Locked In A Vacancy Release Music Video for “…Of Church And State”
On January 12, NYC’s Locked In A Vacancy premiered the eagerly anticipated music video for their single, “…of Church and State.”
From the moment it begins, the video for Locked In A Vacancy’s “…Of Church And State” seizes the viewer with a raw ferocity that mirrors the song’s relentless drumming and Dyami Bryant’s commanding vocal prowess. The experience is akin to a sensory assault, reminiscent of standing at the epicenter of a frenzied mosh pit. Bryant, as the focal point, brings a palpable intensity that radiates through the screen, his presence an embodiment of the song’s spirit.
The video is more than just a performance captured on film; it’s a kinetic outpouring of emotion and energy, conveyed through vigorous cuts and a rhythm that pulsates with the song’s own heartbeat. The video’s editing, sharp and unyielding, mirrors the band’s musical tenacity, creating an experience that is both jarring and mesmerizing. It’s a vivid reminder that despite their prolonged absence from the scene, Locked In A Vacancy has returned with an undiminished, perhaps even heightened, fervor and passion.
Yet, as gripping as the performance is, the video’s true artistry lies in its visual narrative. It delves into a realm that transcends mere musical exposition, carving out a space where visual metaphors breathe life into the song’s themes. The frequent cuts to eyes opening and closing serve as a motif for awakening and introspection, while the flickering candles and silhouetted figures cast a spectral aura, blurring the lines between the sacred and the profane.
This interplay of light and darkness is not just a visual technique but a thematic echo, resonating with the song’s exploration of moral dualities. Interspersed throughout are symbols of faith – scriptures, rosaries, scenes of contemplation, and reverence – that juxtapose against the raw energy of the band’s performance. These elements intertwine to create a visual tapestry that is as haunting as it is thought-provoking, inviting the viewer to ponder the complex interplay of light and dark, both literal and metaphorical, that the song invokes. In this way, the video becomes more than a companion to the music; it is a standalone piece of art that enhances and expands upon the song’s narrative, inviting viewers to engage with its themes on a deeper, more introspective level.
The video’s climax, featuring black hands gently clasping in prayer over a holy book, sends a profound message. Whereas most bands in metal and hardcore today are content with throwing out the concept of Judeo-Christian beliefs altogether, Locked In A Vacancy presents a more nuanced position: keep church and state separated, yes, and don’t forget that there are those for whom this is salvation and a way for them to have support when all else feels lost.