By being one of the first bands to blend anarcho-punk and heavy metal music, Amebix are often cited as one of the key bands that helped to create the crust punk style, and are considered as a proto-thrash metal band. Such notable bands as Sepultura, Neurosis, and Deviated Instinct have paid homage.
slave
Amebix Lyrics
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A radioactive burning crust
The meek shall inherit all that is left
Inherit the Earth, a living death
From the cradle to the grave
You made yourself the system's slave
Poison clouds, gods a liar
There's nothing left, for the meek
The past is gone the future is bleak
From the cradle to the grave
You made yourself the system's slave
Evil systems, government control
Are to blame for our downfall
There's no umbrella against the rain
Destroy the power, break your chain!
The lyrics of Amebix's song Slave seem to be a vivid commentary on the unfortunate state of the world, characterized by the destruction of the environment and the suffering of the common people. The opening lines, "Earth to ashes, buildings to dust, a radioactive burning crust," paint a picture of a world that has been destroyed by nuclear war or some other calamity, leaving behind a barren wasteland where nothing can grow. The second couplet, "The meek shall inherit all that is left, Inherit the Earth, a living death," speaks to the irony of the meek obtaining the world, a place that has become a living death.
The following verse, "From the cradle to the grave, You made yourself the system's slave," suggests that the people have become complicit in their own subjugation by blindly adhering to the societal norms set up by the powers that be. The third verse, "Acid rain, rocks on fire! Poison clouds, gods a liar, There's nothing left, for the meek, The past is gone the future is bleak," further emphasizes the bleakness of the situation. The world is in a state of ruin, with the common people having no power to do anything about it, as they've been stripped of everything.
Finally, the last verse, "Evil systems, government control, Are to blame for our downfall, There's no umbrella against the rain, Destroy the power, break your chain!" is a clarion call for people to wake up and fight against the systems that are responsible for their misery. The people need to rise up and fight the authority and societal norms that have led to their subjugation.
Line by Line Meaning
Earth to ashes, buildings to dust
Everything is destroyed, turned into rubble and dust.
A radioactive burning crust
The ground is contaminated and on fire due to nuclear activity.
The meek shall inherit all that is left
The powerless and submissive will be left with what little remains.
Inherit the Earth, a living death
Surviving in this world is like being alive in a state of constant suffering.
From the cradle to the grave
Throughout one's entire life, from birth to death.
You made yourself the system's slave
You willingly subjected yourself to the control and authority of the ruling system.
Acid rain, rocks on fire!
The environment is hostile and hazardous, with acid rain and burning rocks.
Poison clouds, gods a liar
The air is polluted with toxic gases. The belief in a benevolent god is unfounded.
There's nothing left, for the meek
The powerless and submissive have no resources, no hope, and no future.
The past is gone the future is bleak
The past is irrelevant, but there is no positive outlook for the future.
Evil systems, government control
The oppressive systems and their rulers are malevolent.
Are to blame for our downfall
They are the cause of the collapse of our society.
There's no umbrella against the rain
There is no protection against the various dangers and threats in this world.
Destroy the power, break your chain!
Overthrow the oppressive rulers and eliminate the bondage of their authority.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SCOTT JONATHON KINGMAN, CAMERON WALLACE MC KENZIE, ANDREW DONALD MCLEAN, MICHAEL JAMES VALLANCE, CRAIG DOUGLAS WAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind