Vermilion

Nightmare's song 'Vermilion' delves into the complex emotions of fear, uncertainty, and the struggle for self-acceptance. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person grappling with inner turmoil and the facade they maintain to hide their vulnerabilities. The opening lines, 'かすかに感じた / 抜けぬえない不安の全長' (I faintly felt / the premonition of inescapable anxiety), set the tone for a narrative steeped in introspection and existential dread. The protagonist's attempt to mask their pain with a smile, '気づかないそぶりで / 傷つかないよう笑った' (Pretending not to notice / I smiled so as not to get hurt), highlights the universal human experience of concealing true feelings to avoid further suffering.

The recurring theme of a world built on lies and the hope for change is poignantly expressed in the chorus, '熱く嘘で塗られた日々は / 壊れ、救えない世界を / まだ今も愛してる' (The days painted with hot lies / A broken, unsalvageable world / I still love it even now). This juxtaposition of love and despair underscores the complexity of the human condition, where one can simultaneously recognize the flaws in their reality and yet hold onto a glimmer of hope for transformation. The imagery of the '青すぎるいつかの空' (the overly blue sky of someday) symbolizes an idealized future that seems almost unattainable, yet remains a source of motivation.

The song also touches on the inevitability of facing one's fears and the consequences of avoiding them. The lines '目を背け続けて / 近づき過ぎた太陽' (Continuing to turn my eyes away / The sun that got too close) suggest that ignoring problems only leads to greater pain. The protagonist's realization of their fate, 'わかってたこんな未来が / 遠くは泣いってことなんて' (I knew this kind of future / Wasn't far away), reflects a moment of clarity and acceptance. The final verses, with the imagery of a '赤く染まる退屈な街' (a boring town dyed red) and '永遠の闇' (eternal darkness), evoke a sense of resignation but also a poignant beauty in the struggle.

'Vermilion' by Nightmare is a powerful exploration of the human psyche, capturing the delicate balance between despair and hope, and the ongoing battle for self-acceptance in a world fraught with deception and uncertainty.