High Treason

White Skull's song 'High Treason' delves into the historical and dramatic events surrounding the assassination of Julius Caesar. The lyrics vividly recount the betrayal and conspiracy that led to Caesar's demise, drawing heavily from historical accounts and Shakespearean drama. The song opens with a foreboding sense of doom, referencing the famous warning to 'beware the ides of March,' a date that has become synonymous with betrayal due to Caesar's assassination on March 15, 44 BC.

The song paints a picture of a treacherous political landscape, where Caesar is surrounded by deceitful allies and ambitious enemies. The repeated lines 'They want my blood' and 'Nest of scheming snakes' emphasize the pervasive sense of danger and betrayal. The mention of key conspirators like Brutus, Cassius, and Trebonius highlights the personal nature of the betrayal, as these were men Caesar considered friends and allies. The line 'Tu quoque, Brute, fili mi' (Even you, Brutus, my son) poignantly captures the shock and heartbreak of Caesar's realization that even his close confidant Brutus has turned against him.

The song also touches on the aftermath of Caesar's assassination, with the line 'The Roman king has perished / All his lands will fall into my hands' suggesting the power vacuum and ensuing chaos. This reflects the historical reality of the power struggles that followed Caesar's death, leading to the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. White Skull's heavy metal style, characterized by powerful vocals and intense instrumentation, adds to the dramatic and ominous tone of the song, making 'High Treason' a compelling retelling of one of history's most infamous betrayals.