21st Century Jesus (Pisschrist)

Fear Factory's '21st Century Jesus (Pisschrist)' delves into themes of disillusionment, betrayal, and the search for meaning in a world that feels abandoned by faith. The song opens with a sense of confusion and loss, questioning the current state of humanity and the abandonment of faith. The lyrics 'where are we now? that we are blind, abandoned faith, you left behind' suggest a collective blindness and a sense of being forsaken by a higher power or belief system.

The song continues to explore the idea of betrayal and lies, both on a personal and societal level. The lines 'were you betrayed? or did you lie? our common fate, our common demise' reflect a shared sense of doom and the consequences of deceit. This theme is further emphasized with the repeated questioning of the whereabouts of a savior or guiding light, 'where is the son? to light the way, along the path of our dismay.' The imagery of a 'human god that was man made' suggests a critique of the constructed nature of religious figures and the disillusionment that comes with realizing their fallibility.

The chorus, 'so we lie,' repeated multiple times, underscores the pervasive nature of deception and the resulting disillusionment. The song's climax, with vivid imagery of crucifixion and suffering, 'face down arms out, nailed to the cross of doubt,' symbolizes the ultimate betrayal and the pain of lost faith. The repeated question, 'where is your savior now?' serves as a powerful indictment of the absence of divine intervention in times of suffering and doubt. Fear Factory's aggressive musical style and industrial metal sound amplify the song's themes of anger, despair, and the search for truth in a seemingly godless world.