In For The Kill
Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi Lyrics


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Thunder shattered the dawn
Raging with fury, the king has come
The power of terror will reign
There is no mercy in pleading

In for the kill, no quarter be shown
Live for the thrill of battle alone
Blessed by the will to die for the throne
In for the kill, in for the kill

Freedom is taken by storm
The blood on his hands is still running warm
The power of terror will reign
There is no mercy in pleading

In for the kill, no quarter be shown
Live for the thrill of battle alone
Blessed by the will to die for the throne
In for the kill, for the kill

In for the kill, no quarter be shown
Live for the thrill of battle alone
Blessed by the will to die for the throne
In for the kill, in for the kill

Thunder shattered the dawn
Raging with fury, the king has come
Death and destruction riding the storm
Blood on his hands still running warm





In for the kill the king has come

Overall Meaning

Black Sabbath's "In for the Kill" is a haunting and powerful song that evokes a sense of thunderous chaos and brutality. The lyrics describe a king who has come to conquer, wreaking havoc and destruction wherever he goes. The references to thunder, raging fury, and blood on his hands create a sense of overwhelming power and violence, and there is a real sense of impending doom in the air.


The chorus of "In for the Kill" emphasizes the idea that the king is unstoppable, and that those who oppose him will have no mercy shown to them. The desire for battle and the willingness to die for a cause are also present, creating a dangerous and ruthless atmosphere. The use of the phrase "no quarter be shown" is particularly interesting, as it refers to a military technique where no prisoners are taken and no mercy is shown to the defeated. This adds to the sense of brutality and the inevitability of the king's victory.


Overall, "In for the Kill" is a powerful and visceral song that captures the spirit of a brutal and merciless conqueror. It's a terrifying depiction of power and destruction, and its evocative lyrics and thunderous musicality make it a standout track in Black Sabbath's discography.


Line by Line Meaning

Thunder shattered the dawn
The arrival of the king is marked by a loud and ominous sound, just as thunder breaks the stillness of the morning sky.


Raging with fury, the king has come
The king is filled with intense anger and is now present, his wrath palpable.


The power of terror will reign
The king wields force and fear as his primary weapons, and will use them without hesitation to establish his dominion.


There is no mercy in pleading
Pleading for mercy will go unheard, as the king is unyielding and uncompassionate.


In for the kill, no quarter be shown
There will be no mercy or compromise in the pursuit of victory, the outcome of which is absolute.


Live for the thrill of battle alone
The combat itself, rather than the objective or consequence of the fight, is what provides motivation and excitement for the warrior.


Blessed by the will to die for the throne
The warrior's devotion to the ruler and the kingdom is so strong that they see death as a noble outcome if it leads to furthering that cause.


Freedom is taken by storm
The king seeks to seize control and suppress any rebellion or opposition by force and aggression.


The blood on his hands is still running warm
The king has recently spilled the blood of his enemies in battle, and the evidence of his violence is still fresh and vivid.


In for the kill, for the kill
The warrior is fully committed to the deadly fight, without hesitation or regret.


Death and destruction riding the storm
The king's wrath is intensified by the violent and chaotic conditions of the battle, which he harnesses to create even greater devastation.


In for the kill the king has come
The warrior and the king are both fully engaged in the battle, determined to achieve their respective objectives whatever the cost.




Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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