Life Eternal (Mayhem Cover)

Gorgoroth's cover of Mayhem's 'Life Eternal' delves deep into the existential and nihilistic themes that are often prevalent in black metal. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of life and death, exploring the desire for an escape from the mortal coil. The opening lines, 'A dream of another existence, you wish to die,' suggest a yearning for a different reality, one that can only be achieved through death. This longing for release is further emphasized with the plea for death to 'release the soul,' indicating a belief that true peace can only be found in the afterlife.

The song continues to question the nature of humanity and existence. The line 'I am a mortal but am I human?' reflects a deep sense of alienation and disconnection from what it means to be human. This existential crisis is compounded by the realization that life, despite its beauty, is fleeting and ultimately meaningless. The lyrics 'How beautiful life is now when my time has come' juxtapose the appreciation of life's beauty with the inevitability of death, highlighting the transient nature of existence.

The final lines of the song, 'What you found was eternal death, no one will ever miss you,' drive home the nihilistic message. The notion of 'eternal death' suggests a finality that offers no solace or redemption, and the idea that 'no one will ever miss you' underscores the ultimate insignificance of individual existence. Gorgoroth's rendition of 'Life Eternal' captures the essence of black metal's exploration of dark, philosophical themes, challenging listeners to confront their own mortality and the meaning of life.