[INTRO, spoken / whispered, dry, close-mic]
[heartbeat kick, low toms]
We didn’t learn this…
We remembered it.
[VERSE 1, fast, clipped, aggressive]
Knuckles crack, jaw set, teeth grit
Bass hit spine, I don’t think—I twitch
No saints here, just sweat and breath
Lights strobe like a near-death test
I don’t pray, I pound
I don’t hope, I howl
Every lie they fed me dissolves in the sound
Civilized? Nah, that shit’s thin
Peel it back—there’s a beast within
Heart don’t lie, it just pounds the truth
Every kick drum breaking the roof
Fuck your rules, fuck your shame
Fuck that voice tryna keep me tame
I didn’t fall—I shed my skin
When the low end hits, I begin
[PRE-CHORUS, build, rising tension]
Hands in the dirt
Blood in the grin
If you feel it—
LET IT IN
[CHORUS, shouted, chantable, crowd-ready]
WE HAD DRUMS BEFORE GOD
WE HAD FIRE BEFORE LAW
WHEN THE BASS HITS MY CHEST
I REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE
WE HAD TEETH BEFORE NAMES
WE HAD RHYTHM BEFORE SHAME
TURN THE PAIN INTO SOUND
BEAT IT LOUD—BEAT IT LOUD
[DROP 1, instrumental notes]
[Kick = primal stomp]
[Sub = long, breathing growl]
[Vocal chops:] “DRUMS—DRUMS—DRUMS”
[No melody for first 8 bars]
[Then a dark, simple 3-note lead punches in]
[VERSE 2, faster, angrier, less structure]
No halo, no crown
Just sweat dripping down
On a floor full of sinners getting holy right now
They sold us peace in a plastic cup
I smashed that shit when the bass blew up
If God’s watching, then turn it loud
This is worship through the crowd
Bruises bloom like fucking flowers
Minutes stretch into animal hours
No future plans, no past regret
Just breath—just now—just sweat
You feel safe when the beat behaves
I feel alive when it misbehaves
I don’t need saving, I need release
Kick drum sermon, four-four preach
[BREAK, half-time, call-and-response]
Drums!
[crowd] BEFORE!
God!
[crowd] BEFORE!
Drums!
[crowd] BEFORE!
God!
[silence for half a beat]
[DROP 2, FULL RIOT]
[Everything slams back in harder]
[Add distorted chant:]
“REMEMBER—REMEMBER—REMEMBER”
[FINAL CHORUS, bigger, dirtier]
WE HAD DRUMS BEFORE GOD
WE HAD FIRE BEFORE LAW
IF YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR CHEST
THAT’S THE TRUTH—THAT’S THE CALL
NO FORGIVENESS, NO CONTROL
JUST THE RHYTHM IN YOUR BONES
WHEN THE LIGHTS FUCKING FALL
WE WERE DRUMS BEFORE GOD
[OUTRO, breath, heartbeat fading]
Still breathing.
Still human.
Still loud.
JonnyOnit