in the last part, where he has time to think again, he realizes in the process of cleaning himself, he's also gotten rid of what was what he thought was important --it prolly was something negative. and now he misses what he was.
for some reason, i think of a guy, walking alone, in open space, like a desert.
I think it's about a man whose hurting himself for past grtievances. He feels guilt and can't cope, so he cuts/hurts himself to make up for it.
To me, this song sounds like a man who has learned that his religious faith is untrue, and he now has closure as to what is right.
Just my opinion. I'm probably wrong.
Hmm, based on the theme of the album I would have to say this is someone's struggle with the news of the death of a loved one and their regret for not seeking forgiveness from them for any past transgressions. "There's nothing painful... sins undone." To me sounds like the person is trying to shrug off the guilt for whatever he/she may have done to the now dead individual.
I like the lryics but I love the cool middle eastern style jam at the end of the song.
The first verse is about purifying himself and cleaning up after something (for example ending a bad relationship, judging by the songtitle).
The second verse is affirming that this act of purification is not something negative, but acts as a new start.
The final verse show what emotions he is still clinging onto after the end of the relationship/whatever.
At the end, is it meant to suddenly cut out like that?
yep thats normal for this track
I know Opeth is known for their death metal sound but I felt like experimenting and buying this album. It's pretty cool, eventhough Akerfeldt's clean vox take a little bit of time to get used to. Anyway, I agree with meerkat
I'm surprised no one asked already... what on earth is "pathos"? o.O And Lateralus, what are you talking about? Clean vocals are a major part of Opeth. If you like Opeth, you gotta like both clean and death vocals.