Vampire Rodents' last recodings were made in 1997 when Vahnke was working on a follow-up to Gravity's Rim. Legal issues with Fifth Colvmn Records unexpectedly halted activity and the project was put on hiatus. After over a decade of inactivity, Daniel Vahnke officially announced his musical retirement and the project's abandonment in 2009. In 2016, Vahnke established an official youtube page titled Rodentia Productions and began issuing unreleased material.
Major discography:
War Music (1990)
Premonition (1992)
Lullaby Land (1993)
Clockseed (1995)
Gravity's Rim (1996)
Downwind
Vampire Rodents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left an open door to the sea
the flawless launch of a hopeless cause
Made thou holier than thee
Love that audience, love that smell
There must be something else we can sell
Halloween brats with their human rights
Dim as a string of christmas lights
Inhale, it's coming
Inhale, it's coming now
It's coming downwind
Testing the waters with a new device
The devil and the deep blue sea on ice
Weak distribution, rotted the cheese
Guess my attorney should have said please
Anastasia thought she had the answer
But she died of clove-induced lung cancer
Yeah, inhale
It's coming
It's coming downwind
It's coming...
It's coming downwind
Inhale
The song "Downwind" by Vampire Rodents discusses various themes such as failed launches, human rights, and the consequences of inhaling toxins. The first stanza of the song refers to a failed launch of a hopeless cause, which made "thou holier than thee," implying that even though the cause was doomed from the start, people still felt superior for trying. The next line "Love that audience, love that smell" could suggest that people enjoy the spectacle even though it may not be positive. The final line of the stanza refers to Halloween brats with human rights, which could be a commentary on the state of the world and the way people view human rights.
The second stanza talks about testing new technology and the consequences that come with it. The line "The devil and the deep blue sea on ice" could refer to the dangerous combination of attempting something risky with a lack of proper preparation. The line about the attorney suggests that even people who try to advise against reckless behavior may not be successful. The final line about Anastasia dying of clove-induced lung cancer could be a warning about the dangers of smoking and inhaling toxins.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the consequences of human actions, particularly when it comes to recklessness and the disregard for the welfare of others. It highlights the idea that people are often more focused on the spectacle than the potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
A disengaged lever and a pregnant pause
A moment of anticipation and uncertainty, when a potential opportunity is hanging by a thread.
Left an open door to the sea
This moment of uncertainty allows for uncharted waters to potentially be explored.
the flawless launch of a hopeless cause
An endeavor that was perfect in execution but ultimately doomed to fail.
Made thou holier than thee
Despite the failure of the endeavor, the attempt itself was still enough to elevate the status of those involved.
Love that audience, love that smell
The thrill of performing and entertainment is addictive, and those in the industry will do almost anything to keep it going.
There must be something else we can sell
Even if one endeavor fails, the need for entertainment and consumption drives the search for the next big thing.
Halloween brats with their human rights
The entitlement and demand for rights in a society that values consumerism above all else.
Dim as a string of christmas lights
The lack of awareness or understanding of the consequences of their actions by those who value material goods over all else.
Testing the waters with a new device
Experimenting with a new way to achieve success in the industry.
The devil and the deep blue sea on ice
Choosing between two equally difficult options, with the fear of failure looming over both.
Weak distribution, rotted the cheese
Poor execution and lack of effective marketing led to the failure of an otherwise good product.
Guess my attorney should have said please
A lack of proper negotiations and professionalism can lead to the demise of a business endeavor.
Anastasia thought she had the answer
A person who believed they had the solution to the problem.
But she died of clove-induced lung cancer
Despite their best efforts, the consequences of their actions can still have devastating results.
Inhale, it's coming
A warning of potentially harmful consequences on the horizon.
Inhale, it's coming now
Emphasis on the urgency of the warning.
It's coming downwind
The potential harm is spreading and will affect others.
It's coming...
The warning continues.
It's coming downwind
The potential harm is continuing to spread.
Inhale
Urging listeners to take the warning seriously and take necessary action.
Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.