[IronJack]

I thought that was a result of the Black Plague; because death was all around.

Yes, the medieval fascination with death probably stemmed from the plague. Which begs the question, if this phenomenon truly is a repeat of that fascination, what looming specter of death is responsible for it?

It isn't like this is the Cold War, with the threat of nuclear annihilation hanging over our heads every day.

[null and void]

The lights are down in Germany
and Germany is closed to me
different somehow this time.

The airport's still, cold corridors
ring empty beats through hollow feet
that I find to be mine.

Different Germany.
History repeats somehow.
Different Germany.

Afraid to know you now.
And past my eyes with leathered gaze
stare clean-cut boys all dressed as men
in sharpened uniform.

Who turned the clock? (Moved on or back)
and what dark chill is gathering still
before the storm.

Out in the street a tableau double-glazed
with laughing girls whose fastened smiles
are clearly not meant for me.

[null and void]

It isn't like this is the Cold War, with the threat of nuclear annihilation hanging over our heads every day.

Yeah. I'm reliving my childhood...

[null and void]

I misread your post, I disagree, this is very much like the Cold War.

The threat of nuclear (or chemical, or biological) annihilation is hanging over our heads every day, except now the opponents aren't available to negotiate, and have no fear of, indeed have an overt desire for, mutually assured destruction.