(A lone, distorted guitar riff starts, raw and heavy, then a thunderous drum beat kicks in) (Verse 1) Woke up in the same cold sweat, same cracked mirror stare That familiar ghost on my shoulder, whispering, "I'm right here." Said I'd bury you a thousand times, threw dirt on your name But you're a zombie from the graveyard, rising from the flame. Another promise I can't keep, another sunrise full of shame A hollow victory, another loss in this dirty game. You're the shadow in the corner, the itch beneath my skin A poison in the water, a battle I can't win. (Chorus - a huge, anthemic rock sound, with the rapper's voice layered over the vocals) This is a war cry, hear the battle drum The last stand of a soldier, before my mind goes numb. I'm ripping out the wires, cutting every line This is my declaration, this life is truly mine! Screaming at the monster, staring it right down Gonna burn the kingdom and tear down the crown! (Verse 2 - the beat shifts to a grimy, head-nodding rap beat with the rock elements still present underneath) Yo, you see the scars on my knuckles from punchin' through the drywall? That ain't rage, that's a prayer, tryin' to make my own call. You're a loan shark in my mind, collectin' on a debt Every minute I'm awake, I'm payin' with regret. But I'm a brawler, I'm a beast, and I'm tired of your chains Used to think you were a comfort, but you're just acid rain. You're a slick salesman, a venomous snake, Selling me a lie, tellin' me it's what it takes. You're the echo in the silence, the ghost in the machine But I'm finally seeing clearly, this ain't a fantasy scene. (Chorus - the rock elements are even more pronounced, with a screaming guitar solo cutting through) This is a war cry, hear the battle drum The last stand of a soldier, before my mind goes numb. I'm ripping out the wires, cutting every line This is my declaration, this life is truly mine! Screaming at the monster, staring it right down Gonna burn the kingdom and tear down the crown! (Bridge - the music mellows a bit, more melodic and somber) Yeah, they say you're a disease, a monkey on your back But you're a thief, you're a thief, on a single-minded track. You stole my friends, you stole my love, you stole the years I had Left me with a hollow soul, and a mind that's gone mad. But not today, not tonight, not ever again, no way. I'm grabbing the sun and pushing away the gray. (Guitar solo - raw, emotional, full of feedback and bends, building tension) (Outro - a final, powerful chorus with ad-libs, then the music cuts out abruptly with a single, ringing feedback note) This is a war cry! I'm taking it back! Tearing it down! I'm screaming at the monster! And I'm winning this fight! Yeah!
