Maybe a bit of a crackshot but I'm going for it - I think this is about the protagonist being stalked by an abuser (partner, parent, or other - just someone they had a close relationship with) or other kind of stalker told through the lens of supernatural horror. Maybe it's a nightmare of the protagonist - the protagonist has escaped their abuser/stalker, but the 'monster' is still trying to hunt them down to be with them again.
"Tonight they're calling out your name
A light across the river
They're coming for you
Let me in and I'll explain"
A supernatural metaphor for the abuser/stalker's manipulative attempts to get the protagonist to "let them in", trying to manipulative the protagonist into thinking they're in danger and the "monster" is on their side, and can help them... as long as the protagonist does as the "monster" asks.
"So dark outside here
I'm afraid I'll disappear"
The darkness in the night can refer to both the abuser/stalker stalking them in the night after finding their new home, but more crucially and metaphorically I think it refers to the darkness inside the "monster's" mind - they cannot live without the protagonist, they are nothing without them, they will "disappear". Some people truly feel like they don't exist outside of the context of a relationship and will cling onto their SO even to the point of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, because their need to be loved is so strong they are willing to do anything no matter how unethical.
"I know you're in there
I sense your fear"
The protagonist is in a panic at the "monster" outside the door - some abusers relish the fear they induce onto their "possessions".
"Surrender
I know you are hiding here
Come, my dear
You can hide in the night while I'm waiting here, all alone
When you're sleeping, I'm out here watching at your window
Can't you see me?
You and I, we are the same"
The use of "come, my dear" and "you and I, we are the same" makes me think this monster is indeed someone the protagonist has had some form of close relationship with. It doesn't have to be romantic necessarily. Again, "waiting here all alone" and "we're alike" sounds like more manipulative language to get the protagonist to let the "monster" inside - whether into the house, or into their life in general.
"So cold outside here
I'm afraid you'll disappear"
AKA 'I'm afraid of losing you (therefore I will do anything within my power to have you back, which includes stalking you to further abuse you.)'
"Now I know where you're hiding, and I want you to notice
The river is rising
I want you to know this"
Could be multiple things. It could be a nightmare manifested by trauma and therefore this imagery is literal. It could be the abuser/stalker trying to assert power by terrorising the protagonist claiming they're trapped (and what would the protagonist want to do if water was rising in their home? Probably open the door!) Hell, maybe saying "the water is rising" is another manipulation, trying to claim the protagonist is in danger in another desperate attempt to get them to open the door. Or the "monster" has gotten vengeful and is actually killing the protagonist (whether in a nightmare or in reality, who is to say?)
Can I just say the atmosphere in this song is absolutely brilliant, regardless! The guitar at 3:40 sounds like a screeching demon in the dark and probably the intended effect, while the breathing sounds like the protagonist potentially having a panic attack at the horror outside their door. I love this band for this very immersive theme of horror, both real and imagined :)
Maybe a bit of a crackshot but I'm going for it - I think this is about the protagonist being stalked by an abuser (partner, parent, or other - just someone they had a close relationship with) or other kind of stalker told through the lens of supernatural horror. Maybe it's a nightmare of the protagonist - the protagonist has escaped their abuser/stalker, but the 'monster' is still trying to hunt them down to be with them again.
"Tonight they're calling out your name A light across the river They're coming for you Let me in and I'll explain"
A supernatural metaphor for the abuser/stalker's manipulative attempts to get the protagonist to "let them in", trying to manipulative the protagonist into thinking they're in danger and the "monster" is on their side, and can help them... as long as the protagonist does as the "monster" asks.
"So dark outside here I'm afraid I'll disappear"
The darkness in the night can refer to both the abuser/stalker stalking them in the night after finding their new home, but more crucially and metaphorically I think it refers to the darkness inside the "monster's" mind - they cannot live without the protagonist, they are nothing without them, they will "disappear". Some people truly feel like they don't exist outside of the context of a relationship and will cling onto their SO even to the point of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, because their need to be loved is so strong they are willing to do anything no matter how unethical.
"I know you're in there I sense your fear"
The protagonist is in a panic at the "monster" outside the door - some abusers relish the fear they induce onto their "possessions".
"Surrender I know you are hiding here Come, my dear You can hide in the night while I'm waiting here, all alone
When you're sleeping, I'm out here watching at your window Can't you see me? You and I, we are the same"
The use of "come, my dear" and "you and I, we are the same" makes me think this monster is indeed someone the protagonist has had some form of close relationship with. It doesn't have to be romantic necessarily. Again, "waiting here all alone" and "we're alike" sounds like more manipulative language to get the protagonist to let the "monster" inside - whether into the house, or into their life in general.
"So cold outside here I'm afraid you'll disappear"
AKA 'I'm afraid of losing you (therefore I will do anything within my power to have you back, which includes stalking you to further abuse you.)'
"Now I know where you're hiding, and I want you to notice The river is rising I want you to know this"
Could be multiple things. It could be a nightmare manifested by trauma and therefore this imagery is literal. It could be the abuser/stalker trying to assert power by terrorising the protagonist claiming they're trapped (and what would the protagonist want to do if water was rising in their home? Probably open the door!) Hell, maybe saying "the water is rising" is another manipulation, trying to claim the protagonist is in danger in another desperate attempt to get them to open the door. Or the "monster" has gotten vengeful and is actually killing the protagonist (whether in a nightmare or in reality, who is to say?)
Can I just say the atmosphere in this song is absolutely brilliant, regardless! The guitar at 3:40 sounds like a screeching demon in the dark and probably the intended effect, while the breathing sounds like the protagonist potentially having a panic attack at the horror outside their door. I love this band for this very immersive theme of horror, both real and imagined :)
[Edit: typo]