Opprobrious Reciprocity

Symbiotic's song 'Opprobrious Reciprocity' delves into the complex interplay between light and darkness, truth and lies, and the human condition. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a being caught in a state of existential torment, grappling with the weight of knowledge and the burden of truth. The opening lines, 'I am a pale being / My aching branches / Support my forehead,' evoke an image of a weary entity, perhaps a metaphor for a soul burdened by the weight of enlightenment or the harsh realities of existence.

The song's narrative progresses to explore the theme of enlightenment and the consequences of uncovering the truth. The lines 'In me the light / It rusts, it ends / It freezes the time and paralyzes the stars' suggest that the pursuit of truth can lead to a state of paralysis, where the seeker is overwhelmed by the magnitude of their discoveries. This is further emphasized by the declaration, 'I teach the truth,' indicating a role of a reluctant prophet or a bearer of unwelcome revelations.

The chorus, 'Lies are their victories / Lies are their glories / Lies are your illusion,' critiques the human tendency to find comfort in falsehoods. The protagonist offers a form of salvation, 'I will cure your damage / And your wretched screams,' but this cure comes with a price, as it involves the destruction of illusions and the acceptance of harsh realities. The closing lines, 'Let darkness consume them / The flooding light shall not blind us,' suggest a preference for the clarity of darkness over the blinding nature of false light, advocating for a deeper, more authentic understanding of existence.