Their debut album, titled "Mare Veris", was released in 1995. The group split up in 2001, for 5 years, and reformed in mid-2006. An album, tited "The Beckonings of Lost Light", was recorded in 2001 but has never been released.
Witch Hunt
Paradigma Lyrics
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The air is thick, and still
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torchlit hill
Features distorted in the flickering light
The faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night
The mob moves like demons possessed
Confident their ways are best
The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill
They say there are strangers, who threaten us
In our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness, too dangerous
In our theatres and bookstore shelves
Those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves
Quick to judge, quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance, prejudice and fear
Walk hand in hand
The song "Witch Hunt" by Paradigma is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the dangers of mob mentality and the destructive consequences of fear, ignorance and prejudice. The opening lines set a dark and ominous tone, describing a night that is black without a moon and an atmosphere that is thick and still. The vigilantes, who gather on a lonely torchlit hill, are portrayed as distorted and grotesque figures, their faces twisted in the flickering light. They move like demons possessed, their righteous anger fueled by fear and lies.
The lyrics highlight the tendency of individuals to blame their problems and fears on those who are different from them. The strangers, immigrants and infidels are presented as scapegoats, who are portrayed as a threat to the safety and security of the community. The self-righteous mob sees itself as the savior of society, confident that its ways are best and quick to judge and condemn those who oppose them. The song warns of the dangerous consequences of such thinking, as ignorance, prejudice and fear walk hand in hand, fueling violence and destruction.
Ultimately, "Witch Hunt" is a powerful critique of the dangers of group thinking and the importance of resisting simplistic solutions to complex problems. Paradigma's lyrics remind us that true progress and justice can only be achieved through a commitment to understanding, empathy and inclusivity.
Line by Line Meaning
The night is black, without a moon
A dark, foreboding atmosphere is set, with the lack of light representing a lack of optimism or hope.
The air is thick, and still
The stillness of the air gives a sense of unease, as if something is about to happen.
The vigilantes gather on
People are assembling, possibly with a purpose of violence or judgment.
The lonely torchlit hill
The setting is bleak and isolated, with the use of torches foreshadowing an intent to inflict pain or harm.
Features distorted in the flickering light
The flickering torches create an unsettling and chaotic environment, making it difficult to discern who is who.
The faces are twisted and grotesque
The people's appearances are ugly and unnatural, representing their internal moral corruption.
Silent and stern in the sweltering night
Despite the heat, the people are gathered quietly and seriously, emphasizing the weight and gravity of their intentions.
The mob moves like demons possessed
The use of mob mentality is dangerous and dark, likening them to demonic entities driven by aggression and chaos.
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right
The people believe they are justified in their actions, even if it means ignoring their own morality and humanity.
Confident their ways are best
The violence they commit is fueled by a belief that their own way of life is superior and worth fighting for, leading to intolerance toward those who do not share their beliefs.
The righteous rise
The mob believes they are on a moral crusade, justifying their cruel intentions.
With burning eyes
Their fervor and determination is reflected in their piercing and intense gazes.
Of hatred and ill-will
Their conviction is fueled by a deep disdain for those who are different.
Madmen fed on fear and lies
The people are being manipulated by misinformation and terror tactics, leading to irrational and dangerous behavior.
To beat and burn and kill
Their actions are violent and lethal, with no regard for the lives of those they are targeting.
They say there are strangers, who threaten us
Creating a sense of paranoia and xenophobia, people are made to feel as if those different from them are a threat.
In our immigrants and infidels
The use of derogatory terms paints a target on those who do not conform to their beliefs and cultural norms.
They say there is strangeness, too dangerous
The unknown is feared and demonized, further perpetuating the idea that those different from them are a threat.
In our theatres and bookstore shelves
New and unfamiliar ideas are seen as dangerous and subversive, causing those in power to seek control over what is being presented.
Those who know what's best for us
Those in power believe they are the only ones who know what is best for society, leading to a disregard for the needs and wants of the general populace.
Must rise and save us from ourselves
The mob sees themselves as saviors, even if it means using extreme and violent measures.
Quick to judge, quick to anger
The mob is easily provoked and reactive, jumping to conclusions without much thought or consideration.
Slow to understand
The people fail to see the wider context and implications of their actions, leading to shortsighted and harmful decisions.
Ignorance, prejudice and fear
These negative emotions are what fuels the mob's actions, causing them to act without rationality or empathy.
Walk hand in hand
These negative emotions are intrinsically linked, with one fueling the other, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle of hate and intolerance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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