Spanish project Basilisko, which combines dark post-punk energy with medieval aesthetics, are back with a new track, “Guerra Total” (Total War). And as the title suggests, this one is definitely no cause for celebration.
The lyrics depict a world where everything people once relied on is falling apart, troops are marching forward, and a new order is on its way. Blood will flow sooner or later, there is nowhere to run, and everyone has to decide whether they are going to die or fight. There is also the image of a paper empire that presents itself as invincible, but time may prove that anyone can fall.
“Guerra Total” can be seen as a dark portrayal of the horrors of medieval warfare, but it works just as well as a very timely warning about today’s unstable world. It’s precisely the combination of historical aesthetics and themes that feel uncomfortably relevant today that gives this track its power.
Either way, this is another strong addition to Basilisko’s repertoire. Darkness, tension, and the feeling of an impending catastrophe take the form of total war, one that leaves nobody without consequences
