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| Pearl Jam – God's Dice Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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That's right. Einstein was initially very wary of quantum mechanics, which was gaining momentum at the same time that his own theories were. He was put off by the probability/uncertainty of it all. Describing his misgivings over quantum mechanics, he stated, "God doesn't throw dice." Neils Bohr, one of the early pioneers of quantum mechanics replied, "Stop telling God what to do." |
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| Third Eye Blind – Darwin Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Definitely appears to be an atheist theme. "Chromosomes...strong survive" is drawing upon the song's title and is pretty straightforward.
"Spaceman fucked an ape" is a comment on the story of the virgin birth. God is the spaceman that lives in the sky and Mary is the ape (i.e. human beings are just the fifth ape-we are not as far separated from the other species as we once thought we were).
"Then cut out on the date-It's too late-the spaceship has escaped"-if you're so sure that God exists, where is He? Looks like he flew away a long time ago and never came back.
"We're lacking something good"--there is no God, no order, no reason.
"Show me the goods"-if you're so sure that God exists, show Him to me
"Grandson of an alien-snakeskin boots-reptile roots"--we are not "grandsons of a spaceman/God" as we once thought--humans are just advanced mammals which in turn just evolved from earlier creatures.
"Boom tick tick-who skipped the LP?"---how can you say that the earth is only six thousand years old--scientists have shown that it's a much "longer play"--4.5 billion years.
"Who amped what you say?"---who says that the last two thousand years have been so special, that humans are so special and that your pulpit message regarding God is so accurate and so special?
"I want to sing a song that's own---be the DJ"---I'm going to make the most of this life because I now realize that it's the only one I have and I'm not listening to your message anymore.
"It's a long night"--have to get through life on my own. But there's also hope: I still have a long life ahead of me; plenty of time to make a splash.
"When the plane takes off, you'll know it"--- When you're dead, you're dead. That's it. |
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| Third Eye Blind – Darwin Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think that he's saying that he feels that when you're dead, you're dead. Nothing else out there. |
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| Anthrax – Now It's Dark Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Thanks for the info; I hadn't known that before. I had always thought of it as a "living well is the best revenge" type of theme. My own interpretation made the song very meaningful for me but it's still nice to be in on as to what they really intended. Plus the "Blue Velvet" storyline in the song is just as enjoyable as my prior interpretation had been. Thanks again for the post! |
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| Megadeth – The Skull Beneath the Skin Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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It is indeed about your best friend and mine: Vic Rattlehead. This song represents yet another reason why Megadeth was so incensed over the label's handling of the artwork for the album cover. Because this song was about Vic, having the proper artwork adorning the cover was critical to the lyric for this particular song. Without the mascot portrayed properly, the significance and meaning of this song was severely compromised. |
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| Deftones – Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think that there are two possible meanings. One possibility is that it's about somebody whose life has come apart at the seams in whatever town he's living in. He wants to start over NOW and he can't get out of town fast enough. The biggest down-note within the town is a girl whom he has just failed in a relationship with. He replaces her as quickly as possible with the first woman he can find who is anything even remotely close to whatever his old lover was. She's probably an "easy" girl to start up a relationship with because it looks like it happened quickly. Additionally, she thinks of herself in such a low manner that she will allow herself to be dressed up in his old girl's clothes. In essence, the narrator is still trying to cling to the "good" memories of his ex even though a bigger part of him wants to get the hell out of town. The new girl realizes his mind must still be on his old love but she goes along with him anyway. All he wants her to do is shut up, drive and allow herself to be his consolation prize in the face of the girl that he really wanted. The new girl is willing to do all of the above. However, I think that there is a second and much darker possibility. I think it could potentially be about a domestic dispute that ended in murder. Now he HAS to flee town to escape imprisonment. He has no car so he kidnaps a girl who he doesn't even know, holds her at gunpoint as she drives and tells her to get him out of the city. Within this context, the dressing her in her clothes may be a means of cover-up. The clothes might have his blood or DNA on them so he has to put them somewhere. He settles for having his hostage wear them. Anyone who sees them driving away at a glance might just see the familiar clothing and assuming his still-living girlfriend is driving him somewhere (albeit in a car they've never seen the couple in). Whatever it's about, it's a masterpiece. I heard this song on the radio one time and bought the entire album the next day. No other song has ever compelled me to do that. |
