Formed in the … Read Full Bio ↴One of the longest-running grindcore bands in France.
Formed in the early 90's by Fred (bass), the band first played death metal but soon evolved into grindcore after a line-up change in 1994. They have always been entirely independant, releasing records and booking shows by themselves through their label Grind Your Soul.
The band's albums follow a concept revolving around "life and the abolition of time", it was planned to last over 7 albums ("the Heptalogy"): 1) Internal Life (1996) / 2) Ex-Pulsion (1997) / 3) Growth (2000) / 4) Life (2004) / 5) The 5th Season (2009) / 6) Expulsed (2013) / 7) Eternal Life (2021). By now (2022), all seven albums have been released, and the cycle is over. But they are still playing live, and won't stop soon. They may still appear on a few split with other bands, but they don't plan to release new music anyway.
History
Inhumate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Page of centuries torn skin
Future with death and madness
Can even God read those lines?
Past... Present... Future
Oval... Oval Account (x2)
For our rational weak minds
Desire to break the circle
Need to read the bloody lines
If God wrote the first word
Why can't He put the last point?
Trapped in the oval account
He bends to His creation, as us!
History... Oval Account!
L'Histoire... Récit Ovale! (x2)
Past... Time of all taboos
Eyes bleed watching behind
Present... Time of all tortures
Feel the suffer to live
Future... Time of all pleasures
Ouvre... Ouvre les yeux et souffre! (x2) *
We are the witnesses
Witnesses of a single word
Word that might, might be: Hell!
If He can't put the last point...
[*: Open... Open the eyes and suffer!]
The song "History" by Inhumate is an existential exploration of the nature of time and human existence. The lyrics describe a "human blood written book" that contains the history of humanity, with pages "torn" by the ravages of time. The future is described as a frightening and uncertain place, filled with "death and madness." Despite the seemingly limitless knowledge contained in this book, the song asks whether even God can fully comprehend its meaning.
The song is divided into three sections that correspond to different periods of time: the past, the present, and the future. Each of these periods is described in vivid, often disturbing terms. The past is a time of "all taboos," while the present is a time of "all tortures" and suffering. The future is the time of "all pleasures," but this pleasure comes at a cost, as listeners are urged to "open their eyes and suffer."
Ultimately, the song suggests that all of human existence is contained within an "oval account," a circular narrative that may never be resolved. Even if God wrote the first word, the song implies, he may never be able to put an end to the story.
Line by Line Meaning
A human blood written book
This line describes history as a book that is written in human blood, implying that history is filled with violence and suffering.
Page of centuries torn skin
This line suggests that each page of history is like a piece of torn skin, that reveals the ugliness and brutality of humanity.
Future with death and madness
The future is predicted to be filled with death and madness, indicating that history repeats itself and human nature is difficult to change.
Can even God read those lines?
This line questions whether even God can understand the violent and bloody history of humanity.
Endless lack of knowledge
This line highlights the idea that humanity's limited knowledge and understanding contributes to our inability to break the cycle of violence in history.
Desire to break the circle
There is a desire to put an end to the cycle of violence in history and move towards a future of peace and prosperity.
Need to read the bloody lines
Despite the violence and ugliness of history, it is important to examine and learn from it in order to create a better future.
If God wrote the first word
This line suggests that God is responsible for initiating creation and the beginning of time.
Why can't He put the last point?
However, God seems unable to intervene in humanity's violent history and bring an end to it.
Trapped in the oval account
God is trapped within the limits of his own creation and cannot change the course of human history.
He bends to His creation, as us!
Ultimately, God is subject to the same laws of nature and human nature as humanity, and is unable to change it.
Past... Time of all taboos
This line describes the past as a time when taboos and societal norms were strictly enforced.
Eyes bleed watching behind
Examining the brutal history of the past is emotionally painful and can cause suffering.
Present... Time of all tortures
The present is filled with suffering and pain for many people around the world.
Feel the suffer to live
Despite the pain and suffering present in the world, it is important to experience it and remain hopeful for a better future.
Future... Time of all pleasures
Despite the cycle of violence in history, it is possible to create a future that is filled with joy and happiness.
Ouvre... Ouvre les yeux et souffre!
This line states that we must open our eyes to the suffering in the world and feel it in order to create a better future and break the cycle of violence in history.
We are the witnesses
As individuals living in the present, we are the witnesses to history and have the power to shape a better future.
Witnesses of a single word
This line suggests that our actions in the present can have a significant impact on shaping the future.
Word that might, might be: Hell!
If we continue down the path of violence and destruction, the future we create may be a living hell.
History... Oval Account!
The title of the song refers to history as an oval account, with no beginning or end, reflecting the cyclical nature of humanity's violent past.
L'Histoire... Récit Ovale!
The title of the song in French draws attention to history as a story that has been repeated and retold across time.
Contributed by Nathaniel A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kambui Tyehimba
Humans are really good at being inhumane
Justin
You should take a closer look at animals.
Lilree 27
@Justin but humans are animal
Justin
@Lilree 27 There’s plenty that separates us from typical animals. 🤦♂️
u got that stiffy daddy
@Justin we are still animals special ones
Justin
@u got that stiffy daddy Biologically yes, but cognitively we are far above them.
SIlverFang
The guillotine was actually a massive improvement on better humane executions. The idea was a giant blade cam down like a clap of thunder, the head was removed and the man was no more. It was seen as a way better form of execution than the previously used hanging and "drawn and quartered" executions, which ironically enough were also considered more humane (the hanging not the latter) was more humane than even the executions before that one.
Mircea Zaharia
Decapitation is scary and traumatising. A body without a head is this inhuman, dead, mutilated thing. The face of the victim is stuck in either an expression of surprise or terror.
But it is spectacular, and frightening for the ones being targeted for execution. I've always been creeper out and fascinated by beheading.
undefined
The guillotine was also just a better copy of the Scottish Maiden and the Halifax Gibbet.
James Roberts
I've read that it might be possible for a person to still be conscious a few seconds after being beheaded. There are real accounts of decapitated heads moving their eyes, mouth, etc. But that could also be the nerves reacting.