Fernando Torres' 2010-11 EPL Season: A Hero's Journey Told in Photos and Verse

Fernando Torres is a tragic hero and journeyman hewn in the mold of icons like Frodo, Anakin Skywalker and even Jesus.

During the 2010-11 English Premier League season, Nandy has gone from the saviour of the floundering Liverpool FC to a discarded messiah, cast out by the return of the one true king, Kenny Dalglish.

At Chelsea, Torres is an itinerant warrior in a sea of mythical and battle-worn figures—from Drogba to Lampard to Anelka, they have trod earth more sewn with blood than Fernando can fathom.

In an effort to accurately summarize Torres' turbulent season, we give you 10 pictures and accompanying text taken from the lyrics of extreme (black, death, power, thrash, grind etc.) songs.

The Injured Hero

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Fernando Torres of Liverpool looks dejected as he walks off the pitch following his substitution during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Blackpool at Anfield on October 3, 2010 in Liverpool, England

"Bodies rotting
faces dark
sent in forever fear
all your flesh will rot

Rotten corpse,
dead in cruelty and pain
to end up in this special way
Extremely rotten flesh"

Grave ("Extremely Rotten Flesh")

The Triumphant Messiah

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

WIGAN, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Fernando Torres of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at DW Stadium on November 10, 2010 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Clive Bruns

"It is time after miracles
and I am its prophet
I have not come to cure
but to bear witness decease"

"It is the place where blood and soil
lie beyond the boundaries of the sun
and I am its prophet
I cast the shadow
I absorb the light"

"I am the prophet
I bear witness
I absorb
I cry"

"As I die
I shall burst wide open
As I die
I shall release the apocalypse"

Emperor ("The Prophet")

The Reluctant Striker

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Fernando Torres of Liverpool looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 26, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

"Can you feel the pain inside sometimes in my mind?
In the land of loneliness the seas of blood run cold
Is the feeling lost inside within the sins of all mankind?
Time after time we stood united on we go

Fly far away don't let the world pass you by
Live for the day when we must stand and survive
Now we face the judgment day our souls will feel the pain
Hear the screams of my world through the rain

Silent fields of despair my tears in the rain
Pain in my heart bleeding through
One day we'll be back for one moment in time
Endlessly searching for you...

Who can cure my emptiness inside for this time?"

Dragonforce ("Fields of Despair")

The Turncoat

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Fernando Torres of Chelsea looks thoughtful during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on February 6, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

"Soiled with the miasma of the bleakest hemisphere
The formless fires of Amenti unfold
Not nearly as frenzy as discordia that breeds within
Not nearly as frenzy as disorder that I bring
Universe is drained
So is my heart...
...this earth grew weary and dull
Is it the renaissance of my rigid existence?
Is there a future for me beyond the stars?

I drink to desolation
I drink to your demise
Monarch of neglected kingdom
Oh great despiser of life

Et credo in serpentem
Misterium mysteriorum
In nomen eius Baphomet"

Behemoth ("He Who Breeds Pestilence")

The Hero Reborn

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Fernando Torres merchandise on sale prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on February 6, 2011 in London, England. Fernando Torres is Chelsea's new £50 million pound sign

"Vengeance is mine
Neither sweet nor kind
Vengeance is mine
Vengeance is mine

I owe you nothing
But scorn and contempt
From all that is holy
I will have my revenge

Vengeance is mine
No longer am I held responsible
For the error of your ways"

Dimmu Borgir ("The Heretic Hammer")

The Blue Warrior Faces the Red Tide

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Fernando Torres of Chelsea looks across a Liverpool defenders Martin Skrtel (L), Daniel Agger (2R) and Jamie Carragher )R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Februar

"Target assassinate, time of your life has expired.
Hatred victimize, gaze in their eyes as they die.
Violence inflicting of pain, savage morticians deny
Drive the salt in the wound, arouse the subconscious to lie.

Memories can't ignore
Anguish of before
Satisfy the scorn.
Rise ghosts of war

I deal in pain.
All life I drain.
I dominate.
I seal your fate.
I deal in pain.
All life I drain.
Memories can't ignore,
Rise ghost of war."

Slayer ("Ghosts of War")

Vanquished Once More

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Fernando Torres of Chelsea holds his face after a is challenge by Daniel Agger of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on February 6, 2011 in London, England.

"Another fall from grace
Whiplashed from the gates
Half naked and insane
Full-blooded, breasted
Nerve ends tested
To behests of pain

A sombre lot to gain

A storm slid in
Borne by carnal winds
The upper ether thinned
And therein sat abominations

Satan seated there
Savouring the reek of desolation
Their dank despair
Moved His speech to leech the air

'Behold the golden door
To paradise is lost
So praise Me as you raised your Lord
And I shall thaw this gnawing frost'

Another fall from grace"

Cradle of Filth ("Carrion")

The Journey Ahead

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Fernando Torres of Chelsea looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on February 14, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

"There's a land beyond the great sea
The final place of read harmony
To the shores of a faraway realm
Those lands my dream and my destiny
From the elven bay of Lhun
Our great journey shall begin
West our ships are heeding
To the harbour of the far away land divine

Over the deep waters
Facing the thundering winds
May Ulmo be on my side
All the way to the Enchanted Isles

Sailing the magical ships
A journey over the sea
Straight road along the elves
Beyond the spheres of the world

Somewhere behind the horizon
Two realms of Undying Lands
Valinor home of the Valar
Eldamar the elven domain"

Battlelore ("Journey to the Undying Lands")