Hellnation was long-running powerviolence band from Kentucky, USA. They for… Read Full Bio ↴Hellnation was long-running powerviolence band from Kentucky, USA. They formed in 1989 and broke up in early 2010. Hellnation went on numerous tours throughout the United States, Japan, Brazil, and across Europe. Distinct trademarks of Hellnation's sound include punk rock guitar riffs played at hyper speed, copious amounts of distortion, and angry, profanity-laden vocals / lyrics. There were several line-up changes during their twenty one year history, but the most solid (and final) line up consisted of:

Albert - Drums & Lead Vocals
Ken - Guitar & Vocals
Doug - Bass & Vocals

Game of Death
Hellnation Lyrics

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Nothing but text in a book to you
Lives stolen in a game of death
A stance from thousands of miles away
What if you were in their shoes?
Think it's part of your politics
While your safe so far away
Innocents killed for the goals of government policy
Innocents killed for the goals of terrorists

One doesn't justify the other

See what happens when you're next

Overall Meaning

"Hellnation's song Game of Death" is a powerful take on the devastating effects of war and how it's often the innocent people who suffer the most. The lyrics describe how people in power make decisions that lead to the loss of countless lives in the name of "government policy" or "terrorism" without considering how it would feel to be in their shoes. The song asks the listener to think about the situation critically and realize that there is no justification for the loss of innocent lives, no matter who's responsible.

The opening line, "Nothing but text in a book to you," can be interpreted as a reference to how distant and disconnected the decision-makers may feel from the people affected by their choices. The phrase "game of death" implies how war is sometimes seen as a strategic move – a game to be won by the opposing sides. The line "while you're safe so far away" highlights the privilege that some people have, and how they often overlook the human cost of war. The song emphasizes the fact that war has a real impact on the ground, and that the loss of innocent lives should not be taken lightly.

Line by Line Meaning

Nothing but text in a book to you
You don't care about the actual people affected by war, you only care about reading about it in a book.

Lives stolen in a game of death
The casualties of war are not just numbers, they are real people with lives that have been taken away.

A stance from thousands of miles away
It's easy to have an opinion from afar without truly understanding the situation.

What if you were in their shoes?
Consider the perspective of those directly impacted by war and how it would feel to be in their position.

Think it's part of your politics
You may view war as a political issue rather than a human tragedy.

While your safe so far away
It's easy to support war when you aren't the one in harm's way.

Innocents killed for the goals of government policy
People who have no involvement in the conflict are often the ones who suffer due to political decisions.

Innocents killed for the goals of terrorists
Terrorist attacks often result in the deaths of innocent victims who have no connection to the conflict.

One doesn't justify the other
Neither side has the moral high ground when innocent lives are being taken.

See what happens when you're next
It's easy to ignore the reality of war until it happens to you or someone you love.

Contributed by Kylie H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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