A/Z
Hiroyuki Sawano
The Eternal Struggle Between Light and Darkness in 'A/Z'
Hiroyuki Sawano's song 'A/Z' delves into the profound themes of existence, choice, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. The lyrics, rich with metaphors and evocative imagery, paint a picture of a journey that begins and ends with a transformative light. The opening lines, 'Rei hajimari ni mo owari ni mo kawaru hikari,' suggest a cyclical nature of life, where beginnings and endings are marked by a changing light, symbolizing hope, enlightenment, or perhaps the soul's journey.
The song explores the concept of truth and deception, as seen in the lines 'Noah saizu no awanai uso bakari narabete,' where the speaker reflects on the lies that don't fit the grand narrative, leading to a sense of loss and stumbling. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition, where individuals often grapple with falsehoods and the search for genuine meaning. The recurring phrase 'Live or die' underscores the existential choice that everyone faces, highlighting the struggle to find purpose and direction in a world filled with unseen light and shadow.
'A/Z' also touches on the idea of liberation and the shedding of burdens. The lyrics 'Namae mo inai soko ni kotae wo motometete mo' and 'Kaze ni tokashita inochi no rain nagesutenai kakedashita no namida' evoke a sense of seeking answers in a nameless void and the release of tears as a form of catharsis. The song suggests that true freedom and clarity come from embracing a state of 'zero,' where expectations, darkness, and even the self are stripped away, leaving a raw, unadorned existence. This theme is further emphasized in the lines 'Jikan mo ego mo nani mo iranai zero ni sureba subete no phrase-1,' indicating that time, ego, and all else become irrelevant when one reaches this state of pure being.