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| Morbid Angel – Inquisition (Burn With Me) Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I don't think this song is about hunting down and burning actual witches but it is about a figurative "witch hunt." It's some sort of religious authority hunting down the narrator and his kind who are practicing something that goes against the establishment. The narrator can't bring himself to believe something that he doesn't, "My will ingrained at birth." He also makes numerous mentions of the motives on the part of the religious majority. They are trying to burn the heretics in hopes that it will "save their skins" and keep them from burning in hell themselves. But in spite of being the hunted, the narrator is prepared to fight to the death, "I'll do some burning of my own." |
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| Megadeth – The Scorpion Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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This song is based on Aesop's Fable, "The Scorpion and the Frog." The scorpion asks the frog to carry him across the river on his back. The frog initially refuses because he figures that the scorpion will sting him. But the scorpion sells the frog on the idea by reminding him that if he stung the frog, the frog would sink thus killing the scorpion as well. The frog reasons that he's safe based on this and so he begins swimming with the scorpion on his back. To the frog's horror, the scorpion proceeds to sting him anyway. As they begin sinking to their doom, the frog asks the scorpion why. The scorpion replies that the frog knew he was a scorpion and that he is willing to kill himself just to destroy his enemy as well. |
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| Morbid Angel – Pain Divine Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Several possibilities here. I think that one possibility is that it's about people who believe in God even though He puts them through pain and suffering on earth. They think it's just a test of "endurance" and that the pain on earth will guarantee them happiness in the afterlife. However, this is just one possibility. It actually may not be an indictment of anyone at all; it may be a more outrageous/fantastic topic. It sounds like it could be about somebody who is sacrificing themselves to Satan or some sort of demon or malevolent god. In return, they will become "divine" themselves but in an evil sense. They will have supernatural abilities and they will be able to assist Satan or some other kind of malevolent supreme being in performing evil works. |
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| Morbid Angel – Eyes to See... Ears to Hear Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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From reading the words without any input from band members themselves, my guess would be that this one is about people who have bad lives but blindly believe that they will inherit the earth one day because that's what religion tells them. They merely follow and fail to use their own "eyes and ears." However, at around the twenty-three minute mark in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa8FT9gaVGw David says that it's about people who blindly follow messages that they receive from television. However, I don't think that his statement automatically discounts the religious possibility. It could be both both religion AND television-i.e. people's devotion to evangelists. |
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| Pantera – Domination Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think that there are three possible meanings here. One is the meaning that the majority of people seem to be taking here: giving into rules or norms mandated by some sort of institution at the expense of being true to yourself. I think that a second possible meaning is that it's about some sort of country or group or individual conqueror that aspires to take over the world through war. In the process, however, they end up causing so much destruction that they seal their own fate as well. Finally, I think that a third possible meaning is that it's about a person who obsessively pursues some sort of political or celebrity status. In other words, they strive for something that will put them in the limelight and allow them to "dominate" the headlines, TV screens, airwaves, etc. But in the end when the person gets what they want, they don't want it anymore; they're left with emptiness. I think it's one of those three. Given these are Phil Anselmo's words, we can rest assured that it is deep and significant whatever it's about. |
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| Pantera – Throes Of Rejection Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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This one is very profound. Definitely appears to be about a man's psyche thrown into chaos from the combination of want of love, want of sex and the failure to achieve either. There are a lot clever images and metaphors thrown into the mix. I think "some bald guy writhing" has two meanings. I think perhaps the narrator is being portrayed as having physical characteristics that are traditionally viewed as unattractive. "Bald" is obvious. "Writhing" probably means weak and frail in this context. This in turn leads to more rejection as he does not have characteristics that women would typically be drawn to. But I think that there's a second meaning here also. I don't mean to disgust anybody but I think it may be a metaphor for a certain part of the male anatomy. "Bald" and "writhing" would certainly seem consistent with the idea of an aroused pen---OK, that's enough. From there, there's also the mentioning of the possibility of a god and if so, it must surely be punishing him. I think that the idea here is that if there is a god, then it has "cursed" the narrator with sex drive. Something that at first thought would be a gift has turned out to be a curse. I think the fact that he refers to the god as "it" instead of "He" also has significance. How could the god be male if he would instill in male humans this "curse"? Then I think the most metaphorical and profound part of all is the ending. I think the rejection "taking life away from eyes" and "giving you to the skies" means that the pain of the rejection is so great that it can lead to suicide. "More than a man" would therefore mean that he has killed himself and is no longer "human" but something "more" living in "the skies." And more specifically than being more than HUMAN, he's more than a MAN--no longer cursed with lusting for love and sex from women. That's my take on this song. As per usual, Phil hits on a very profound and down-to-earth topic that can hit the listener on a very personal level. |
