Convicted In Life

Sepultura's song 'Convicted In Life' delves into the themes of existential despair and the inescapable nature of one's actions and choices. The opening line, 'Abandon all hope he who enter here,' is a direct reference to Dante's 'Inferno,' setting a tone of eternal suffering and hopelessness. This line immediately immerses the listener into a world where pain and loss are constants, and the idea of redemption seems unattainable. The phrase 'It's the fiction of life' suggests that the reality we live in is a constructed narrative, one that often feels meaningless and predetermined.

The lyrics reflect a deep sense of frustration and resignation. Lines like 'It never made a fucking difference to you' and 'Nothing seemed to go as planned' highlight the futility the narrator feels in their efforts to change their circumstances. The repetition of 'I'm convicted in life' underscores a sense of being trapped by one's own actions and decisions, unable to escape the consequences. This conviction is not just a legal or moral sentence but a profound existential state, where every choice seems to lead to the same inevitable outcome.

The song also touches on themes of guilt and remorse, or rather, the lack thereof. 'Can't live with the faults / There is no remorse for you and me' suggests a shared burden of guilt that is too heavy to bear, yet there is no room for repentance. The closing lines, 'Convicted in life, / Fiction in life, / Victim in life,' encapsulate the essence of the song. They portray a life where one is perpetually judged, living in a constructed reality, and ultimately, a victim of their own existence. Sepultura's aggressive musical style complements these dark themes, creating a powerful and haunting experience for the listener.