In conjunction with their new single and music video ‘Only Apathy’, we’ve partnered with Oxfordshire, UK based atmospheric post hardcore band LASTELLE to give you their special list of top 10 cinematic music videos worth watching and remembering!
With comparisons being drawn to the likes of Devil Sold His Soul, Casey, Underoath, Being As An Ocean, and The Elijah; LASTELLE are writing music that blends the power and hooks of Post-Hardcore with the dense soundscapes and textures of Post-Rock. Focusing on dynamic song writing, cascading vocal hooks, and emotional lyrics. Making some bold first steps since forming in September 2018, with streaming plays totalling over 300,000 on Spotify alone, official music video views totalling over 250,000, and multiple tours and shows under their belts already. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of DREAM STATE, THECITYISOURS, POLAR, PRESS TO MECO, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS, and more.
The band recently joined forces with new UK label Year Of The Rat Records in August and released their first single ‘Coping Without A Cure’ which has already racked up over 70,000 plays on Spotify alone. Next single ‘Distant Bodies’ landed coverage with Kerrang Radio, Triple J, Rock Sound, Dreambound and official playlisting with Apple Music, BBC and Deezer.
The third single ‘Only Apathy’ is released on the 11th December and the band will announce their upcoming EP ‘DELICATE’ with pre-orders going live on this date too.
DELICATE EP will be released on the 26th February 2021 through Year Of The Rat Records / Beth Shalom Records, with a limited run of coloured vinyl available. The single has already had coverage and support from Kerrang Radio, Punktastic, BBC, Caliber TV, Dreambound, and many other publications.
Speaking about ‘Only Apathy’ Freddie Whatmore says “This song was actually the last song we wrote for the EP, with it’s first iteration in a completely different key, and with a totally different chorus. After reworking, it’s turned out to be one of our favourites. Vocally, it’s quite relentless, and it’s the most challenging track for Mike to sing and play drums together on, in a live setting. Lyrically it focuses on a tough juxtaposition of trying to support someone suffering from depression, whilst it consequently takes a toll on your own mental health. The video is disorienting and confusing to reflect this – I think Adam and Rich did a great job capturing that on video’’
Rich’s picks:
CODE ORANGE – I Am King
This is an example of how a lower budget video can still be super effective, the visuals are so menacing and match the music perfectly. This was directed by Max Moore who has gone on to create a wealth of amazing music videos, more recently he’s worked with The Devil Wears Prada on a video for their track “The Thread” and it’s outstanding.
LOTUS EATER – Narcos
I have a bit of a crush on Zak Pinchin who directed this, he’s a prodigy of the lower budget music video and kills it every… single… time. In this particular video he brings psychedelic colouring and genius set dress/lighting to take an already great track to another level. He’s worked with a lot of amazing bands including Loathe, Holding Absence, Dream State and Chapter and Verse bringing wildly different concepts and styles to each and never puts a foot wrong, a very clever man indeed.
RAMMSTEIN – Deutschland
Wow, just wow. They obviously had an enormous budget for this video and some of the most talented people in the game working on it. I’m not much of a Rammstein fan but this is something else, a visual masterpiece. A lot of people don’t realise how expensive it is to create a music video, you have to pay for crew, editors, colourists, locations, actors, props, lighting, makeup, clothing etc. so when I see something like this I can’t help wonder what the final invoice looked like…
SILENT PLANET – Northern Fires (Guernica)
This one hurts my head, it’s a real visual head fuck that must of taken forever to put together. Silent Planet has a lot of great videos so it was hard to choose between them but I love that this features zero performance and nails the abstract visual art that complements the track surprisingly well. Also Garrett is a wordsmith and a poet so featuring his lyrics in the video (in a non-lame lyric video way) only helps in paying his lyrical genius some respect.
EVERY TIME I DIE- We’rewolf
Now this is completely the other side of the spectrum in terms of “cinematic” but it’s exactly what the track cries out for, and also features one of the best riffs in the history of guitar at the end. I’ve worked on a lot of music videos now and some bands are more up for acting/performing than others, but you can tell the ETID boys will do anything to commit to “the bit”. I also highly recommend their tour film/series “Shit Happens”, it’s the best behind the scenes of a band you’ll ever watch.
Jonjo’s picks:
CASPIAN – Arcs Of Command
This is the only music video this band has ever done in their long career, and it’s great. The epicness of the music alongside the cinematic videography really captures how amazing it felt to be kids playing with toy swords in your backyard.
KEATON HENSON – Sm$all Hands
This video is beautiful but heartbreaking. The puppetry and style is really clever, looks great, and manages to portray emotions so strongly. It starts looking all cute and cuddly, but just gets darker.
SIGUR ROS – Fjögur Piano
This video is more of a short film, and is incredibly weird but so captivating. It also features Shia LaBeouf fully naked. If you want to watch something which will make you say “…what?” after, but also feel weirdly relatable, I fully recommend it.
LA DISPUTE – Rose Quartz / Fulton Street I
I This animated video has a really trippy but captivating art style, and goes with the song incredibly well. It’s a great visual representation of the music’s pacing and emotional content. It definitely makes you want to watch until the end.
DyE – Fantasy
Another animated video here, and this one is a hell of a ride. Although it is mental, and kind of horrifying, I think the story is a really clever metaphor for transition from kid to adult. Although in this case “adult” is more like full eldritch horror. The song is also a banger.
Only Apathy Lyrics:
Is your head still spinning around?
There’s only so much I can do,
To bring you back down to the ground,
Before I’ve buried myself in you.I’ve been a witness to every wrong decision.
I’ve had enough of teaching, of guiding your intentions.
You look to me for answers, but never asked a question.
I hope that you find peace before leaving me in pieces.Holding on to your heart,
Picking up the pieces as they fall.
(Slipping through my fingers.)
I can’t get any grip at all.
I feel the familiar touch of lonely hands,
But it’s not you when I look in your eyes.
(Who is this staring back at me,
Devoid of symmetry?)
I feel the familiar touch of lonely hands,
But it’s not you when I look in your eyes.Oh darling I confess,
I haven’t been the same since you leant on me.
But you’ll still take what’s left.
There’s no love, there’s no hate,
Now only apathy remains.If only I could ease your pain,
Maybe you could be you again?If only I could ease your pain.
If only I could ease your pain.
If only you could see the same as you did back then.Your mind is racing, my hand is waiting,
Your life is wasting, my heart is breaking.
(If only you could see the same as you did back then.)
Your mind is racing, my hand is waiting,
For yours.
If only I could ease the pain,Of your heart,
Picking up the pieces as they fall,
I can’t get any grip at all.
I feel the familiar touch of lonely hands,
But it’s not you when I look in your eyes.Holding on to your heart,
Picking up the pieces as they fall.
(Slipping through my fingers.)
I can’t get any grip at all.
I feel the familiar touch of lonely hands,
But it’s not you when I look in your eyes.
(Who is this staring back at me
Devoid of symmetry?)
I feel the familiar touch of lonely hands,
But it’s not you when I look in your eyes.
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