I've been thinking about this song for a while, and have come up with a few theories as to the meaning of the song. I'll only name two of them here, though.
The first theory was that this song is about sex addiction. Think about it: In a sense, an orgasm can "turn off pain" and isn't as real as you feel it again. They mention "the golem of lust" several times and "a broken goddess" as well. The line "that's for your lover" also supports this theory.
The second theory is similar, but also deals with the fact that in Paganism sex is considered to be sacred. So "No, Goddess, I don't believe" (which I do think is in this song somewhere) is talking about how sex is corrupted and instead an addiction that drives you insane rather than a sacred act.
I think your interpretation is correct, but there is more to the story this song is telling, in my view.
I think your interpretation is correct, but there is more to the story this song is telling, in my view.
The song opens by describing the base instincts and appetites of man when unchecked by compassion (hence "sneering at a starving child"), scruples, or nobler attitudes. The night is our unconscious mind, and our animalistic drives to feed, procreate, etc are demanding to be sated--this is what "howling voices through the night" are.
The song opens by describing the base instincts and appetites of man when unchecked by compassion (hence "sneering at a starving child"), scruples, or nobler attitudes. The night is our unconscious mind, and our animalistic drives to feed, procreate, etc are demanding to be sated--this is what "howling voices through the night" are.
The frozen landscape is the coldness and cruelty of the world today. It is left to us to decide whether this is...
The frozen landscape is the coldness and cruelty of the world today. It is left to us to decide whether this is the cause or the effect of the degeneration of humanity described above. The rest of this stanza describes the strife and carnage resulting from it. The emptiness and torment created by such a life condition demands we search for a meaning to numb the pain.
But, how to find any meaning when all the nobler faculties of man have been overthrown by his bestial side? Anything we can resort to, can only be just more baseness and carnality. Our emotional/instinctive side is very often described as female; when it rules us, it is like having an oppressive goddess rule us. It is "broken" because it corrupted, like you said, for reasons I've covered.
The sex instinct is often seen as this "goddess's" primary manifestation, and is the one we pursue for meaning because we crave intimacy as shelter from the cold. Lust is like the pagan sculpted idol ("golem") of this goddess. The constant scrambling to fulfill her within us, only leads to more entanglement in the wretchedness of the world ("swamps") and to more conflict among our fellow humans ("traitors").
This realization of the falsity and vanity of it all can only lead to the conclusion, "No, goddess, I don't believe!"
I've been thinking about this song for a while, and have come up with a few theories as to the meaning of the song. I'll only name two of them here, though.
The first theory was that this song is about sex addiction. Think about it: In a sense, an orgasm can "turn off pain" and isn't as real as you feel it again. They mention "the golem of lust" several times and "a broken goddess" as well. The line "that's for your lover" also supports this theory.
The second theory is similar, but also deals with the fact that in Paganism sex is considered to be sacred. So "No, Goddess, I don't believe" (which I do think is in this song somewhere) is talking about how sex is corrupted and instead an addiction that drives you insane rather than a sacred act.
@NIVIsAwesome
@NIVIsAwesome
I think your interpretation is correct, but there is more to the story this song is telling, in my view.
I think your interpretation is correct, but there is more to the story this song is telling, in my view.
The song opens by describing the base instincts and appetites of man when unchecked by compassion (hence "sneering at a starving child"), scruples, or nobler attitudes. The night is our unconscious mind, and our animalistic drives to feed, procreate, etc are demanding to be sated--this is what "howling voices through the night" are.
The song opens by describing the base instincts and appetites of man when unchecked by compassion (hence "sneering at a starving child"), scruples, or nobler attitudes. The night is our unconscious mind, and our animalistic drives to feed, procreate, etc are demanding to be sated--this is what "howling voices through the night" are.
The frozen landscape is the coldness and cruelty of the world today. It is left to us to decide whether this is...
The frozen landscape is the coldness and cruelty of the world today. It is left to us to decide whether this is the cause or the effect of the degeneration of humanity described above. The rest of this stanza describes the strife and carnage resulting from it. The emptiness and torment created by such a life condition demands we search for a meaning to numb the pain.
But, how to find any meaning when all the nobler faculties of man have been overthrown by his bestial side? Anything we can resort to, can only be just more baseness and carnality. Our emotional/instinctive side is very often described as female; when it rules us, it is like having an oppressive goddess rule us. It is "broken" because it corrupted, like you said, for reasons I've covered.
The sex instinct is often seen as this "goddess's" primary manifestation, and is the one we pursue for meaning because we crave intimacy as shelter from the cold. Lust is like the pagan sculpted idol ("golem") of this goddess. The constant scrambling to fulfill her within us, only leads to more entanglement in the wretchedness of the world ("swamps") and to more conflict among our fellow humans ("traitors").
This realization of the falsity and vanity of it all can only lead to the conclusion, "No, goddess, I don't believe!"