The Bondage of Impermanence — Existential Dread is a Day at the Beach in Darkwave Duo Hallows’ Video for “I Am Destroyed”

Is this what freedom feels like?

Will there be more to come?

In these hauntingly poignant lyrics from Hallows’ new song from their upcoming album A Quieter Life, entitled “I Am Destroyed,” we delve into the essence of a soul yearning for liberation, but burdened by the weight of existential questions. The search for freedom leaves the narrator grappling with the uncertainty of what lies ahead and the fleeting nature of earthly possessions. Amidst the empty echoes of life, they confront a painful truth that beckons them to seek deeper meaning.

Detachment from the afterlife and a lack of material possessions speak to a profound sense of detachment from the conventional norms and expectations of society. They stand as a solitary figure, stripped bare of any worldly attachments, yet unyielding in their defiance to conform. The metaphorical portrayal of the open sky and being a speck of dust underscores the narrator’s sense of insignificance in the vastness of the universe.

“Our love for synth-punk and fast-paced dark electronic music inspired us to create this track,” says the band. “The song explores the fleeting nature of existence and how quickly life passes us by. It’s a reminder that many things we obsess over are ultimately insignificant in the face of impermanence. ‘I Am Destroyed‘ stands out as the most post-punk inspired song on our new record, and we hope you’ll play it loud.”

Amidst the mournful gravitas that envelops the song’s subject matter, a bewitching music video unfolds, a creation of visionary director Vanee Dusoruth, where golden sands and crashing waves set the stage. In this enchanting visual tale, a witchy femme and her masked sub immerse themselves in a carefree beach day, dancing on the edge of liberation and captivity. Munching on fruit, indulging in tabloids, and savouring each puff of smoke, they appear as epitomes of living in the present moment, embracing the freedom that surrounds them.

Yet, beneath this seemingly idyllic facade, an eerie undercurrent lingers. The subjugation of the masked sub and the bondage of the harness serve as enigmatic symbols, hinting at a deeper metaphor that echoes within today’s society. Despite the apparent freedom, the video suggests a paradoxical existence where liberation coexists with restraint. Nevertheless, romance still blooms in unexpected ways as Orchid Satellite and Elias Martian exude an empowering aura of kink positivity, encouraging viewers to embrace their own authentic selves, and to celebrate the magic of being wonderfully peculiar.

Watch the video for “I Am Destroyed” below:

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‘A Quieter Life‘ ​draws inspiration from an eclectic group of inspiration from bands like Scratch Massive, Lorn, Emika, Filmmaker, Show Me The Body, GGGOLDDD, The Mall, and Holy Fawn.

HALLOWS, the musical duo composed of Vanee Dusoruth and Dom Rolando, embarked on their artistic journey in the year 2019, starting from Minneapolis. After a period of creative exploration in Seattle, they eventually found their footing in Los Angeles. Renowned for their unyielding exploration of themes centered around unease, longing, and sadness, HALLOWS skillfully merges the evocative essence of traditional darkwave with a contemporary electronic approach.

“Through this project, our aspiration is to continually evolve and redefine our music,” says the band. “We crave uniqueness, yet we cherish the unpredictability in our songs, leaving our listeners in suspense.”

HALLOWS’ musical oeuvre seeks to captivate the listener’s imagination, transporting them to an introspective realm where shadowy nuances intertwine with haunting melodies. They have graced the stages of mystical gatherings such as the Absolution Festival, Seattle, WA, as well as enthralling the attendees of the Freakout Festival. They hit Boston, MA in 2022, where they enraptured the crowd at Darkspring Boston. The journey continued with a return to the mystical lands of Seattle, WA in the same year, where HALLOWS unleashed their captivating performance at the Northwest Terror Fest.

In their musical odyssey, HALLOWS crossed paths with She Past Away, Xeno & Oaklander, and Traitrs. Amidst the harmonies and reverberations, they also weaved their enchanting melodies alongside Haunt Me, Minuit Machine, Vision Video, Cathedral Bells, and the esteemed Matthew Dear.

A Quieter Life is out on August 31, 2023

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