The song "Under The Knife" by Exhumed is a dark and macabre depiction of a theatrical and surgical experience. The lyrics are filled with graphic imagery and metaphorical descriptions related to death and dissection. The song begins with the image of scalpels cutting through flesh and blood, creating scars that will never heal. It describes these actions as a twisted dance, with the surgical instruments weaving their way through the body in a cold and malignant manner. The lyrics also convey a sense of twisted pleasure from the act of cutting and dissecting. The protagonist likens it to solving a puzzle or an intricate dance, taking pleasure in the precision of their movements and the control they exert. They express the power of the pen and the blade, suggesting that death can be dictated or influenced through their actions. The song also portrays a disturbing intimacy between death and the surgeon. Through the lyrics, it is implied that death comes face to face with the protagonist as the knife is wielded. The connection between the two is described as a morbid meeting place, where the lifeblood warms the clinical embrace. The imagery of the song continues to delve into the surgical process, with vivid descriptions of slicing and cutting, and the resulting bloodshed. The lyrics imply that the surgeon takes pleasure in their ability to create a meticulously choreographed but brutal ballet of death. The slab on which the body lies becomes a spinning stage, and the movements of the surgeon are precise and calculated. The repetition of the phrase "under the knife" emphasizes the constant presence of death and the impending doom hanging over the subject. The lyrics describe the dance as delicate and swift, leaving the subject breathless and ultimately splayed on the slab. The song ends with a final request for one last dance and the taking of the subject's last breath. The act of surgical violence reaches its climax as the surgeon completes their work, leaving behind a patchwork of scars and wounds. Overall, "Under The Knife" by Exhumed explores the chilling and eerie world of surgical violence and the twisted pleasure derived from the act of dissecting the human body. It is a gruesome and disturbing exploration of death and its intimate connection with the surgeon.