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| Fear Factory – Zero Signal Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think it's about prayer yielding no results. He's praying but all he gets in response is "silence." The silence "welds the shackles to his fears" because he feels alone and does not feel that there is a supreme being looking out for him. This realization scares him. I think the first verse is describing events in his life that led him to prayer. Everything's falling down around him so he turns to God for help. But in the end, he sees no results and thus he has "lost all faith." The title of "Zero Signal" is likely a reference to what he feels that he is receiving from the heavens: nothing. |
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| Metallica – The Struggle Within Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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My guess is that this is about someone who is unemployed. It is not about the unemployed type who is a hard-working person but just got laid off because they're just having a bad streak of luck. Rather, it's about the type who is unemployed by choice and they merely sit at home and wait for the welfare or unemployment checks to come in. Unfortunately for them, time is running out. Either they are getting older and they are going to have to find a job quickly before there's too big of a gap in their resume or else they realize that the checks are not going to come in forever. Hetfield seems to be saying that the person doesn't want to perform the mundane tasks that come with holding a job but what the person have to lose? Being bored and shut off from society is far worse even if it's easier. |
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| Metallica – Through The Never Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think that this is saying that a belief in God is in vain and an act of desperation. Humans can't make sense of their world without a belief in God so they believe. But "disturbing thoughts" keep coming to them in their most private moments: the moments where they have to admit that the only proof they've ever actually seen for any phenomenon is scientific and not divine. |
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| Fear Factory – W.O.E. Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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One possibility I was mulling over for this one is a description of dictatorship. For example, Hitler (who most people consider the quintessential example of a dictator) used hatred for Jews to unite Germans. The "sounds of silence" may describe civilians who questioned Hitler in their minds but were too afraid to speak out. Or it could mean an unwillingness to think for themselves. The pull of Hitler (or any other dictator using these same tactics) is "too strong" for the civilian. I think a dictatorship theme is a strong possibility with regards to this song. However, I think an even more likely possibility is that it is an indictment of religion. When taken the wrong way, religion can instill a feeling of superiority amongst the followers in that they feel they have the "right" God and everyone else is going to hell. This would describe the "divisions of hate," etc. This would also help describe the "sounds of silence"-people not questioning faith that is instilled in them at an early age. And it is within the religious context that the "weight of existence" line makes far more sense than it would with a dictatorship theme. People are prone to following religion blindly because of the "opiate of the masses" phenomenon-the "weight of existence" in THIS life is "too strong" for them and so they latch onto a belief in something more. So these are the two possibilities I was considering, but I think that the religious theme is the more likely of the two. |
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| Fear Factory – Lifeblind Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think this is an indictment of people who insist that their religious beliefs are "right" and everyone else will "pay" in an afterlife for believing the wrong ideals. |
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| Destruction – Incriminated Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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This appears to describe modern-day Germans who have to shoulder responsibility for the behavior of the Nazis while Hitler was in power. The question that appears to be being asked here is why should today's Germans who had absolutely nothing to do with WWII and the concentration camps be blamed? The fault should lie with the Germans who acted under Hitler AT THE TIME and not the ones who have merely inherited the country long after the fact. |
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| Destruction – Unconscious Ruins Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think this is describing the end of the world due to nuclear war. It appears that this nuclear war was caused primarily by people who felt a war coming on but being too afraid to speak out and/or accept the eminent danger. Overall, it looks like this is just a case of people not learning from history and not having the courage, initiative or energy to speak out, rise up and stop the war before it's too late. |
