Hybrid Earth -Erra

In this music video for the song “Hybrid Earth” by the band Erra, I found many interesting editorial tools used and also many intellectually provocative subliminal messages.

First, thing straight away when watching the video was the strong use of chiaroscuro lighting. I believe this type of lighting was used to set a mood of a dark and distorted feeling. On top of that the editor used a strange effect where small bits of what looks like symbols and writing are used in bursts over the video. Another major editorial point I saw used was the editor seemed to use a lot of fast cuts in the video, but the clips of video he was cutting were in slow motion. It almost enhanced a strange and unusual dark undertone about the video. Finally, the editor used a lot of jump cuts. These jump cuts and strange symbol marking inserts were perfect in helping to portray a dark, chaotic video.

The other thing I found that I had to look a little deep into the music and the video to find was intellectual message. I’m not sure but I believe this song is about the struggle between mother nature and man. the first indicator I saw to initiate this idea is the lyrics. The screamer is singing about mankind being connected with some sort of power and how we're using it to destroy. The first verse he says:

“Interlaced fingers. The locking of hands.

Omnipotence entwined with man. Alteration before conception.

The pretense to coalescence to form this imperfect plan.

Unconsciously bound to one another. Liberated emotions are becoming smothered.

Dynamics of the absolute contort our narrow view. We were not meant for this hybrid   birth. Inhumanity crowns the Earth. This hybrid birth.”

I believe the lyrics are saying that we are so blinded by the “omnipotence twined with man” or the power embedded in our minds that we are using this to create these “imperfect plans” which destroy our planet. Right after the screamer sings this the clean singer sings a line that I think only further this point. He says, “Momentum is your venom. Clinging to progress, we embrace the toxin. Children of the ancients, you've forgotten innocence. Unkept instincts, enslaved, inefficient.” I believe this is saying that our momentum to obtain our so called “progress” is the venom that is killing us and our world. He also then calls upon us asking if we have forgotten innocence or beauty with in our world. The furthering the point he says that any thoughts of actually realizing what we are doing to this planet, are either just not enough to do anything and therefore just enslaved. The final part about the lyrics that I believe further this point is line where the screamer says, “ Self-proclaimed behemoths. Bound by our own desire. Seduced and expired.” This basically sums up the point that humanity has crowned itself ruler of the planet and we are seduced by the idea of getting stronger and more powerful. Unfortunately that idea of growing our power will ultimately lead to our demise.

Now, as for the video. The video I believe is exactly what pushed my belief that this is a struggle between man and mother nature. First off, we see a woman chasing a man. I believe the woman is representative of mother nature and the destruction she can bring. She clearly chasing him with violent or destructive intentions, however at the sametime in the middle of the video we see her lit as if though she is an angel. She has a bright light behind her and only part of silhouette and face are shown. Giving me the idea that she is more than just a normal women and that she is almost divine. The second point that I saw was throughout the whole video we see the man running away. In almost every shot we see him running from behind him, he is running into darkness. On top of that this whole event is happening in the woods which I believe is absolutely no coincidence. Also, the man is constantly struggling to climb this hill while no matter what the woman easily follows behind. This almost represents mankind's struggle to progress while at the same time no matter what, mother nature is right there behind us. Finally, when we see the man reach the top of the hill he turns and stands facing the woman, almost in an intimidating nature. At the same time the screamer says, “Self proclaimed behemoths.” The intentional juxtaposition here is undeniable. Finally the next shot after the man’s defiance is a shot of the woman walking away with his hoodie. At the this point the screamer says “Seduced and expired.” showing the final demise of man to mother nature with our ignorant belief that we are more powerful.

In the end I believe this music video contains a lot more than what it seems. Also, the music is awesome and Erra is incredible.