Aftermath

King Diamond's song 'Aftermath' delves into the eerie and unsettling consequences of past events tied to voodoo practices. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the 'LOA' house and an old voodoo burial ground, both of which remain standing as ominous reminders of the past. The Lafayetes, who were once entangled in these dark practices, have left Louisiana, but their departure does not bring peace. The narrator, Salem, introduces himself and hints at the lingering fear and trauma experienced by those who survived, like Malone, now a scared old man.

The song suggests that while the immediate danger has passed, the psychological scars and the supernatural elements of voodoo continue to haunt the survivors. Salem's statement that 'everybody is now safe from each other' implies a fragile peace, one that is soon shattered by the birth of Sarah Lafayette's baby, who speaks in a strange, backward tongue. This unsettling event is described as a 'miracle' by an expert, but the underlying tone suggests a resurgence of the dark forces associated with voodoo.

King Diamond, known for his theatrical and horror-themed metal music, uses 'Aftermath' to explore themes of fear, trauma, and the supernatural. The song's narrative style and vivid imagery create a sense of unease, reflecting the lasting impact of voodoo on the characters' lives. The mention of the expert's utterance of 'VOODOO' at the end of the song serves as a chilling reminder that the past is never truly gone and that its dark legacy can resurface in unexpected ways.