The song "The Shape Of Deaths To Come" by Exhumed delves into the themes of decay, death, and the futility of existence. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of a world overrun by the undead, who symbolize the lifeless and numb individuals living in a dying society. The song begins with the imagery of an endless funeral procession, symbolizing the never-ending cycle of death and decay. The "nameless tombs" represent the graves that await those who have lost all hope and purpose in life. The chorus reflects that this funeral dirge is the swansong of the dead, emphasizing their impending demise. The second verse describes the unliving as infesting the carcass of the world. Their "bloodless eyes" and unfurled flag suggest their aimless existence and lack of vitality. They are portrayed as marionettes, manipulated by "razor-wire strings," ultimately leading them closer to their graves with every requiem they sing. This portrays a sense of hopelessness and inevitability. The lyrics then suggest that these lifeless beings inherit a dying world, symbolized by oblong boxes that shape their destiny. The mention of "threnody," a mourning song, being strummed on "battered, shredded heartstrings" further emphasizes the lack of meaning and purpose in their lives. The phrase "lives without meaning form the shape of deaths to come" highlights the idea that their existence only leads to eventual death and decay. The second half of the song focuses on the listeners themselves, as they too become part of this grim narrative. The imagery of the unlife disgorging the carcass of the world suggests that they are the cause of their own destruction. Led to feast on their undoing, they become like marionettes on strings, falling deeper into their own demise with every requiem they sing. In summation, "The Shape Of Deaths To Come" essentially explores the nihilistic view that life is ultimately meaningless, leading to an inevitable end. The lyrics employ vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the bleakness, decay, and hopelessness present in a world dominated by the dead and the apathetic.
