“Set Fire to the Hive” is a surreal, but biting depiction of modern society and politics, and a call for action and change. Contrasting with the other tracks on Sound Awake, the track combines violent bass with Ian Kenny’s frenetic vocals.
[Verse 1]
I don't know what's wrong, but I'm on fire
It sears through my hands, leaving skin on the wire
Awake in this womb with a crown sting in my self
When I listen, the same cry plays on
[Bridge]
We're slaves in this medicated cage
Make a decision to face this change
To rules they don't explain
So, why do we obey?
[Verse 2]
Politics, religion, your vision's the same
You played us, as both a cancer and a cure
Which reminds me that it's just a game
Your alibi's a sales pitch
Your pretty boy, pretty face dolled up again
A star for us to adore
And you, man, you've got to be more
'Cause this affects all
[Pre-Chorus]
It's nice to know you're with us today
I've seen you in the fog along the way
[Chorus]
I'll spit in the mouth of your god
Who whispers in the minds of our children
You've been sold again
Set fire to the hive as you flee
It's fiction, a faceless illusion
You've been had again
[Verse 3]
You swing this wrecking ball
A violent pendulum
To hypnotise them all
The writing on the wall
That we keep missing
A structure built to fall
Still we all obey
[Pre-Chorus]
It's nice to know you're with us today
I've seen you in the fog along the way
[Chorus]
I'll spit in the mouth of your god
Who whispers in the minds of our children
You've been sold again
Set fire to the hive as you flee
It's fiction, a faceless illusion
You've been had again
[Outro]
There's no second chances here
There's no second chances here
There's no second chances here
Set Fire to the Hive was written by Karnivool.
Set Fire to the Hive was produced by Karnivool & Forrester Savell.
Karnivool released Set Fire to the Hive on Tue Apr 28 2009.
Jon Stockman talked about the song in an interview with NZRock.com, published on September 1, 2009:
It’s not a cryptic song by any stretch of the imagination, it’s very much a direct kind of ‘sonic’ call to arms, challenging people to look at how much control we have over our own society as well as...