VITRIOL - Shame and its Afterbirth Lyrics
The primordial intuition shakes a fruit of perfection free;
It hides deep in the withering field of modernity.
Motes of the fire eternal from a fresh stomach glow -
Eyes that have witnessed all now denied what they know.
Blazing trumpets raze whispers from the air;
Their burst bellies spilling secrets in the soil.
A new perfume tosses the scent of the Earth -
A mind, a body, caught within lines of safety drawn before their birth
The howl of instinct haunts,
But ghosts cast no shadows.
The animal that stalks lives in your step,
Born one thing and becoming another.
Horns sit on the horizon
Atop every unanswered question.
On the shadow's shoulder of every good,
They tuck in corners for those who look close, beyond, and away.
The demand a whole be broken -
The wolf is denied your brotherhood, and its will is king.
The howl of instinct haunts,
But ghosts cast no shadows.
The animal that stalks lives in your step,
Born one thing and becoming another.
The howl of instinct haunts
in the depth of your regret.
A precious darkness deepens.
The beast chews at its trap,
Born one thing and becoming another.
The shape of one's nature steals a kiss from a slumbering cheek;
The child of its early morning song awaits her chase.
She beckons with a form withheld.
In the ripening silence of solitude, she speaks
VITRIOL - Shame and its Afterbirth Analysis
Beginning:
- The song opens with a powerful image of primal intuition breaking free from the confinement of modern society.
- Fire imagery highlights the raw, untamed nature of this force.
- Eyes that have seen everything are now denied their knowledge, suggesting a loss of innocence or a disconnect from primal wisdom.
- Trumpets symbolize a forceful disruption of established patterns and secrets.
- A new scent symbolizes a transformation, a shift from familiar ground to something unknown.
Middle:
- The chorus introduces the haunting presence of instinct, a constant whisper beneath the surface.
- The image of a stalking animal emphasizes the internal struggle between civilized behavior and raw desires.
- Unanswered questions are depicted as horns on the horizon, representing looming anxieties and fears.
- Goodness is portrayed as having a shadow side, where wildness lurks just out of sight.
- The lyrics call for a breaking of unity, suggesting that embracing our animalistic nature is necessary for wholeness, even if it brings conflict.
Development:
- The second chorus reiterates the haunting presence of instinct, this time emphasizing its connection to regret and the deepening darkness within.
- The beast trapped within represents the struggle to suppress our wilder parts.
- The child waiting for her chase signifies the potential for growth and liberation through embracing one's true nature.
- The silence of solitude becomes a space for self-discovery and inner dialogue.
Ending:
- The final lines suggest a cautious embrace of primal urges, symbolized by the stolen kiss.
- The unknown form beckoning the child represents the uncertainty and freedom that come with venturing beyond societal constraints.
Key Themes:
- Conflict between primal instincts and societal expectations.
- Loss of innocence and knowledge in the modern world.
- Struggle to accept and integrate our dark side.
- Necessity of self-discovery and embracing individual nature.
- Transformation and potential liberation through acknowledging our wildness.
Literary Techniques:
- Vivid imagery: fire, trumpets, beasts, whispers, horns, darkness, silence.
- Metaphors: withering field, blazing trumpets, shadow's shoulder, demand a whole be broken, child of its early morning song.
- Repetition: chorus refrain, "But ghosts cast no shadows," "Born one thing and becoming another."
- Symbolism: fruit, fire, eyes, trumpets, perfume, horns, wolf, trap, child, kiss.
Emotional Tone:
- Haunting and unsettling, with a constant sense of underlying tension.
- Melancholy and regret for lost innocence and connection to nature.
- Defiance and determination to embrace true nature despite societal pressures.
- Hope and potential for self-discovery and liberation.
Overall Message:
"Shame and its Afterbirth" confronts the conflict between our societal masks and our untamed inner selves. It urges us to acknowledge and integrate our wildness, even if it means challenging societal norms and confronting dark aspects of ourselves. The song offers a sense of hope in the potential for liberation and wholeness through this self-discovery.
Bonus Analysis:
- The title plays on the double meaning of "vitriol," a corrosive acid and a feeling of bitter hatred. This further highlights the theme of internal conflict and the corrosive nature of repressing our true nature.
- The song's structure, with its repetitive chorus and shifting verses, mirrors the cyclical nature of the struggle between civilization and instinct.
I hope this analysis provides a deeper understanding of VITRIOL - Shame and its Afterbirth. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
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