Angel
Sepultura
The Duality of Love and Hate in Sepultura's 'Angel'
Sepultura's song 'Angel' delves into the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotions, particularly focusing on the duality of love and hate. The lyrics juxtapose the imagery of an angel and a devil, symbolizing the extremes of affection and animosity that can coexist within a relationship. The angel, described as coming from 'way above,' represents a pure, almost divine form of love that brings joy and warmth. This is contrasted sharply with the devil, who comes from 'way below' to bring hate, embodying the darker, more destructive aspects of human connections.
The song's structure emphasizes this duality by alternating between the two opposing forces. The angel's presence is associated with love and light, as seen in the lines 'You are my angel / Come from way above / To bring me love.' However, the angel's eyes are described as being on the 'dark side,' suggesting that even the most positive emotions can have a shadowy counterpart. This complexity is further highlighted by the repetition of 'To love you, love you, love you,' which underscores the intensity and perhaps the obsessive nature of this affection.
In contrast, the devil's arrival brings a surge of negative emotions, encapsulated in the lines 'You are my devil / Come for me, way below / To bring me hate.' The repetition of 'To hate you, hate you, hate you' mirrors the earlier refrain about love, suggesting that hate can be just as consuming and powerful. Sepultura's use of these stark contrasts serves to explore the thin line between love and hate, and how easily one can transform into the other. The song ultimately reflects the turbulent and multifaceted nature of human relationships, where love and hate are often intertwined in a complex dance.