From Mother Earth to the Stars — New Zealand Darkwave Ensemble After the Flesh Debut Video for “Cold Glory”

It’s all turning grey… underneath the stars
Tears cloud the way… I’ve only come so far

The New Zealand darkwave ensemble, After the Flesh, launches their latest visual audiovisual journey, “Cold Glory.” This otherworldly melody, already resonating with their fans, is the second video release from the band’s self-titled debut EP, and following the first single, “Changeling.”

Since their inception in Wellington in 2019, After The Flesh have not only developed a unique sonic signature but also honed their musical craftsmanship, resulting in a synergy of both style and substance. Throughout their EP, the band have artfully woven together the haunting essence of vintage goth, the airy melodies of dream pop, and the rich influences from the golden age of post-punk into a cohesive tapestry. Exploring the often-overlooked alcoves of 80s dark alternative rock while being enriched by vibrant retro synth accents, their sound manifests itself as a unique darkwave fusion that confidently holds its ground among their modern contemporaries.

Leading the group is Slovenian songstress Maruša Sagadin, whose prowess on keys and vocals sets a hauntingly beautiful tone. She’s complemented by Alec Morris’s deft guitar skills, Duncan Nairn’s resonant bass, and the impeccable drumming of Sam Leamy. Each of the band members’ songcraft stands as a testament to authenticity and passion, and along with their individual contributions to “Cold Glory,” they have shared thoughts on the song and video.

On the lessons learned from crafting the single Maruša explains: “Meditating on concepts of loneliness experienced on a cosmic scale, ‘Cold Glory’ has been an experimental project for After the Flesh from start to finish. The song played a significant part in teaching us about our own unconventional creative processes, and our inner workings as a band. These lessons continued for us during the shoot of the song’s equally experimental music video.”

On the song’s inspiration, Duncan shares his insight: “…‘Cold Glory’ was the first song we started writing as a three-piece at the end of 2019, and the (initial) lyrics were inspired by the short story “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth,” by Arthur C Clarke, about the last surviving human colony living on the Moon looking back at the lifeless Earth, which glows with radiation after an apocalyptic nuclear war. Alec rewrote the lyrics entirely, of course, but at least my title remained and, I think, the general feel.”

“I wrote a melody, and put the lyrics into that melody,” Morris explains. “The lyrics don’t mean anything. I was more concerned with the sound of the words than their meaning. It was the hardest song to record because it’s so layered. The video appears to reflect that aspect of the song in some ways.”

The band’s self-directed video is a nod to the dramatic flair of silent films, characterized by its accelerated frame rate, stark shadows, somber attire, and surreal elements, capturing the band’s creativity in a desolate, transitional space.

“I thought the shoot was fun,” says Sam, ” and the scenes were very intriguing as they were happening. The final video really delivers that vibe for me. I think it’s great.”

Experience the video below:

After the Flesh’s self-titled debut EP is now available on Bandcamp, and other streaming platforms like Spotify.

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