For many, addiction prowls like a silent predator, its presence both elusive and overpowering. It’s a tale as old as time, whispered in the hush of a smoky bar or echoed in the silent despair of a lonely apartment. The man or woman with a haunted look in their eyes, a glass clutched too tightly in a trembling hand—they’re not just fighting the urge for another drink, another hit. No, it’s something far more sinister. They’re being chased by demons, ethereal and relentless, born from the very depths of their own psyche.
Addiction whispers in your ear in the dead of night, promising solace, but delivering only despair. It’s a spectral charade, with each fix a fleeting escape; but here’s the kicker: the more you run, the closer they get. You see, these demons, they’re crafty. They’re after your soul. But here’s the thing about being chased by demons—you can never truly outrun them. Not unless you face them head-on, stare into their ghastly eyes, and confront the very essence of your fear.
From Orange County, California, the vocal artist known as Chv.Volk offers a journey through the darker territories of industrial and noise-pop music. With a focus on personal trauma, his work serves as a deep dive into self-reflection, articulated through industrial rhythms and the distinctive textures of noise-pop. Chv.Volk’s approach combines poetry with genre-defying soundscapes, inviting listeners to explore a realm of introspection and emotional complexity. Now, he confronts those demons with the compelling single and video, Mercy For The Frozen.
“Mercy for the Frozen is a song about addiction,” says the artist. “The video and song have references to ice and snow which are just street words for certain drugs. This song is a plea to my friends and family to get help. After the loss I’ve experienced because of addiction, this is a cry for help. To me, drugs are the devil. Which is why in the video, I’m being stalked, followed and chased by a demon. The drug. In the end, drugs do what they do, and that’s destroy.”
Directed by Christopher Lorenzi of Ghost Train Inc., the filmic clip begins with a striking image of blood scattered across pristine snow, swiftly transitioning to unsettling scenes of spectral figures lurking in a tunnel, preying upon a tormented spirit. Captured in the raw, unfiltered essence of cinema vérité reminiscent of “found footage” masterpieces such as The Blair Witch Project, the footage unfolds as if it were a harrowing omen from the other side. It is eerie, unsettling, and relentless, just like the spectre of addiction itself.
Watch the video for “Mercy For The Frozen” below:
In the end, addiction and demons, they’re two sides of the same tarnished coin. Both are relentless, unforgiving, and intimately familiar with the darkest recesses of the human heart. So, if you ever find yourself walking these shadowed streets, remember that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop running and face what’s been haunting you.
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