Tera Toma

Salvia's 'Tera Toma' is a raw and intense exploration of personal pain, self-doubt, and the quest for validation. The song opens with a visceral image of stepping on a needle to feel real, immediately setting a tone of desperation and self-inflicted pain. This act symbolizes the lengths to which the narrator is willing to go to feel something, anything, in a world that seems numb and indifferent. The mention of knocking switches and rejecting deals suggests a refusal to conform to societal expectations or take the easy way out, even if it means enduring more suffering.

The lyrics delve deeper into the narrator's internal struggle with lines like 'I wanted to die so I poured the petrol, I held the match and then I let go.' This powerful imagery conveys a moment of ultimate despair and the brink of self-destruction. However, the act of letting go of the match can also be seen as a moment of relinquishing control, perhaps indicating a desire to surrender to fate or a higher power. The recurring theme of being 'always beneath, always under the surface' highlights a feeling of perpetual inadequacy and invisibility, yearning for someone to acknowledge their worth and tell them they are perfect.

The chorus, with its repetition of 'I'm bitter, for years I've fought,' underscores the long-term nature of the narrator's struggle. The bitterness stems from years of battling inner demons and external pressures without finding resolution or peace. The imagery of 'crutches on either side' suggests a reliance on external supports to keep going, yet there's a haunting question of whether these supports are truly helpful or if they merely prolong the agony. The repeated query, 'Do you want me to die?' is a poignant cry for understanding and empathy, revealing the narrator's deep-seated need for connection and validation in a world that often feels isolating and harsh.