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| Kreator – The Pestilence Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I think that this is describing a scenario where people wage holy wars over whose god is "real" and whose religious views are "correct." As a result, whichever God or gods DO in fact exist have stopped believing in US as opposed to the issue being typically worded the other way around: whether or not WE believe in God or gods. Because the gods are so disgusted with our behavior, they come down to wipe out and damn EVERYBODY even the ones who believed in the "correct" gods. That's my take on this one. |
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| Fear Factory – Suffer Age Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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This one of my favorite F.F. songs; it's unfortunate that it doesn't get more recognition. Yes, it is indeed about John Gacy. The voices are labeled as "youthful" because Gacy went exclusively after younger men and boys. Furthermore, they are "below John's floors" which is where he buried them--underneath his house. I think that "draining scientific minds" may refer to the psychiatric field's inability to understand what went wrong with him. For example, they actually studied Gacy's brain postmortem and found absolutely nothing visibly/overtly abnormal about the brain. I think that "God's vision destroyed" may have a double meaning. On the one hand, I think it is stating that Gacy has destroyed "one of God's children." But it may also refer to the fact that he lusted after men and boys in general. As we all know, many world religions have taken the stance that homosexual acts in them of themselves are "sinful." Thus, according to these individuals, perhaps even Gacy's sexual actions alone were "going against God." In these peoples' minds, it would not be against God just because it was non-consensual but for the mere fact that it was MALES that Gacy had sex with. I don't think that F.F. is actually taking up for this viewpoint and neither am I; I think they're just using this angle as so as to emphasize even more chaos that probably went on regarding this story. With regards to the "sinister joker" line, this is in reference to Gacy's side gig as a clown. Finally, I think that the "Suffer Age" title itself as two meanings. Obviously, it's a play on words from the word "suffrage." The word has been separated out into two words in order to convey the idea that these boys are suffering on account of their age. If they weren't youthful, Gacy would not have been interested in them and thus they would have been spared. But I think that the original word "suffrage" has significance as well. This word is most often used in the context of the women's movement--i.e. "women's suffrage." I think that this has significance here because Gacy himself was labeled "girly" by his father who did not approve of his feminine personality traits. In fact, this bothered Gacy so much that he tried to cover up his homosexuality as much as he did the murders. Years after his imprisonment, he always maintained that he was not gay even though the police and the whole world knew that he sodomized these boys before he killed them. Masterful play on words here on the part of Dino. My personal feeling is that this is one of F.F.'s most underappreciated tunes. The musical assault here is as nuts as the lyric even by heavy metal standards. Herrera's drumming especially stands out for me here and of course, Burt's voice is unreal. |
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| Slayer – 213 Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Tom has a fascination with the minds of serial killers and he certainly did his homework on this one. A PERFECT description of Jeffrey Dahmer. Yes, "213" was his apt number where the majority of his murders took place. There are lots of details here that show that Tom has the portrayal correct. "Complete control of a prized possession" describes Dahmer perfectly. Serial killers have a need to make their murders progressively more sexually explicit and bizarre as they soon get "bored" with their original, more straightforward methods of killing. Dahmer's urges got so out of control that he actually attempted to create "mindless sex slaves" by drilling holes into their heads and pouring acid into their brains. I believe that this practice of Dahmer's is the reason for the "prized possession" bit. The bridge is also a very telling description of Dahmer. In interviews after his apprehension, Dahmer stated that he killed the boys and kept their bodies because this was the only way he could ensure that the lovers would not leave him. He needed a "friend" and a "companion" and he didn't want to be "left alone with his sanity." In his outwardly sane behavior, he felt alone but in his frenzied insane killings and sexual acts, he felt that he had "company." I think this is also what's behind the "Memories keep love alive...Memories will never die" bit. Dahmer even went so far as to say that eating the victims made him feel that they were a "permanent part of him" which is also aptly described by this line. The ending is the perfect summation: "How I'd love...how I'd love to kill you." That's Dahmer summarized perfectly: love and killing are inseparable for him. This lyric is 100% accuracy on the part of Tom Arya. He absolutely nailed the psyche of Dahmer. |
