The Agonist was a Canadian metal band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 2004… Read Full Bio ↴The Agonist was a Canadian metal band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 2004. The current line up consists of guitarists Danny Marino and Pascal (Paco) Jobin, bassist Chris Kells, drummer Simon Mckay, and vocalist Vicky Psarakis. Originally known as The Tempest, the band adopted their current moniker upon their signing to Century Media in 2007. Touring extensively since their first album, they have shared the stage with bands such as Arsonists Get All the Girls, Epica, the Faceless, Chelsea Grin, Kamelot, and Visions of Atlantis.

Trophy Kill
The Agonist Lyrics

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Often misjudged are the criminals among us
Guilty and their sentence is not yet served
How broken and dead the reigning race would be
If we all got what we deserved
All sentient beings are only those that we dictate
How can you judge what you lick off your plate
The Giver now has been brutally raped
Who knows if the future has so good a taste

Although we know what the future has for us in store
A consumption society just breaks right through the door

In blissful ignorance
The fists of power thrive
Now look at your hands
Your command tells who will survive

Fresh mermaid carcasses wash up on shore
They're a prize to be won and a cheap thrill, no more
Paranoid grins on fake colorless smiles
Fear of the hollow between wrong and right
Sobriety is no longer an option
When digging upwards from the trench you fell in

At the top of your game
Who cares
The ones below are too far down
But we're the ones who kill our neighbors
To stay safe and sound

In blissful ignorance
The fists of power thrive
Now look at your hands
Your command tells who will survive

Trophy kill

We are such great masochists
Fuck you
Fucking hypocrite

Too bad you do what you do to score
True
That you knew what you knew before

In blissful ignorance
The fists of power thrive

Now look at your hands
Your command tells who will survive

Overall Meaning

The song Trophy Kill by The Agonist is a powerful commentary on the state of our society and the injustices that are perpetuated in the name of progress and power. The lyrics challenge the listener to question their own role in this system of oppression and exploitation. The opening lines of the song communicate the message that there are criminals among us who have not yet faced justice for their crimes. The singer reminds us that we all have a role to play in the world we create, and that if we want to see a better future, we need to pay attention to what we are condoning and allowing to happen.

The middle verses of the song explore the idea that we are all complicit in the violence and exploitation that takes place around us. The lyrics suggest that we are so focused on our own survival and success that we are unwilling to see the harm we cause to others. The image of fresh mermaid carcasses washing up on the shore is a powerful metaphor for the destruction of our environment and the disregard we have for other living beings.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "trophy kill" as a reminder that we treat the world and the creatures in it as mere trophies to be won and displayed. The final lines of the song suggest that we are all hypocrites in some way, and that true change will only come when we take responsibility for our actions and live with integrity.

Line by Line Meaning

Often misjudged are the criminals among us
People who are guilty of crimes are often not judged fairly

Guilty and their sentence is not yet served
Criminals who are guilty have not yet been punished for their actions

How broken and dead the reigning race would be
If everyone got what they deserved, society would be in a terrible state

If we all got what we deserved
If everyone received the consequences they deserved for their actions

All sentient beings are only those that we dictate
We only consider living beings as being sentient if we choose to

How can you judge what you lick off your plate
You can't judge something if you consume it without considering its origin or consequences

The Giver now has been brutally raped
The Earth, which provides us with resources, has been recklessly exploited and damaged by humans

Who knows if the future has so good a taste
It's uncertain if the future will be pleasant or not

Although we know what the future has for us in store
Despite knowing what will happen in the future

A consumption society just breaks right through the door
A society that values and prioritizes consumption is becoming increasingly common

In blissful ignorance
Being unaware of and ignoring a situation's negative consequences

The fists of power thrive
Those in power benefit from and maintain their control through ignorance and oppression

Now look at your hands
Consider the role you play and the actions you take in a given situation

Your command tells who will survive
Your actions and decisions dictate the success or failure of others

Fresh mermaid carcasses wash up on shore
People are disregarding and exploiting natural resources without concern for the consequences

They're a prize to be won and a cheap thrill, no more
People regard natural resources as nothing more than a way to gain personal pleasure or profit

Paranoid grins on fake colorless smiles
People are disingenuously hiding their true feelings and motivations

Fear of the hollow between wrong and right
People are uncertain about the distinction between right and wrong, and fear the consequences of their actions

Sobriety is no longer an option
People are unable or unwilling to face the reality of their situation

When digging upwards from the trench you fell in
Attempting to escape from a harmful or damaging situation

At the top of your game
Experiencing success and dominance in a given situation

Who cares
Regardless of the positive consequences of one's actions, the potential negative consequences outweigh them

The ones below are too far down
Those who are not in positions of power are not given the same opportunities or resources to succeed

But we're the ones who kill our neighbors
We hurt one another by exploiting and ignoring the consequences of our actions

To stay safe and sound
Putting personal safety and security above the well-being of others or the environment

Trophy kill
The act of killing something simply for the sake of acquiring a prize or reward

We are such great masochists
We derive pleasure from harming ourselves and others

Fuck you
An aggressive and confrontational response

Fucking hypocrite
Calling out someone for being hypocritical or contradictory

Too bad you do what you do to score
It's a shame that people prioritize personal gain over considering the consequences of their actions