Stairway of Life

1970s British proto-metal built on slow, ominous doom at 70-90 BPM. Down-tuned overdriven electric guitar grinds heavy blues-rock power chords and tritone riffs, thick fingered bass doubles low, loose swinging jazz-inflected drumming adds ride breaks and thunderous tom fills. Warm analog tape, valve-amp fuzz, roomy natural reverb, murky low-mids, nasal wailing tenor with cutting vibrato, quiet clean-guitar dread into crushing riff, occasional double-time boogie.

[Verse 1] Brow pressed against the walls of this world, I walk the stairway of life, stubborn and slow. The higher I climb, the more I behold, The easier for my soul to fall below. I stand on the summit, all barriers passed, While my soul lies low in the valley — still, resigned. It drifts like a shadow, humbled before the hand, Not knowing what follows behind: punishment, or a hand to hold. [Chorus] I answer for my soul, for every step I take, I walk the stairway of life — not rushing, not afraid. Let judgment come — I'll meet it face to face, And if it's salvation — I'll take it as my grace. [Verse 2] I won't leave my soul behind — I'll go back down, I'll bow my head and kneel in the dust. I'm ready to answer, to take what I've earned, And if mercy finds me — I'll whisper my thanks. I stand at the beginning, and the walls rise again, Brow pressed forward, but my soul stays warm. Step by step down the stairway of life, Answering for my soul — I'll walk through the storm. [Chorus] I answer for my soul, for every step I take, I walk the stairway of life — not rushing, not afraid. Let judgment come — I'll meet it face to face, And if it's salvation — I'll take it as my grace. [Bridge] Down the stairway of life… I walk — not rushing… Answering for my soul… With it — until the end…