To say I’m fully vested in the visual story of The Beginning by Genus Ordinis Dei is an understatement. The Italian symphonic death metal gods have released the fourth and final video The Beginning and I must say, I am both satisfied but not satiated. And I guess, that’s the perfect way to leave fans.
Like the others, “The Fortress Without Gates” starts where the previous video left off. If you’ve not invested time in watching Episodes One, Two, and Three, spoilers are contained below. You’ve been warned.
At the end of “For a New God”, The Brother was left with the heartbreaking decision to not only bring peace to The Sister but to also gain knowledge of The Fallen by consuming her heart.
With “The Fortress Without Gates” we find The Brother at a cannibalistic ceremony where hearts are devoured but truth is ignored.
On the video, producer and guitarist Tommy Monticelli says,
“The video was shot at night along the sandy banks of the Adda River. Throughout the day, we set up the sandy camp, decorated the ritual circle, and did the makeup. The band looked like a group of seasoned farmers. Certainly, the intense scene of the heart extraction was the most challenging and incredible ever. The props and SFX from our collaborators Beatrice Tell and Valentina Radenti were amazing. There was no room for error, but at the same time, synchronizing the extraction with the camera and the blood while actor Lorenzo (The Shaman) performed was a real feat. There were actually two hearts, one edible (less realistic) and one absolutely inedible. The edible one tasted like terribly sweet raspberry. We spent a fantastic day together with all the fantastic girls, assistants, and actors who collaborated in the shooting. We will never forget it!”
Guitarist and vocalist Nick Key adds,
“This final episode recounts the epilogue of this story and the genesis of a mysterious black stone that the brother now wears around his neck. The brother’s return to the tribe is welcomed by The Shaman, who, along with his harpies, escorts him towards the dreadful cannibalistic ritual he must undergo. In the midst of this whirlwind of emotions, the brother is placed on the altar, and his mind returns to the last farewell and embrace shared with his sister during their journey.”
After the release of the video, on the YouTube page, the band commented on a question
And thus one is only left with wanting more…
Episode One, “Changing Star”
Episode Two, “Genesis”
Episode Three, “For a New God”
