The Catharsis of Endings Part I: Apocalypse

Songs about the end of the world which help me remember the big picture

An Existential Piece for Peace

I want to open with a quick content warning: I'm going existential today, so if for any reason you're not in the not in the right mindset for that right now, consider skipping this one or coming back another time. Much love either way!

This is an article I've been sitting on for a while; possibly since last spring, if not even earlier. It came to me, as many of my topics do, by way of my ADHD mind noticing a pattern. In this case, the number of songs by my favourite (metal) bands which either revel in the end of all things, or warmly remind the listener of their mortality.

Now if you know anything about the genre you know that an easy explanation for this trend is metal's tendency toward exaggeration and the taboo. And that's certainly a factor with each of the songs I'll discuss in this series, but I've also grown to take a deeper message and even find solace in them.

Part of it is simply the idea that death gives life meaning; but I think it's also related to my journey with ADHD and anxiety, and the way perspective can alter my experiences moment to moment.

Listen to the songs if you're able! I'll just be quoting a few lyrics here and there. Up first, armageddon. (Here's a Spotify playlist!)

'Raining Stars'

Strangely, lodged in my mind alongside these (and similar apocalyptic) songs is Tinder's 'Swipe Night' choose-your-own-adventure video/game/experience from 2019. It saw users making small choices about what to do as a potentially world-ending meteor approached – essentially putting people into different pools based on how wildly they decided to spend their last night on Earth.

Raining Stars has some parallel themes, anyway, painting an image of two people – perhaps lovers, friends, or simply drawn together by circumstances – watching, mesmerized, by the last and greatest show they'll ever witness.

We hold each other and hail // The final act All words are worthless now // There's no way back ... We're hypnotized from above // No time, no time for fear just for love ... On the horizon, blue-silver thunderbolts stole our breath The warm embrace of facing death // The sweet defiance Your eyes ignite in the fumes // Just like diamonds in the blood moon ... Now welcome, dear apocalypse! // We dance in raining stars We turn this nightmare into bliss // Snowing fire and raining stars

And I hope you can already feel a little of the relief I find in these songs; the way everyday struggles and worries melt away in the face of existential awareness. Lord of the Lost also literalizes the beauty of this catharsis by describing the majesty and wonder of the experience. The phrase "snowing fire" has always felt exquisite to me, as in this moment of clarity the characters are the first and last humans to witness fascinating new phenomena.

I should also say that years in, I'm still working on understanding that music video. But the song being lost/destroyed media, combined with the band's incredible makeup and outfits, immediately place it among my all-time favourites. My best interpretation right now is that the existential ideas I'm discussing today are banned in this world, because they would awaken people to perspectives beyond the ones they are force-fed by the system. But I'd be curious to hear another take!

Edmund Weiß: "Bilderatlas der Sternenwelt” 

'Hail the Apocalypse'

On the surface, Avatar's Hail the Apocalypse might present as identical – worshiping or welcoming the end of the world. But look closer and the song holds no beauty or awe for the end; instead unleashing a torrent of manic rage at how we got here.

There's a storm heading our way, all that's been will be gone All your cities will sink into the ocean You run away like cattle, but you cannot flee the battle Stand up straight and fucking put on your war-paint ... Time to die // Hammer high // Name your price // And kneel Hail the apocalypse! All flesh is equal when burnt // We are forgiven Forgive us, we never shall learn // Get down ... Once you built, now you run away, the world is coming down Leave your mark upon the graves of your stillborn Just wrap it up in plastic; isn't killing things fantastic? Fuck your greed, come on and put on your-war paint ... All the lords I've sworn to obey // I take it back!

Now, I think part of that absolute fury inherent in this song is that the lyrics are a varied mix of taunts, commands, confessions and grim philosophy – what you might get from a prophet raving on a street corner, as depicted in the music video.

There's just two points I'll focus in on, the first of which is another line that cuts me to the core: "all flesh is equal when burnt" is what metal is all about, y'all! None of our worldly divisions and prejudices matter in the face of death or apocalypse, and in fact only get in the way of making progress and surviving as a species. 'Death is the great equalizer' and all that.

The second point is that this rage isn't actually directionless, screaming into the void. The song is telling us that the end of the world is staring us in the face, right fucking now, and that we need to put on our war-paint and act. Gaining this cathartic clarity moments before death is neat and all, but we can literally have it now – in time to make a difference. This aspect of the song reminds me of 'Die by the Blade' by Beast in Black, which I take to be about fighting with all your heart and soul for a cause you believe in.

"It's Raining Stars", ArtByJoonas

Eyes Bright with Intent

I went back and forth on whether to make this a series or push through with a single lengthy, (half-assed towards the end) article, and have apparently landed on series. Whether next week or later, I'll return to discuss a couple lovely Ghost songs that make you think about death and get sad and stuff. Either towards the end of that piece or in a Part III, I'll bring in a good palate cleanser that always hits me just as deeply as these songs do.

I'll also get more into the ADHD & anxiety stuff next time – another good reason to split this up, as I definitely would've glossed over it in my race to the finish.

If you're strange like me and enjoyed these songs, check out Lord of the Lost's 'Destruction Manual' (the magic of makeup!) and Avatar's 'Hazmat Suit' for some similar vibes. Let me know if you have other songs you'd recommend in this vein!

Thanks for reading and until next time <3