"In my writing with Extreme, there are heavy themes. The cover photo has me with a gun to my neck. I am not advocating suicide. I am taking the philosophy that man is the measure of his own fate"

Gary Cherone is expressing that his composing with Extreme contains heavy themes. The cover picture of him with a weapon to his neck is not implied to be translated as an endorsement of suicide, however rather as a statement that guy is the master of his own destiny. He is suggesting that we have the power to form our own lives which we should take responsibility for our own actions. He is emphasizing that we need to not be passive in life, but rather take control of our own fate. He is promoting for self-determination and the concept that we can produce our own destiny. He is motivating us to take ownership of our lives and to maximize our opportunities.