Clutch of Oblivion
Sumac Lyrics

"Clutch of Oblivion" by Sumac explores the destructive cycle of violence and suffering that is passed down through generations. The lyrics depict a grim scene where children are torn away from their mothers and thrown into the brutal reality of war. The image of sons weeping in their mothers' arms reflects the pain and helplessness felt by both parties, as they are forcefully separated. This act of tearing away symbolizes the harshness and brutality of the world they are thrust into.

The lyrics go on to describe the aftermath of this separation, as the children find themselves thrust into the midst of a battlefield. The reference to "blazing fields" suggests a war-torn landscape where heavy blades are drawn. This imagery conveys the violence and bloodshed that takes place in war. The line "gouges, fathoms deep, well with blood" describes the deep wounds inflicted by these heavy blades and the resulting welling of blood, emphasizing the intensity and severity of the conflict.

The mention of "Father's seed, Mother's seed" further emphasizes the intergenerational nature of the violence portrayed in the song. It symbolizes how wars are perpetuated by the continuation of offspring who carry on the legacy of their parents' tendencies towards conflict and aggression. The use of the language of "seeds" suggests that these destructive tendencies are deeply ingrained and inherited, passed down from one generation to the next.

The concluding lines, "We claw, we point at mutilated loins, faces pushed into the soil, we are cleansed," depict a disturbing scene of further degradation and violence. The act of clawing and pointing at mutilated loins suggests a barbaric and dehumanizing act, where human beings are reduced to mere objects of violence. The reference to being "cleansed" is particularly unsettling, as it hints at the twisted belief that violence and destruction purify and wash away the sins or hardships of existence. Overall, "Clutch of Oblivion" provides a dark and intense commentary on the cyclical nature of violence and the profound human capacity for cruelty.