“Passing Through”, the new video from Swedish “art rockers” CULT OF LUNA, can be seen below. Directed by Markus Lundqvist, the clip was filmed in sub-zero temperatures at what was once Sweden’s largest mental hospital. Closed since the ’60s, the Säter hospital was where the mentally ill were routinely castrated and lobotomized.
“Passing Through” is the closing track on CULT OF LUNA‘s new album,“Vertikal”, and is sung by guitarist Fredrik Kihlberg.
“When we decided to start writing a new CULT OF LUNA album and talked about which direction we wanted to go, this was actually the first idea that came to my head,” said Kihlberg. “I had this phrase — time is passing me by — in my head, going on repeat, and I thought and I should try to make something out of it. It’s a simple phrase but at the same time a powerful and overwhelming feeling. We wanted this to be a beautiful but at the same time intimidating song.”
“You can hear the sensitivity in his voice — just listen and you can hear what he’s communicating. You can feel it. It’s the most honest song I’ve ever heard,” commented vocalist and guitarist Johannes Persson.
“Vertikal” was released in Europe on January 25 via Indie Recordingsand in the U.S. on January 29 through Density Records. In addition to the regular CD, there is a limited edition of “Vertikal”, including one bonus track.
“Vertikal” track listing:
01. The One (02:16)
02. I: The Weapon (09:24)
03. Vicarious Redemption (18:51)
04. The Sweep (03:09)
05. Synchronicity (07:13)
06. Mute Departure (09:08)
07. Disharmonia 00:45)
08. In Awe Of (09:56)
09. Passing Through (06:03)
10. The Flow Reversed (limited-edition bonus track)
According to a press release, “Vertikal” marks a much-anticipated return for the band after five years spent cultivating the ideas and directing the influences that have helped form a concept for the album. Distilled throughout are themes of machinery, repetition and clear, linear structures honed to the visual imagery of Fritz Lang‘s classic expressionist science fiction film “Metropolis”. The music broods, builds and boils as you may expect from CULT OF LUNA, but never overcomplicates itself or veers from its intentions; it is arguably their finest and most cohesive piece of work to date.
