Cult of the Subterranean

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a group, or perhaps a couple, caught in a cycle of self-destructive behavior that they've rationalized as a "cause." The opening lines suggest a deliberate embrace of excess, where "too much feels alright," and a rejection of external judgment. This isn't about seeking redemption; it's about finding justification within their "vice" and their shared "delirium." The central tension lies in the conflict between a desire to "try to be good" and the ingrained habit of "look[ing] the other way." They acknowledge their actions are driven by necessity, "any means to an end," yet this pragmatism is also a form of surrender. The "subterranean" identity, coupled with the "Enemy of the Sun" moniker, implies a hidden, perhaps shameful, existence that thrives in darkness and avoidance. The most striking craft element is the repeated phrase "tonight we'll both look the other way." This isn't just about ignoring problems; it's an active, shared agreement to maintain the status quo, a mutual complicity that reinforces their "unbreakable" bond within their chosen isolation. The imagery of "smoke of all our thoughts and cigarette exhaust" further grounds this in a hazy, suffocating atmosphere, suggesting a lack of clarity and an inability to escape. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their unflinching portrayal of self-deception and the comfort found in shared delusion. The narrator's voice is both defiant and resigned, acknowledging the emptiness while simultaneously embracing the ritual. It captures that specific, uncomfortable feeling of knowing better but choosing the familiar, destructive path because the alternative feels too daunting or simply impossible.