THE VITALIS CURSE

0:00] INTRO
(The sound of a match being struck. Fsshht. The inhale of smoke.)
(A voicemail recording plays, barely audible: "Hey Alex... just calling to check on you...")
(The guitar starts. It’s a sad, minor-key riff. Dissonant. Unstable.)
[0:30] VERSE 1: THE GHOST OF FEBRUARY
Yasmine’s name is etched into the skin
But the ink can’t fix the state I’m living in
Feb 3rd comes around, it’s a heavy black door
I knock on the wood, but she don’t answer no more.
I carry her ghost in the passenger seat
From Battle Creek snow to the New Bern heat
She’s watching me stumble, she’s watching me fall
Screaming "Get up, Graham!" from behind the wall.
But my legs are heavy, and the spirit is weak
I’m washing these dishes, but I can barely speak
Cracker Barrel hero, scrubbing plates for a dime
While the demons in my head are working overtime.
[1:10] CHORUS: THE ROLL CALL
(The drums kick in—a heavy, slow boom-bap beat. Vocals are layered, almost like a choir of ghosts.)
Here come the demons, pulling up a chair.
One named Grief, playing with my hair.
One named Guilt, checking on my phone.
One named Fear, saying "You’ll die alone."
I pour ‘em a drink, yeah, we toast to the mess
The "Friedghostly" brand is just a distress signal, I guess
I’m running from the silence, I’m running from the past
But these demons got stamina, man, they built to last.
[1:50] VERSE 2: THE LOVE GLITCH
Lauren’s in the north, freezing in the cold
I left her behind, or so I am told
I’m a villain in her story, a glitch in the frame
I changed my location, but I can’t change my name.
Now Alexis is here, and the vibe is so new
But am I looking for love? Or just a different view?
I’m "The Caster," I’m "The Writer," I’m the man with the plan
But deep down I’m just a scared and broken man.
I treat hearts like levels in a video game
Trying to speed-run the healing, trying to skip all the pain
But the boss fight is glitched, and the health bar is low
And I got nowhere left in this world to go.
[2:30] BRIDGE: THE MIRROR
(Music cuts out. Just the hum of the guitar amp. Raw vocals. No effects.)
I look in the mirror, what do I see?
Is it Alexander? Or is it just me?
The Tundra Protocol? That was just a defense.
Trying to build a wall that actually made sense.
But the wall is made of ice, and the south is too hot
I’m melting away in this parking lot!
I’m not a soldier! I’m not a king!
I’m just a guy waiting for the phone to ring!
(Voice cracks)
I’m just a guy waiting for the phone to ring...
[2:55] CHORUS: THE ROLL CALL
(Full volume. Drums are crashing. Guitar is wailing.)
Here come the demons, pulling up a chair!
One named Grief, playing with my hair!
One named Guilt, checking on my phone!
One named Fear, saying "You’ll die alone!"
I pour ‘em a drink, yeah, we toast to the mess
The "Friedghostly" brand is just a distress signal, I guess
I’m running from the silence, I’m running from the past
But these demons got stamina, man, they built to last!

Dark Lo-Fi Emo-Soul. Lonely, distorted electric guitar riffs over slow heartbeat drums. Raw, high-reverb vocals.