Meaning of "Red Before Black" by Cannibal Corpse

"Red Before Black" is a song that delves into the darkest aspects of human nature, exploring themes of sadism, violence, and the duality of pleasure and pain. The lyrics paint a vivid and disturbing picture of a blood-soaked scene, where knives bring forth the blood that covers the ground and paints the sky into darkness. The language used in the song is intentionally graphic and provocative, emphasizing the extreme nature of the violence depicted.

Throughout the lyrics, the protagonist embraces a perverse pleasure in their acts of violence and torture, describing the process of overviolent mutilation, brutally eviscerating their victims until they are dead beyond death. The repeated emphasis on red before black symbolizes the transition from life to death, as blood flows in a pool of violence and agony. The imagery of blood flowing from the attack represents the life force being drained from the victims, encapsulating the devastating effects of the protagonist's actions.

The lyrics also touch upon the cyclical nature of violence, with the mention of bleeding before death, during death, and after death. This suggests that the suffering inflicted is unceasing, highlighting the perpetual bloodshed caused by hatred and sadistic tendencies. The lyrics ultimately explore the depths of human depravity, where the lines between pleasure and agony blur, and the brutal instinct prevails.

The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the darker aspects of human nature and the potential for extreme violence that lies within us all. It serves as a disturbing reminder of the capacity for cruelty and the thin line that separates pleasure from pain. The lyrics may also symbolize the ongoing struggle between life and death, and the inevitable fate that awaits us.