Leashing the Beast
(Music: J. Altier, M. Dupre, M. Lane; Lyrics: J. Altier, M. Lane)

I wake up fighting what I cannot see
The weight of nothing pressing down on me
My mind races while my body stalls
Climbing up but sliding down the walls

Not today
Not this time
I've come too far
To lose my mind

Not this fight
Not this round
I won't let this beast
Drag me down

The storm won't break, it holds its ground
Pulls me harder the more I drown
Some days I'm buried, some days I rise
I'm leashing the beast just to survive

I cancel plans I meant to keep
I lose the thoughts I meant to speak
I start each thing and walk away
And wonder where I lost the day

I'm tired of the losing
I'm tired of the fall
I'm not done fighting
Not done at all

I'm tired of pretending
I've got this under control
I won't stop fighting
What this cursed beast stole

The storm won't break
It holds its ground
Pulls me harder
The more I drown

Some days I'm buried
Some days I rise
I'm leashing the beast
Just to stay alive

I made a list, I set the alarm
I swore today I'd keep it calm
By noon it's gone, the plan's a mess
I'm drowning in my own excess

I double-booked and missed them both
I broke another promised oath
The beast don't care about your plans
It slips right through my shaking hands

They say it's easy, just decide
Like I ain't fighting tides inside
You see the mess, I see the war
That's what this leash is even for

What if this is the moment
I finally hold the line?
What if the beast inside
Answers when I cry?

The storm won't break
It holds its ground
Pulls down harder
The more I drown

Some days I'm buried, some days I rise
Can I leash this beast and stay alive?
It fights me back, it wages war
Will I ever reach the shore?

Joe Altier – Vocals
Matthew Lane – Vocals (Bridge), 7 and 8 String Electric Guitars, Bass
Matt Dupre – 7 String Electric Guitar
Chad Szeliga – Drums

Recorded at 3Beasts Studios – Fairport, NY; Lion's Den Studio – Shavertown, PA
Edited and Mixed by Matthew Lane, 3Beasts Studios – Fairport, NY
Mastered by Ty Tabor, Alien Beans Studios – Kansas City, KS
© 2026 Joe Altier Music (BMI), Sons of Sand Music (ASCAP)