Flesh and the Power It Holds by Death Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Philosophical Depths of Human Desire
Lyrics
When you live the flesh
It is the beginning of the end
It will take you in
And tt will spit you out
Behold the flesh
And the power it holds
Passion is a poison laced with pleasure bitter-sweet
One of many faces
That hide deep beneath
It will take you in
It will spit you out
Behold the flesh
And the power it holds
Touch
Taste
Breathe
Consumed
Deja-vu, already knew
From the first encounter
But now I know to let go
Of words to speak no more
Like a wind upon your face
You can’t see it, but you know it’s there
When beauty shows its ugly face
Just be prepared
Passion burns like fire carried by the wind
The end of a time, a time to begin
It will take you in
And it will spit you out
Behold the flesh
And the power it holds
It builds you up
One way and tears you right back down
A time to begin
The end of a time
It will take you in
And it will spit you out
Behold the flesh
And the power it holds
Touch
Taste
Breathe
Consumed
Deja-vu, already knew
From the first encounter
But now I know to let go
Of words to speak no more
Like a wind upon your face
You can’t see it, but you know it’s there
When beauty shows its ugly face
Just be prepared
Within the aggressive chords and the relentless rhythms of Death’s song ‘Flesh and the Power It Holds’ lies a profound meditation on the corporeal existence and its intrinsic allure. This isn’t just a song; it’s a philosophical enquiry wrapped in a metal garment, aggressive yet contemplative, exploring the dualism of pleasure and pain, passion and poison.
The mastermind behind the band, Chuck Schuldiner, was known for infusing his metal music with unexpectedly deep reflections on life, death, and human nature. In this track from the album ‘The Sound of Perseverance,’ we observe these themes being dissected with surgical precision, set against a backdrop of some of the most virtuosic metal ever performed.
Entering the Labyrinth: A Dive into Human Sensuality
Right from its first verse, ‘Flesh and the Power It Holds’ sets the tone for a narrative that delves into the purest forms of human sensuality: touch, taste, and the inevitable consumption of experiences. It’s not just a lyrical exploration; it’s a sensory call to arms, inviting listeners to embrace the visceral reality of being human.
By repeating the action of being taken in and spat out, Schuldiner encapsulates the cyclical nature of indulgence. The pleasures of the flesh are ephemeral, yet they wield power over us, suggesting an on-going struggle between yielding to desire and overcoming it.
Poisonous Pleasures: The Dual Nature of Desire
Death doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the duality of passion. It is described as a poison laced with pleasure, indicating that within every moment of ecstasy lies a potential for downfall. Schuldiner plays with this antithesis, displaying an acute awareness of the inherent risks in life’s temptations.
These ‘many faces’ that ‘hide deep beneath’ suggest the underlying complexities and hidden dangers of engaging with our passions. It’s a reminder that beneath beauty’s appealing surface can lurk an ‘ugly face,’ a sentiment that warns as much as it tempts.
The Concealed Wisdom of Letting Go
Past the brute force of its metal facade, ‘Flesh and the Power It Holds’ delivers a message of revelation and acceptance. The concept of deja-vu speaks to the universal experience of recurring feelings or situations, and the eventual understanding that comes from these patterns.
Schuldiner urges the listener to ‘let go of words to speak no more,’ an ode to the acceptance of the intangible forces at play in life – like ‘a wind upon your face.’ One cannot see these forces, but their presence is undeniable, enforcing the song’s central theme of recognizing and respecting the unseen powers that govern our existence.
Memorable Lines that Ignite Reflection
‘When beauty shows its ugly face, just be prepared,’ is one of the song’s most poignant lines, challenging the listener’s perception of aesthetics and the impermanence of attractiveness. It’s a striking aphorism that offers a glimpse into the multilayered nature of the song’s lyrics.
These words act as both caution and counsel, offering a complex look at the transient nature of life and the fickle, often deceptive, quality of all that seems alluring.
The Metaphysical Journey from Conception to Termination
The track’s lyrical journey seems to reflect the larger arc of a life, with passages about beginnings and endings. ‘A time to begin, The end of a time’ suggests an infinite loop, an ouroboros of existence where what is constructed is invariably deconstructed, only to be rebuilt anew – a metaphor for both the resilience and fragility of life.
In the grand scheme, ‘Flesh and the Power It Holds’ isn’t merely a song about human desire – it’s a commentary on the cycle of life itself, rendered through the metaphysical experiences of the flesh and the undeniable power it exerts over the human condition.
