The lyrics of Exhumed's song "The Red Death" depict a gruesome and horrifying scenario of a contagious disease causing widespread sickness and death. The song is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Masque of the Red Death." The opening lines describe how the infection spreads rapidly, rendering the infected individuals weak and anemic. The pests contribute to the worsening condition as the skin becomes wet due to fever and sweating. Abdominal pain is mentioned as a result of strained sphincter muscles, causing the victims to go insane. The lyrics go on to describe the severity of the illness, with blood being expelled and bubbles forming, creating a living hell. The need for self-quarantine is emphasized as a sanctuary for those who can afford it. The infected individuals cannot escape or delay the inevitable, hence they succumb to "the red death." The song then highlights the grotesque symptoms of the disease, including rotting extremities, gangrene, and foul-smelling discharge. The tongue is also affected, causing repulsive tastes and defilement. The victims experience torment, welts, melting guts, bloodied sputum, and numb fingers, all contributing to their ultimate demise. The lyrics mention "blue bloods," referring to the wealthy or elite who isolate themselves to protect against contamination. However, even they are not immune, as the red death eventually finds its way to them. The last part of the lyrics refers to the surrender or capitulation to the plague, the affluenza of filth and disease. This portrays a sense of helplessness and resignation to the epidemic's destructive power. Overall, the lyrics of "The Red Death" serve as a vivid depiction of a deadly epidemic, drawing inspiration from Poe's tale and showcasing the horrors and inevitability of disease and death.
