ObZen
Meshuggah Lyrics
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Equilibrium obtained
Pure in devotion to all things unwell
This sweet Zen of our ill condition sustained
A new belief-system salvation found in vomit and blood
Where deprivation, lies, corruption, war and pain is god
Balance
Harmony found in the sickly, the vile
Unflinching eyes, joyous and gleaming
Intense in their need to watch things die
A new belief-system
Salvation found in vomit and blood
Where deprivation, lies
Corruption, war and pain is god
Decay
Disgrace
Disgust
Our state of Zen
The grime of contempt and degeneration
Sticky, foul and pungent
The sediment of our creation
We flourish in this blood-red soil
The lyrics of Meshuggah's "ObZen" reflect a thought-provoking concept of finding inner peace and contentment in what is generally considered vile, corrupt, and painful in society. The first verse expresses a state of perfect balance and equilibrium in a filthy and repulsive atmosphere, where the devotees derive spiritual gratification from the unwell and sickening aspects of society. The second verse introduces a belief system that offers salvation through violence, disease, and suffering. The followers reject conventional morality and instead embrace the despicable elements of life as their gods, including deprivation, lies, corruption, war, and pain.
The chorus "Balance, Harmony found in the sickly, the vile / Unflinching eyes joyous and gleaming / Intense in their need to watch things die," describes the state of bliss and satisfaction that the followers of this belief system experience in their perverse perception of the world. The final verse ends with a powerful imagery of the filth and degradation that nourishes their existence, as the sediment of society in which they thrive is described as a blood-red soil.
Overall, "ObZen" presents an insightful commentary on how individuals can find meaning and purpose in an otherwise decaying and corrupt world. The lyrics suggest that the happiness and contentment that people seek lie not in denying or avoiding the unpleasantness of life but in embracing and celebrating such aspects as well.
Line by Line Meaning
A state of perfection, immersed in filth
The perfect state has been achieved despite being surrounded by impurity and uncleanliness
Equilibrium obtained
Balance has been achieved
Pure in devotion to all things unwell
Devotion towards everything that is considered unhealthy and sick is pure
This sweet Zen of our ill condition sustained
We sustain our peaceful state of mind through our unhealthy condition
A new belief-system salvation found in vomit and blood
We have found a new belief system where salvation is achieved through vomiting and shedding blood
Where deprivation, lies, corruption, war and pain is god
In this belief system, deprivation, lies, corruption, war and pain are worshiped like a god
Balance
A state of equilibrium
Harmony found in the sickly, the vile
Harmony is found in things that are usually considered disgusting and unhealthy
Unflinching eyes, joyous and gleaming
Eyes that don't move or blink, radiating happiness
Intense in their need to watch things die
Desiring to see things die with strong emotions
A new belief-system
A newly discovered set of beliefs
Salvation found in vomit and blood
Salvation can be achieved through vomiting and shedding blood
Where deprivation, lies,
In a place where there is a lack of basic necessities and truth,
Corruption, war and pain is god
Corruption, war, and pain are worshiped like a god
Decay, disgrace, disgust, our state of Zen
Our peaceful state of mind is achieved through decay, disgrace, and disgust
The grime of contempt and degeneration,
A layer of filth that represents the disdain and degradation we experience
Sticky, foul and pungent
It is thick, unpleasant smelling, and sticky
The sediment of our creation
The residue left behind from our creation
We flourish in this blood-red soil
We thrive in this environment that is full of blood and is reddish-brown in color
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fredrik Thordendal, Jens Kidman, Tomas Haake, Maarten Hagstroem
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind