The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Twelve Black Rainbows" by the artist "Type O Negative"

The lyrics of "Twelve Black Rainbows" by Type O Negative depict the lyrical hero's struggle with guilt, regret, and self-loss. He feels empty and lost, haunted by the past and unable to break free from the grip of depression.

Idle hands are the devil's playthings,

Idle minds are worse, you see.

These lines speak of inactivity and the inability to take control of one's life. "The devil's playthings" symbolize destructive thoughts and lack of motivation, which are even more dangerous than physical idleness.

So many regrets for time wasted,

But irresponsibility's not my only crime.

The hero acknowledges his mistakes and wasted opportunities but realizes that this is not his only problem. He carries the burden of more serious transgressions that are not revealed in the lyrics.

Temporary insanity, drowning sorrows in booze,

That person I was is now deceased.

This describes the hero's self-destructive behavior as he tries to numb his emotional pain with alcohol. He admits that he has lost himself in the process, and the person he once was is gone.

Digging up the past one last time,

My final task is to remove this mask, oh yeah…

The hero decides to face his demons and confront his past. He wants to remove the mask he has been wearing and reveal his true self, even if it is his last chance.

The image of "twelve black rainbows" can be interpreted as a symbol of hopelessness and the hero's bleak outlook on life. He sees the world in dark shades, and even the rainbow, a symbol of hope, is colored black for him.

Don't be afraid when she sheds her veil,

They say there's nothing to fear, but the monster is here.

So just name the time, a quarter to nine?

The sun has gone down, time to pay the price.

In these lines, the hero addresses an unknown listener, perhaps himself, urging him not to fear the truth, however terrible it may be. He acknowledges that evil lurks within, and it is time to pay the price for past mistakes.