Frenetically creative, and playing only by his own rules, Thirlwell has never stopped experimenting and evolving his sound. While his music is most often outside of any genre, it is most frequently described as Industrial or No-Wave. His earlier music is usually quite harsh and distorted, although since Love, his music has become increasingly orchestral and symphonic, sometime sounding like a full orchestra, but is actually only J.G Thirlwell himself, though sometimes assisted by guest musicians on select tracks. His latest album, Hide, goes even further in this direction than Love did, beginning with an operatic piece sung by Abigail Fischer.
He has inspired many following industrial artists; like Nine Inch Nails, Pig and Cop Shoot Cop, among others, with his sonic assault and innovative use of studio technology, and was a key contributor on Coil's groundbreaking debut album Scatology as well as appearing on a few early Nurse With Wound recordings.
Thirlwell has also worked on collaborations under the names of Steroid Maximus (multiple collaborators), Stinkfist (with Lydia Lunch), Flesh Volcano (with Marc Almond), Baby Zizanie (with Jim Coleman) and Wiseblood (with Roli Mosimann of Swans); and does remix work as well, often under the name of Foetus. He also lent his voice to the introduction of album Misguided by Argyle Park.
Thirlwell is currently the Composer In Residence for Adult Swim's "The Venture Brothers".
For the video release of Season 3, a soundtrack album was also released, titled "The Venture Bros.: The Music of JG Thirlwell". This is the same audio CD included as a bonus with the Blu-ray version of Season 3. While the CD release was originally made available at Adult Swim's website, it was given a wide release on May 12, 2009;[15] the vinyl LP release came out a month earlier. It can also be downloaded from most major digital retailers. The CD features 20 tracks, while the vinyl LP release is 16 tracks.[16]
In the episode "The Trial of the Monarch," The Monarch mentions a picture of Dr. Girlfriend "skinny dipping with Jim Foetus," a reference to Thirlwell.
The Throne Of Agony
Foetus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Collect call to no one at all
Been yelling into an empty closet
To the point of no return (and no deposit)
Fiddlin' and watchin while Rome burns
A roll of the dice, the worm turns
Hello, central give me no-man's land
Transfusion from me'd kill the faint of heart
Alas poor Yorick, I knew me well
But I been killin' my brain cell by cell
It only takes a bullet to make the worm turn
And this one's for you
Toll is belling the signs is telling
Nose is running, feet are smellin'
Currently less than a human wreck
Give me a break, start at the neck
I rule my body from the throne of agony
My conscience and constitution naggin' me
Clock up another tracheotomy
Stab another dagger in the back of me
The dark gods burnt my evil soul
My brittle spirit's turned to coal
I rule my body from the throne of agony
The throne of agony, agony
Chalk up another frozen pizza
Choke up another thousand Marlboros
Anything goes for them ordinary Joes
They'll cut off your face to spite your nose
I don't need to touch their toes to know
I've already reached my all time low
Pacin' ruts in a carpet
Eatin' up the wallpaper, crawlin' the walls
Sick on the ceiling, dead in the head
Shut the shutters, I shoulda stayed in bed
Complaining 'bout my campaign
Against personal decency, I got no excuses
Rules wrapped in barbed wire, laced with busted glass
Yeah, I'm the one who gave the sandwich to Mama Cass
I rule my body from the throne of agony
My conscience, constitution's naggin' me
Clock up another tracheotomy
Stab another dagger in back of me
The dark gods burnt ma evil soul
My brittle spirit's turned to coal
I rule my body from the throne of agony
The throne of agony, the throne of agony, agony
Stoke up and poke up my funeral pyre
And watch my life flicker before your very eyes
With no commercial breaks, no breaks
No breaks (kill me baby)
Pour another glass of liquid clear king alcohol
Drinkin' hard to not remember what I'd just as soon forget
String around the finger, rope around the neck
You always hate the one you love
Time dies when you're having fun
I'm gonna change my name, I'm changin' trains (kill me baby)
I'm on the throne of agony
Conscience is naggin' me
Clock up another tracheotomy
Stab another dagger in back of me
The dark gods burnt my evil soul
My brittle spirit's turned to coal
I rule my body from the throne of agony
I rule my body from the throne of agony
The throne of agony, agony, agony, agony
Agony, agony, agony, agony
Foetus's song The Throne of Agony is a powerful and complex exploration of personal torment and despair. The lyrics are a relentlessly intense stream of consciousness, with the singer reaching out to the world around him in search of some kind of solace or release from his suffering. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer reaches out to the operator for "no-man's land," a place where he can escape from his own mind and find some sense of peace. He's been "yelling into an empty closet," a metaphor for the emptiness and isolation he feels inside.
As the song progresses, the singer's mental state deteriorates further. He talks about "killin' my brain cell by cell," and how it only takes "a bullet to make the worm turn." This line is a reference to the idea that a single, seemingly insignificant event can trigger a massive change or upheaval in a person's life. For the singer, it seems like the smallest thing could push him over the edge.