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| Pantera – Use My Third Arm Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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I agree with the majority here: I think it's about police brutality. I would hope that this is not so much a generalized "anti-police" song so much as it is a singling out of the "bad" cops-the ones who abuse their authority. I think the "raping without judgment" phrase is Phil's way of saying that the cops can do whatever they want and not be judged/condemned for it if they cover their tracks carefully enough. Provided no video of their actions pops up, they will be safe from "judgment" because they can say that they were just "doing their job" or that they beat the person up in "self-defense." I think "absorb through pores the great escape" is describing the rush the cop gets when he gets to beat someone up; his adrenal and sweat glands go wild and he's in a euphoric state. I think the "reminded past of what we live for: ourselves" is a way of comparing the cops' actions to barbarians of savage times gone by. I think it's stating that the cops' actions are a throwback to primitive times when "society" didn't really exist: it was violence, mayhem and every man for himself. The underlying message throughout seems to be that the "third arm" is a gun and this gun makes the cop feel "more like a man." It also appears Phil is saying that they are compensating for some sort of insecurity that they have about their manhood. The bridge seems to be a bit of a departure; I think it becomes more metaphoric at this point. The "NARO" acronym that Phil uses here is most likely referring to the "Nuclear Accident Response Organisation" in the U.K. There are many different "NARO"s but I think this is the one he's talking about given that he talks about a "cold war" afterwards. I think he may be switching to talking in terms of a more global, large-scale conflict in order to emphasize his point regarding the cops. In the same way that people have the power of a button capable of activating a nuclear weapon, the cop has the power of the pistol capable of killing a civilian. And just as we need a "cold war" stalemate regarding the nuclear weapons, we need a "cold war" on the streets-less violence involving cops and firearms. That's my take on this song. Phil definitely raises an important point here if my interpretation is correct. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the "good cops"-the ones who are not abusive of their power and who genuinely try their hardest to keep us all safe. But sadly, as we all know, there are many who fit Phil's description here. This song would appear to be a stern sugarless indictment of them. |
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| Slayer – Silent Scream Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Abortion. I think the "you" refers to the mother. The "embryonic death" is "embedded" in "your brain" meaning HER brain. In other words, it sounds as if the narration is indicating that she will regret this decision and she will harbor guilt over it for the rest of her life. I think that the "death is fucking you insane" line is very graphic. The reason I say this is because I think that Araya is saying that in order to cause the "death" of the fetus, the woman essentially has to be violated in a way. With the vacuum/suction aspiration method of abortion, they have to go in through the woman's cervix. I think this is why Tom is using an f-bomb here instead of saying that it's "DRIVING you insane." Essentially, the woman is being violated in order to achieve the death of the fetus. That's my take on this song. My comments are not meant to take either a pro-life or pro-choice position; I'm just stating my personal interpretation of what Tom is saying in this song. |
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| Megadeth – Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Per Dave, this was inspired by "The Punisher" as was "The Punishment Due." However, at the end, the hit man kills the very man who paid him off because HE had actually been marked for assassination also. Great song. I LOVE the harmony in the verses; this is a subtlety that just adds so much. Also love the strength and power of the pounding drums in the verses. I'm really glad they remastered this because the cracking of the drums can now come in loud and clear. |
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| Megadeth – Mechanix Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Per Dave, this was inspired by a job that he worked at a gas station. Apparently, rich women frequented the station and he would imagine being able to sleep with them. |
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| Megadeth – Last Rites/Loved to Deth Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Dave has stated that this is another one about Diana (ala "Wake Up Dead," "In My Darkest Hour" and "Tornado of Souls"). It was before they were actually together and he thought that he wouldn't be able to win her over at the time. So he wrote a fictitious song about killing her so that no other guy would have her. |
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| Megadeth – Bad Omen Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I agree with BadMagick. Looks like it's about a Satanic cult who sacrifices Bible-abiding Christians as offerings for the devil. They expect reward from Satan but instead they are double-crossed. Specifically, it sounds as if Satan turns them into his mindless slaves when they had expected to be followers of his but still have power and all of their normal mental capacities. That's my take on this one. |
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| Pantera – Shedding Skin Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Looks like this one's pretty much unanimous amongst the fans. Definitely appears to be about a relationship that was no good for him and he's "peeling" her away like a snake shedding its skin. Powerful metaphor to say the least. I think the first verse is the most powerful portion of all. This is such a private moment for him that he can't have anyone watching him or else he may not be able to concentrate enough to rid her from his mind and move on. Furthermore, he states that if the girl herself were there, she might "steal his skin" and "try to wear" him. I think the meaning here is that if she were there while he was deciding to break up with her, she'd try to talk him out of it, stay in his life and ruin it further. Yet another lyrical masterpiece by Anselmo. He has a great ability to hit an audience on a really personal level with his lyrics and this song is a prime example. |
