Technicolour Afterlife from Different Stories by Anubis

'Technicolour Afterlife' was written by Robbie and I back in 2005 for what became the 230503 album, intended at the time as the title track.

It was by far the most gentle song on what was already a fairly noisy and angry record, and it's subtle melancholy felt a little at odds with the direction the album was taking.

It was meant to finish the album, after 'The Collapse', but as 'Disinfected and Abused' swelled from 8 minutes to 12 minutes and on towards to 18 minutes, the space for Technicolour kind of just vanished.

The concept also felt far more abrupt, ending the album after the realisation that the protagonist's recovery and eventual reuniting with his loved ones was all just a fantasy of his still-grieving sister. A song that detailed that grief seemed to dilute the record and we cut it and stuck it in the vault. At that point, Anubis only consisted of Robbie, Steve and I. It was sidelined before Dougie, Dean or Nick Antoinette joined the band.

The album was still due to be called Technicolour Afterlife right up until a few months before it's release, when Nick had the idea to change it. The right decision, I think.

When this album came around, we had the opportunity to resurrect it and I for one think it has come out infinitely better than ever it could have in 2009 had we kept it. Rob re-arranged the lyrics so while it still ties in with his original style at the time, it has a bit more sophistication you'd come to expect from a decade of improvement at your craft.

The guitars are fairly understated on this song, as the keyboards play a greater role. Originally, there were mellotrons and what-have-you, and I played a Steve Rothery-esque solo on the end. I replaced that with a Hammond solo as it seemed appropriate for the arrangement. It's distinguished by Dean's lovely slide part and some beautiful vocals from Rob. Anton particularly connected with it and added some lovely colour that we never would have thought to. Paradoxically, it remains of it's time, but also very much belongs to today's Anubis.

The harmonies, appropriately, are Robert, Steve and I on this one.

The song, for me, was always the one most connected to my friend whose passing inspired the 230503 album. I'm writing this on the 15th anniversary of his death and it still seems - all these years later - like such a desperately sad waste of such a promising young life. Most importantly serves to remind me how privileged I am to be in a position and have a platform where I'm able to mark his memory with a piece of music that still feels, even after so long away, incredibly raw and honest. 'Technicolour Afterlife' is the last thing I had left from that period that the public had not heard, and releasing it here almost feels in a way like I'm clearing out some form of baggage. Albeit with a great deal of love and respect.

The last, lamented goodbye from a friend.

DE

Robbie - Lead Voice, 2018 Lyric
Dave - Rhodes Piano, Hammond Organ and Solo, Voice
Dougie - Acoustic 6-String Guitars
Dean - Acoustic Slide Guitar
Anton - Electric Bass
Steve - Drums, Voice

Tracklist

8.	Technicolour Afterlife	6:25

Lyrics

I played the part so well
Through every corner of hell
Every night I'm asking for sleep
Empty dreams and endless repeats

As I sing this hollow melody
I'm missing the first of me
Chest as tight as a wire
Reminiscence turns into fire

Let me go, there are many things I must see and do
A world of opportunity is there for you
A life of your creation now comes to an end
The last, lamented goodbye from a friend

Let me go, there are many things I must see and do
A world of opportunity is there for you
To alter your reality
A belief you suspend
The time has come to finally transcend

Dig deep enough, heal the wounds
No silver pendant can change this tune,
Like a mother consoling her child
With a face that no longer smiles

Was all of this just the foundation
Of a life so suddenly taken?
As silence takes it's place
Worlds apart we collide in space

Credits

from Different Stories, released May 23, 2018
Originally written by Robert James Moulding and David Eaton

This arrangement by Moulding/Eaton/Eaton/Skene/Bennison/Stewart

License