Meaning of "Our Fortress Is Burning... II - Bloodbirds" by Agalloch

The lyrics of "Our Fortress Is Burning... II - Bloodbirds" by Agalloch convey a deep sense of hopelessness and futility. The repeated line "The god of man is a failure" suggests a loss of faith in higher powers or authority figures. The imagery of a burning fortress symbolizes the destruction of something once strong and impenetrable. The charred birds escaping from the ruins and returning as cascading blood paint a grim picture of the consequences of this destruction. The mention of shadows turning to ashes implies a complete annihilation and loss of identity. Overall, the lyrics speak to themes of failure, loss, and the inevitable decay of all things.