Hello everyone! Welcome back to the new music video roundup. We’re here for a roundup of ten of the best recently released music videos. They’re not all within the same genre and they’re all different in some way or another but that means that there’s a little something for everyone here but come on, let’s get down to the music!
First up this week we have the Australian outfit Bad/Love who recently released their latest single, ‘Social Suicide’ featuring Ken Crossfaith.
Social Suicide is a retort on how media influences society in an age where people are experiencing life through their phones.
“Young women are chasing an unachievable photoshop appearance in order to feel accepted while boys are taught that they must not show emotion and should mistreat others to feel important.” says Landon Kirk. He continues “Social media & marketing influences every step we take and we march blindly without free thought. We are losing what makes us human and are trading it in for a cheap artificial quick fix. Social Suicide is an anthem to make people aware of the affect technology, media and social influence is having on the human condition and to be reminded to step away and find free thought once more.”
“This song is a critical message to the generation of Social media. I’ve been doubting whether it is really important for our lives. It is helpful BUT I also think that we shouldn’t be addicted to social media platforms because sometimes it’s wasting our time. I’d rather face myself and get self evolution than become a slave of Social media. Conservation or Revolution, go pick one!” Ken Crossfaith
Now do you remember Palaye Royale’s track ‘Tonight Is The Night I Die’? It was a standout track on the record and we’ve been cautiously awaiting a music video. Now that time has come for a truly epic music video that can only be encapsulate Palaye Royale as the true visionaries they are.
This track is straight off their record, ‘The Bastards’ which is out now via Sumerian Records.
Next we have Equal Vision Records band Hail The Sun shared a new video for their song “Secret Wars.” Originally released on the 2017 EP of the same name, the band decided to create the video as a commentary to the actions and events that have occurred in 2020.
As guitarist Shane Gann explains; “After all that has transpired recently, we can’t help but think of this song, written back in 2017. We are pleased to have created a video for “Secret Wars,” which is all about the influence of those in power and how they keep us unaware.” The lyrical content of the track is just as prevalent now, paralleling the feeling that many are experiencing throughout the world today. Vocalist and drummer Donovan Melero elaborates; “I wrote this from a perspective of an instruction manual on how to control and manipulate the masses for a hidden agenda. I think powerful forces can do powerful things when we don’t know what’s happening.”
We’re heading over to Florida for the band Wage War as they have dropped the video for the song “Surrounded.” The song will appear on the fifth anniversary vinyl edition of the Blueprints, which was the band’s debut record. It was released by Fearless Records on November 27, 2015. Pre-order the anniversary version, which features updated artwork and packaging and is out 4th December.
“Surrounded” is a previously unreleased track from Blueprints. The footage that comprises the video was culled from personal clips from the 212 shows the band played in 13 countries while supporting the record.
“To celebrate the five-year anniversary of its release, we’re excited to put out an unreleased track from our debut album Blueprints,” shares Wage War. “‘Surrounded’ is a song that easily could have made the record, but never found its place. Over the last five years we’ve grown together — as musicians and individuals. The release of ‘Surrounded’ has been a great time to reflect on where our careers started and a chance for some perspective.”
The visual truly captures Wage War in their element — on stage and giving their all while living life on the road and converting those who see them into fans.
Right, now we are in the Bay Area for metal titans Machine Head as they have released a new single “My Hands Are Empty,” today on Nuclear Blast. The song marks the first musical collaboration between MH mastermind Robb Flynn and original “Burn My Eyes” guitarist Logan Mader in 24 years.
From the haunting opening vocal, the classical drums, the melancholy guitar line, the listener knows they are in for something epic. The sky gets a little darker, the goosebumps start to prickle the skin, ears search to hear what comes next. By the time the verse kicks in, the heaviness overtakes.
“MISERY, cover me in waves, the heartache is slowly, withering, I become her slave”
And so begins a song of depression and opioid addiction, by Machine Head.
Guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn begins, “I have some family members who have beaten their opioid addiction, and have some still in the throes of addiction. It is painful to watch, and I deal with it with great difficulty. It is a song of sadness, but there is hope as well. I have beaten my own drug addictions and we can fight through this, together, and share our pain with the world.”
He continues, “Musically I wanted to go for a bit of a “Through The Ashes Of Empires” vibe, and it had a grandiose vibe from the beginning, something about that vocal melody haunted me day and night. I sent it off to one of our collaborators Joel Wanasek, and he came back with a whole depth and dimension with strings and keys that really made the song come alive. I added the guitar harmony in the chorus soon after and I knew we were on to something special.
On the recent “Burn My Eyes 25th Anniversary Tour” I mentioned to Logan about needing a riff or two for a new song, he was excited to collaborate, I sent him the song and the next day he sent me back the heavy riff in the bridge and I was floored. It fit perfectly, and felt really cool to be writing together 24 years later. Jared came up with the rhythm under the lead section and the song really locked into place.”
Guitarist Logan Mader adds, “During pre-pro for the BME anniversary tour last year, I had a special opportunity to collaborate with Machine Head for the first time in over 20 years.
