Digital Tension Dementia
Front Line Assembly Lyrics


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You can't say yes, you can't say no
You're living in a fascist world
Violence is your point of view,
It always makes the best of you

Freedom is a luxury
Of self induced hostility,
My back is up against the wall,
And everywhere dead men fall

Efficiency - redundant fear but don't you see?
The power games that they play,
The methods which they put in your way
"The charges aren't justified"

Violence is your point of view
It always gets the best of you
Redundant fear but don't you see? - Efficiency

You don't get time to look around
You keep your face to the ground




You can't say yes, you can't say no
You're living in a fascist world

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Front Line Assembly's song Digital Tension Dementia are a forceful commentary on the suffocating nature of living within a fascist system and the insidious ways in which it can corrupt individuals. The repeated phrase "you can't say yes, you can't say no" highlights the lack of agency that people have in such a system, where expression and individuality are suppressed in favor of obedience to the ruling authority. The lines "violence is your point of view, it always makes the best of you" emphasize how this restrictive atmosphere can lead to aggression and hostility becoming the default response to any situation.


The refrain "efficiency - redundant fear but don't you see?" highlights the paradoxical nature of a fascist system, where it claims to promote efficiency and order but in reality sustains itself through the creation and perpetuation of fear. It suggests that the power games that are played within such systems are ultimately futile and meaningless, with the "methods which they put in your way" only serving to maintain the status quo rather than to bring about genuine change. The final lines of the song, "you don't get time to look around, you keep your face to the ground", encapsulate the suffocating and claustrophobic nature of living within a fascist system, where surveillance and constrictive legislation make it difficult to see a way out.


Line by Line Meaning

You can't say yes, you can't say no
Your choices are limited and controlled, leaving you with no agency over your own life.


You're living in a fascist world
The world is controlled by oppressive regimes that limit your freedoms and enforce their own rules through violence and intimidation.


Violence is your point of view,
You have been conditioned to view violence as an acceptable solution to problems, rather than seeking peaceful resolutions.


It always makes the best of you
Your violent tendencies are taking over, and they are becoming a more intrinsic part of your identity with each use.


Freedom is a luxury
Having the ability to make your own choices and lead your own life is a privilege that is limited by oppressive systems.


Of self induced hostility,
Your aggressive behavior is a result of years of conditioning that encourages hostility towards those around you.


My back is up against the wall,
You feel trapped and hopeless, with nowhere to turn for escape or help from those around you.


And everywhere dead men fall
The consequences of the violent actions of oppressive systems are apparent everywhere, with innocent people suffering and dying as a result.


Efficiency - redundant fear but don't you see?
The violent and oppressive systems in place are not necessary for efficiency, and in fact rely on fear to retain their power over the population.


The power games that they play,
The oppressive regimes in charge use their power and influence to maintain their control over the population, pitting different groups against each other for their own gain.


The methods which they put in your way
The systems in place are designed to prevent you from achieving real change, using methods like propaganda and censorship to maintain their control and manipulate your beliefs.


"The charges aren't justified"
The reasons given for the violent and oppressive actions taken by the powers that be are not reasonable or justifiable.


You don't get time to look around
You are too busy just trying to survive in the oppressive system, and are unable to take a step back and examine the bigger picture or seek out solutions.


You keep your face to the ground
You are beaten down and submissive, unable to look up or question the systems in place.


You're living in a fascist world
The oppressive systems in place are so deeply ingrained in society that they have become the norm, creating an environment that is oppressive and stifling to those living within it.




Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BILL LEEB, MICHAEL BRUCE BALCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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