Rudimentary Peni (1980 - present) emerged from the anarcho-punk scene in th… Read Full Bio ↴Rudimentary Peni (1980 - present) emerged from the anarcho-punk scene in the UK in the early eighties as one of the most novel and recognizable acts of the era.

Lead singer/guitarist Nick Blinko is notorious for his witty macabre lyrics and dark pen-and-ink artwork, prominently featured on all of Rudimentary Peni's albums. Blinko is also rumored to have written the band's Pope Adrian 37th Psychristiatric album whilst resident in a psychiatric hospital, having suffered from mental illness most of his life, as such, the subject matter of the album relates to the delusions Nick was experiencing at the time, particularly the idea that he was said Pope. Nick's subject matter has been influenced by the work of H.P. Lovecraft who he had studied after having delusions of the macabre element of life and hereafter. Bassist Grant Matthews has also written a number of songs for the band, though his lyrics primarily focus on sociopolitical themes. The band also features drummer Jon Greville.

Very few photos exist of the band, as their albums feature Blinko's drawings, but artist and record label owner Pushead published a few photos of the band in an early edition of his magazine.

The band had early connections with Crass, and released their Farce EP on Crass Records. Though they stopped performing in the 1980s after bassist Grant Matthews was diagnosed with cancer, they continue to record and release material today, though they rarely give interviews. Nick Blinko has also become increasingly popular in the Outsider Art scene, and wrote an autobiographical novel entitled "The Primal Screamer", revered amongst his fans to be a literary masterpiece.

Musicians of a variety of genres (from thrashcore to death metal to apocalyptic folk) have taken influence from the work of Rudimentary Peni. There is even an all-girl high school cover band that does all Rudimentary Peni. The legend created by Rudimentary Peni is part in thanks to their evasion of media coverage and the spread of misinformation.

A new album, No More Pain EP was released on May 5th 2008. Nick Blinko has also finished a new untitled novel, due out sometime in the near future.

Only Death
Rudimentary Peni Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

there is only death. no god, no love, no joy, only death, and the fear of it.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rudimentary Peni's song "Only Death" express a bleak and nihilistic worldview. The singer declares that there is nothing beyond death - no god or higher power, no love or happiness, only the finality of death and the fear that it brings. The repetition of the phrase "only death" emphasizes the singer's conviction that there is no hope or meaning in life, only the inescapable end that awaits us all.

The song's dark message is reinforced by its sparse and foreboding musical style. The droning guitar chords and pounding drums create a sense of impending doom, while the singer's detached and monotone delivery further emphasizes the song's bleakness. The overall effect is a stark and unsettling portrait of a world stripped of all meaning and purpose.

Line by Line Meaning

there is only death.
Life is filled with the inevitability of death and nothing else.

no god, no love, no joy,
In the face of the constant fear and presence of death, there is no comfort or solace to be found in religion or love or happiness.

only death,
Death is the one and only thing that is sure and certain in this world.

and the fear of it.
The fear of death looms constant and heavy, and it is often the driving force behind many human actions and decisions.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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