Personally I don't see the criminal connection ... unless one of the artists who wrote the song were criminals (don't believe any were).
So I think it is highly unlikely that the story would be told from the point of view of a criminal (let alone put a "positive" spin on a criminal).
I believe the enemy is in reference to society. Given metal's stereotypes in society and the general notions of metalheads it could be about the genre even. The pain they have caused could be to their family / friends, through their actions (be it involvement in metal, bridges they've burned, people they've emotionally hurt). This is their struggle ... should they apoligise for becoming the "enemy" or should they embrace that tag??
By the end of the song they've embraced the tag of "enemy" ... and are willing to be a target for everyone (to save others) or simply a statement of this is who I am like it or lump it!
Personally I don't see the criminal connection ... unless one of the artists who wrote the song were criminals (don't believe any were).
So I think it is highly unlikely that the story would be told from the point of view of a criminal (let alone put a "positive" spin on a criminal).
I believe the enemy is in reference to society. Given metal's stereotypes in society and the general notions of metalheads it could be about the genre even. The pain they have caused could be to their family / friends, through their actions (be it involvement in metal, bridges they've burned, people they've emotionally hurt). This is their struggle ... should they apoligise for becoming the "enemy" or should they embrace that tag??
By the end of the song they've embraced the tag of "enemy" ... and are willing to be a target for everyone (to save others) or simply a statement of this is who I am like it or lump it!