The Last One Alive

Album: Extremist (2014)
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Songfacts®:

  • Vocalist Ryan Clark discussed this song during a track-by-track interview with Decibel magazine. "I think this song falls somewhere in the 'Fading Away' or 'Collapsing' realm," he said. "It's that middle-ground territory that ended up being more of a focus on this record — songs that maintain a heavy groove, but lean more on melodic vocals than the split scream/sing structure that's more typical for us.

    I guess you could call it closer to hard rock than straight-ahead metal, but that's what I've always loved about this band," Clark continued. "We've allowed ourselves loose enough boundaries to be able to explore everything from relentlessly heavy to slow and somber — hopefully without any of it sounding like a departure. With this mindset, I feel like I have the potential to be creatively satisfied on a number of levels that I wouldn't have if we just aimed for heavy all the time.

    I was really pleased with the chorus melody from the start, but I think what really pushes the chorus over the top is the harmony, which (producer) Aaron Sprinkle had a lot to do with," Clark added. "He's great at hearing harmonies that might not be a natural go-to for me."
  • The song's music video was directed by Belief Agency and features Demon Hunter performing outdoors at night. A group of lit torches cuts through the darkness.

    Ryan Clark explained: "The video explores the concept of being chastised for one's beliefs - in a very real sense. We shot this video on the property surrounding my house. Since it had to be shot entirely in the dark, we had to wait for nightfall to start filming."

    "At one point my neighbors drove up our street past about 12 torch-wielding hooded figures - and that was after they watched us build and ignite a massive pyre. I can only imagine what they think of their new neighbors."

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