In-Depth Analysis of Track 19: “Assassinations 2”

From Hashisheen: The End of Law

Track Details:
• Title: Assassinations 2
• Duration: 0:52
• Music By: Anton Fier
• Read By: Nicole Blackman

Lyrics:
“The Huries of Paradise are the ideas which at once appear in one’s essence when one feels desire. Whatever one wishes, with regard to the perception of the intelligibles, will appear in one’s soul, one’s essence. Thus shall one’s soul be forever in bliss. For the beginning of knowledge and its ultimate aim will have become joined together. This is the achievement of the idea of an angel.”

Introduction:
“Assassinations 2” serves as a key piece in Hashisheen: The End of Law, continuing the philosophical and moral explorations initiated in “Assassinations” (Track 11). This track bridges historical narratives, ethical dilemmas, and metaphysical ideas, inviting listeners to consider the profound impact of political violence on both individuals and society.

Nicole Blackman’s evocative spoken word performance enhances the thematic complexity, while Anton Fier’s haunting musical composition creates a tense atmosphere, reflecting the weight of the ideas presented.

The lyrics, laden with spiritual symbolism, reframe the idea of paradise and desire as internal and intellectual processes. They suggest that the ultimate bliss lies not in external rewards but in the alignment of the soul with divine truths, culminating in the union of knowledge’s beginning and its ultimate aim.

Contributors:
Nicole Blackman (Reader):
• Background:
• An American poet and performance artist renowned for her intense and introspective spoken word.
• Often explores themes of trauma, identity, and empowerment.
• Her collaboration on this track imbues it with emotional resonance and intellectual depth.

• Role in the Track:
• Delivers a poignant spoken word performance that balances urgency with reflection.
• Her voice captures the tension between earthly struggles and the metaphysical aspirations of the lyrics.

Anton Fier (Music Composer):
• Background:
• An acclaimed musician and composer known for his innovative approach to alternative and experimental music.
• Founder of The Golden Palominos, blending avant-garde and mainstream styles.

• Role in the Track:
• Composes a minimalist yet evocative musical backdrop that complements the spoken word.
• Uses subtle instrumentation to heighten the track’s emotional and psychological impact.

Thematic Exploration:
1. The Huries of Paradise as Metaphorical Ideals:
• Who Are the Huries?
• In Islamic tradition, Hūr (plural: Huries) are often described as companions in paradise, representing divine reward and fulfillment.
• The lyrics reinterpret the Huries as ideas—intellectual and spiritual manifestations of desire aligned with divine knowledge.

• Desire and Transformation:
• Desire is framed as a catalyst for enlightenment, not carnal or material, but a yearning for higher truths.
• The immediacy of the Huries appearing reflects harmony between thought and manifestation, where spiritual attunement leads to direct realization.

2. Perception of the Intelligibles:
• What Are the Intelligibles?
• Intelligibles, in Islamic and Neoplatonic philosophy, are abstract, eternal truths accessible to the intellect.
• The lyrics suggest that paradise is achieved when the soul mirrors these truths, transforming them into self-evident realities.

• Bliss as Alignment:
• True bliss comes from aligning the soul with intelligibles, fostering a perpetual state of joy and fulfillment.
• The act of perceiving these truths is depicted as both the journey and the reward.

3. Union of Beginning and Ultimate Aim:
• Path of Knowledge:
• Reflects the mystical idea that the beginning of knowledge and its ultimate aim are interconnected.
• Enlightenment is portrayed as the realization that the journey itself is inherently divine.

• Transcendence of Time:
• The fusion of beginning and end symbolizes an eternal state, aligning with mystical depictions of paradise.

4. The Idea of an Angel:
• Angel as a Metaphor:
• Angels symbolize divine intermediaries, purity, and enlightenment in Islamic thought.
• The “idea of an angel” represents the human potential to embody divine truths and attain spiritual perfection.

• Achieving Angelic States:
• Through alignment with intelligibles, individuals transcend earthly limitations and realize their divine potential.

Spoken Word Analysis:
Nicole Blackman’s Performance:
• Vocal Delivery:
• Her deliberate pacing and nuanced tone amplify the lyrics’ emotional weight.
• Subtle shifts in intonation emphasize the moral and philosophical questions posed.

• Emotional Resonance:
• Blackman’s voice conveys a mix of reflection, urgency, and introspection, engaging listeners on an emotional and intellectual level.

Musical Composition:
Anton Fier’s Soundscape:
• Tension and Atmosphere:
• Sparse instrumentation mirrors the isolation and gravity of the assassin’s internal struggle.
• Ambient noise and subtle percussion create an unsettling backdrop, reflecting the lyrics’ moral ambiguity.

Integration with Spoken Word:
• Dynamic Interaction:
• The music ebbs and flows with the spoken word, punctuating key moments to heighten emotional impact.

Philosophical and Mystical Interpretation:
• Aligns with Ibn Arabi’s concept of the ‘ālam al-mithāl (Imaginal Realm), where abstract truths take form and manifest within the soul.
• Reflects Neoplatonic ideals of the nous (intellect) as the source of ultimate truth and enlightenment.
• Suggests that paradise is an internal state achieved through self-purification and alignment with divine truths.

Ethical and Emotional Dimensions:
• Explores the tension between the justifications for assassination and its ethical implications.
• Captures the human cost of political violence, both on individuals and society.
• Examines how assassinations perpetuate cycles of violence and fear, challenging listeners to consider their societal impact.

Key Takeaways:
• Redefines paradise as the blissful state of a soul attuned to divine truths.
• Frames desire as the yearning for higher understanding, capable of transforming the self.
• Challenges listeners to reflect on the ethical implications of assassination and its societal consequences.

Reflective Questions for the Listener:
• How does the redefinition of paradise as an internal state challenge your understanding of spiritual fulfillment?
• In what ways do the lyrics connect the philosophical with the practical realities of political violence?
• How does the music’s atmosphere shape your emotional response to the spoken word and its themes?

By engaging with these questions, listeners can deepen their appreciation of “Assassinations 2” and its role within Hashisheen: The End of Law, fostering a richer connection to its profound messages.