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)
Subspecies
Vampire Rodents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The dominant male shall be hung on a nail
Rose petals on our genitals shall sabotage world peace
When the nose fell off the queen - the spartans punctured Greece
Sirens shed unraveled clothes
Becoming an embarassment
Consuming all the lord shall give
I wonder where the odor went
The lyrics of Vampire Rodents' song "Subspecies" are dark and cryptic, touching on elements of genocide, oppression, and sexual violence. The first line directly references the cruel tactics used by Christian missionaries to spread disease and violence against Indigenous populations. The mention of "Indian-skin jackets" is particularly gruesome, as it suggests a literal wearing of the skin of oppressed peoples.
The next line, "The dominant male shall be hung on a nail," suggests a violent overthrow or punishment of those in power. The following line about rose petals sabotaging world peace is particularly intriguing, as it seems to suggest that even something as seemingly innocent and beautiful as flowers can be used as a tool of chaos and destruction.
The mention of the queen's nose falling off and the Spartans puncturing Greece are both historical references that add to the mysterious and haunting tone of the song. The lines about sirens shedding their clothes and becoming an embarrassment, and wondering where the odor went, add to the song's overall sense of unease and discomfort.
Overall, "Subspecies" is a deeply unsettling song that touches on themes of violence, power, and sexual objectification. Its dark imagery and cryptic references leave much to interpretation, but it's clear that the song is meant to provoke and disturb.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you christian missionary for the smallpox blankets the syphilis and the whiskey and the Indian-skin jackets
Sarcastically thanking Christian missionaries for spreading diseases and exploiting the natives for their own gain
The dominant male shall be hung on a nail
Society will punish those who hold onto traditional, oppressive views of masculinity and power
Rose petals on our genitals shall sabotage world peace
Focusing on trivial, superficial pleasures instead of addressing real issues will only lead to more chaos and conflict
When the nose fell off the queen - the spartans punctured Greece
When those in power fall or are weakened, it creates a window of opportunity for others to exploit and conquer
Sirens shed unraveled clothes
The allure and temptation of forbidden desires can ultimately lead to destruction and shame
Becoming an embarassment
Continuing down a destructive path will eventually lead to embarrassment and shame
Consuming all the lord shall give
Taking everything for oneself without regard for others or the consequences will ultimately lead to downfall
I wonder where the odor went
Reflecting on the consequences and aftermath of destructive actions, wondering where the stench and consequences have gone
Contributed by Samantha D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.