Desde El Oeste

Hermetica's song "Desde El Oeste" paints a vivid picture of urban solitude and existential reflection. The lyrics describe a nighttime walk through the western neighborhoods of a city, where the protagonist is engulfed in loneliness and introspection. The opening lines set the scene with a sense of isolation, as the character roams the streets, haunted by insomnia and the remnants of a past love. This love, once a source of hope, now serves as a reminder of a life that feels civilly dead, highlighting the emotional desolation that permeates the song.

The song delves into the dichotomy of human behavior and societal norms. The imagery of people sleeping next to their TVs, worshipping the 'digestive fire' as their god, suggests a critique of modern life's superficial comforts and distractions. Meanwhile, the nocturnal creatures—cats seeking light and dogs drawn to darkness—symbolize the instinctual drives and anxieties that govern human actions. The protagonist's detachment from this 'fog' of passion and fear underscores a sense of alienation from societal norms and expectations.

As the song progresses, the protagonist grapples with the overwhelming darkness and the indistinguishable figures approaching—whether evangelists or police, both representing authority and control. The struggle to comprehend and the obstruction by bureaucratic history reflect a broader commentary on the oppressive structures that obscure understanding and freedom. The recurring theme of 'where no one sees' and the 'idiotic commotion' of society emphasize the protagonist's disconnection from a world that seems blindly conformist and hypocritical. The closing lines about 'digestive conformists' and 'falsely forgiven sinners' further critique the shallow absolution offered by societal norms, leaving the listener with a profound sense of disillusionment and introspection.