[melter] - Catwalk

‘Catwalk’ is the sweltering, claustrophobic new video from Chicago duo [melter]: Jax Allos and Robert Hyman. The new video follows the July release of their ‘blacklist’ single and video; a July-August tour with Hemlock for Socrates; and the brand-new Imperfect Waves Remix EP: a split release with tour mates Plasmata and 2 Forks, as [melter] and co now prepare to embark on the Imperfect Waves Tour of the US East Coast.

Originally, vocalist / lyricist Jax Allos hadn’t planned to discuss the song’s subject matter of suicide publicly, until realizing that the scheduled release date also coincided with National Suicide Prevention Month. Jax says:

“What really helped me in that moment was writing down my thoughts and feelings, and eventually I crafted those into lyrics. [melter] entered my life at a pivotal time. ‘Catwalk’ was the first [melter] song I wrote lyrics for, and what started as a very difficult, challenging subject ultimately became a positive experience.[melter] made me feel welcome and really helped me find my voice. It has allowed me to reconnect with those aspects of my life that I needed so badly and, in its way, it saved my life.”

Described as “a sonic disturbance made of flesh, blood, and machine” and “hot enough to liquify the living”, [melter] are usually known for their molten fusion of industrial, dark alt. rock, punk and noise elements.‘Catwalk’, however, sees [melter] take a moodier, dark post-punk approach, recalling the gothic grandeur of The Cure’s Pornography and Disintegration albums. Project founder, drummer, and multi-instrumentalist Rob Hyman elaborates:

“Within our repertoire, ‘Catwalk’ has an ambient feel – it’s dreamier and more abstract. The music for ‘Catwalk’ excited me. The rhythmic track is built off of piano sounds, believe it or not, and it has this overwhelming rumble to it that I really wanted to hear blasted over a PA at high volume.”

Following previous videos for ‘blacklist’, ‘DAM’, and ‘The Golem’, ‘Catwalk’ is the first video created entirely by [melter] themselves, during the downtime between touring:

Rob: “Visually I saw blurred out faces and video footage. Very slow movement that helps the viewer get into a headspace that allows free association and introspective thinking.”

Jax: “The color choices were meant to echo what was happening in the lyrics. During the verses I’m trying to bring to life this internal battle; this personal hell that the narrator has themselves in. Hence, the reds, oranges and fire look. It’s uncomfortable subject matter, and the video, I hope, relays those feelings of desolation and resignation wrestling with maintaining hope, peace and strength in that moment in time.”

The new ‘Catwalk’ video premiered on Post-punk.com on Monday (9 September), where Alice Teeple wrote:

“The lyrics to this dirge unfold a gritty saga of self-struggle and stark transformation. The tale twists through turbulent terrain, where wild whims and raw reality wrestle with iron, ice, and insidious bacteria. The singer, steeped in a sense of sin and sorrow, awaits an inevitable impact where clashing elements—both corporeal and cerebral—collide in a gritty, grim spectacle. It’s a hard-boiled story of chaos and conflict, stitched together with sharp, striking images… The video channels a brooding atmosphere, transforming their sound into a smoldering, shadow-filled spectacle.”

Watch ‘Catwalk’ by [melter] on YouTube: