Metal Icarus
Angra
The Tragic Flight of Metal Icarus
Angra's song 'Metal Icarus' draws heavily from the Greek myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun with wings made of feathers and wax, only to have them melt and fall to his death. The lyrics of 'Metal Icarus' use this myth as a metaphor for ambition, loss, and the inevitable consequences of overreaching. The song opens with a depiction of a world that is 'way too strange to conceive,' setting a surreal and almost dystopian tone. The mention of 'angels dressed in black' and people 'lost in the dark' suggests a sense of disillusionment and confusion, perhaps reflecting the artist's view of society or personal experiences.
The recurring imagery of 'blood red tears' and the helplessness of watching someone die adds a layer of emotional depth to the song. This could symbolize the pain of witnessing a loved one's downfall or the self-destructive tendencies that lead to one's own demise. The chorus, 'Time after time, burned your wings on the Sun, Metal Icarus,' reinforces the idea of repeated failures and the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition. The use of 'Metal Icarus' instead of just 'Icarus' adds a modern, perhaps industrial twist to the ancient myth, suggesting that these themes are timeless and still relevant today.
The song also touches on themes of nostalgia and longing for the past. Lines like 'Those were the years, I can still feel the windy heights against my skin' evoke a sense of yearning for a time when things were simpler or more exhilarating. The repeated phrase 'I'm flying over hills' at the end of the song suggests a desire to escape or return to a state of freedom and innocence. Overall, 'Metal Icarus' is a poignant exploration of ambition, loss, and the human condition, wrapped in a rich tapestry of mythological and emotional imagery.