Meaning of "Archway Towers" by New Model Army

"Archway Towers" by New Model Army paints a vivid picture of a society plagued by violence, oppression, and power imbalances. The imagery of rolling up tab ends, waiting for numbers to click, and simulated torture allude to the dehumanization and desensitization that occurs in a totalitarian regime. The reference to the boys running away leaving blood on the pavement and the little crowd watching without intervening reflects the bystander effect and the normalization of violence. The mass-chosen leaders for a brutalized nation suggest that the people in power are not necessarily representative of the population but rather impose their will through force and manipulation. Overall, the song serves as a stark critique of systems that exploit the weak, glorify violence, and subjugate the masses for the benefit of a select few.