Track 9 of 8:18 presents a more relatable and modern form of suffering outside of the religious realm expressed in the previous song “Martyrs”: addiction to electronics.

Band vocalist Mike Hranica describes in a Loudwire interview the track’s meaning as a warning to the world:

‘Black & Blue’ was probably one of the three top favorite songs…because I think it’s also got a real hook to it. I do like that song. It’s also about people who like spending too much time on their cell phone. So I like that I can write a song about that and no one knows.

The title is drawn from the final line of verse 3:

The blood that binds pours through you
Blinded eyes soon black and blue

The expression “black and blue” is a common modern reference that usually expresses bruises beyond the physical level; such as emotional beatings.