“Truth Killer” by Sevendust
“Truth Killer” is the title track of Sevendust’s 14th studio album, a project which Napalm Records put out on 28 July 2023. The following members of the band are credited as writers of this song:
- Lajon Witherspoon
- Clint Lowery
- John Connolly
- Morgan Rose
And its producer, as well as that of the album at large, is Michael “Elvis” Baskette. This marks the third Sevendust LP he has served that role on, with the other two being those that directly preceded “Truth Killer”, which are 2018’s “All I See Is War” and 2020’s “Blood & Stone”.
The Lyrics of “Truth Killer”
Sevendust is one of those types of rock bands whose lyrics can be quite challenging to decipher, as is the case with this song. What is discernible is it appearing as if the vocalist is going through some type of internal conflict.
And going a bit out on a limb, we can argue that said conflict is somehow morality based. Or another way of explaining “Truth Killer”, theoretically, is as being illustrative of the singer trying to make sense of the world. For example, in the chorus, Lajon seems to allude to the notion of violence being contagious.
But this is one of those cases where the wording, as one, is so generally confusing – for lack of a better word – that it feels like the less theorizing we do, the better. Or perhaps as we delve deeper into the album, with this only being its second track, the meaning of this song will become more apparent.
“I know all that I want
Is something to keep us alive
When everything dies
And the one thing that we love
We grip it with violence
And live here in silence”
All in all, this song appears to explore themes ranging from resilience to struggle to spirituality to the relentless pursuit of truth. The lyrics suggest a personal battle against internal demons, a need for support, and questioning the purpose of existence. They furthermore go on to depict a search for a lifeline in a world perceived as chaotic and destructive, symbolizing transformation through trials and a demand for survival.
For example, the recurring phrases “I am a god” and “You won’t kill me / I’m alive” signify inner strength, defiance to conventional power structures, and faith in a higher power.
