[melter] covers Gary Numan hit ‘Metal’ – Watch the video now

Chicago dark-alt./industrial duo [melter] present their latest single and video on Side-Line: a cover of the Gary Numan hit “Metal“. The video-single comes on the heels of previous video-singles “Catwalk” (September 2024) and “Blacklist” (July 2024), coupled with extensive touring throughout the US Midwest and East Coast during that time.

“Metal” was mixed and mastered by William Faith at 13 Studio; while the [melter]-produced video combines live footage by Rishi Productions and a video installation by Video Waste, from a performance at Chicago’s Liar’s Club on 30 October 2023.

“Metal” has been a regular live favourite of [melter] for quite some time, as frontwoman Jax Allos explains: “…‘Metal’ was one of the first songs in our set when I first joined [melter] that set the tone for the [melter] sound – bass and synth heavy with the drums and vocals front and center. I have so much fun performing our version – it lets me channel my inner robot!”

Founder, drummer, and multi-instrumentalist Rob Hyman adds: “I love that it has no guitars on it. That decision became a blueprint for [melter] – drums, bass, synths and vocals – it’s not missing a thing. I discovered Gary Numan’s The Pleasure Principle album with the 30th Anniversary Edition in 2009. Since then, it has become one of my favorite albums of all time. It has some of the best synth sounds ever created on it. They are just clean and full yet powerful and epic. Just so simple and yet so good. ‘Vox Humana’ is perfection. The bass-and-drum groove is what drew me to ‘Metal’ – the way they lock in. The synths are very atmospheric. And the lyrics are perfect – a great juxtaposition for the human vs. machine conversation.”

Conversely, Jax approached the song from a very different perspective: “I was aware of a cover version of the song, but not the original. I listened to the original only a few times, so that it didn’t keep me from my own interpretation.”

“Metal” from [melter] is available now for download from Bandcamp, with streaming from Spotify and all the usual digital music platforms to follow shortly.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff Chief editor

Bernard Van Isacker is the Chief Editor of Side-Line Magazine. With a career spanning more than two decades, Van Isacker has established himself as a respected figure in the darkwave scene.

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