So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Lurking out of sight
Night shall fall and feed my frenzy
Beneath an eerie moon a change comes over me
Eyes glow by candlelight
A face divided in the mirror
My psyche ripped by daggers of my alchemy
Side by side with myself again
As midnight's curse descends on trembling hands
Oh, save my soul
Losing control when the bells toll
Savage on the prowl
In the lamplight's glow, nocturnal
My breath hangs like ghosts in the evening air
This ill effect, a vile creation
Of my design, abomination
The madness rages on and on
Side by side with myself again
As midnight's curse descends on trembling hands
Oh, save my soul
Losing control when the bells toll
Oh, feed my soul
I'm in control, when the bells toll
Night shall fall and feed my frenzy
Beneath an eerie moon a change comes over me
Eyes glow by candlelight
A face divided in the mirror
My psyche ripped by daggers of my alchemy
Side by side with myself again
As midnight's curse descends on trembling hands
Oh, save my soul
Losing control when the bells toll
Savage on the prowl
In the lamplight's glow, nocturnal
My breath hangs like ghosts in the evening air
This ill effect, a vile creation
Of my design, abomination
The madness rages on and on
Side by side with myself again
As midnight's curse descends on trembling hands
Oh, save my soul
Losing control when the bells toll
Oh, feed my soul
I'm in control, when the bells toll
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The Jeckyl and Hyde theory have merit, with things going for both that and the werewolf interpretation. I've always presumed the werewolf was being talked about in this song. The "feed my soul" part suggests werewolf, because werewolves feed and Jeckyl doesn't really feed. The "beneath an eerie moon" also suggests werewolf because the moon seems to be emphasized. However, "Of my alchemy" and "of my design" both suggest Jeckyl. Both could work.