The meaning of the lyrics of the song "The Howling" by the artist "Within Temptation"

The lyrics of the song The Howling by Within Temptation tell the story of a group of people cornered by an unknown enemy. They are scared, feel like victims ("We've seen what you want, You've got us cornered"), and realize that giving up their pride ("Denial of vanity") could cost them their lives.

As night approaches, a confrontation with the mysterious enemy ("They") draws near, whose howling sends chills down their spines. The lyrical hero feels terror and understands that "when we start to kill", we trigger a chain of irreversible events, a nightmare from which we want to escape. Killing changes everything, destroys the familiar world ("All will fade From the hell we're in now"), deprives us of our humanity ("Our whole essence fades away").

Despite their fear, the heroes are forced to fight to survive. At dawn, the battle subsides, but the cost of victory is terrible. Many casualties, and the question arises: was it worth it? What is the outcome ("Is this the end Of what we have begun?") and the main question is whether the characters realize their mistakes ("Will we remember What we did wrong?").

The song leaves a depressing aftertaste and makes you think about the price of violence and the consequences of our actions.