Behind the Song
In May 2025, I was on a plane with my wife heading back home from visiting family in Florida. While gazing out of the plane window at the amber horizon in the distance, I began thinking about how space and time often separate us from things. We often forget memories that reside somewhere deep within our minds and hearts. Regardless of whether those memories are beautiful or painful, they are often the moments in our lives that God can use to help shape and mold us into who we are meant to be. While thinking about this, I began writing down lyrics that came to mind and voice recording a powerful chorus melody.
The scripture “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” from 1 Corinthians 13:12 was a large part of the inspiration for the bridge portion of the song’s lyrics and describes how we as humans can’t truly understand who we are as a whole, but the One who created us does know.
By the time the plane landed, I had already developed half of a song containing lyrics that would evoke emotion, self-analysis, and reflection. After arriving home, I brought the song to my wife Sara and asked for her input on what was written so far and what lyrics might better suit two particular parts of the song. Sara sat down and helped me refine some of the lyrics, including one of fans’ now-favorite chorus lines, “I see moments and then they collapse,” right before the chorus ends with “Recalculating my life in a memory relapse.”
I see moments and then they collapse, Recalculating my life in a memory relapse.
I shared the lyrics and musical inspiration I had with the rest of the band during the following band practice, and one by one each band member began to add their own incredibly creative ideas to the song. Brendan Ryan led the development of the primary guitar riff heard in the intro, post-chorus, and outro, while Matthew Middleton began constructing powerful lead guitar parts that would complement my vocals and Brendan’s riffs. The band’s drummer, Dallen Shrader, crafted drum parts that match the song’s pace and emotion very well, letting his experience shine with odd time signatures and impressive fills. He also created and recorded a captivating piano piece for the outro, bringing the song’s message to a beautiful close.
The band excitedly took the song to Brian McKenna’s recording studio in Connecticut, recorded and mixed the track, and we had the privilege of having Brandon Wolfe from the renowned metalcore band New Years Day master the audio.
The ultimate purpose of the song is to evoke emotion, instill self-reflection, and cause the listener to search deep inside to consider who they are and the past experiences that have molded them into who they are now. Despite being released for only four weeks, “Memory Relapse” has already climbed to #23 on the National CMW Christian Rock radio charts and has positively impacted countless fans. Saved By Skarlet continues to create authentic, organic, faith-driven music and seeks to bring a message of hope through music to a broken world.
– Nate Middleton
Biography
Saved By Skarlet is a passionate Christian metal band currently located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The band consists of four passionate members including singer Nathan Middleton, guitarists Matthew Middleton and Brendan Ryan, and drummer Dallen Shrader. With upbeat driving guitar riffs, a mixture of clean and distorted vocals, aggressive instrumental breakdowns, and a variety of ballads with faith-driven lyrics, the band’s music seeks to positively impact listeners while providing an emotional experience. The band hit #5 on National Christian rock radio charts with both songs ‘Black Knight’ at #5 (2023) and ‘Lie of The Pharisees’ at #7 (2024), and just released their brand new single ‘Memory Relapse’ mastered by Brandon Wolfe of New Years Day which has already begun charting within 3 weeks of release gaining attention from fans around the world.
The band has over a decade of performing experience and was taught how to perform by Taylor Swift’s ex stage coach and Brian Head Welch of Korn at The Xtreme Tour in Nashville TN. The band continues to gain popularity as they create new music and perform throughout the United States at both festivals and shows. While heavily interacting with fans on social media, Saved By Skarlet aims to impact listeners both on stage and off stage through love in action, creating music derived from their faith, and aim to leave listeners with a resonance of hope.
MEDIA LINKS: https://linktr.ee/savedbyskarlet
CONTACT: Nate Middleton [band manager]
Bandskarlet@gmail.com or 401-786-4404
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