Born Treacherous
Dimmu Borgir
The Dark Allure of Rebellion in 'Born Treacherous'
Dimmu Borgir's 'Born Treacherous' delves into the psyche of a character who revels in defiance and rebellion. The opening lines, 'With defiance and resistance / I burn the bridges and their names,' set the tone for a narrative steeped in self-destruction and a refusal to conform. The protagonist questions their own actions and spells, hinting at a deeper struggle with understanding their motivations and the consequences of their choices. This internal conflict is a recurring theme, as the character grapples with their own sense of identity and purpose.
The lyrics 'Let me keep my world / Let me have my slaves' suggest a desire for control and dominance, yet this control is superficial. The protagonist acknowledges that their world is built on illusions and dependencies, which allow them to maintain a facade of stability. The repeated plea to 'let me keep my world' underscores a fear of change and an unwillingness to confront the reality of their situation. This is further emphasized by the line 'As I'm too blind to see,' indicating a willful ignorance and a preference for the comfort of familiar chaos over the uncertainty of change.
The chorus, 'BORN TREACHEROUS!' serves as a powerful declaration of the protagonist's nature. They embrace their treachery as a defining trait, finding a twisted sense of freedom in their insanity. The lines 'Insanity keeps me away and free / From the core of responsibility' reveal a desire to escape the burdens of accountability. However, this freedom is fleeting, as the protagonist ultimately finds themselves 'in total mind captivity.' The song paints a vivid picture of a person trapped in their own destructive patterns, unable to break free from the cycle of rebellion and self-sabotage.