Meaning of "Portrait Of Henry" by Grip Inc.

The lyrics of "Portrait of Henry" delve into the darker aspects of human nature, exploring the destructive tendencies that reside within individuals. The song begins by emphasizing the ease with which carnage and violence can be unleashed, describing it as something that can be done with a simple flick of the wrist. Grip Inc. conveys the idea that disdain and cruelty do not discriminate, suggesting that nobody is exempt from these destructive impulses.

The lyrics suggest that dismemberment and annihilation are not only natural, but habitual for humanity. Every step taken is said to usher in dread, painting a picture of a world consumed by violence and savagery. Grip Inc. addresses the hunger that drives these destructive tendencies, describing it as forever calling and leading individuals deeper into ugliness. This hunger is said to be satisfied by indulging in debauchery, suggesting that mankind finds a perverse serenity in such acts.

The song highlights the self-destructive nature of humanity, asserting that man's caricature is his own fate. The lyrics proclaim that the monster within turns inside out, revealing the true nature of mankind. Grip Inc. suggests that individuals are ultimately confronted with their own monstrous side, forced to face it in all its ugliness. The repetition of the phrase "Face itself" underscores the importance and inevitability of this confrontation.

In depicting humanity as a primitive barbarian and a reprobate, the lyrics emphasize the violent and savage origins of mankind. Grip Inc. contends that humanity is fundamentally born savage, suggesting that violence and destruction are deeply ingrained within individuals from the moment they come into existence. This characterization of humanity as inherently violent further supports the idea that destruction is ingrained in our fate.