I like what voodoovole said about the whole Neitzsche thing, but i'm not sure i believe it, as i think the song is trying to get more at the arguments used by Neitzsche rather than the fact that Neitzsche used them.
"Dionysus against the crucified" I think that this line might refer to one of the stories about Dionysus in Greek mythology (according to dionysia.org/greek/dionysos/thompson/dionysos.html) in it, Dionysus was kidnapped by the Titans and while staring at his reflection, he was murdered and subsequently cannibalised (nice, eh?) - the cooking of which produced a smell that alerted Zeus to what was going on. Zeus then obliterated the titans with thunderbolts, leaving only ashes. From these ashes, Dionysus -and Man - were brought to life.
Another interesting point is that Dionysus was born of a mortal mother (Semele) and a immortal father (Zeus).
Sound familiar?
I think the line could refer to the similarities in Christian and Greek mythologies, highlighting the fact that, though they are apparently contradictory in factual reality, the stories themselves are essentially similar. However, since the approaches are different, it can often be easy to lose grip of the truth in the stories, and so every story must be examined and judged using one's own reason (the blade and the scythe, possibly?).
One of the main differences between the stories of Dionysus and Jesus is that Dionysus' story has a far greater emphasis on pleasures of the flesh (e.g. wine). That they are both essentially true (though probably not fact) but both have different takes on it, belies the fact that it is down to the individual to derive their own versions of the truth.
I think the rest of the song follows from this idea.
I think that the line 'the brightest sun is the purest gun' refers to the essential importance (and ultimate power) of being honest with yourself.
So, in summary i think this songs about the need for being honest with yourself.
"Clean your flesh and mock your fears
The brightest sun is the purest gun"
I like what voodoovole said about the whole Neitzsche thing, but i'm not sure i believe it, as i think the song is trying to get more at the arguments used by Neitzsche rather than the fact that Neitzsche used them.
"Dionysus against the crucified" I think that this line might refer to one of the stories about Dionysus in Greek mythology (according to dionysia.org/greek/dionysos/thompson/dionysos.html) in it, Dionysus was kidnapped by the Titans and while staring at his reflection, he was murdered and subsequently cannibalised (nice, eh?) - the cooking of which produced a smell that alerted Zeus to what was going on. Zeus then obliterated the titans with thunderbolts, leaving only ashes. From these ashes, Dionysus -and Man - were brought to life.
Another interesting point is that Dionysus was born of a mortal mother (Semele) and a immortal father (Zeus).
Sound familiar?
I think the line could refer to the similarities in Christian and Greek mythologies, highlighting the fact that, though they are apparently contradictory in factual reality, the stories themselves are essentially similar. However, since the approaches are different, it can often be easy to lose grip of the truth in the stories, and so every story must be examined and judged using one's own reason (the blade and the scythe, possibly?).
One of the main differences between the stories of Dionysus and Jesus is that Dionysus' story has a far greater emphasis on pleasures of the flesh (e.g. wine). That they are both essentially true (though probably not fact) but both have different takes on it, belies the fact that it is down to the individual to derive their own versions of the truth.
I think the rest of the song follows from this idea.
I think that the line 'the brightest sun is the purest gun' refers to the essential importance (and ultimate power) of being honest with yourself.
So, in summary i think this songs about the need for being honest with yourself. "Clean your flesh and mock your fears The brightest sun is the purest gun"