Metal music videos tend to break traditional filmmaking rules in various ways, such as using variable speeds to create dramatic effects.
This technique can add an intriguing and original element to your music video and help viewers relate more closely with both song lyrics and visuals.
1. Candlemass
Candlemass’ longstanding history dates back to their debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus released in 1991. Since then, they’ve experienced various highs and lows but now seem to be getting more recognition than ever.
Psalms for the Dead was an outstanding doom effort from this band and featured their new singer Mats Leven who fits right in well – it’s great that after so long of producing music they are still making great music together!
“Bewitched,” directed by Jonas Akerlund, is one of their most iconic videos. In it features Messiah Marcolin – an eccentric but pantomiming dark metal jester who rises from his grave to lure some people into dancing in a cabbage patch.
This video from over three decades ago may seem outdated now, but it remains entertaining and informative. Candlemass provides some truly excellent music with their slow riffs and melodies; making this an essential watch for doom metal fans!
2. Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage may evoke images of darkly menacing musical power, and this Massachusetts band certainly does deliver onstage with their signature blend of metal and hardcore growling. Yet upon closer examination of their lyrics – which include messages of forgiveness and salvation – will reveal that Killswitch Engage’s influential metalcore act isn’t solely focused on death.
Killswitch Engage exploded onto the scene in 1999 in western Massachusetts as an exciting hybrid of European guitar pyrotechnics and East Coast hardcore spirit. Their 2002 debut Alive or Just Breathing broke all conventional notions of heavy music while setting an important precedent. Since then, many other bands have taken notice and released groundbreaking albums of their own.
In 2004, the band achieved an all-new peak with their double album The End of Heartache and live DVD (Set This) World Ablaze, earning major festival gigs and headlining spots at notable festivals like Rock on the Range, Download Festival and Ozzfest.
Jesse Leach and Adam Dutkiewicz make an irresistibly odd couple, with Jesse being an emotive punk rocker with hippie tendencies and Adam being more of an energetic goofball with an affinity for stage antics. Yet their interactions have produced one of modern metal’s cherished acts – as evidenced by Atonement being their eighth album release.
3. Metallica
Metallica have always displayed artistic talent through their logos, album art and cover designs – but rarely had an opportunity to demonstrate this same visual flair in music videos. That changed with Hardwired… To Self Destruct; its video for One was an absolute thrashing delight!
Starting off with an ambient intro filled with war sounds, setting an ominous and desolate mood before the riffage kicks in. Director Samuel Bayer had previously directed video clips for Nirvana and Ozzy, and delivers an artistic cinematic approach to their rock band’s performance.
The clip was shot in a high school gymnasium with its black walls providing the backdrop for cinematic camera movements and imagery from artist Kelly Richardson that Pitchfork noted “struck [Hetfield] with a feeling of monumental grandeur that fit in perfectly with their sound. Additionally, scenes from Dalton Trumbo’s 1971 movie Johnny Got His Gun may have inspired its lyrics as well as images that may have served as sources for imagery used throughout.
4. Mastodon
Mastodon is an alternative to Twitter that allows users to connect on different servers (similar to Facebook Groups). Individuals can choose their server and community standards as well as what kind of content to post, edit posts on Mastodon, share links or images, make posts private or visible only to followers, create polls to gather opinions, etc.
Users can add an “#introductions” hashtag to their profiles when first signing up, which helps others discover them more quickly. They can also utilize the Community tab to explore members in their servers; conversations here tend to be positive and could help newcomers discover niche interests or political leanings that resonate.
Mastodon has experienced an upsurge in popularity ever since their fourth album Crack the Skye was released last fall. Crack the Skye has seen the band transition away from harsh vocal styles and epic storylines, embracing more traditional riff-driven rock instead. They have been touring with a visual show behind their drum kit as well as touring internationally.
5. Ghost
Music videos are an incredible art form, creating an experience for viewers that goes far beyond simply listening to a song on its own. We were delighted to work with Motion Source on this video for Ghost.
Ghost has earned its place among the most well-known heavy metal bands with their stage performances and eerie imagery. Ghost’s six instrumentalists are known as Nameless Ghouls; each wears costumes designed to obscure their faces and each bears a symbol representing its element on their instruments.
Meliora was an international success and saw them touring with Paradise Lost and Down as well as being featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. However, their Satanic theme has continued to generate controversy in the US; most major retail chains and late night television programs have banned them due to these beliefs.
6. Square Hammer
Just like many Ghost songs, this one features an infectious main riff that’s great fun to play on guitar, while verses contain simple muted power chords with fills and vibrato.
Beginning during a lightning storm, this video begins with a man holding a torch amidst dark and stormy landscape. A portcullis rises and Papa Emeritus III appears as Mysterious Spectre to guide him inside a stone coffin which opens and emits more lightning bolts. Back at the theatre, projector sparks appear to reveal squared hammers encircled with electric arcs under an intertitle reading “Square Hammer.”
Previous albums had established a story-line about the Antichrist’s arrival to Earth. This song continues that narrative and describes his reign of terror on our world. Full of Freemason imagery and terms, Tobias challenges our religious sensibilities by proposing that Satan rather than God is our higher power – an idea which puts forward some very controversial religious viewpoints. It perfectly showcases how this band mixes heavy metal evil with irresistible pop hooks to create its signature sound.
7. Gloryhammer
Gloryhammer stands out as an impressive power metal band, creating music with epic fantasy-inspired lyrics that transport listeners into an exciting fantasy realm filled with dragons, wizards and titanic battles. Their songs are immensely catchy while live performances provide a thrilling spectacle.
Gloryhammer was formed by Alestorm frontman Christopher Bowes as an attempt to form a band rooted in fantasy music and storytelling. Their debut album Tales from the Kingdom of Fife was released through Napalm Records and quickly garnered critical acclaim, while subsequent album Space 1992: Rise of Chaos Wizards became even more successful.
Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex is their third album and follows Prince Angus McFife and his epic battle against Zargothrax – currently touring globally to promote it.
8. The Cure
Tim Pope began working with The Cure’s videos shortly after their greatest hits compilation Galore was released; over time they gradually became more serious and were shot in various locations. One breakthrough video in particular made use of Robert Smith’s charisma to great effect and solidified him as the band’s heartthrob; set in a swingin’ party featuring Robert, some stuffed cats, and some gothy shadows, it tells the tale of two alleycats trying to join in the fun.
After the darkness of Pornography and Disintegration, Smith took time off in the Lake District to rejuvenate and return to a lighter sound for this song. Fluttering handclaps and xylophone scales lend this post-punk classic a childish melancholy, depicting an apocalyptic vision where an obsolete world hums and glitters adrift in an endless void. A true post-punk classic and the Cure’s first Top 40 single and its jam quality make this track one of their live favorites on stage too.