I Am The Graves Of The 80's
Darkthrone
Reclaiming the Spirit of Metal: Darkthrone's Anthem of Defiance
Darkthrone's song "I Am The Graves Of The 80's" is a powerful declaration of allegiance to the raw and unfiltered essence of 1980s metal. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the contemporary metal scene, which the band perceives as having strayed too far from its roots. The opening lines, "There's too many struggles / There's too many fears / I've hardened my blood now / For so many years!" suggest a long-standing battle against the dilution of the genre's original spirit. This sets the stage for the song's central theme: a call to return to the primal, unrefined energy that characterized metal in the 1980s.
The chorus, with its emphatic declaration, "I am the graves of the 80s / I am the risen dead / Destroy their modern metal / And bang your fucking head," serves as a rallying cry for metal purists. By identifying themselves as the "graves of the 80s," Darkthrone positions themselves as the guardians of a bygone era, resurrecting its spirit to challenge the current state of the genre. The use of the word "destroy" underscores their intent to dismantle what they see as the overly polished and commercialized aspects of modern metal, advocating instead for a return to the raw, headbanging intensity of the past.
The song also touches on themes of unity and rebirth through shared disdain for the current state of metal. The lines "United by hatred... / Reborn through hate..." suggest that this collective frustration can serve as a unifying force, bringing together those who long for the genre's former glory. Darkthrone's message is clear: true metal is not about trends or aesthetics but about an unyielding, rebellious spirit that refuses to be tamed. Through this song, they invite listeners to join them in reclaiming the essence of metal, one headbang at a time.