Adipocere

Rusty Cage's song 'Adipocere' delves into the macabre and unsettling aspects of death and the rituals surrounding it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a community's unique and grim method of dealing with the deceased. The term 'adipocere' refers to a waxy substance formed during the decomposition of a body, setting the tone for the song's exploration of mortality and decay.

The song opens with a sense of urgency, describing the need to act quickly before the corpse gets cold. This urgency is juxtaposed with the inevitability of death, as the lyrics state that it doesn't matter whether one is young or old. The climb up the mountain signifies a journey towards a ritualistic feeding time, where the community sharpens their knives and blades, preparing for the grim task ahead. The repeated reassurance to 'close your eyes, it'll be okay' adds a haunting comfort to the otherwise gruesome imagery.

The chorus invites listeners to witness the vultures feasting upon the bodies, stripping them down to the bone. This stark imagery serves as a reminder of the natural cycle of life and death, where even in death, the body serves a purpose. The mortician, with a bag on his head and a bottle of whiskey in hand, symbolizes the burden and isolation that comes with handling death. His constant need to sharpen his knife and blade reflects the ongoing nature of his grim duties.

The song's climax describes a scene where seven hundred winged creatures and sixty-seven eyes watch as the vultures dine, highlighting the communal aspect of this ritual. The turning heads of the brethren signify a collective acknowledgment and acceptance of death. 'Adipocere' ultimately portrays a raw and unfiltered look at mortality, emphasizing the inevitability of death and the rituals that different cultures use to cope with it.