The Purge March

The song 'The Purge March' by MILGRAM Amane (CV: Minami Tanaka) is a haunting exploration of the themes of justice, punishment, and moral absolutism. The lyrics open with a seemingly benign greeting, 'Good morning everyone, it's the start of a wonderful day,' but quickly take a dark turn as the speaker identifies 'wicked ones' who must be purged. This sets the stage for a narrative that is both chilling and authoritarian, emphasizing the need to cleanse society of those deemed unworthy.

The repeated mantra, 'ひとつ、人は運命を生きよ' (One, live your destiny), 'ひとつ、人は癒しきを捨てよ' (One, abandon the vile), 'ひとつ、信じたものにおさめよ' (One, believe in what you trust), and 'ひとつ、道をはずれずに果てよ' (One, do not stray from the path), serves as a rigid moral code that the speaker insists must be followed. This code is presented as an absolute truth, leaving no room for deviation or forgiveness. The harshness of this worldview is further emphasized by the repeated condemnation of 'どうしようもないクズ' (hopeless scum), who are deemed beyond redemption and must be silenced.

The song's imagery is stark and violent, with lines like 'お前を否定しよう、歪んだ目は潰さねば' (I will deny you, I must crush your distorted eyes) and 'ちゃんと喉も潰してあげましょう' (I will properly crush your throat) painting a picture of brutal retribution. This violence is justified as a necessary act to maintain purity and order, reflecting a deeply authoritarian mindset. The repeated calls for the listener to repent and beg for forgiveness, only to be met with scorn, highlight the futility of seeking mercy in such a rigid system.

The cultural context of the song, performed by a character in the MILGRAM project, adds another layer of complexity. The MILGRAM project involves characters who are prisoners being judged for their crimes, and Amane's song reflects her own twisted sense of justice. This context underscores the song's exploration of moral absolutism and the dangers of a black-and-white worldview, where compassion and understanding are sacrificed in the name of righteousness.