Hall of the Dead
Isis Lyrics


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The great
Stone walls
Rise above our heads
Cold and sad
Pale light
A dusty veil

The sun makes its way in
Destitute, weak
You're at my side again
Faithful guide
Unfailing
Here we stand
Among the others
The living
Among the dead

Veins still flowing full
Lungs filled with white light

Push forward
Lifeless bodies swept aside
They are on us
Cast a net of armor
Over our heads
Hide our life
Lest it be
Lifted from us

We must leave this place
Of deathly decay





Don't look back, press on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Isis's song, 'Hall of the Dead', describes a powerful and emotional scene of a group of people exploring a place filled with death and decay. The first verse talks about the surroundings, describing the towering cold stone walls, and the pale light that almost conceals the area in a dusty veil. The people in the song are weak and destitute, but they have a faithful guide who never fails them. Despite being surrounded by death, the group of people stand strong among the other living beings and the dead.


The second verse talks about the physical sensations experienced as they journey through this grim place. They feel their veins flowing full and their lungs filled with a white light, giving them the energy and rejuvenation to move forward. The lyrics then turn to action as the group pushes forward, sweeping lifeless bodies aside and casting a net of armor over their heads to protect their lives. They understand the fragility of life in this place and do not want their lives to be taken away from them. The final verse is a call to leave this place of deathly decay and press on without looking back.


Overall, the song can be interpreted as a story of perseverance through difficult times, having a faithful guide, and using physical strength to overcome obstacles. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and metaphorical language, drawing the listener into the song's bleak yet hopeful atmosphere.


Line by Line Meaning

The great
The walls are massive and impressive


Stone walls
The walls are made of stone


Rise above our heads
The walls are tall


Cold and sad
The atmosphere is depressing and bleak


Pale light
The light is weak and lacks warmth


A dusty veil
There is a layer of dust that adds to the desolate feel


The sun makes its way in
Sunlight is peeking through the walls


Destitute, weak
We are in a state of poverty and exhaustion


You're at my side again
You're here with me, as always


Faithful guide
You're my trusted companion


Unfailing
You never let me down


Here we stand
We are immovable and resolute


Among the others
We are not alone


The living
We are alive


Among the dead
We are surrounded by dead bodies


Veins still flowing full
We are still alive and healthy


Lungs filled with white light
We are breathing


Push forward
Keep moving forward


Lifeless bodies swept aside
We are stepping over dead bodies


They are on us
We are being chased or attacked


Cast a net of armor
Protect ourselves with a powerful defense


Over our heads
Protect the vulnerable areas


Hide our life
Conceal our existence


Lest it be
Or else it might be


Lifted from us
Taken away from us


We must leave this place
We need to escape from this dangerous area


Of deathly decay
Where everything is dying or dead


Don't look back, press on
Don't dwell on the past, keep moving forward




Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@martinj2814

The great
Stone walls
Rise above our heads
Cold and sad
Pale light
A dusty veil

The sun makes its way in
Destitute, weak
You're at my side again
Faithful guide
Unfailing
Here we stand
Among the others
The living
Among the dead

Veins still flowing full
Lungs filled with white light

Push forward
Lifeless bodies swept aside
They are on us
Cast a net of armor
Over our heads
Hide our life
Lest it be
Lifted from us
We must leave this place


Of deathly decay

Don't look back, press on



All comments from YouTube:

@jodysteck322

Without any doubt whatsoever, this is in my personal Top 20 favorites of all time. This post prog sludge perfection will never be duplicated or superseded. That is a fact.

@williamp7278

ISIS albums are amazing...but Wavering is the cherry on top

@taylorwhite828

My "favorite" band out of everything I've listened to in my life thus far. I've listened to polyphia, animals as leaders, Deftones, Radiohead, to fleet Foxes, MGMT, king gizzard and the lizard wizard, wishbone Ash, u name it...for reasons scientific is has a sound that hits my ears and extracts feelings in a way no one else does. I am not into technical, how fast can u go, djenty, or even solos for that. I have always, always been into atmosphere (at most fear) and overall structure. Isis turned me on to Russian circles, red sparowes, pelican, explosions in the sky, cloudkicker, some others. They are still best...panopticon is a masterpiece. Only concept album I like as much is deloused by Mars volta.

@xavkoston16

The only band that gives me chill like Isis does is Cult of Luna (russian circles as well but you already mentionned them)

@noknownthrone2487

Wow, I was going to write a comment, but yours said it for me. I will note, Cloudkicker is up there for me as well, but Isis is seriously my favorite band overall of all time. They destroy all barriers, and live... WHAT? They hit specific spots that reminds me of camping with my passed father, listening to old rock songs. They can tickle a metal itch, but have some of the most amazing bass and drum jams I've ever heard. I can't believe this band didn't become more well known, but I'm happy I have been listening to them as medicine since sometime around 2002. Glad to see someone share these thoughts as recent as 7 months ago, cheers brother! This music feels timeless somehow!

@outerspacern

This album is gold

@TodaysRemedy

bro you have taste

@Denny_Boi

Deloused in the comatorium is a killer album

2 More Replies...

@WarDecoy1

The reason you can hear Tool in this song is because Adam Jones was a guest guitarist on this.

@jacquesdemolaymolay4453

***** Why is it so hard to type a coherent sentence? Lazy...

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