213
Slayer
Dark Obsession and Morbid Fascination in Slayer's '213'
Slayer's song '213' delves into the dark and disturbing realms of obsession, compulsion, and morbid fascination. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a mind consumed by perverse desires and a need for control over another being. The song's protagonist finds a twisted form of sexual release and fulfillment in the lifeless body of a victim, highlighting a disturbing blend of necrophilia and sadism. The repeated references to 'death's final embrace' and 'cool tenderness' suggest a deep, almost romanticized connection with death and the deceased, blurring the lines between love and morbidity.
The song's narrative is driven by a compulsion to dominate and possess, with the protagonist deriving pleasure from the physical and emotional control over their victim. The lyrics describe a 'prized possession' that can be touched and fondled without objection, emphasizing the power dynamics at play. This obsession is portrayed as an all-consuming force, with the protagonist's thoughts and actions revolving around their morbid desires. The imagery of 'smooth blue black lips' and 'panting excitedly with my hands around your neck' further underscores the grotesque and unsettling nature of this fixation.
Slayer's '213' also explores themes of loneliness and the need for companionship, albeit in a deeply twisted manner. The protagonist's plea for a friend and fear of being left alone with their sanity suggests a profound sense of isolation and a desperate need for connection, even if it means resorting to macabre and violent means. The song's chilling conclusion, with the protagonist standing above their victim and professing their love for killing, encapsulates the disturbing blend of affection and brutality that defines the narrative. Through its graphic and unsettling lyrics, '213' offers a glimpse into the darkest corners of the human psyche, where love, death, and obsession intertwine in a nightmarish dance.