In a world often obsessed with destinations, Forever in Transit takes a markedly different approach—one focused not on where the journey ends, but on the growth experienced along the way. Their latest single, “Empty and Become Wind,” is an immersive exploration of transformation, self-actualization, and emotional liberation, all wrapped in the driving, intricate soundscapes of progressive metal. This song serves as the emotional and thematic apex of their 2024 album ‘A Coming to Terms’, building on a legacy of genre-blending artistry that challenges convention while inviting listeners into a deeply introspective space.
The brainchild of Buffalo, NY-based multi-instrumentalist Dan Sciolino, Forever in Transit has carved a niche as a forward-thinking collective of musicians who refuse to be pigeonholed. Their compositions, sprawling yet meticulously crafted, are built around a progressive metal core but integrate a multitude of genres and influences—reflecting a mindset of artistic freedom. The band’s debut album, *States of Disconnection* (2018), explored themes of identity, community, and the complex ways in which we relate to the world around us. In contrast, ‘A Coming to Terms’ goes deeper into personal territory, examining the challenges and rewards of facing oneself head-on.
At the heart of this journey lies “Empty and Become Wind,” a song that pulses with the energy of both destruction and rebirth. It’s a profound meditation on resilience, framed by the tension and release of progressive metal’s dynamic range. Musically complex and emotionally charged, the song invites listeners to reflect on their own journeys of overcoming pain, shedding the burdens of past trauma, and embracing a new, transformed self.
“Empty and Become Wind” begins with a recognition that suffering is not an enemy to be defeated but a vital force in shaping the self. The song opens with the protagonist acknowledging pain and loneliness as necessary catalysts for growth, echoing ancient philosophical themes. This thematic shift—from resisting suffering to embracing it—feels deeply Stoic, bringing to mind the words of Nietzsche, who famously said, “What does not kill me makes me stronger.” In this context, the song suggests that pain is not merely something to survive but something that forges resilience and personal evolution.
One of the song’s central lines, “uncertainty turned to strength,” encapsulates this notion of antifragility—the idea that we don’t merely endure adversity, but become stronger because of it. This concept of growth through struggle runs throughout the song, offering a powerful commentary on the nature of human development. Rather than presenting healing as a return to a previous, untainted state, “Empty and Become Wind” offers a more complex vision of transformation: the protagonist isn’t just recovering from past wounds; they are evolving into something more.
The song’s title metaphor, “Empty and Become Wind,” serves as the perfect representation of this transformation. Wind, as a force of nature, is fluid and boundless. It moves freely, unburdened by the constraints of weight, fear, or anger. To “become wind” is to shed the emotional baggage that holds us down—to empty oneself of the internal burdens that limit our potential for growth. In this state, the protagonist attains a kind of spiritual weightlessness, symbolizing a freedom from the past.
By emptying themselves of unresolved emotions, fear, and doubt, the protagonist achieves a state of transcendence. They are no longer tethered to past failures or identities—they have become something new, fluid, and free. This isn’t merely healing in the conventional sense but an evolution beyond the need for it. As the song suggests with the repeated line, “You don’t need, need to heal,” the protagonist doesn’t seek to restore what was lost but to become something more through the shedding of old pain.
This journey toward freedom culminates in the song’s invocation of the Stoic concept of amor fati, or “love of fate.” In the repeated refrain, “We must learn to love our fate,” the protagonist reaches a profound realization: true liberation comes not from escaping or avoiding pain but from embracing it fully. The message is clear—adversity is an intrinsic part of existence, and by accepting this, we gain the strength to move through life unburdened by fear or regret.
This philosophical idea dovetails perfectly with the song’s exploration of identity and self-actualization. The later lines—”Am I who I love, or what I’ve lost? Am I what I feel, or what I fear?”—ask questions that strike at the heart of human existence. These are not simple inquiries but existential reflections on the nature of selfhood. The song recognizes that identity is fluid, shaped by experience, emotion, and loss. The ultimate question—”Am I my past, or my path?”—offers a resolution: while the past informs who we are, it does not define us. We are defined by our ongoing journey, the choices we make, and the evolution we undergo.
Musically, “Empty and Become Wind” is as powerful as its thematic content. Forever in Transit’s signature progressive metal approach—complete with intricate guitar work, shifting time signatures, and atmospheric tension—perfectly mirrors the emotional and philosophical depth of the song. The track is a sonic journey, with moments of chaotic intensity that reflect internal struggle, followed by passages of soaring release that symbolize transcendence.
The heavier, more discordant sections of the song mirror the protagonist’s wrestling with pain, while the more fluid, expansive moments represent the eventual release—the becoming wind. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to fuse storytelling with musical composition in a way that allows each element to enhance the other. The music is as much a part of the transformation as the lyrics, with its shifting tempos and layers of complexity symbolizing the peaks and valleys of personal growth.
In “Empty and Become Wind,” Forever in Transit offers not just a song but a profound meditation on human resilience, growth, and the liberating power of self-actualization. Rather than offering easy resolutions, the song leaves the listener with a sense that the journey of personal evolution is ongoing. It’s a continual process of shedding old selves, embracing new truths, and finding strength in adversity.
This thematic depth, combined with the dynamic complexity of progressive metal, makes “Empty and Become Wind” a standout track on ‘A Coming to Terms’. It’s an anthem for anyone who has faced the storms of life and emerged on the other side—not unscathed, but stronger, wiser, and ready to move forward, unburdened by the past. For those seeking a powerful soundtrack to their own journey of transformation, this song offers both solace and inspiration. Forever in Transit has once again proven their ability to push the boundaries of genre and thought, creating music that challenges, engages, and ultimately liberates.
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