Seems to me that Like Clockwork is a sort of concept album. Bear with me:
The music video for My God Is The Sun has several undead creatures summoned to the center of a city, where they enter the mouth of some sort of eldritch monster, which then destroys the city and possibly the world. This creature is the "Vampyre of Time and Memories," and the video tell the story of an alternate ending to the album.
In the beginning, the narrator of the album is disillusioned and depressed after being dumped by his girlfriend. He is approached by the leader of an apocalyptic cult, who wins him over with promises of otherworldly power- this occurs during "If I Had A Tail," which then segues immediately into "My God is the Sun." Here he's attending one of their ceremonies and watching them perform sacrifices in preparation for the apocalypse. He's both impressed and horrified, and has an internal struggle over what to do- this is "Kalopsia." Trent Reznor represents his evil side, pushing him toward joining the cult.
He ends up doing so, and writes off the woman who dumped him as a "Fairweather Friend." "Smooth Sailing" is the leadup to the apocalypse. He's got nothing to lose. He's going to help them summon the Vampyre and destroy the world. But at the last minute he is overwhelmed and becomes paralyzed- "I Appear Missing." For the first time he sees his life objectively and does not perform his role in the apocalyptic ceremony. The end of the world does not come about.
The final track, "Like Clockwork," reflects on how the world has gone about its business without any knowledge of the disaster that almost occurred.
Seems to me that Like Clockwork is a sort of concept album. Bear with me:
The music video for My God Is The Sun has several undead creatures summoned to the center of a city, where they enter the mouth of some sort of eldritch monster, which then destroys the city and possibly the world. This creature is the "Vampyre of Time and Memories," and the video tell the story of an alternate ending to the album.
In the beginning, the narrator of the album is disillusioned and depressed after being dumped by his girlfriend. He is approached by the leader of an apocalyptic cult, who wins him over with promises of otherworldly power- this occurs during "If I Had A Tail," which then segues immediately into "My God is the Sun." Here he's attending one of their ceremonies and watching them perform sacrifices in preparation for the apocalypse. He's both impressed and horrified, and has an internal struggle over what to do- this is "Kalopsia." Trent Reznor represents his evil side, pushing him toward joining the cult.
He ends up doing so, and writes off the woman who dumped him as a "Fairweather Friend." "Smooth Sailing" is the leadup to the apocalypse. He's got nothing to lose. He's going to help them summon the Vampyre and destroy the world. But at the last minute he is overwhelmed and becomes paralyzed- "I Appear Missing." For the first time he sees his life objectively and does not perform his role in the apocalyptic ceremony. The end of the world does not come about.
The final track, "Like Clockwork," reflects on how the world has gone about its business without any knowledge of the disaster that almost occurred.
No one knows. But in a way, you're very right. :)
No one knows. But in a way, you're very right. :)