From yesterday text

From yesterday – 30 seconds to mars

I have chosen to analyse the song from yesterday by 30 seconds to mars this was directed by Angakok Panipaq. The genre of the band is alternative metal, which is characterised by heavy guitar rifts, using experimental pieces in music, and unusual technique, which is not main stream. This is shown throughout the video as the guitarists are shown also it shows the band as genuine which is another character of the alternative metal genre. The mise-en-scene and narrative is not very main stream at all using little know Japanese samurai customs which in business terms could be the bands unique selling point as they have not got such a default money making attitude towards music.

The relationship between the lyrics and visuals is a correlation as the band members are lips matched as soon as the lyrics start showing the band singing on the steps of a Japanese set. The first lyric “He’s a stranger to some” applies to the band members as they walk through the guards setting a serious formal mood. The lyric “He can never get enough, Get enough of the one” is followed up visually by the lead singer showing the number one by his fingers as he is shown on the steps in a close up looking off set coldly.

Throughout the repetition of the lyric “On his face is a map of the world” there are medium close ups of Japanese soldiers faces and of the band as they walk between. Then loudly the singer’s words are “From yesterday, it's coming!” which is embodied through the shot of him suddenly bursting into action to match the new higher levels of sound also a masked person is shown shadowing them and the increase in noise could represent the stress of the realisation.

Later the lyric “From council of one, He'll decide when he's done with the innocent” is shows a blurred man walking down a darkened corridor matching the prospect of the match thinking alone.

Most of these examples as you can see are illustrating the lyrics of the song giving literal matches.

The video towards the end cuts to the fast drum beats however this is the only part were the music does cut to the beat this is shown visually as the drummer is shown doing this and when the samurai face each other down in the ring formed.

Almost all the instrumentals are shown throughout as the music video cuts from the narrative often to show the band playing for example the cuts from walking between the guards to the singer and band members.

The record company is trying to sell this by offering a unique interesting video that can still appeal to anyone and shows the band often so 30 second to mars lovers will also be drawn in. The images portrayed by the music video of 30 seconds to mars are that they are serious about their work shown by their well-dressed look. They are passionate about there music which is shown vigorously through their band close ups on singing drumming and playing the guitar, this gives them a genuine feel while the video itself is different and interesting. Their motif of the phoenix is on the flags held by the Japanese soldiers is shown, linking back to their videos.

At one stage the band members are shown putting on new robes and samurai garments during which the members show of lean bodies and six packs, clearly on sexual display for any female watchers. This has been backed up by the camera work as it cuts several times showing the members body from differing angles. The samurai costumes are displays of male superiority as samurai were considered the ruling class this major show of muscularity and stereotype male sexualised figure. However there is no concept on the notion of looking.

There are few inter-textual references I can deduce besides the link of ancient Japan and its samurai heritage and the films related to it. The band looks relate to their audience conveying emo looks throughout the video, a perfect example of this is the singers red and black dyed hairstyle.

The music video is mainly performance based with a little bit of lose narrative as there are lots of cuts of the band playing followed by a flowing story of the band members getting ready and fighting each other in samurai armour. In conclusion the music video is heavily dominated by performance based video that shows the band members as good looking lean guys with a passion for music.