A Small Price to Pay

Aristocratic cinematic progressive math metal, 110 BPM; angular 7/8 verses resolve into a weighty melodic 4/4 chorus, One cultivated mature Southern English male mid-low baritone, precise diction, controlled melodic authority, understated disdain, Low-tuned syncopated guitars, independent distorted fretless-bass counterlines, tight live drums, industrial ticking, sparse piano and harpsichord, restrained orchestral horror accents, Recurring three-note instrumental motif, Civil conversational verses, ominously elegant choruses, Brief instrumental passage before a near-bare bridge of ticking, piano and exposed voice; controlled heavy final chorus, End with a dismissive sung command over sparse bass and ticking, followed by an abrupt unresolved stop, Polished, tense and calculating, Single vocalist throughout, ‑Duet, ‑additional lead singers, ‑voice switching, ‑character impersonations, ‑female vocals, ‑choir, ‑crowd chants, ‑gang vocals, ‑spoken intro, ‑constant screaming, ‑death growls, ‑cartoon villain laughter, ‑comedic delivery, ‑power-metal falsetto

[Verse 1 — Solo Male Vocal]
You needn’t look so pleased to see me.
I won’t be staying long.
We managed something rather useful,
Though we scarcely got along.
Your family stands beside you.
Your home is standing too.
You may dislike my methods.
They proved of use to you.
[Pre-Chorus — Solo Male Vocal]
I haven’t come for gratitude.
We both know what you’d say.
There’s just the little matter
Of the price you’ve yet to pay.
[Chorus — Solo Male Vocal]
A small price to pay,
The shell she left behind.
You keep the life that came from it.
The rest, we agreed, is mine.
No blood upon the table,
No loved one led away.
Considering the alternative,
A small price to pay.
[Verse 2 — Solo Male Vocal]
Akida, keep your distance,
If that makes you feel secure.
I’ve no intention of repeating
What you’ve suffered through before.
The shell has served its purpose.
You’re standing here, alive.
I’ll take it all, each broken section,
Not what it held inside.
[Pre-Chorus — Solo Male Vocal]
You’ve every right to hate me.
It doesn’t change the terms.
An obligation doesn’t end
Because the debtor squirms.
[Chorus — Solo Male Vocal]
A small price to pay,
The shell she left behind.
You keep the life that came from it.
The rest, we agreed, is mine.
No blood upon the table,
No loved one led away.
Considering the alternative,
A small price to pay.
[Verse 3 — Solo Male Vocal]
And these must be your children.
There’s a likeness in the eyes.
A rather curious inheritance,
If I may say, a fine surprise.
You turn them toward their guardian.
He ushers them away.
I only wished to compliment them.
Must you hurry them away?
[Instrumental Break — Three-Note Motif]
[Bridge — Solo Male Vocal, Quiet and Controlled]
Come now, there’s no need for alarm.
I haven’t asked to touch them.
You watch as though an outstretched hand
Would give me leave to snatch them.
Keep your children. Keep your distance.
Keep whatever helps you sleep.
I came for what you promised.
That’s the promise you must keep.
[Final Chorus — Solo Male Vocal, Measured Authority]
A small price to pay,
The shell is mine to claim.
Your private doubts about my work
Do not amend our aim.
You needn’t offer friendship.
We settled on a trade.
I’ve honoured my commitment.
Now see that I am paid.
[Outro — Solo Male Vocal, Dismissive]
Have the help load it up.
Mind the edges. Pack it tight.
Every section, every splinter.
I expect the lot tonight.

2391/7500

[Verse 1 — Solo Male Vocal] You needn’t look so pleased to see me. I won’t be staying long. We managed something rather useful, Though we scarcely got along. Your family stands beside you. Your home is standing too. You may dislike my methods. They proved of use to you. [Pre-Chorus — Solo Male Vocal] I haven’t come for gratitude. We both know what you’d say. There’s just the little matter Of the price you’ve yet to pay. [Chorus — Solo Male Vocal] A small price to pay, The shell she left behind. You keep the life that came from it. The rest, we agreed, is mine. No blood upon the table, No loved one led away. Considering the alternative, A small price to pay. [Verse 2 — Solo Male Vocal] Akida, keep your distance, If that makes you feel secure. I’ve no intention of repeating What you’ve suffered through before. The shell has served its purpose. You’re standing here, alive. I’ll take it all, each broken section, Not what it held inside. [Pre-Chorus — Solo Male Vocal] You’ve every right to hate me. It doesn’t change the terms. An obligation doesn’t end Because the debtor squirms. [Chorus — Solo Male Vocal] A small price to pay, The shell she left behind. You keep the life that came from it. The rest, we agreed, is mine. No blood upon the table, No loved one led away. Considering the alternative, A small price to pay. [Verse 3 — Solo Male Vocal] And these must be your children. There’s a likeness in the eyes. A rather curious inheritance, If I may say, a fine surprise. You turn them toward their guardian. He ushers them away. I only wished to compliment them. Must you hurry them away? [Instrumental Break — Three-Note Motif] [Bridge — Solo Male Vocal, Quiet and Controlled] Come now, there’s no need for alarm. I haven’t asked to touch them. You watch as though an outstretched hand Would give me leave to snatch them. Keep your children. Keep your distance. Keep whatever helps you sleep. I came for what you promised. That’s the promise you must keep. [Final Chorus — Solo Male Vocal, Measured Authority] A small price to pay, The shell is mine to claim. Your private doubts about my work Do not amend our aim. You needn’t offer friendship. We settled on a trade. I’ve honoured my commitment. Now see that I am paid. [Outro — Solo Male Vocal, Dismissive] Have the help load it up. Mind the edges. Pack it tight. Every section, every splinter. I expect the lot tonight.

0/500