Inner Combustion
Voivod Lyrics
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Arsenic, mercury
And acid concoct
Hermetic theory
Hydrogen vapors
Exclusion principle
It's never over
For ever practical
And I try
Throughout time
Any right
For the sign
Light rebounds
Pure neon
I surround
All am I, I am all
Fluorescent light
Pellucid mineral
Essential dogma
Excludes the logical
Immobile center
One, two, three for nothing
Projection ponder
Under a raven's wing
Catalyst fusion
Inner combustion
A transmutation
For I am all
The song "Inner Combustion" by Voivod involves a combination of scientific and philosophical themes in its lyrics. The first stanza talks about the process of heating up a crucible, which is a container used for melting and fusing, and mixing in various elements such as arsenic, mercury, and acid. The reference to the hermetic theory suggests a connection to alchemy, which was an early form of chemistry that sought to transform base metals into gold or silver. The inclusion of principles such as the exclusion principle and hydrogen vapors further emphasizes the scientific basis of the lyrics.
The second stanza delves into philosophical concepts, specifically the dichotomy between the logical and the illogical. The lyrics suggest that there is an essential dogma that excludes the logical, leaving only a sense of immobile center or stagnation. However, there is also a projection pondered under a raven's wing, which could be interpreted as a more mystical or spiritual form of contemplation. The final lines of the song suggest that there is a transformation occurring, a catalytic fusion or inner combustion that leads to a transmutation. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for personal growth or change.
Line by Line Meaning
Crucible heats up
The container holding the reactants is being heated up
Arsenic, mercury
These toxic substances are present and making the reaction dangerous
And acid concoct
An acidic substance is added to the mixture
Hermetic theory
The idea that the container is sealed and a specific environment is being maintained
Hydrogen vapors
Vapors of this explosive element are present
Exclusion principle
The idea that two particles of the same type can’t occupy the same space
It's never over
The process of transmutation never truly ends
For ever practical
This process has real-world, useful applications
And I try
The artist is attempting to understand these scientific principles
Throughout time
These principles have been studied for ages
Any right
There is no clear, definitive answer
For the sign
In search of a symbol or explanation
Light rebounds
Reflected light illuminates the area
Pure neon
A gas that emits a distinct color is present
I surround
This gas completely envelops everything
All am I, I am all
This gas is all-encompassing and essential to the process
Fluorescent light
The light being emitted by the gas is fluorescent
Pellucid mineral
This transparent mineral is being transformed
Essential dogma
A fundamental principle that cannot be disregarded
Excludes the logical
Some aspects of this process don’t make logical sense
Immobile center
There is a stationary point that is vital to the reaction
One, two, three for nothing
The artist is referencing nuclear physics and the idea that certain amounts of protons and neutrons don’t create stable elements
Projection ponder
The singer is contemplating the overall process
Under a raven's wing
A symbol of death and transformation
Catalyst fusion
The combining of two catalysts to create a new one
Inner combustion
A reaction that’s happening within
A transmutation
The act of transforming matter
For I am all
The artist is all-encompassing and vital to this process
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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