Shall Rise Shall Be Dead

George Kollias's song "Shall Rise Shall Be Dead" is a powerful and intense exploration of themes such as power, divinity, and the inevitable downfall of those who rise to great heights. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a god-like figure who commands obedience and reverence from the masses. This figure, who claims to be the chosen one, rises above mortals and demands their submission, symbolizing the ultimate authority and control over life and death.

The song delves into the duality of wisdom and desolation, suggesting that the pursuit of power and divinity often leads to a hollow and empty existence. The phrase "desolate thoughts of wisdom beneath a glass reality" implies that the wisdom gained through such power is ultimately superficial and fragile. The imagery of clouds raining blood and gods burning further emphasizes the destructive nature of this divine authority, hinting at the chaos and ruin that follow in its wake.

As the song progresses, the figure's rise to power is juxtaposed with the inevitable fall from grace. The repeated lines "Those who will rise are those who shall die" and "Thy kingdom falls from grace" underscore the transient nature of power and the certainty of downfall. The figure's declaration of being the bringer of life and the holy one is contrasted with the ultimate fate of becoming a tyrant whose kingdom is doomed to collapse. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of absolute power and the cyclical nature of rise and fall in the pursuit of divinity.