Top 11 Metal Videos of 2011
Ah, how we miss the good ol' days when we would wait for MTV's 'Headbangers Ball' to play our favorite Testament and Krokus videos. There was something about the anticipation that made those Saturday nights truly special. These days, all it takes is a couple of keystrokes and you can find just about any metal clip you're looking for on the Internet. That said, that doesn't mean there's a shortage of newer killer videos to check out. Noisecreep has done our research and here is our list of the 11 best metal videos of 2011.
11. 'My Reward,' Hail the Villain
Directed by Alon Isocianu
With the help of some creepy visual effects that wouldn't have looked out of place in one of the 'Saw' films, Hail the Villain's video for 'My Reward' was a no-brainer for our list this year. Premiered on Noisecreep back in May, the Alon Isocianu-directed clip is the perfect accompaniment for the Canadian band's frenetic arrangement and former vocalist Bryan Crouch's animated vocal presence.
10. 'You Know That Ain't Them Dogs' Real Voices,' Iwrestledabearonce
Directed by Scott Hansen
Drunk clowns, a food fight, silly string, Lucha Libre masks – someone must have spiked the punch at this pool party. It's always refreshing to see a heavier band that isn't afraid to have fun with its image. Iwrestledabearonce balance their ferocious musical attack on 'You Know That Ain't Them Dogs' Real Voices' with this zany clip. What we really want to know is who brought the Mariah Carey album with them.
9. 'Immaculate Misconception,' Motionless in White
Directed by Cody Blue Snider
"The main idea and main concern of mine was to basically parallel the two time periods of our band and all the open-minded people in the world's present day life and the time period of Jesus' life and show how similar they are. I wanted to highlight the hypocrisy and hold a mirror up to all the self-righteous, holier-than-thou people and show them how full of s--t they are," says singer Chris Cerulli about Motionless in White's new 'Immaculate Misconception' video. In the clip, the vocalist plays a Jesus Christ-like figure and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider plays the role of Pontius Pilate, who is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized his crucifixion.
8. 'To the Stage,' Asking Alexandria
Directed by Frankie Nasso
A lot of this video was filmed on the Sunset Strip and inside The Rainbow. Do you really need any more reasons than that?
7. 'Assassins of Youth,' Wayne Static
Directed by Lord Zane
"I wrote this song while living in a hotel room, listening to Pink Floyd, drinking Crown Royal and doing whippits," says Wayne Static of 'Assassins of Youth.' Its Lord Zane-directed video takes that statement and makes it come to life again for all of us to soak in. The clip finds Static and his wife, former adult film actress Tera Wray, and another hot chick, partying in a motel room with reckless abandon. We're happy to report that Wayne and his video co-stars are alive and well!
6. 'Where the Dead Ships Dwell,' In Flames
Directed by Patric Ullaeus
This haunting In Flames clip looks more like a long-form trailer for a David Fincher-directed horror film than it does a music video. Director Patric Ullaeus incorporates an arresting set of visuals that flow perfectly with Anders Friden's vocals and the song's mid tempo stomp. Ullaeus also gets points for realizing forced shots of In Flames performing would have only taken away from the video's punch.
5. 'Eight of Swords,' Huntress
Directed by Simon Chan
'Eight of Swords' is drenched in occult imagery, crafted by metal vixen and Huntress vocalist Jill Janus and her lust for the Tarot. The card 'Eight of Swords' represents self-imprisonment; however, freedom is attainable only if you choose to release yourself from enslavement. Featuring a forest, blood, swords, and a Gibson Flying V – it's the kind of video Ronnie James Dio would have given his blessing to.
4. 'Deathbound,' Mastodon
Directed by Authority Films
The video starts with Mastodon drummer Brann Dailor describing a solar eclipse a la Mr. Rogers, complete with the nerdy sweater and the famous train set in the background. The train quickly goes off the rails into a nightmarish scenario filled with a clan of murderous puppets. Mastodonian marionettes are kicking, beating and maiming one another. 'Deathbound' was featured in Adult Swim's 2011 Singles Program and can also be found as a bonus track on 'The Hunter' if you pick it up on iTunes.
3. 'The Devil's Orchard,' Opeth
Directed by Phil Mucci
Directed by New York-based photographer Phil Mucci, 'The Devil's Orchard' is a psychedelic voyage that at times brings to mind the classic Hammer horror films of the late '60s in one scene and something you might see on the cover of a '70s prog-rock record in the next. Mucci's collage style editing echoes vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt's schizophrenic arrangement and is in line with the wild spirit of Opeth's music. We hope both parties work together again in the near future.
2. 'Mein Land,' Rammstein
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund
Very few artists covered in Noisecreep could get away with releasing a video like 'Mein Land' and live to tell about it. In it, Rammstein go back to the early '60s when campy flicks like 'Beach Blanket Bingo' flooded the drive-in circuit, and play a dorky version of themselves throughout most of the video. By the end, our favorite German industrial-metallers are back in their regular black leather uniforms and things get nasty, quick! Ironically, Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund also made an appearance on our 'Top 10 Unintentionally Funny Heavy Metal Videos' list from earlier in the year. Man, has he come a long way!
1. 'Wires,' Red Fang
Directed by Whitey McConnaughy
Featuring a cameo from comedian and self-professed metal geek Brian Posehn, Red Fang's 'Wires' is easily the best metal video of the year. In the hilarious clip, the Portland band offer viewers a moment-by-moment account of what the video is literally costing them. Starting with $5000, the guys quickly start blowing through their budget with the kind of over-the-top stunts that would make the guys in the 'Jackass' movies proud. We might have a new reality show in the making here, folks!
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