

What does MER DE NOMS mean?

[p3w0]

@prettyboy629 Sea of Names, if i recall correctly

[BloodMusicTrinity]

APC came in my city last summer. I really REALLY wanted to go... But my friends ditch and i had no way to go, I was so upset... I don't even know when they'll be coming back, who knows if they even will... fml ):

[mario1136]

@BloodMusicTrinity I feel your pain. I missed the Metallica show in my city >_>

[BloodMusicTrinity]

@mario1136 Yeah that sucks.. I'd die to go see Metallica even though im not a huge fan.. I'd go just to tell everyone that I went ahah

[mario1136]

@BloodMusicTrinity Haha, I'm a huge fan of them. I have every single CD by them

[TheMegMegs95]

@BloodMusicTrinity i feel your pain. i told my dad about APC comming to Denver, he promised we would go, but we never did. lets just say i was upset...they are my favorite band. Shit happens i guess.

[ZeldaWolfen]

I understand fully the lyrics of this song.. and their others that are about addiction. At least I know I wasn't the only one, am not the only one, and won't be the only one to experience the grasping claws that drag you back in again.

[autumnheartattack]

The brilliance of Maynard:

Orestes, in Greek mythology, was a man who killed his mother because she had murdered his father...who had killed Orestes' sister. He is caught in this cycle of destruction... "cut away, clear away, snip away and this umbilical residue that's keeping me from killing you..."

A perfect circle of death, destruction, release, judgement...

[Bio69]

@autumnheartattack That's the brilliance of Greek mythology, not Maynard dear.

[scribbletits]

@Bio69 when you end a sentence with dear you sound like a dick...just saying.

[Tyrt8]

@Bio69 Right... but Maynard took a Greek myth, and composed a song surrounding said myth. That takes ingenuity and brilliance. Also ending your sentence with "dear" makes you sound like a condescending douche hat, instead of classy.

[ThisGuyThe52nd]

@Bio69 But it is Maynard that uses this story to convey a meaning on a deeper level

[WrathWithin619]

@Bio69 Its the fact that Maynard wrote lyrics about Greek mythology. That's what makes him brilliant.

[BenjaminKuruga]

@WrathWithin619 Many people have written songs based on mythology! Actually many movies have been based on it too! cool huh :3

[BiggerCityDreamz]

@Bio69 - So, if someone writes a song about how fucking delicious Chik-fil-A is, does that make Chik-fil-A brilliant, or the writer?

[SomeSaySo]

@BiggerCityDreamz In your particular example I'd have to say Chik-fil-A AND the writer..... mmmm .......chicken nuggets..... btw Bio69 is an idiot.

[creativewriter1000]

@BiggerCityDreamz

That would be the Chik-fil-A... lol

[berkzorlu]

@BiggerCityDreamz the singer.

[Meestarcheez]

@BiggerCityDreamz chik fil a is fucking orgasmic

[jimmyaka]

@Bio69 He means Maynards lyrical interpretation and adaption of the Greek Myth, which is an astounding example of literary brilliance in this case.

[InTOOLweTrust]

@Bio69 Easy Bz,cause Autums comment is clearly Directed at Maynard's Genius. the brilliance in forming that piece of Greek Mythology Into this Spiritual & Emotional Meditative Realizations,<--(plural,yes) this Brilliance in lyrical Insight & habitual vocal Talent Maynard continues to bring to the table In his work is Relentless.Maynard Keep On Sharing your struggles an experiences with us.Bio get over yourself. I can talk cute 2you2 to negate your comment,wht abt your wide hips,?...Oops.

[N8009]

@Bio69 come on, really? maynard's pretty lyrically inclined. they mentioned his lyrics.

[jimmyskrunkvodka]

@Bio69 yes, but he pulls us along...

[MommyBird10]

@Bio69 there is NONE higher than MAYNARD.....MAYNARD IS GOD



[viczam9]

@autumnheartattack - It is my favorite song from the album. A great work.

[zion2train]

@autumnheartattack i ltruly love the fct that u posted that, where did u learn this by the way?

[ToadsMGodes]

@autumnheartattack Your comment made my nipples hard.

[23house23]

@autumnheartattack

Fuck off faggot.

[bongcouver]

@23house23 SMILE ! You're an idiot.

[heatherlynn135]

@TheDylon424 i agree those are my favorites by APC too

[heatherlynn135]

it is based on the Greek tragedies. Orestes' mother killed his father Agamemnon, and Orestes kills his mother to avenge his death. afterwards he is totured by the furies until he has a trial and is aquitted

[FainthRaven]

Orestes was Electras brother... this song is a perfect reference to the electra myth.

Or am I the only one hearing and seeing the obvious hints to the Electra complex?

[sr52712]

i used to want to meet maynard.  but i tell you, if you fee, about maynard,l anything remotely close to the way i feel about maynard. It'll only a big letdown. of course only after you nut yourself.

[HuGoBp20]

LA CANCION MAS PERFECTA QUE HE ESCUCHADO JAMAS

[cenzo188]

This is one BOSS song. Amazing.

[thatbastardson]

mythical gods..... BAH!

[disintergrationx]

I wonder if this has any relation to the Greek Mythological character Orestes. Really short version: He killed his mother for killing his father.

[impiousLion]

Reminds me of Alcest, just a little. :T

[monster1985king]

Maynard may have been talking about his mom but anyone can appy this song to what they are going through. It sure is helping me right now. I gotta cut away this residue.

[monster1985king]

This song heals me

[R5dizzle]

my top most fav song by apc so far,besides the hollow ofc