The artist is called Metal on Metal. The song is called ‘Bastard.’
Metal on Metal “BASTARD” from The Glue Society on Vimeo.
By the end of the video, I was literally cringing each time a girl took a swing. The obvious upper-class attire of the people watching suggests perhaps that this video is intended to be a metaphor for the exploitation of the proletariat by the rich, but what really disturbs me is the expression of the women playing ping pong. Neither looks at the grenade with fear, or disdain. The both play as though they have no will to live, or grasp of the magnitude of the situation. They’re like machines, doing what they’re told, with no human input into their catastrophic experience. Even when one girl dies, her opponent doesn’t seem to enjoy her victory or take comfort in her survival. The rich audience look like they have a certain involvement in the game, but you couldn’t call it empathy. The whole thing really wigs me out.
Of course, it’s impossible to discuss disturbing electronica videos without mentioning M.I.A.’s video for Born Free. Critics of that video have said it doesn’t provide any profound statement on the nature of genocide or totalitarianism, but I might counter that argument by saying it’s frank, unflinching portrayal of genocide and totalitarianism is exactly what makes the video so unsettling. Instead of trying to sway the viewer with an in depth analysis or a call for change, it shows, point blank, all the gruesome details, and leaves any reflection up to the viewer.
I’ve used up every big word I know, so I’ll leave it at that for the evening.