Photo: Jason Kraynek
In the sweltering heat of their latest video, Catwalk, the Chicago duo [melter]—Jax Allos and Robert Hyman—dive into claustrophobic chaos. Described as a “disturbance of flesh, blood, and machine” and “hot enough to melt the living,” [melter] are known for their searing mix of industrial, dark rock, punk, and noise. Yet the morose Catwalk sees them drifting into moody, melancholic post-punk territory, echoing the gothic grandeur of The Cure’s Pornography and Disintegration.
The lyrics to this dirge unfold a gritty saga of self-struggle and stark transformation. The tale twists through turbulent terrain, where wild whims and raw reality wrestle with iron, ice, and insidious bacteria. The singer, steeped in a sense of sin and sorrow, awaits an inevitable impact where clashing elements—both corporeal and cerebral—collide in a gritty, grim spectacle. It’s a hard-boiled story of chaos and conflict, stitched together with sharp, striking images.
Originally, vocalist and lyricist Jax Allos hadn’t planned to discuss the song’s subject matter of suicide publicly, until realizing that the scheduled release date also coincided with Suicide Prevention Month.
“What really helped me in that moment was writing down my thoughts and feelings, and eventually I crafted those into lyrics,” says Allos. “[melter] entered my life at a pivotal time. Catwalk was the first [melter] song I wrote lyrics for, and what started as a very difficult, challenging subject ultimately became a positive experience. [melter] made me feel welcome and really helped me find my voice. It has allowed me to reconnect with those aspects of my life that I needed so badly and, in its way, it saved my life.”
“Within our repertoire, Catwalk has an ambient feel – it’s dreamier and more abstract,” adds Hyman. “The music for Catwalk excited me. The rhythmic track is built off of piano sounds, believe it or not, and it has this overwhelming rumble to it that I really wanted to hear blasted over a PA at high volume.”
Catwalk is the first video created entirely by [melter] themselves, during the downtime between touring. The video channels a brooding atmosphere, transforming their sound into a smoldering, shadow-filled spectacle.
“Visually I saw blurred out faces and video footage, says Hyman. “Very slow movement that helps the viewer get into a headspace that allows free association and introspective thinking.”
“The color choices were meant to echo what was happening in the lyrics,” says Allos. “During the verses I’m trying to bring to life this internal battle; this personal hell that the narrator has themselves in. Hence, the reds, oranges and fire look. It’s uncomfortable subject matter, and the video, I hope, relays those feelings of desolation and resignation wrestling with maintaining hope, peace and strength in that moment in time.”
Watch the video for “Catwalk” below:
Listen to Catwalk, off the self-titled [melter] debut EP, below and order it here.
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