Louder Than The Damage

[INTRO]

(distant crowd noise)
(feedback swell)
(palm-muted guitars fade in)
(snare buildup)

I’ve been smiling through the static
like I’m fine, like I’m whole
But every breath feels borrowed
and I’m choking on control

⸻

[VERSE 1 – CLEAN]

(tight drums, muted guitars)

I’m the one who never breaks
the shoulder everyone leans on
I swallow words like razor blades
just to keep the peace going

I carry weight they never see
hold my tongue till it bleeds
If strength is just pretending
then I’m tired of being me

⸻

[PRE-CHORUS – CLEAN → GRIT]

(drums open up)
(guitars widen)

I held it in
I played my part
But pressure cracks the strongest hearts

⸻

[CHORUS – ANTHEMIC CLEAN]

(full band hits)
(open chords)

This is me giving up
(on being quiet)
I’m done shrinking just to fit your silence
If I burn, I burn loud
let the world hear the sound
You don’t get to miss me now

⸻

[POST-CHORUS CHANT]

(gang vocals)

Burn loud
Burn loud

⸻

[VERSE 2 – CLEAN WITH EDGE]

(rhythm guitars bounce)

They only call when I’m breaking
only care when it’s loud
Funny how love shows up late
when the damage is done now

I was there when it was heavy
when no one else stayed around
So don’t cry when I let go
you should’ve listened back then

⸻

[PRE-BREAKDOWN]

(everything drops out except kick)

I kept my mouth shut for too long…

⸻

[BREAKDOWN – SCREAMS]

(drop-tuned guitars slam in)
(half-time drums)

I’M TIRED OF BEING THE STRONG ONE
CARRYING YOUR DEAD WEIGHT
I SET MYSELF ON FIRE
JUST TO FEEL SOMETHING CHANGE

IF I BURN — I BURN LOUD
NO APOLOGY NOW
YOU DON’T GET TO MISS ME
YOU SHOULD’VE HEARD ME THEN

⸻

[CHORUS – FINAL (CLEAN + SCREAMS)]

(clean lead with screamed backing)
(choir-style gang vocals)

This is me giving up
(on being quiet)
I won’t bleed in silence just to keep you smiling
If I burn, I burn loud
let the truth hit the crowd
You don’t get to miss me now

⸻

[OUTRO]

(instruments cut)
(reverb tail)

(spoken, calm)
I didn’t lose control…
I finally let it go.

(final distorted hit)

Anthemic Metalcore, Modern Alt-Metal, Post-Hardcore, Heavy Rock, male