Show Notes: Depth of Satan’s Eyes
I want to begin this episode by discussing my theory on what this song entails storywise. In my opinion, this is the moment, or rather moments that describe Satan finally taking the world into his domain.
The Church of God at this point has been defeated. The clergy and anti-christ have stolen their followers, discredited them and placed themselves in a position of absolute authority of man.
Let's also first talk about the opening guitar noise. Doesn't it sound like an alarm to you? Like a warning that something bad is underway.
Through scapes of murmur
Noisy walls of sound
Without a starlit night
Shores are nowhere to be found
I believe this verse is describing the lost population of former Christians who haven't quite come round to joining the clergy yet OR of a population that is lost and confused, searching for the light to guide them in the right path.
“Scapes” is a suffix “typically used to form nouns referring to a wide view of a place, often one represented in a picture”. In my opinion, these “scapes of murmur and noisy walls of sound” are chatter, gossip, whatever you want to say of the population discussing which way to turn. It’s a huge turning point in their civilisation and currently encompasses everyone and everything.
“Without a starlit night, shores nowhere to be found” is a metaphorical description again of the situation. The light of God has gone out and the population feel like they are lost at sea, with no astral navigation to help them find their way. They are stuck in a feeling of hopelessness and despair.
On seas of wonder
Ye confused strays
Without a guiding light
You see no ways
“On Seas of Wonder, Ye confused Strays” is a reference to the Bible verse Isaiah 53:6 in which is stated: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
The second two lines are a reference to Psalm 119:105 which reads: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Both of these back up my theory that the population have lost their ways and are seeking a side to choose.
Into the eyes of fire
Into the gaze ablaze
Into the burning light
Of Satan's rays
This is the start of the turn of the population into the service of Satan. God, offering nothing but Satan offering them the brightest light they can see to guide their way into a choice.
Into the source of wisdom
Beyond the Bible lies
Into the endless depth
Of Satan's eyes
Into the source of Wisdow, Beyond the Bible Lies to me is one of the most interesting lines in this song. Not only is it bigging up Satans intelligence and wisdom, but Beyond the Bible Lies is such a clever double meaning.
To me, this line means both “look past the Bible and see Satan” but it also has that implication that the bible is full of lies and you should be able to read through them using the wisdom Satan has granted you.
Into the endless depth of Satans eyes is showing just how powerful and “welcoming” Satan is in this world. He is not shallow, but complex and able to contain humanity within him.
Spiral and Pulsating
His eyes are enthralling
His eyes like a vortex
A well in which you're falling
(Ah ah ahhhh)
This verse to me is describing the moment in which Satan wins. It’s almost like the population being hypnotised in unison. I don’t know why, but in my head I always have like a really psychadelic cartoon of a population falling into a spiral background of black and red.
The ahhs at the end to me are the population giving in to Satan, they sound relieved that the pressure is off and they don’t have to think anymore about the choice.
The swamp of feces
That is the world
Flatuates a whirlwind storm
In which you swirl
Now that Satan has the population in his grasp, this is where his real intentions or personality is revealed. Papa here is basically calling the world shit, and nothing that happens is going to change that.
There is no escape, as long as you continue to exist you will be swirling in this “whirlwind storm” of flatulence.
In disarray you ponder
Your soul malaise
Abandon the long lost man
Your child portrays
This verse is describing the feeling of the population now they have made their choice and are coming to terms with what they have done, panicking that they have changed their entire society and pondering what this means for them.
Malaise means “a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify.” And yeah, I’m sure a lot of people are probably feeling that right now. We all get that after a difficult decision. Did we do the right thing? Did we not? Could we have done better if we chose differently?
The last two lines to me seem to be a reference to a nativity play that is performed at Christmas by children of a school. If you don’t know what a nativity play is (as I’m not sure they’re done in America), it is basically a play that tells the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus. Perhaps this the anti-christ telling the people it is time to finally abandon this story and move on?
The last lines of this song as the chorus repeated, however, I do want to bring attention to how it is sung. It begins by being sung by Papa in his usual manner, but then it is taken over by a crowd of almost deadpan followers, like they have been brainwashed. A sign the population have chosen Satan.