Pallbearer released their debut album "Sorrow and Extinction" in February 2012 via Profound Lore Records to much critical acclaim.
The current line-up is:
Brett Campbell - vocals, guitar
Devin Holt - guitar
Joseph D. Rowland - bass
Mark Lierly - drums
Vengeance & Ruination
Pallbearer Lyrics
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The condemned is led blindly to doom
In the place where blood falls
And fills the earth, damnation blooms
Carve away dignity
Piece by piece
For all to see
Humanity
For the lost
No sympathy
Cries for deliverance
Echo through halls of pain
Vengeance and ruination
Flows in crimson rivers
The agony of castigation
An offering to the true god death delivered
Carve away dignity
Piece by piece
For all to see
Stripped and flayed
Humanity
For the lost
No sympathy
Cries for deliverance
Echo through halls of pain
This ritual of violence
Yet another link in the never-ending chain
Eye for an eye
Crime for a crime
The true measure of power
The ability to inflict cruelty with impunity
Cries for deliverance
Echo through halls of pain
This ritual of violence
Yet another link in the never-ending chain
The lyrics of Pallbearer's song Vengeance & Ruination explore the concept of torture and punishment through a hopeless lens. The song describes the imagery of someone being 'led blindly to doom', suggesting that the person is already resigned to their fate. The concept of blood is introduced as a catalyst for damnation to bloom, highlighting the idea that there is no escape from punishment when such an act is committed. The lyrics then dive into the act of torture as a form of punishment, with the idea of stripping away someone's dignity piece by piece. The repetition of 'piece by piece, for all to see' highlights the helplessness of the victim, with their torment being exhibited out in the open. The final part of the lyrics describe the perpetual nature of violence, with the ritual of violence leading to 'yet another link in the never-ending chain'.
Overall, the lyrics are bleak and show a resigned acceptance of punishment, with the concept of violence and retribution leading to an endless cycle of pain and suffering. The band uses the lyrics to explore the idea that even though the act of punishing someone may feel justified, it perpetuates a never-ending cycle of violence and vengeance.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the shadows of high walls
The setting for this scene is in a place where the darkness looms.
The condemned is led blindly to doom
Someone is being guided towards their death without knowing it.
In the place where blood falls
This location is where blood is frequently shed.
And fills the earth, damnation blooms
The ground is soaked in blood and becomes a symbol of hellishness.
Carve away dignity
Strip someone of their pride and self-respect.
Piece by piece
These actions are carried out slowly and with a great deal of malice.
For all to see
Everyone is a witness to the degradation.
Stripped and flayed
The act of removing someone's skin has taken place.
Humanity
The essence of being human and compassionate.
For the lost
Helpless individuals who have no one to speak up for them.
No sympathy
The perpetrators show no mercy or compassion.
Cries for deliverance
Screams for help and freedom can be heard.
Echo through halls of pain
The sounds of pain reverberate throughout the entire building.
Vengeance and ruination
Punishment and destruction are the goals.
Flows in crimson rivers
Blood is shed in copious amounts and flows like a river.
The agony of castigation
The pain that is inflicted on someone as punishment.
An offering to the true god death delivered
The act of cruelty is a tribute to death, which is being personified as a god.
Eye for an eye
Retribution in kind.
Crime for a crime
Punishment that matches the crime.
The true measure of power
The ability to cause pain and suffering without fear of retaliation.
The ability to inflict cruelty with impunity
Being able to harm others without consequences or punishment.
This ritual of violence
Repeated acts of brutality that have become an accepted practice.
Yet another link in the never-ending chain
One more occurrence of a longstanding, unbroken cycle of violence.
Writer(s): Mark Alan Lierly, Brett Daniel Campbell, Joseph David Rowland, Devin Holt
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.