Troops Of Doom

Sepultura's 'Troops Of Doom' paints a vivid and harrowing picture of an apocalyptic scenario where humanity faces utter annihilation. The song opens with a 'total eclipse' that 'hides the earth,' setting a dark and ominous tone. This eclipse symbolizes the beginning of the end, a night of doom where 'Antichrist soldiers' are unleashed to send souls to hell. The imagery here is stark and brutal, reflecting a world plunged into chaos and destruction.

The lyrics continue to describe a scene of 'catastrophe and destruction,' where mankind is 'slaughtered without mercy.' The air is filled with 'sulphur clouds,' and 'legions winds corrode the universe,' suggesting a toxic and uninhabitable environment. This apocalyptic vision is further emphasized by the mention of the 'messiah' and 'redeemers of mankind' being 'chained in the valley of Hades,' indicating that even saviors are powerless in the face of such overwhelming evil. The crowds are 'blinded by evil,' and 'only death is real,' underscoring the hopelessness and inevitability of doom.

The song also touches on religious imagery, with 'walls of churches stained by blood' and 'altars burning in the flames.' This suggests a complete breakdown of moral and spiritual order, where even sacred spaces are not spared from the destruction. The 'nuclear war' mentioned in the lyrics serves as a modern-day parallel to this ancient apocalyptic vision, highlighting the potential for human-made catastrophe. The prophets who 'foresee the doom' and 'the triumph of your death' add a layer of inevitability to the scenario, suggesting that this end was always destined to come.

'Troops Of Doom' is a powerful and unsettling exploration of apocalyptic themes, blending religious and modern imagery to create a vision of total destruction and despair. Sepultura's aggressive musical style and dark lyrical content make this song a compelling commentary on the potential for human and supernatural forces to bring about the end of the world.