Cuando Duerme La Ciudad

The song 'Cuando Duerme La Ciudad' by Hermetica delves into the dark and often overlooked corners of urban life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person wandering the sleeping city, searching for genuine companionship and a place to belong. The reference to seeking a friend 'who does not open their legs' suggests a longing for a non-sexual, sincere relationship, contrasting with the superficial connections that are often found in nightlife.

The protagonist's journey is marred by societal rejection and police harassment, as indicated by the lines about patrols that won't leave him alone and the neighborhood that once smiled at him in his youth but now reports him for appearing carefree. This shift in perception from an innocent child to a suspect adult reflects the harsh judgments and stigmatization faced by those who deviate from societal norms or expectations. The song also touches on the systemic issues of youth incarceration, with 'reformatorios policiales' (police reformatories) serving as a punitive response to the 'unclaimed minor.' The societal label of 'hijo de puta' (son of a bitch) dehumanizes the individual, forcing him to flee from the police ('la yuta') as the city sleeps.

Hermetica, known for their heavy metal music and socially conscious lyrics, uses this song to critique the societal structures that marginalize and criminalize the vulnerable. The nighttime setting serves as a metaphor for the unseen and ignored aspects of society, and the individual's struggle represents the broader plight of those cast aside by a system that favors conformity over compassion.