The song "Rank and Defiled" by Exhumed is a dark and macabre track that showcases the band's use of wordplay and clever lyrics. The song combines various themes related to death, decay, and the power of language. The song begins by describing the band as "petulant, medicinal scribes" who narrate tales from the crypt. They consume blood and alcohol to enhance their ability to tell their gruesome stories. The lyrics suggest that their words are like a deadly weapon, capable of inscribing one's final words, like a sword. The chorus, "Rank and defiled," emphasizes the twisted nature of the band's lyrics. It suggests that their words are repugnant and corrupt. The following lines mention a "danse macabre," a reference to the artistic depiction of death as a skeleton dancing with the living. The lyrics further describe the band as minstrels of death, singing corrupted harmonies and vomit-like stanzas. They use wordplay, puns, double entendres, and witty language to torment and entertain their audience. The repetition of "Rank and defiled" in the chorus continues to emphasize their dark and grotesque nature. The lyrics then describe the band as exhuming blood-drawn manuscripts, punished by puns and death quips. They leave no grave unturned, indicating their willingness to delve into the darkest corners of the human experience. In the later verses, the band's words are described as hammering into your skull, serving as a metaphor for the impact of their powerful and disturbing lyrics. They use barbs and crippling repartee to metaphorically lobotomize their listeners, leaving them senseless and overwhelmed. The song continues with references to idioms, phrases, and memes that spread like a disease. The band's language is described as killing with a stroke of their pen, highlighting the transformative power of their lyrics. Overall, "Rank and Defiled" by Exhumed explores the theme of death, decay, and the destructive power of language. The lyrics are filled with clever wordplay and dark imagery, creating a captivating and macabre atmosphere.
