D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)
Testament · The Gathering [1999]
Dismal past
is there more in life...
should I... know
Ending wars... ending pain
Ending of mankind is insane
and there's all the possibilities
some will fail and some will achieve
Even through in my youth
I didn't know but what can I do
And I may not ever see
In my pain, my suffering
Can not live for the rest of my life
D.N.R. Do not resuscitate me...
Life... lost unseen
Behind the mask
And with the open arms will I grasp
Open doors... open minds...
Ending all the madness I hate
And I may not ever see
In my pain, my suffering
Can not live for the rest of my life
D.N.R. Do not resuscitate me... D.N.R...
Wing of sadness... will
hold my prayers
all this madness... will
end my fears
contempt in life
Conceptualize, wrong or right
The ending of life...
God save me now...
Time... end it now
No going back
Can you see the light ass you pass
Ending wars, ending pain...
Waited all my life to be saves
And I will not ever see
All the hate and suffering
Can not live for the rest of my life
D.N.R. Do not resuscitate me... D.N.R.
D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)
Released on Testament's 1999 album The Gathering, 'D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)' stands as a defining track in the band's evolution from thrash metal to progressive death metal. The song features the band's signature dual-guitar harmonies and complex time signatures, showcasing the technical prowess of guitarist Scott Travis. Thematically, the title references the medical procedure, a subject often explored in the band's catalog to reflect on mortality and the human condition. This recording solidified Testament's reputation as a major force in the death metal genre during the late 1990s, blending aggressive riffs with melodic sensibilities that influenced countless subsequent acts. It remains a staple of their discography, representing a pivotal moment where the group balanced speed with atmospheric depth.