Ones Who Took by Velvet Skies

Velvet Skies' Ones Who Took is a raw, powerful ballad that demands attention. From the first verse, the listener is thrust into a dark, oppressive world where silence becomes both a weapon and a shield. The lyrics are poignant and haunting, filled with imagery of exploitation, betrayal, and the irreparable damage inflicted upon the vulnerable.

The opening lines set a somber tone: "In rooms where light never dares to enter, / Deals are made in silence, unspoken," immediately evoking a sense of shadowy, clandestine actions. The imagery of young lives being traded like currency, their futures erased, paints a picture of innocence lost. This is not just a song, but a call to action—a stark reminder of the atrocities that often go unnoticed or deliberately ignored by society.

The repeated refrain, "Took the young, drowned their flame, / Hiding behind walls, unseen, untouched," creates an emotional impact that grows stronger with each iteration. It speaks to the perpetrators' arrogance and detachment, contrasting sharply with the relentless pain and suffering they leave behind. The line "Power in their hands, while lives are crushed" is a chilling commentary on the way power is often wielded without empathy or consequence.

Samuel E. Burns' lyricism is sharp, evocative, and unforgiving. Each verse builds upon the last, layering a sense of urgency and defiance. The anthem-like "We won’t forget. We won’t stay quiet." serves as a rallying cry for those who have been silenced and oppressed. The idea of truth being buried but never truly hidden is a powerful motif that runs through the song, resonating with a deep sense of justice.

In the later verses, the song takes on an almost prophetic tone. The call for a reckoning—“A reckoning is coming. It will find them all.”—is both a warning and a promise. There’s an undeniable tension between the dark, oppressive atmosphere and the hope for justice. The line "We rise, and we won’t forget" becomes not just a declaration but a testament to resilience.

The song’s structure, with its repeating chorus, builds a sense of catharsis, as if the sheer repetition of the pain and injustice will eventually force a reckoning. The final lines, “As the truth is told, / It will set us free. / It will let us heal,” feel like the song’s ultimate message: healing is possible, but only through the acknowledgement of the truth.

Ones Who Took is an unapologetic anthem for the voiceless and a searing indictment of those who exploit power for their gain. Velvet Skyies and Samuel E. Burns have crafted something that isn’t just a song—it’s a powerful statement on the importance of remembering, confronting, and fighting back against those who wrong us. It is an unflinching look at the darkness in the world, but ultimately, a reminder that the light will find its way through.

This track is not for the faint-hearted, but for anyone who believes in the power of truth and justice, Ones Who Took is a must-listen.