The chorus of the song is an affirmation of the singer's control over his own body, even as he's being consumed by his own pain and anguish. He's on the "throne of agony," ruling over himself even as he's seemingly falling apart. The imagery of clocking up "another tracheotomy" and stabbing "another dagger in back of me" is deeply disturbing, but it speaks to the singer's sense of self-loathing and inability to escape his own pain.
Overall, The Throne of Agony is a remarkably powerful and raw exploration of personal pain and mental anguish. It's a difficult song to listen to, but it's also an incredibly moving and cathartic piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, operator give me no-man's land
Asking for a place where nobody is, disconnected from society.
Collect call to no one at all
Reaching out for help but nobody answers.
Been yelling into an empty closet
Crying out for someone to hear but being ignored.
To the point of no return (and no deposit)
Having reached a critical state, with nothing left to lose.
Fiddlin' and watchin while Rome burns
Being indifferent and apathetic during a time of crisis or destruction.
A roll of the dice, the worm turns
Taking chances in life can lead to unexpected consequences.
Hello, central give me no-man's land
Desire to escape from the reality and the world.
From a walking waste disposal unit
Feeling like a pointless and useless individual.
Transfusion from me'd kill the faint of heart
People can't handle the emotional baggage and pain that the author carries.
Alas poor Yorick, I knew me well
Acknowledging personal faults and weaknesses.
But I been killin' my brain cell by cell
Slowly and gradually destroying oneself.
It only takes a bullet to make the worm turn
One event can change everything and trigger the unraveling of a person.
And this one's for you
The anger and resentment towards someone who caused pain and suffering.
Toll is belling the signs is telling
Indication of an approaching end or a disaster.
Nose is running, feet are smellin'
Physical symptoms of being sick and unwell.
Currently less than a human wreck
Feeling like a shell of a person, worthless and broken.
Give me a break, start at the neck
Begging for mercy or a chance to start over.
I rule my body from the throne of agony
Being in control of oneself despite the pain and suffering.
My conscience and constitution naggin' me
Intense internal conflict and struggle with morality and ethics.
Clock up another tracheotomy
Making self-destructive choices or engaging in harmful behaviors.
Stab another dagger in the back of me
Feeling betrayed and hurt by someone close.
The dark gods burnt my evil soul
Feeling damned and cursed by supernatural powers or forces.
My brittle spirit's turned to coal
Feeling emotionally drained and numb.
Chalk up another frozen pizza
Taking comfort in cheap and unhealthy food.
Choke up another thousand Marlboros
Coping with stress and anxiety through smoking.
Anything goes for them ordinary Joes
Society is numb to pain and suffering of individuals, especially marginalized groups.
They'll cut off your face to spite your nose
People will intentionally harm you even if it hurts themselves.
I don't need to touch their toes to know
Understanding the hateful nature of people without direct interaction.
I've already reached my all time low
Having hit rock bottom and feeling hopeless.
Pacin' ruts in a carpet
Anxiety and restlessness; being stuck in a rut.
Eatin' up the wallpaper, crawlin' the walls
Losing one's mind, feeling trapped and claustrophobic.
Sick on the ceiling, dead in the head
Feeling hopeless, helpless, and trapped in one's own mind.
Shut the shutters, I shoulda stayed in bed
Regretting decisions and wishing to escape reality.
Complaining 'bout my campaign
Acknowledging one's own shortcomings and flaws.
Against personal decency, I got no excuses
Breaking social and moral norms and feeling guilty.
Rules wrapped in barbed wire, laced with busted glass
Society's expectations and rules are painful and difficult to follow.
Yeah, I'm the one who gave the sandwich to Mama Cass
Claiming responsibility for a historical event or moment of significance.
Stoke up and poke up my funeral pyre
Self-destructive behavior and longing for death.
And watch my life flicker before your very eyes
Acknowledging the brevity and fragility of life.
With no commercial breaks, no breaks
Life is an uninterrupted and constant struggle.
Pour another glass of liquid clear king alcohol
Self-medicating and seeking escape through alcohol.
Drinkin' hard to not remember what I'd just as soon forget
Trying to forget painful memories and experiences through alcohol.
String around the finger, rope around the neck
Mental illness and suicidal thoughts.
You always hate the one you love
Feeling conflicted and frustrated with loved ones.
Time dies when you're having fun
Life feels short and fleeting when happy moments are rare.
I'm gonna change my name, I'm changin' trains (kill me baby)
Desire to escape from one's self, one's identity and one's life.
I rule my body from the throne of agony
Being in control of oneself, even amidst great suffering and pain.
The throne of agony, the throne of agony, agony
Repeating the idea of being in charge of one's own body despite immense suffering.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James George Thirlwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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