BRING ME THE HORIZON - Pray for Plagues

One of the reasons why I have chosen this song is that in terms of lyrics, and singing style, it is very similar to that of the Watchtower by FEAR THE UNKNOWN.

For the video, I will be assessing the opening 1 minute, and thoroughly going in depth about a variety of aspects, including the relationship between the visuals and the lyrics, editing, camera angle, camera movement and Mise En Scene.

The editing throughout the video is fast paced and frantic – this is done too create a sense of anger and regret on the singers behalf. This can thus create a relationship with the lyrics being uttered, ‘Sold out the love that she had, left with a cut of the throat’. The lyrics are purposeful and hateful, and this is being emphasized by the quick cuts between shots.

When considering shots, it is important to note that throughout the 1 minute introduction, the shot types change in an effective manner. When the song starts, the angles are often of low angles, and normal level shots of the main singer. However, as the intro continues, the shots tend to fair between normal level shots and high angle shots. This can once again be attributed to a relationship with the lyrics. The lyrics at the beginning portray hatred in the singers voice ‘She starts her new diet of liquor and dick’ (usually featuring low angle shots to show his power/dominance) but as the intro continues, the lyrics become more regretful and sad, ‘The sun goes down, and so does she’ (to show his own vulnerability).

Throughout the introduction, there is no real movement of the camera, with all of the shots being from a fixed position. This in a sense creates irony, as the lyrics being muttered are highly unstable, with great variation, yet the visuals, although greatly moving, are in a fixed manner.

The Mise En Scene within this video is vast in depth. When considering lighting, it is important to note the great variation in the use of light and dark. The singers face and instrument, and on occasion body is often lit up by a bright, harsh light. However, the surrounding space, and on occasion parts of the singer, is blurred into darkness.

The props within this video are also important to consider. The singer appears to be controlled by a demon – and this can be linked to the title of the song, as well as containing vats religious imagery. The link to the name of the song is by demons being evil, and the singer praying for a plague. This can then be ironically linked to religion, as a demon is seen as the opposite to god, and so why would they pray for his help.

Framing is probably the most pivotal aspect of this video however, with around 50% of the screen being blacked out.

I am sorry that there are no screenshots, but my Blog at this time rather annoyingly won’t upload any pictures.

Here is a link to the video:

Lyrics to Pray For Plague :

She starts her new diet of liquor and dick,
Just like Hollywood, but laced in sick,
The sun goes down, and so does she,
The sun goes down, and so does she,

Sold out the love that she had,
left with a cut of the throat,
Drinks all 'round on her
before she strolls to the moat,
The sun goes down, and so does she,
The sun goes down, and so does she,

Oh,
Count,

Count your fucking blessings,
Come on,

Count your blessings, 'cause I'm counting every lie,
Count your blessings, 'cause I'm counting every lie,
Counting every lie,

Christ, I'm asking you for just one thing,
I'm asking you for just one thing,
Eradicate this disease,

Close your eyes, pray for plagues,
Oh Lord, cleanse this Earth and bring upon our dooms day,
Oh, close your eyes, pray for plagues,
Cleanse this Earth and bring dooms day,

She starts her new diet of liquor and dick,
Just like Hollywood, but laced in sick,
The sun goes down, and so does she,
The sun goes down, and so does she,

So clap your hands to the sound of every first born dying now,
Watch the rivers flow with blood,
death will stand where life once stood,

So clap your hands to the sound
of every first born dying now,
Watch the rivers turn to blood,
death will stand where life once stood,
So clap your hands to the sound
of every first born dying now,
Watch this rivers turn to blood,
death will stand where life once stood,

Close your eyes, pray for plagues,
Cleanse this Earth, bring our dooms day

She starts her new diet of liquor and dick,
Just like Hollywood, but laced in sick,
The sun goes down, and so does she,
The sun goes down, and so does she,

Sold out the love that she had,
left with a cut of the throat,
Drinks all 'round on her
before she strolls to the moat,
The sun goes down, and so does she,
The sun goes down, and so does she,

Oh,
Count,

Count your fucking blessings,
Come on,

Count your blessings, 'cause I'm counting every lie,
Count your blessings, 'cause I'm counting every lie,
Counting every lie,

Christ, I'm asking you for just one thing,
I'm asking you for just one thing,
Eradicate this disease,

Close your eyes, pray for plagues,
Oh Lord, cleanse this Earth and bring upon our dooms day,
Oh, close your eyes, pray for plagues,
Cleanse this Earth and bring dooms day,

She starts her new diet of liquor and dick,
Just like Hollywood, but laced in sick,
The sun goes down, and so does she,
The sun goes down, and so does she,

So clap your hands to the sound of every first born dying now,
Watch the rivers flow with blood,
death will stand where life once stood,

So clap your hands to the sound
of every first born dying now,
Watch the rivers turn to blood,
death will stand where life once stood,
So clap your hands to the sound
of every first born dying now,
Watch this rivers turn to blood,
death will stand where life once stood,

Close your eyes, pray for plagues,
Cleanse this Earth, bring our dooms day

Edit - to the below comment:

Shot of singer at a low angle - showing power:

Shot of singer at a high angle - showing vulnerability:

Shot of singer being controlled by a demon: