Reveling in Macabre Fascination: The Necromantic Allure of “A Vulgar Picture” by The Black Dahlia Murder
In the shadowed corners of extreme music, where darkness reigns and the morbid takes center stage, lies “A Vulgar Picture”, a track that unflinchingly delves into the taboo and the grotesque. Released in 2005 as part of The Black Dahlia Murder‘s sophomore album, “Miasma”, this song paints a vivid, albeit disturbing, tableau of necromantic desire. While “Miasma” itself clawed its way to a respectable #118 on the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing the band’s growing impact within the death metal scene, “A Vulgar Picture” stands out for its sheer audacity and lyrical content that both repulses and fascinates.
The Black Dahlia Murder, hailing from Detroit, Michigan, had already carved a niche for themselves with their relentless blend of melodic death metal and sheer brutality. Their music, characterized by breakneck speeds, intricate guitar work, and the guttural vocals of the late Trevor Strnad, was not for the faint of heart. Yet, within this sonic assault, there was a lyrical depth that often explored the darker facets of human existence and the macabre narratives of horror.
“A Vulgar Picture” firmly plants its flag in this territory. The lyrics, penned with a visceral intensity, narrate a tale of irresistible fascination with a deceased woman. It’s a journey into the mind of someone consumed by a forbidden desire, a chilling exploration of the allure of the dead. Lines like “My blood is racing as I strike the lid / A quick pry of the casket reveals her body, paralyzed” immediately set a tone of morbid anticipation. The narrator’s obsession is palpable, escalating with the confession, “So long I’ve waited for this moment, to thrust my fingers deep inside!”
The song’s meaning, while overtly about necrophilia, can also be interpreted on a metaphorical level. Some listeners have suggested that the act described could represent a deeper yearning to possess or control something lost or unattainable. The “vulgar picture” itself might symbolize a forbidden truth or a hidden desire that society deems unacceptable. However, the sheer graphic nature of the lyrics leaves little room for ambiguity, firmly placing the song within the tradition of death metal’s exploration of extreme and often transgressive themes.
It’s important to remember the context in which such music exists. Death metal, as a genre, has often pushed boundaries, exploring themes of death, violence, horror, and the occult in ways that can be shocking to mainstream audiences. “A Vulgar Picture” is undoubtedly a stark example of this. It doesn’t shy away from the disturbing, instead diving headfirst into the darkest corners of the human psyche.
While chart success for such extreme music is often limited, the impact of The Black Dahlia Murder and songs like “A Vulgar Picture” within the metal community is undeniable. They garnered a dedicated following who appreciated their musical skill and their willingness to confront uncomfortable and taboo subjects. “Miasma”, released on July 12, 2005, further solidified their position as a significant force in the American death metal scene, building upon the foundation laid by their debut album, “Unhallowed” (2003), and paving the way for future critically acclaimed albums like “Nocturnal” (2007).
Listening back to “A Vulgar Picture” today, it serves as a potent reminder of the raw and often unsettling power of extreme music. It’s a sonic and lyrical assault that challenges our perceptions of what is acceptable and delves into the morbid curiosities that lie dormant within us. While not for everyone, for those who dare to peer into its darkness, the song offers a glimpse into a world where the boundaries of life and death, desire and revulsion, become disturbingly blurred. It remains a bold and uncompromising statement from a band that consistently pushed the limits of death metal.