Fear Inoculum Lyrics

Lyric discussion by syndesmotic42 

Cover art for Fear Inoculum  lyrics by Tool

One interpretation of this song is getting out of a cult- or getting out of an oppressive upbringing or religion.

These lyrics hone in on it:

The deceiver says, he says You belong to me You don't wanna breathe the light of the others Fear the light Fear the breath Fear the others for eternity

Humans are susceptible to imprinting, maybe less so, as animals are, and these lyrics suggest imprinting on children in order to prevent them from socializing outside their family/cult/religion/social group by using fear.

The song proceeds through an awakening of the individual by releasing these false notions. There is the sense that the leader of the group is expelled and all others are awakening...

Song Meaning