This is an example of 'Metal Hammer' magazines music advertisements, it shows a unique style of the band with a forward approach, shirtless guy with arrows in him, this therefore gives of the impression of straight to the point.
The title of the band is also 'in your face' with striking letters and bold outlining. All of these factors put together therefore show a stunningly unique perspective and visual representation of the band that leaves an impression.
If we compare this to a magazine such as 'RadioTimes' we can see that it is a lot less 'serious', more clean edges, neat and tidy. With a striking presentation of the magazine title but less striking band/musician title, suggesting it is more of a general 'chat' than serious PR.
Therefore with this in mind I believe to get the best advertising for 'Fear The Unknown' a specialist music magazine will have to be used such as 'Metal Hammer' or 'Kerrang'.
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:
When reviewing the digipak for the Naked and Famous' album 'Passive me, Aggressive you', which featured the song I analysed earlier, I could not find any pictures of the digipak 'laid-out', however I was able to see that it features a fairly unique method, in that the shape of the digipak is circular.
Digipacks are a type of CD packaging made out of card stock or other heavy paper/cardboard material. Digipacks can flip open like a book, or it can have three parts, so that one portion of the packaging opens to the right and one to the left, with the CD in the center portion. Usually, the portion of the digipack that hold the CD is made of plastic like a traditional jewel case CD - the plastic part is simply attached to the paper background. however, it is important to note that digipaks can have more than three parts, infact they can have as many (within reason) that the band/artist seem fit.
The video depicts various ‘youths’ (not members of the band) breaking boundaries and having fun. In parts the video is high octane and full of energy, and in others the video can become more sedentary, connotations of the assumptions of today’s youth.
Genre characteristics – the characteristics of this type of genre (synth-pop/electronic) is that of an upbeat, artificial, eerie sound, that is provoking emotionally.
Relationship between lyrics and visuals – lyrics constantly say ‘we’re all young and naive still’, this ties in with the visuals with the actors peering over bridges from atop objects and jumping on cars. “trying to find the in-between” can also tie in with the opposite parts of the video of highly active then passive moments.
Relationship between music and visuals – the music and visuals tie in very well for this video. As stated beforehand there are moments of passive and active behaviour within the video. When the visuals are showing active movement the music is energetic – take the moment between 3:05 and 3:20 for example. And then examples of the music changing to a slower, more laid back extent are when the visuals have become more sedentary – such as 2:35 to 2:55.
Close ups of artist - there are no close ups of the artist as they are not featured in the video.
Performance based or narrative based – narrative based, although the video is striking, it is the lyrics and music that captivates the audience.
We're all young and naive still
We require certain skill
The motive changes like the wind
Hard to control when it begins
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Can't help myself but count the flaws
Claw my way out through these walls
One temporary escape
Feel it start to permeate
We lie beneath the stars at night
Our hands gripping each other tight
You keep my secrets hope to die
Promises, swear them to the sky
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
As it withers
Brittle it shakes
Can you whisper
As it crumbles and breaks
As you shiver
Count up all your mistakes
Pair of forgivers
Let go before it's too late
Can you whisper
Can you whisper
Can you whisper
Can you whisper
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
The video depicts Martin (lead singer) walking in reverse through a city, out into the suburbs and eventually the woods, picking up various pieces of a suit as he goes. Upon arriving at his car, he gets in and passes out as his girlfriend, lying on the ground in front of the car, is shown reversely flying out of the car. The car backs out of the woods and through a broken barrier, which mends itself upon the car's passing. As the video closes, they are shown driving back up the road. It is revealed that Martin's girlfriend took off her seat belt prior to the car accident, leading to her death.
Genre characteristics – the genre of Coldplay music and of this song is the sub culture Brit pop, formed from alternative rock. The typical characteristics of their songs are about social concern, such as depression, loss or drug use. In the video it is evident that the characteristics portrayed are loss, with the lead singer having lost his love, and wishing to meet her again. “Let’s go back to the start” and “Oh tell me you love me” feature heavily within the song.
Relationship between lyrics and visuals – lyrics constantly say ‘Oh take me back to the start’, this ties in with the visuals with the video going backwards, seemingly taking the singer literally back to the start.
Relationship between music and visuals – the music is supported by a constant piano rift, which supports the fluid visuals. Other instruments such as classical guitars, drums and electric guitars are introduced throughout, supporting the complexity and dynamism of the visuals.
Close ups of artist – there are many close up shots of the lead singer, straight from the start, right up until the very end. Most shots are of the lead singer moving backwards, with the camera firmly orientated around his face.
Performance based or narrative based – performance based, the audience is drawn into the visuals on screen, rather than necessarily the lyrics (however the lyrics are very important!)
This is an example of 'Metal Hammer' magazines music advertisements, it shows a unique style of the band with a forward approach, shirtless guy with arrows in him, this therefore gives of the impression of straight to the point.
If we compare this to a magazine such as 'RadioTimes' we can see that it is a lot less 'serious', more clean edges, neat and tidy. With a striking presentation of the magazine title but less striking band/musician title, suggesting it is more of a general 'chat' than serious PR.
