Obey The Call
Megadeth
The March of the Pawns: A Dystopian Anthem
Megadeth's "Obey The Call" paints a vivid picture of a dystopian world, where chaos and destruction reign supreme. The song opens with imagery of a "cracked horizon" and "silent screams," setting a bleak tone that reflects a world ravaged by war and desolation. The "burned-out cities" and "ghosts in the gears of the war machine" suggest a society that has been consumed by conflict, where the remnants of civilization are haunted by the consequences of relentless warfare. The war machine, a metaphor for the relentless cycle of violence and destruction, "feeds on faith but bleeds gasoline," highlighting the paradox of a system that thrives on belief yet is fueled by something as destructive as gasoline.
The lyrics further delve into the theme of manipulation and control, with "false crusaders" who "write their laws with molten lead." This imagery evokes a sense of oppressive authority, where those in power manipulate truth and justice to serve their own ends. The "frostbitten prayers" and "coded lies" suggest a world where hope and truth have been twisted and corrupted, leading society down a path "where all reason dies." The repeated refrain of "the pawns will rise and empires fall" underscores the cyclical nature of power dynamics, where the oppressed eventually rise against their oppressors, only for new empires to emerge and repeat the cycle.
"Obey The Call" serves as a powerful commentary on the futility of war and the manipulation of power. The call to "obey" is both a warning and a rallying cry, urging listeners to recognize the patterns of control and to question the motives of those in power. Megadeth's signature thrash metal sound amplifies the urgency and intensity of the message, making "Obey The Call" not just a song, but a call to awareness and action in the face of societal decay.