Rise the Wicked (RTW) is an electrifying five-piece Hard Rock and Metal band from Waikato, Aotearoa, New Zealand. They unleashed their debut album, ‘State of Oblivion’ on digital platforms in 2023, quickly attracting a dedicated fanbase with their high-energy guitar-driven sound, intense rhythms, and commanding vocals paired with powerful lyrics.
They’re following up this success with a stunning music video that is a true labour of love. Directed by Aaron Christiansen of d.f.lfilms, the video brings an inventive twist to the band’s hard-hitting themes of loss, depression, and anxiety, culminating in a fiery destruction that reflects the emotional intensity of the track.
The "Small City" music video showcases a meticulously hand-crafted cardboard city, built entirely from scratch. Through a mix of spray-painted stencils and creative design, the city comes to life, Mixed with the Bands powerful performance each band member has been projected onto miniature screens embedded in the city's windows, as if performing live within the tiny world they've created. As the song builds toward its explosive finale, the city ultimately succumbs to flames, burning to the ground in a spectacular visual metaphor for the song’s darker themes.
This isn’t Aaron`s first time wowing audiences with his unique visual storytelling. His previous work on Rise Above for Singer Song Writer Davey Beige won Best Animated Music Video at the International Music Video Underground Awards in November 2023, and was selected for seven other film festivals worldwide, further cementing his reputation as a Director to watch.
Rise the Wicked continues to push the boundaries of their sound and visuals, fusing gritty, raw emotion with a cinematic edge. Their live shows have already earned rave reviews praised for their powerful performances, energy and intensity.
The band is thrilled to share this new chapter in their musical journey and invites fans to dive into the visceral world of "Small City".