Kreator Releases "Midnight Sun"
The latest video from German thrash metal innovators Kreator delves into the shadowy world of folk horror. The third single from the band’s newest album, Hate Über Alles, is the song “Midnight Sun.” The lyrics explore ancient rites and death cults. Visually the video takes its cues from the most recent horror film trends.
“The video is the second production we shot with Tom Schlagkamp and his team,” said guitarist and lead vocalist Mille Petrozza. “The concept was drawn up from the song’s lyrics which I envisaged to take place during a ritual sacrifice. Director, Tom came back with an idea loosely based on Ari Aster’s Midsommar which has powerful visuals, perfect for a killer metal music video!"
The video depicts a woman thrust into a nightmarish scenario. Amid the beauty of the natural landscape, she witnesses a cult in white robes about to sacrifice a couple. The looming presence of a chainsaw dangling over her head like a Sword of Damocles in the video’s first shot indicates this isn’t ancient times, but contemporary.
Recent hit films such as Midsommar and Robert Egger’s The Witch have brought a renewed interest in folk horror. The genre invokes fear through the exploration of folklore and religious beliefs in rural settings. The landscape is often a character itself and themes of isolation and superstition are dealt with. Such dark themes have influenced other artists in extreme music genres. Iron Maiden recorded the song, “The Wicker Man” inspired by the Robin Hardy cult film of the same name that is often considered a prime example of folk horror. Jinx Dawson’s resurrection of the original occult rock band Coven has inspired other bands to come forth inspired by witchcraft and satanism. Pagan revivalists Heilung have artistically explored ancient traditions with their experimental folk music. Kreator’s recent single can be seen as part of this folk horror revival in music.
Kreator continues to evolve as a band and “Midnight Sun” features a first for the group. To get the right type of witchy voice needed for “Midnight Sun” Kreator turned to German alt-pop singer Sofia Portanet. The artist whose sound is very much inspired by new wave and goth music provides the divine feminine mystique that “Midnight Sun” needed.
"Midnight Sun is something a little new for us, our first time collaborating with a female artist,” said Petrozza. “When I was writing the song, I could hear this Oracle-type voice over the pre-chorus and chorus and I immediately reached out to my talented friend, Sofia Portanet who is an emerging artist, here in Germany. Sofia added exactly what I was looking for and gives the song a really dark, ethereal vibe."
No stranger to collaborating with metal bands, Portanet’s backing vocals perfectly compliment Kreator’s signature thrash shredding. “Midnight Sun” also shows elements of groove metal as well. “Midnight Sun” is a sign that the guys in Kreator can still be metal innovators forty years into their careers.
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