Remember when MTV was nothing but music videos? Seems so long ago, right? Remember when you’d sit and wait to record each and every music video you thought was cool? Only me? Well, with today’s technology you don’t have to waste your time sitting in front of the tube, now you can do it in front of the computer.
Today we’ll be discussing one of the videos I would have most likely recorded on to a random VHS tape back in the day. This video went live a few days ago, so we’re a bit late, but isn’t it cooler to be late to the party anyway? Either way, I give you the official video, directed by Austin Harris, for Slaughter Box by Debilitator.
Right off the bat, I love the variety of angles with the car. It’s fun and hooks me right away.
I also enjoy the set up for the bust shot with the lead, but outside of the initial scream/introduction from James Oliver, he doesn’t seem too much into it. I wish he would have kept the same energy for the entire shot.
This could have been a bit less noticeable by cutting back and forth between him when he pauses. Maybe show some b-roll of the room between verses. There’s a lot of Hellraiser collectibles and horror DVDs scattered around, so why not show them off a bit more?
Again, I do like the effort that went into this area, as it gives the idea that the room is real and lived in, I just don’t think it was as utilized as much as it could have been.
Like this! I love this! We need more of THIS!
Around the one minute mark things start to liven up. We’re taken outside where we jump from shot to shot. James chugs a beer and we’re greeted to a fresh environment.
While outside, James appears on top of the aforementioned car. He goes crazy with the guitar, and I’m loving every second of it. I particularly love that the camera isn’t perfectly framed, and the footage looks grainy. It adds some texture and pushes the “rock and roll” vibe that I think Harris was going for.
We jump back inside to knock out some lyrics, and while I don’t hate these shots, I wish there was a bit more of a variety. It just looks like there’s so much environment to work with, so much that we never see.
Let’s cut from James to some tapes. Let’s get some more strange close-ups! Anything different really. We can always jump back to the bust shot if the weird stuff doesn’t work when we sit down in the editing room.
The rest of the video is more of the same. While I can appreciate everything I see, I think if you had spent a few more hours on-site gathering b-roll, you’d have a much sharper product on your hands. It all really depends on what you’re going for, but I’d assume you’d want the end result to be a bit more engaging.
In the end, I like where this is going, and I especially like what I hear! I think with a bit more time, Harris could produce something fantastic, something most people would continue to revisit. This is a great starting point, and with a place like Horror Freak willing to allow cameras in, why not take full advantage?
Slaughter Box is the title track for Debilitator’s latest album, so if you’re into the thrash vibe they’re putting out, be sure to snag the album HERE.
Jessie Hobson