Death Comes Ripping
Misfits
The Unrelenting Force of Fate in 'Death Comes Ripping'
Misfits' song 'Death Comes Ripping' is a visceral and intense exploration of the inevitability and suddenness of death. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a dark, almost apocalyptic scenario where the future is ominous and foreboding. The opening lines, 'Turn the lights down low / And bolt the door up,' set a tone of impending doom, suggesting that no matter how much one tries to prepare or hide, death is an unstoppable force that will eventually break through.
The imagery of a 'shotgun blast' and 'demon piece of lead' evokes a violent and chaotic end, emphasizing the brutal and merciless nature of death. The repeated phrase 'death comes ripping' reinforces the idea that death is not just a passive occurrence but an active, aggressive force that tears through life with no regard for anything in its path. This relentless energy is a hallmark of the Misfits' punk rock style, which often delves into themes of horror and the macabre.
The song also touches on the fragility of human life, with lines like 'Flesh and blood / Too weak for you.' This highlights the vulnerability of humans in the face of such an unstoppable force. The repeated references to feeling the 'heat' as death approaches add a sensory dimension to the experience, making it feel immediate and unavoidable. The Misfits, known for their horror punk genre, use these vivid and violent metaphors to create a sense of urgency and inevitability, capturing the raw and unfiltered essence of facing one's mortality.