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| Slayer – South Of Heaven Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I agree with a lot of the other posts: I think that the phrase/title "South of Heaven" refers to a "hell on earth." Definitely a clever choice of words on Araya's part. The irony within the phrase is fairly obvious: a lot of people imagine hell is the worst possible place in existence. But perhaps hell does NOT exist and earth the way it is is plenty bad enough. A person's first intuition upon hearing the phrase "South of Heaven" would be think of hell. Wrong. Earth is "south of heaven" also and a lot of people would agree that it's rapidly going to pot. In other words with the state of earth, who even needs a hell? I think that this song "credits" two factors that brought about this "hell on earth." One is never-ending human conflict. The other is the fact that no one knows what to believe in and this causes intrapersonal stress as well as even more interpersonal conflict. There is fear of God, there is fear of there NOT being a God, there is conflict over which God is real if any. Total chaos and indeed an "age of distrust." A distrust of your fellow man and sadder still, a distrust in yourself and whether you are accurate in your own beliefs. Bleak to say the least. In response to LaughingSkull's question, I think that "impulsive habitat" refers to an earth full of conflict, war and people acting on their primitive impulses. And from there, I think that "impulsive Sabbath" means that people don't know what to believe in: one day they believe in "keeping the Sabbath," the next day they'll believe something else, etc. That's my opinion on those phrases and the song as a whole. |
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| Fear Factory – A Therapy For Pain Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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My interpretation of this is the same as Stevevb's. I don't think the "she"/"her" references have to do with an ex-girlfriend that he's in despair over. I think that the "woman" is a metaphor for death itself. Just as a beautiful woman can lead a man to feel tempted, death itself is leading this narrator into similar temptation. His life has been so difficult ("tried so hard") that death is tempting and comforting just as a beautiful woman can be. But then he finally reaches the "end" of his decision and she "lets go of his hand." This reflects his decision to not commit suicide after all. Hence, "there will be no death tonight." This is easily one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life. Essentially, it's providing a sliver of hope within the context of a much greater despair. But this sliver of hope is just enough to persevere. Life IS worth living out no matter how rough it gets. The music itself is also very powerful. The sound is big, loud and dramatic which conveys the idea that this is a monumental decision that the narrator is about to make. Furthermore, the big/epic sound lets us know that one human life IS important. Even amongst all of the billions of people who have lived on this planet for a million years, one life is NOT insignificant. Each of one us influences people in all kinds of ways with our mere presence on this earth. We influence others in ways we are not even aware of. Your mere presence on a city street could create one too many cars for the guy behind you to make it through the traffic light before it turns red. Because of this, he's late for his first date and the girl dismisses him. But from there, he lands a date with someone else who he ends up liking better anyway and he marries her. One just never knows the profound impact one can have on others, even on a total stranger who one has never nor will ever meet or know of. Therefore, this decision on the part of the narrator has a profound/epic impact on all of humanity not just himself. I believe this is the reason for the big, dramatic "important" sound that backs the deep lyrical message. Just a gorgeous song; I often fall asleep to it. Burt generated a work here that is so incredibly profound. |
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| Megadeth – Good Mourning/Black Friday Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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This is my all-time favorite Megadeth song. Absolutely incredible. The musical component is insane and complex at the same time. And the words...WOW! No hidden meanings here-just the frenzied tale of a lunatic serial killer on the rampage. Serial killers are certainly not an uncommon theme in heavy metal but Mustaine really cranked out something special here. The descriptions in this song are absolutely horrific. This is also apart from other "serial killer songs" in that it does not seem to be describing a particular non-fictitious killer. Slayer's "Dead Skin Mask" is about Ed Gein and "213" is about Jeffrey Dahmer. Then there's also Fear Factory who has "Suffer Age" which describes John Gacy. Contrarily, Mustaine appears to have taken the approach of describing a fictitious killer. The only real-life killer that comes to mind that seems to come even remotely close to Mustaine's description is Jack the Ripper. The Ripper did "stalk the streets" as he murdered prostitutes as opposed to killers such as Gacy, Bundy and Dahmer who would commit their murders in far less incriminating locations. Additionally, Mustaine is clearly describing the actions of a frenzied madman. In other words, Dahmer, Bundy and Gacy would not really fit Dave Mustaine's "profile." Dahmer, Bundy and Gacy are considered "organized" serial killers: their crimes are carefully planned out, they cover their tracks meticulously (at least initially) and they are able to blend seamlessly into society without anyone being the wiser. In contrast, most of the Ripper's retroactive profilers (not all but most) describe him as the "unorganized" type: frenzied, overcome by his urge to kill, not necessarily