Meaning of "Encased In Concrete" by Cannibal Corpse

The lyrics of "Encased In Concrete" paint a dark and brutal picture of a helpless individual trapped in a traumatic and torturous situation. Cannibal Corpse, known for their explicit and graphic lyrics, often explore themes of violence, death, and gore. In this song, the central theme revolves around the feeling of being completely trapped and abandoned, facing a slow and agonizing death.

The lyrics convey the narrator's intense fear and despair, emphasizing their desperate struggle to break free and survive. The repeated lines "I don't want to die" and "No one hears my cries" highlight their yearning for life and the painful realization that their pleas are ignored. The encasing of their body in concrete serves as a metaphor for the feeling of being isolated, ignored, and forgotten by society.

The imagery of the rising concrete represents the suffocating nature of their circumstances. The thickened liquid symbolizes a sense of entrapment that gradually consumes them, inch by inch, from their feet to their chest. The use of the phrase "silence panic" suggests the narrator's increasing panic and helplessness as their body becomes further encased. The addition of a tube forced down their throat to breathe further intensifies their suffering, as they are forced to gasp for air while their lungs struggle to expand. The pouring of ice-cold cement over their head signifies the final act that seals their fate, symbolizing the ultimate demise and eternal disappearance.

Ultimately, the song explores themes of human vulnerability, the fragility of life, and the insignificance of one's existence in the face of overwhelming power or apathy. The lyrics provoke a sense of discomfort and horror, aiming to evoke strong emotions and challenge societal conceptions of life and its value.