This is a big milestone for me, to circle back on a massive orbit around life and end up doing new music with MH is epic and unexpected. The song, “My Hands Are Empty” was almost completed but needed a riff or two. Robb sent it to me, so I jumped in and added a section which ended up in the master after some arrangement tweaks by Robb. The song is amazing. It was a great feeling to be in the studio with Robb after all these years and I hope to do it again!”
The earth-pounding drums were performed by Navene Koperweis (Whitechapel, Animals As Leaders) who performed on the track “Circle The Drain” (released in February) and the song feature trading vocals in the chorus between lead singer Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern for a truly dynamic feeling musical piece.
Heading back to British waters for the the metalcore outfit Oceans Ate Alaska have debuted a new song called ‘Metamorph’, the band’s first offering of new material since their 2017 LP, ‘Hikari’.
“As the original lineup for Oceans Ate Alaska, we are hugely proud to announce our brand new single Metamorph,” the band says. “Time plays a key factor in growth. We as musicians have let this sink in over the past few years and expanded upon our influences and ideas. But the space we’ve had between us has brought a new creativity to the mix. Everything feels new, almost undiscovered. Prepare for a new era of music.”
The track also sees the return of original frontman, James Harrison, who left the band back in 2016. He was replaced by Jake Noakes (ex-Faultlines, ex-Laguna Sunrise), who has now stepped down to focus on his work as a tattoo artist.
Moving on in this weeks Music Video Roundup, the LA metal giants In This Moment have a special release in the form of‘As Above, So Below’, a track taken from their recently released seventh album, ‘Mother’.
“It’s a new level,” she said. “It’s empowering. It makes you want to hold your head high. I have guest singers. We’re covering a song. It is fire. It’s very powerful. And it’s such an honor to come together with these beautiful, powerful, talented, diverse people.”
Now, In This Moment are showing another side to their new music with the powerful video for “As Above, So Below.” Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the band had to approach this project a little differently. Directed by Brink, the “As Above, So Below” video features numerous captivating visuals and even portrays the In This Moment members as puppets.
“We are so excited to show the world the magic we created with handsomedevilspuppets and Jeremy Saffer,” Brink says. “It was a challenging time to bring a music video together with everything that’s been going on, so we had to get creative. We are so thrilled with the outcome and that we had to push ourselves out of our box to manifest this video. We feel grateful to collaborate with other artists and to be able to bring ‘As Above So Below’ to life for all of you. Enjoy.”
Ukraine’s busiest groove metal machine Jinjer are back with their brand new single “Retrospection (Live)”, taken from their upcoming live album: Alive In Melbourne, which will be released on November 20, 2020 via Napalm Records. The live album and subsequent videos were filmed on March 5th this year during their debut Australian tour with the pandemic hot on the heels of their Macro World Tour, which would sadly, along with the rest of the musical landscape come to a screeching halt a week after the Melbourne set was captured for on film. Still, with JINJER’s sheer will, drive, determination and never give up attitude they were able to turn the madness of this year into a positive.
Bassist Eugene Abdukhanov comments: It‘s still pretty incredible that 4 Ukrainians travelled 14,770 km just to sing in their native language … to the welcoming ears, eyes and open arms of Melbourne. This night will forever be burned in our hearts and the beat of “Retrospection” fit that night like never before. Shows like this should happen each time we perform and we cannot wait to get back on tour to make sure that happens every night. Until then just enjoy this moment in time called Alive In Melbourne“
Despite the Global Pandemic, JINJER have managed to stay busier than before and besides releasing their debut live album, they toured Germany and Switzerland in September becoming the first non-European band to tour across borders during the age of Covid-19 and they are also currently filming videos for all remaining tracks on their previously released album Macro.
Things are looking great for JINJER right now.
Penultimate video for this week’s roundup and a left field choice is the Alt-Pop superstar Billie Eilish with her latest release, ‘Therefore I Am’.
The track comes with an official music video also directed by the 18-year-old, five-time Grammy winner, and was shot in a deserted Glendale Galleria shopping mall, a familiar stomping ground for Eilish during her early teen years.
You can check out her self-directed video for ‘Therefore I Am’ below.
And the last choice for this week had to be this band. They’re Post-Hardcore, they’re Welsh and they’re back with their latest effort in ‘Monsters’, Dream State’s first new music drop since the release of 2019’s Primrose Path.
Produced by long term collaborator Dan Weller (Bury Tomorrow, Enter Shikari) the new single is the first chapter for the band. Currently recording a new EP due for release in the first half of next year, the band will also head out on the road for their rescheduled UK tour supporting I Prevail and slots on both Slam Dunk and 2000trees festivals.
Speaking on the new song, CJ Gilpin (Vocals) says, “Monsters is an expression of the inner goddess in me and is about the acceptance of my messy, chaotic energy; the owning and surrendering to who & what I am. It’s an awakening and I am saying, ‘I am okay with who I am and I will not be misled anymore’. It has taken lifetimes to get here.”
They’ve also released a video for ‘Monsters’, which you can check out below.
And that’s it for another week of a countdown of the best singles out in the world in the last week. Be sure to check back next-time for another round of great music videos. If you have any suggestions for me to check out, be sure to send an email or message us via the socials on Facebook or Twitter!
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