someone who could portray themselves as "normal" within society and perhaps not particularly intelligent. So it is plausible that Mustaine could be describing the Ripper. My guess, however, is that it is not about an actual person. But of course, the main point is not who it's about but the power and the fury of Mustaine's description. The words Mustaine chooses portray the serial killer phenomenon perfectly. The visuals described are legitimately disturbing. The part that gets me more than any is "Killer, intruder...stalking the street." The word "intruder" is particularly haunting: the implication is that he may come for you no matter where you are. The "stalking the street" phrase is also very powerful. The nightmarish image of a being that's "bloodthirsty" and is in the act of "stalking" that usually comes to one's mind first is the thought of being stalked by an animal in the woods. But here we are describing a "stalker" who is one of our own: a human being. Furthermore, he's doing the "stalking" on the streets where intuition would tell one that they would be perfectly safe. After all, the victim is walking the city streets amongst other civilized human beings where they ought to be safer in theory than being out in the woods with a bunch of animals. But alas, one of their own has come for them and done so on their own city streets. This sinister story then comes to a gruesome ending as the killer performs a symbolic ritual (as a great many number of serial killers do) following his crime. In his case, he paints an image of Satan on the wall, most likely with the victim's own blood. An absolutely WILD tale from the mind of Dave Mustaine. Then of course, there's the incredible musical performance. This is my fave from Megadeth for sure. Just masterful. |
submissions
| Morbid Angel – Blood On My Hands Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I think that this is about someone who sells his soul and agrees to be Satan's slave, helping him to open the gates of hell and destroy humanity. I think that "transcend with blood on my hands" makes two points simultaneously. I think that on the surface it means that the narrator will be spared Satan's full wrath--he will "transcend." The reason he will transcend and be spared the ghastly fate of everyone else is because he has humankind's blood on his hands which is what Satan wanted from him. That's what I believe the phrase means on the surface. However, I think it's also a parody on the crucifixion of Jesus. According to the New Testament, Jesus "transcended" by ascending into heaven. He also would have transcended with "blood on his hands" because of nails being driven through his hands during the crucifixion. So I think that this song has a Satanic theme and I think that it's taken to the max by simultaneously paralleling and parodying the "Jesus side of the issue"-i.e. the crucifixion. That's what I get out of this song. |
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| Fear Factory – Martyr Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I figured this song was actually about suicide or at the very least about wanting to die. He "never asked" to be "born into this world." There was a point when he "thought" he would have a great life but now it's as if the world is telling him no, "Suffer" while you're here, you "bastard." He hopes that he can leave this world and go to "heaven." However, based on pirateballoon's post, perhaps there is an interview Burt did that I never saw/heard. Without any input from Burt himself, I would've figured this was about suicide or about a passive death wish at the very least. |
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| Slayer – Postmortem Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I think it's about somebody who has had the concept of a heaven and an afterlife drilled into his head through religion. Because this is the only reality he's ever been given, he doesn't even think to question it. In his own mind, he KNOWS he will go to heaven when he dies. From there, I think we actually discover that the person actually WANTS to die because he wants to head into heaven. He wants to float away to paradise and escape this "hated life." Furthermore, I think he's having a crisis because his faith has taught him that he can only enter the kingdom of heaven if he lives out his life fully. In other words, even though he wants to go to heaven, he is not allowed to kill himself. Suicide will result in damnation. So instead of actually killing himself, he tries to "cheat" the very system he's been taught. He starts taking chances and purposefully putting himself in perilous situations in hopes that one of these situations will result in his death--"cold touch of death begins to chill your spine," "tighten the tourniquet around your neck." As the music picks up, the narrative switches to the first person but I think it is still talking about the same man as before. I also think at this point, one of his "pseudo suicide" attempts has actually worked and he's about to die. But at the moment he's dying, he suddenly somehow learns that he is NOT going to heaven. All of the religious concepts that were taught to him have merely been "walls of lies" and he won't be "rising from the grave." The mastering of the album has this track lead straight into "Raining Blood" which sounds like a continuation of this story. "Postmortem" seems to indicate that the dying person will not go to heaven while "Raining Blood" seems to take it one step further, implying that not only will he not go to heaven but perhaps he will go to hell. This is my take on this song. But whatever the meaning is, "Postmortem" and "Raining Blood" is one hell of a one-two punch that closes the album out with a bang. |
