Expiration Date

Fear Factory's song 'Expiration Date' delves into the existential themes of human mortality and the transient nature of life. The lyrics confront the listener with the stark reality that life is finite, and our existence is fleeting. The opening lines, 'You're blind to what's in front of you / What do you know about the truth,' suggest a critique of society's ignorance or denial of this fundamental truth. The song portrays humans as 'bodies made and fabricated,' emphasizing the mechanical and temporary nature of our physical forms, which are 'devalued as soon as we're cast.' This metaphor of humans as manufactured objects underscores the inevitability of our 'expiration date,' a term typically associated with perishable goods, thus highlighting the impermanence of life.

The chorus, 'Under the surface we're not machines / Under the surface we're living dreams,' contrasts the mechanical imagery with a more humanistic perspective. It suggests that beneath our physical exterior, we possess dreams, emotions, and a desire for meaning. This duality reflects the internal struggle between our biological limitations and our aspirations for something greater. The line 'Death lives just one breath away' serves as a poignant reminder of our mortality, reinforcing the urgency to find purpose and resolution in our lives.

The repeated phrase 'Nobody lives forever' is a sobering acknowledgment of the universal truth of death. However, the song also speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, as seen in the lines 'Somewhere my heart beats in silence / I made my way through the violence.' This suggests a journey of perseverance and survival despite the inevitability of death. The song's closing lines, 'It's a shame you won't live. But then again, who does?' encapsulate the existential dilemma faced by all humans, urging listeners to confront their mortality and find meaning in their finite existence.