Oppressor was a Chicago based death metal band that was formed in May 1991 by Tim King and Adam Zadel. A month later the band was completed with the addition of Tom Schofield and Jim Stopper. They were heavily influenced by bands like Morbid Angel, Death, Gorguts and Suffocation but also Cynic and some new age jazz music. After having recorded two demo tapes they signed a deal with Red Light Records in 1993, a label which eventually went bankrupt and leading up to a new deal with Olympic Recordings. Their second album "Agony" became the real breakthrough for the band and resulted in an opening slot on Cannibal Corpse's American tour. Three of the band members formed a side project called Soil with Broken Hope guitarist Shaun Glass in 1997. By 1999 Soil had become a successful full-time band and this meant the end for Oppressor.
The Polish-based Oppressor that released two demos under that moniker (1992's "Time of Agony" & 1995's "Blasphemous Thoughts").
Kingdom of the Dead
Oppressor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a thousand lies
Blindness is vision
Through a thousand eyes
Portal to dimensions
Of distant cries... cries
Bodies burning
An undiscovered
Spiritual journey of bloodshed
Welcome...
To the kingdom...
Of the dead
Through this darkness
Ancient evils now arise
Into the veins of creation
They now writhe
Suffer... within the passion
Of the hatred that you breed
Rejoice... upon the fields
Of the sorrow that you breathe
Bastards... of the creation
Through the whores that they are born
Never... seem to feel the pain
Of lives which they deform
The lyrics of "Kingdom of the Dead" by Oppressor are dark and foreboding, reflecting a world where truth is elusive and violence reigns supreme. The first two lines, "Hearing the voice of a thousand lies/ Blindness is vision through a thousand eyes," describe a world where misinformation and propaganda are the norm, and people are unable to see the truth. The image of a thousand eyes suggests that there are many perspectives, but none of them are able to see the truth.
The next few lines describe a world where bodies are burning and people are consumed with a selfish desire for flesh. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a society that is consumed with materialism and hedonism, and has lost sight of its spiritual values. The chorus, "Welcome to the kingdom of the dead," reinforces this idea, suggesting that this society is spiritually bankrupt and devoid of life.
The final verse suggests that this society is not only spiritually dead, but also actively destructive. Ancient evils are rising up, and people are suffering from the hatred and sorrow they have created. The word "bastards" suggests that this destruction is the result of human actions, and that people are not taking responsibility for the pain they have caused. The final line suggests that this pain is the result of lives being deformed, implying that the society is corrupt and in need of change.
Line by Line Meaning
Hearing the voice
Listening to the deceptive words of those in power
Of a thousand lies
All the falsehoods and propaganda that are fed to the masses
Blindness is vision
Being unaware and ignorant is seen as a strength
Through a thousand eyes
An illusion of choice and diversity while being controlled from a central source
Portal to dimensions
A gateway to otherworldly realms
Of distant cries... cries
Where the suffering of those in these realms go unheard and ignored
Bodies burning
The physical manifestation of the violence and destruction brought upon by those in power
Selfish yearning lust for flesh
The unquenchable desire for power and control over others
An undiscovered
An unknown and hidden
Spiritual journey of bloodshed
The path taken by those who are willing to commit any atrocity to maintain their power
Welcome...
Acceptance into this world of darkness and chaos
To the kingdom...
To the realm of those in power where all are subject to their will
Of the dead
The lifeless existence of those who are oppressed and exploited
Through this darkness
In this world of pain and suffering
Ancient evils now arise
The age-old methods of exploiting and subjugating others are once again being employed
Into the veins of creation
Seeping into every aspect of life
They now writhe
The people are now consumed by the evil that is imposed upon them
Suffer... within the passion
To endure the pain and agony brought upon by those in power
Of the hatred that you breed
The violence and destruction inflicted upon others as a result of the hate and greed within those who hold power
Rejoice... upon the fields
To find pleasure and joy amidst the misery and sorrow of others
Of the sorrow that you breathe
The pain and suffering that is inflicted upon others by those in power
Bastards... of the creation
Those who are born through illegitimate means and wield power over others
Through the whores that they are born
Through the exploitation and abuse of others, these illegitimate tyrants are created
Never... seem to feel the pain
Those in power are oblivious to the suffering and hardship they inflict upon others
Of lives which they deform
The destruction and devastation of the lives of those who are oppressed and exploited
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.