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Metallica marks return with engaging music video 'Confusion'
In the event of Metallica’s impending return, the band has released a new music video, which is of their latest single, "Confusion". The new song is a prelude to their future and tenth full-length album titled Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, slated for release on Friday.
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James Hetfield of Metallica performs at Rock in Rio 2015 in Las Vegas, US. (Invision/AP/John Davisson)
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n the event of Metallica’s impending return, the band has released a new music video, which is of their latest single, "Confusion". The new song is a prelude to their future and tenth full-length album titled Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, slated for release on Friday.
Confusion contains many elements for admirers of Metallica’s music from all generations as it sits very well bridging the atmospheres of the Black Album and Death Magnetic full-length records. Fans should be able to identify the American heavy metal band's signature sound, particularly when one of their songs opens with a minute long intro.
Drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone that the band was aiming for a “simpler” sound. “We introduce a mood and we stick to it,” he said. “[…] Rather than songs we’ve done where one riff happens and we go over here and then over there and it becomes a journey through all these different soundscapes.”
Ulrich concurs that the songs are going to be more linear and less frenetic. By what the songs Confusion and Atlas, Rise! have offered, Metallica is confident in the “new” direction they are going for, which dictates many hints from their past albums’ characteristics, adding a nostalgia to their new album.
(Read also: Metallica to release first album in 8 years)
Claire Marie Vogel directed the music video, which depicts a woman struggling in her mundane day-to-day routines only to be reminded of the atrocities of war she witnessed prior the current life she is currently in. The band simply conveyed a subtle tribute and a quick insight of a war veteran who is going through post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The character in this music video is delivered in somewhat of an unconventional route of storytelling. Regardless, its is difficult not to notice the visual references that Vogel utilizes to magnify the connections between the character’s current and juxtaposed life—coffee exiting the pot being poured descending to the bottom of the cup signifying a downpour of blood; a dispersing cream slowly dissolves into what seemingly looks like thick smoke from an explosion. Vogel has brought integrality without overcompensating the music.
The band will release the new record simultaneously at the Blackened Friday event, which the band accommodated along with many record stores across the United States. The event will have customers participate in the midnight sale, and stores will give out prizes ranging from vinyl slip mats and posters, album in all formats, and also deluxe box sets of Metallica’s newest record. (fmn/kes)
