The Messenger

I'm the one you call the liar
I'm the lamb who slayed the lion

Crawl upon your cross again
Play the victim till the end
What you've gained is nothingness
What you've learned is useless

You play the martyr, crawl upon your cross again
Always the victim but it's all inside your head

Dark are those that lie to lovers
Your father's past, the weakest cover

Perched upon your soiled throne
Cast your sticks, I'll throw stones
Envy and Lust will drown you
Just look around you

You play the martyr, crawl upon your cross again
Always the victim but it's all inside your head

Remembering days we felt we were chosen
Those were the days when the hunger was all that we had
Can't take back the past, can't heal the wounds
No one can rescue your faded ideals
All that remains are scars of a wasted youth

You play the martyr, crawl upon your cross again
Always the victim but it's all inside your head
When will you ever learn to trust another, my friend
Just play the martyr 'till the world stands to it's end

- Warrel Dane (2008)

Warrel Dane's full time job is as the frontman for the metal band Nevermore. In 2008 he released a solo album entitled Praise to the War Machine. I have never been a fan of Nevermore, so I was a little hesitant about this until I heard a couple of songs. This is actually very much closer to my tastes in metal. But, I digress...

At first glance one notices this song contains biblical imagery (martyrs, crosses - you get the idea). Knowing Warrel Dane's views on religion, it wouldn't be a stretch to say this song is against religion. But it seems there is more to it than just religion-bashing. This song seems to send a direct message to those who play the victim card whenever things don't seem to go their way.

Victimization seems to be everywhere we look - from national groups claiming they were victims of predatory lending to songs describing how they were victims of mommy or daddy not loving them enough. While there are plenty of true victims out there, claiming victimhood seems to have become the path of least resistance for many to get what they want. Mr. Dane sends a direct message to them when he describes what they have gained, how envy and lust will destroy them, and how their youth is wasted. One can almost feel his contempt as he changes from clean singing to something that resembles anger, almost as if he is spitting on the objects of his comtempt.

Contrast that to "Buried Alive" where all we hear is the rage against the victimhood. This song tells those types they really need to get over themselves. After all, life is really too short to be pissed off all the time.

And now to Mardi for commentary...