Snake in the Grass

SNAKE IN THE GRASS CHAOS SAINTS [INTRO — INSTRUMENTAL ONLY — 8 BARS] [Low detuned guitar scrapes, mechanical percussion] [Thick distorted bass introduces signature riff] [Drop-B guitars enter with syncopated stop-start groove] [Live drums slam into a heavy bouncing rhythm] [One-beat silence before Verse 1] [NO VOCALS, WHISPERS OR VOCAL SAMPLES] [VERSE 1 — LOW MALE VOCAL, COLD AND RHYTHMIC] You shook my hand with a loaded smile Said you'd walk beside me every mile Had my back, that's what you said While you counted every step ahead [GUITARS PUNCTUATE EACH LINE] You knew the names, you knew the game Knew just where to place the blame Never raised your voice or showed your teeth Just kept your knife where I couldn't see [PRE-CHORUS — GROWING AGGRESSION] You don't need a gun to take a shot Don't need a match to burn the lot Some folks lie, some folks steal Some shake your hand while they turn the wheel [DRUM FILL — COMPLETE BAND STOP] [CHORUS — HUGE SHOUTED MELODIC MALE LEAD] SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I HEAR YOU MOVING! SMILE IN MY FACE! WHILE THE KNIFE GOES THROUGH ME! SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I KNOW YOUR KIND! SAY YOU GOT MY BACK WHILE YOU'RE WORKING BEHIND! [POST-CHORUS — HALF-TIME, GANG-SHOUTED MALE BACKING] Keep your friends close Keep your enemies in sight It's the ones that call you brother That'll cut you in the night [INSTRUMENTAL — 8 BARS] [Signature drop-B guitar riff, grinding bass] [Short squealing harmonic answers each riff] [VERSE 2 — DEEP MALE VOCAL, RESTRAINED FURY] You played the part, you wore the face Took your seat and knew your place Passed the word when I wasn't there Then acted shocked when it filled the air [DRUMS BUILD WITH TRIBAL TOMS] Every favor came with strings Every promise had hidden things You didn't stab me in the street You pulled the ground from under my feet [PRE-CHORUS — RISING VOCAL INTENSITY] You don't need a gun to take a shot Don't need a match to burn the lot Some folks lie, some folks steal Some shake your hand while they turn the wheel [CHORUS — FULL BAND, CRUSHING GROOVE] SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I HEAR YOU MOVING! SMILE IN MY FACE! WHILE THE KNIFE GOES THROUGH ME! SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I KNOW YOUR KIND! SAY YOU GOT MY BACK WHILE YOU'RE WORKING BEHIND! [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK — 12 BARS] [Twisted dissonant guitar lead over rolling bass] [Pinch harmonics, warped bends, pounding drums] [NO VOCALS] [BRIDGE — STRIPPED BACK, LOW THREATENING MALE VOICE] Funny how the truth comes out When the room gets quiet Funny how the loudest loyalty Never seems to buy it [BASS AND KICK ONLY] I don't need revenge I don't need a scene I just know exactly What your friendship means [BREAKDOWN — MASSIVE HALF-TIME DROP-B GROOVE] [Each vocal line lands between crushing guitar hits] I saw the tracks I heard the sound I watched you smile While you dragged me down [MALE VOCAL BECOMES HARSHER] No more favors No more trust I know what crawls Beneath the dust [INSTRUMENTAL — 8 BARS] [Mechanical rhythmic guitar stabs] [Huge bass and kick, syncopated silence] [Snare build and squealing feedback] [COMPLETE SILENCE — ONE BEAT] [FINAL CHORUS — MAXIMUM IMPACT] SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I HEAR YOU MOVING! SMILE IN MY FACE! WHILE THE KNIFE GOES THROUGH ME! SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I KNOW YOUR KIND! SAY YOU GOT MY BACK WHILE YOU'RE WORKING BEHIND! [FINAL REFRAIN — MALE GANG HARMONIES, SLOW AND HEAVY] Snake in the grass! I know your kind! Snake in the grass! You were never on my side! [OUTRO — SLOW, GRINDING GUITAR GROOVE] [LOW MALE LEAD, CONTROLLED] You can keep the handshake You can keep the smile I know what you are [FINAL LINE — DRY, NEAR-SPOKEN] I just didn't know it for a while [FINAL UNISON GUITAR AND DRUM HIT] [FEEDBACK DECAY] [END]