Death in June emerged in 1981, reuniting singer/multi-instrumentalist Douglas P. and bassist Tony Wakeford; drummer Patrick Leagas completed the original lineup, which made its live debut late the following year with an opening slot for the Birthday Party.
The 12-inch Heaven Street soon followed, and in 1983 Death in June issued their first full-length effort, The Guilty Have No Pride. From the outset, the group was criticized for its adoption of fascist imagery, and charges of Nazism dogged Pearce throughout his career. However, Pearce is openly homosexual and has also collaborated with various ethnic Jews throughout his discography; the official Death in June web site used to sport an Israeli flag, and Death in June played live in Israel on June 18, 2004 for a predominantly Jewish audience.
Upon completing the Burial LP, Wakeford left the lineup to form Sol Invictus. Following the release of 1985’s Nada!, only Pearce remained, with Leagas exiting to form his own project, Sixth Comm.
Beginning with the 1986 double album The World That Summer, Pearce continued Death in June primarily as a solo concern, aided by a revolving group of collaborators including Current 93’s David Tibet, Boyd Rice and Coil’s John Balance. The abrasive electronics and martial rhythms of early efforts gave way to an increasingly expansive sonic approach over the course of subsequent outings including 1987’s Brown Book, 1989’s The Wall of Sacrifice and 1992’s But, What Ends When the Symbols Shatter?, the latter evoking Pearce’s longstanding interest in traditional European folk music.
The first British act to perform in Croatia following the outbreak of Yugoslavia’s civil war, Death in June documented their experiences on 1993’s Something Is Coming. Subsequent efforts include 1995’s Rose Clouds of Holocaust, 1998’s Take Care and Control, 2000’s Operation Hummingbird, and 2001’s All Pigs Must Die.
The official web site of Death in June is maintained at http://www.deathinjune.net.
Official Death In June merchandise can be bought here http://www.plastichead.com/catalogue.asp?ex=backlist&category=merch&target=DEATH+IN+JUNE.
All Pigs Must Die
Death in June Lyrics
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This ain't August '69
All Pigs Must Die
7 and 7 - Sieg Heil - Sublime!
Their trotters are in the mud
They're better off with the Son of God
They had no idea
Not even close, not even near
This ain't August '69
All Pigs Must Die
7 and 7 - Sieg Heil - Sublime!
All Pigs Must Die
This is August '99 (That was August '99)
All Pigs Must Die
Their stolen riches are really mine
Cover their faces in blood
They're better off with the Son of God
All Pigs Must Die
This is August '99
The Law of The Claw will make them mine
The song All Pigs Must Die by Death in June is a highly controversial and political song. The lyrics of the song are undoubtedly influenced by the political situation at the time of its release, i.e., in 1999. The song is an expression of the artist's views about fascism and their disgust for it. The song's tone is highly aggressive, and the lyrics are uncompromising, indicating the artist's strong dislike for fascism.
The lyrics of the song speak about the need to fight fascism and destroy it. The lyrics use the metaphor of pigs, indicating that the fascist leaders are no more than animals. The line "All Pigs Must Die" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the artist's message. The line "7 and 7 - Sieg Heil - Sublime!" references the Nazi's favorite drink, 7Up, and their infamous salute "Sieg Heil," indicating the artist's contempt for fascist symbols and slogans.
Another striking aspect of the song is the line "Cover their faces in blood, they're better off with the Son of God." This line could be interpreted in various ways. Some believe that the line is about how the fascist leaders deserve death, and they will find salvation in the afterlife. Others believe that the line is about how the fascists will only find peace and salvation with the help of Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
All Pigs Must Die
The singer is making a statement that all the people who are like pigs must die.
This ain't August '69
The singer is indicating that this is not the year of 1969, which potentially was a time of significant historical events.
7 and 7 - Sieg Heil - Sublime!
The singer is referencing a phrase that was commonly associated with the Nazi regime, which is ‘Sieg Heil’. The lyric forms an echo of fascist language, resulting in an impression of the evils of totalitarian regimes.
Their trotters are in the mud
The artist is invoking an image of pigs covered in mud when referring to the people who are compared to pigs. It is darkly meant as an insult.
They're better off with the Son of God
The artist is insinuating that the people compared to pigs are better off if they are offered some form of release, which will come from the salvation offered by the Savior.
They had no idea
The singer is indicating that the people being referred to do not have an understanding of what is happening around them.
Not even close, not even near
The singer is affirming that the people he is referring to are not even remotely close to understanding what is happening, hinting that they appear to be intellectually inferior to other people.
This is August '99 (That was August '99)
The artist is indicating that the time being referred to in the song is August of 1999. Hence, the lyrics are referring to the present day when the song was written in 1999.
Their stolen riches are really mine
The artist is conveying that the riches that the people referred to previously have robbed or taken from other people do not genuinely belong to them.
Cover their faces in blood
The artist could be suggesting that the people referred to should be punished, and their faces have to be covered in blood as part of the punishment. Alternatively, it could refer to the imminent danger of their violent end.
The Law of The Claw will make them mine
The singer is asserting that the Law of The Claw will take there own, which could mean the law of the jungle or the retribution from others will catch up to them. Elsewhere in the song, the singer exclaimed that all pigs (those people who look like pigs) must die, which seems to fit this part of the song.
Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.