Living To Die
Hypocrisy
The Existential Dread of a Mechanized World
Hypocrisy's song "Living To Die" delves deep into the existential dread and nihilism that can arise in a world increasingly dominated by technology and dehumanization. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of a society where individuals feel trapped, likening their existence to being bound in a cocoon, struggling to stay alive. The protagonist sees themselves as a 'great messiah' of a paradise that has fallen, destroyed by their own creations, which can be interpreted as a critique of technological advancements and their unintended consequences on human life and the environment.
The song's chorus emphasizes the futility and despair of modern existence, describing life as a battle in hell where people are programmed to crawl and live in fear. The repeated imagery of being a plague, disease, and virus spreading through the world suggests a deep-seated self-loathing and a sense of being a destructive force rather than a positive influence. This can be seen as a metaphor for the way humanity's actions, driven by technological and industrial progress, have led to environmental degradation and social decay.
Furthermore, the lyrics touch on themes of identity and autonomy, with lines like "We're just a lie, we're just a fake" and "Computerised, we're all neutralised in a world that's controlled by machines." This reflects a fear of losing individuality and becoming mere cogs in a machine, devoid of true purpose or meaning. The song's dark tone and imagery serve as a powerful commentary on the alienation and hopelessness that can come from living in a highly mechanized and controlled society, where the ultimate fate seems to be just 'living to die.'