Snuff Film At Eleven

Seems to be about media culture, as well as corporate music/culture. The 'skin machine' is the machine that creates façades, false exteriors, i.e. media advertising, music made for money, etc. The 'self-flaggellation' continues the skin metaphor while expressing the idea that this kind of fakery is in fact damaging to oneself.

Perhaps the 'vultures' 'made up like mokingbirds' are corporate execs, talent scouts, whatever, 'mokingbirds' because of their love for imitation, 'vultures' because, well, they circle, looking for fresh meat!

With this interpretation, the title would likely be implying that advertisements, corporate films (or music) are, in fact, "snuff," because the souls of those involved are destroyed in the process, in a sense filming (or otherwise recording) the very act that leads to your "death," which is, of course, the literal definition of snuff film.

This very well could mean what the previous two users have mentioned, but I view these lyrics at a different standpoint. To myself, this song states you are nothing until you die. No one will care about you until you're dead. You'll be remembered when you're dead, not when you're alive. It is very important I make for a thin chalk outline.

I agree with filmat11.

Thanks!

the same people who condemn drugs sell cigarettes and alcohol the same people who condemn gambling encourage lotteries and sports betting the same people who condemn violence start pointless wars