By Demons Be Driven

Pantera's 'By Demons Be Driven' delves into the dark and tumultuous relationship between faith, corruption, and the human condition. The song's lyrics paint a grim picture of religious manipulation and the loss of innocence. The opening lines, 'Serving the faith / Abduction the oath,' suggest a betrayal of trust and the perversion of religious vows. This theme is further explored as the song describes how religion, once a source of purity and guidance, has become a tool for controlling and corrupting the young. The imagery of 'Purity withers and dies' starkly illustrates the decay of innocence and the destructive impact of such manipulation.

The song also touches on the generational conflict, with lines like 'Children draining parents of will' highlighting the strain and disillusionment that can arise within families. The narrator's attempt to save a 'bloodless child' only to be taken by the very forces they were fighting against underscores the futility and despair that can accompany such struggles. This sense of hopelessness is a recurring theme, as the song portrays a world where individuals are left 'hanging alone' and 'crippled and strewn' by the very beliefs they once held dear.

The chorus, 'By demons be driven / Beckon the call,' serves as a powerful reminder of the internal and external battles that individuals face. It suggests that despite one's efforts to resist, there is an inevitable pull towards darker forces. The song's closing lines, with their vivid and disturbing imagery of being 'boiled in the blood of his children' and 'buried with loved ones,' evoke a sense of ultimate defeat and resignation. Pantera's aggressive musical style and raw, intense lyrics combine to create a haunting exploration of the darker aspects of faith and human nature.