Dead Man Walking
Onslaught Lyrics

The opening line of the first verse in Onslaught’s song Dead Man Walking, is a direct reference to the New Testament character of Judas, known for betraying Jesus. The singer of the song claims to be “sworn to avenge”, taking on the role of a divine revenge-seeker on behalf of people who have been wronged, much in the same way that Judas did in the Bible. The target of the singer’s anger is “the obsessor with the poison tongue”, someone who has caused a lot of damage with their words. The singer promises to bring “slow death unto” this person, indicating that their revenge will not be a swift one, but a gradual and painful process. The second verse seems to describe the singer’s own experiences, as they are referred to as “broken” and having been “twisted by the torment of the slaughter to come”. The imagery of being “face down in a pool of decay” paints a bleak picture of a person who has been beaten down by life. The idea of being a “preacher to the ones that failed” suggests that the singer is preaching to others who are similarly broken, in an attempt to give them hope and a sense of community, even as they are walking towards death.

The chorus of Dead Man Walking is an eerie description of someone who is already dead but is still walking: “Dead man walking/Walking to the jaws of Hell/Dead man talking/A preacher to the ones that failed.” The concept of someone who is already dead but still moving, as though they are alive, is a common element in horror and supernatural fiction. The use of this imagery in Dead Man Walking serves to make the song even more frightening and intense. The final verse contains a scathing critique of society, as the singer accuses people of “creating nothing but a veil of lies” and of continuing to hurl insults even though they know that their words are hurting the person. The reference to “sticks and stones” suggests that people are still using hurtful language, even though they know it can do real damage. The phrase “dead man’s dignity” suggests that even though the singer is walking towards inevitable death, they still have a sense of pride and self-respect. The final lines, “The lamb is led to slaughter/The lamb will beg to be released”, evoke the imagery of a helpless animal being led to its death, which is a fitting comparison for the singer’s situation.