Root of Ultimate Evil

Sabbat's song "Root of Ultimate Evil" paints a chilling and poignant picture of a mother and son fleeing from a tyrannical regime. The opening lines set the scene on a freezing winter night, where the desperate pair are running away, lying on an iced river at the border. The stark imagery of having no food, drink, or power underscores their dire situation and the extreme conditions they face in their quest for freedom.

The lyrics describe their homeland as a 'field of hell beneath the red flag,' symbolizing a brutal dictatorship. The 'bloody star of the red' and 'sign of dictator' are clear references to oppressive regimes, possibly alluding to historical contexts such as the Soviet Union or other communist states. The 'root of ultimate evil' is a powerful metaphor for the destructive and dehumanizing nature of such totalitarian governments, which strip away basic human rights and freedoms.

In a heart-wrenching moment, the mother tells her son to 'eat me,' a desperate act of sacrifice to ensure his survival. This line highlights the extreme measures people are forced to take under oppressive regimes and the profound love and sacrifice of a mother for her child. The son's decision to leave and seek freedom in the 'free western land' signifies hope and the enduring human spirit's quest for liberty, even in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Sabbat's intense and evocative lyrics not only tell a story of personal struggle and sacrifice but also serve as a broader commentary on the horrors of dictatorship and the universal desire for freedom and dignity.