When the Dust Settles

[Intro — Distant Alarms, Falling Debris, Ominous Industrial Drone] Silence. After all that noise. How remarkably disappointing. [Verse 1 — Male: Cold Baritone, Sparse Dissonant Guitar] A kingdom buried underneath A thousand tons of broken steel. The shattered glass beneath my feet Reflects a world that isn't real. The gateway's dead. The power's gone. The instruments have all withdrawn. And somewhere past these broken walls, I hear their laughter through it all. [Pre-Chorus — Mechanical Rhythm Accelerates] I gave them everything. I offered them a choice. And all my years of reasoning Were drowned beneath their voice. [Chorus — Colossal Apocalyptic Math Metal] When the dust settles! When the ashes fall! I'll be standing in the wreckage, Still remembering it all! Let the heavens come apart! Let the oceans swallow land! You can tear apart my kingdom, But you haven't killed the man! When the dust settles! When the fires disappear! You'll discover what you've started When you thought you'd left me here! [Verse 2 — Male: Aggressive Rhythmic Metal] A girl who wouldn't bend the knee. A walking goddamn Christmas tree. A sentimental little band That thinks there's strength in holding hands. I offered flesh. I offered bone. I offered him his journey home. He chose the needles and the bark. She chose to leave me in the dark. And now the walls are coming down. My perfect world lies underground. A thousand years reduced to stone. And somehow, I remain alone. [Pre-Chorus — Unstable Polyrhythmic Build] I studied every weakness. I learned what made them bleed. But I mistook their loyalty For something I could seize. [Chorus — Massive Distorted Guitars, Half-Time Drums] When the dust settles! When the ashes fall! I'll be standing in the wreckage, Still remembering it all! Let the heavens come apart! Let the oceans swallow land! You can tear apart my kingdom, But you haven't killed the man! When the dust settles! When the fires disappear! You'll discover what you've started When you thought you'd left me here! [Instrumental — Crushing Asymmetric Riffs, Double-Kick Surges, Abrupt Silence] [Bridge — Male: Restrained Baritone, Eerie Near-Silence] I could rebuild the laboratory. I could reconstruct the gate. I could spend another century Attempting to correct my fate. But something far more interesting Has risen from this devastation. I no longer seek obedience. I require retribution. [Breakdown — Punishing Half-Time Industrial Metal] I'll find the eagle in the sky! I'll watch the soldier's courage die! I'll drag the sailor from the sea! And bring that alien to his knees! I'll tear apart the world they made! Erase the songs they ever played! And when there's nothing left to save, I'll put their precious tree beside their graves! [Sudden Silence] [Male — Quiet, Cold Baritone] No. That would be far too merciful. [Verse 3 — Male: Ominous Melodic Metal] I'll let them think they've finally won. I'll let them dance beneath the sun. I'll let them celebrate their freedom, Knowing I'll be there to see them. I'll learn the songs they love to sing. I'll study every precious thing. And when their happiness is whole, I'll take apart the world they know. [Final Chorus — Darker, Heavier Apocalyptic Metal] When the dust settles! When the ashes fall! I'll be waiting in the darkness, Where the broken shadows crawl! Let the heavens come apart! Let the oceans swallow land! You destroyed a thousand lifetimes, But you haven't seen my hand! When the dust settles! When the final light appears! I'll remind you of the moment You abandoned me down here! When the dust settles! When your world begins to burn! You'll remember what you started When you thought I wouldn't return! [Outro — Collapsing Industrial Rhythm, Sparse Piano] Enjoy your little victory. Embrace the life you've made. Sing your songs. Protect each other. Pretend you're unafraid. [Mechanical Heartbeat] You took everything from me. Now I'll take everything from you. [Final Crushing Guitar Impact]