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| Slayer – Born Of Fire Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I think that this is describing the concept of an anti-Christ but not in the usual sense. I think that this is introducing the idea that Satan may have sent a son of his up to earth just as Christians believe that God sent his son Jesus down to earth. Jesus was sent to preach God's word and save humanity's sins but now Satan has sent HIS son to wreak havoc. As Jesus was "born of a virgin," Satan's son is "born of fire"---an opposite type of "immaculate conception." That's my take on it. |
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| Megadeth – Poison Was The Cure Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I agree with bspar. I think it's either about heroine being a "cure" for being dopesick without it or else it is "curing" whatever pain or emptiness he's feeling in his life by giving him a high. Probably one or the other. Either way, the basic message is the same: the struggles with the addiction. |
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| Pantera – I'm Broken Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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The song is about AIDS--"leaking rubber" refers to a condom that failed/broke and "such values you taught your son" refers to the parent not educating the son about the dangers of indiscriminate sex. Perhaps the parent went so far as to actively set a bad example by sleeping around themselves. The son imitated the behavior and look what happened. |
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| Metallica – The Frayed Ends of Sanity Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Definitely describing insanity and mental illness. "Old habits reappear" suggests that perhaps it is a mental illness that had been dormant for a time but now some sort of stressor or trigger has brought it back. Either that or it could be a manic depressive who was in a normal state and now is heading towards one of the two poles again. |
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| Slayer – Raining Blood Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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My guess is that this song describes Satan coming to take over the world at the end of time. Purgatory is everyone's last stop before hell. They look to the sky for God but it's "crimson," "dripping" and "raining blood." There has been no God after all; only the devil and he has come to reclaim the earth. But he has not just taken over the earth and the land. He has also taken over the heavens with blood and crimson that's raining down: the very place were this supposed God allegedly dwelled. People expected to be saved by a loving God but alas, they have been tricked--"abolish the rules made of stone" may refer to the Ten Commandments which were chiseled in stone. The Ten Commandments and the concept of God were all a ruse. People followed the Ten Commandments hoping to be saved as a result but it turns out that their grasp of "the rules" was incorrect. They are damned and there is no righteous counterpart to Satan's evil and invincibility that can come save them. That's my take on this song. |
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| Megadeth – This Was My Life Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I think I'm on board with Bionicman's explanation. It seems to be describing a relationship that had been boiling for a long time and finally ended in fatality: "It was just another day; it was just another fight." I think the "lying on your bed, examining my head" is about a state psychiatrist examining him after he's been arrested. In describing the capital punishment he will face, he says "I throw the switch" instead of "you throw the switch." I think this is the narrator's way of saying that he brought this on himself and therefore is throwing his own switch. He brought this on himself because he stayed in the relationship even though he knew his temper might one day flame out of control, because he killed his girl and because he confessed to the psychiatrist instead of trying to have a defense attorney fight for him--"There's motives for the suspect; now there's nothing left to say." I think that the last little bit is just about his reflections on life and its meaning (or lack thereof) before he dies. I think he may be concluding that there is no god or salvation that can save him--"in our beliefs, there is lie." He is simply going to die a criminal and that's it. His lover died by his hands and that's it. He's concluded that there's no afterlife. All a human being has is his or her mortal flesh and blood body. Within all of our bodies is sand in an hourglass that is rapidly running out--"in our bodies, there is die." We are all doomed to die and to live for nothing more ever again. The big question as to the existence of God and an afterlife is the thing that you would expect someone on death row to be thinking about and that's why I think this is in there. That's my take on this song. Once again, an INCREDIBLE lyrical performance on the part of Dave Mustaine. |
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| Morbid Angel – Hatework Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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This certainly looks like a song describing the end of the world but the remainder is open to interpretation. I dare say it may actually be describing God ending the world in a violent manner instead of Satan: "What does the devil have to do with it?" Also, it describes "a world betrayed." So it may be stating that people trusted God to do good works and protect humankind from Satan. Instead, to humanity's horror, their trust is "betrayed" and it is actually a wrathful and angry God that sends the fires of doom upon the earth instead of the devil. That's my take on it at any rate. |
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| Morbid Angel – The Lion's Den Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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I agree with Sepultura1987; it looks like they are describing the ancient Roman days when they would feed Christians to lions as a form of capital punishment. |
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