Aisles Reveal Alternate Version of “Megalomania” Video
Screen capture from “Megalomania” video
Chilean rock band Aisles have unveiled an alternate version of their video for “Megalomania”, their most recent single, released on August 27th through Presagio Records on all digital platforms. The clip shows the six-piece performing the new track from beginning to end, highlighting intricate passages and instrumental changes. Germán Vergara, guitarist, says of the new video, “In contrast to what we have done in each of our video clips, where we have privileged the stories instead of showing our image, this time we decided to expose ourselves. We believe that this song, which is so personal, needed to have a more intimate version of this clip, to show to the public this new stage that the band is living.”
The original version of the video, directed by Bernardo Quesney and starring Geraldine Neary, Ricardo Montt and Helen Goncalvez, tells the story of a polyamorous relationship that falls into a downward spiral of debauchery and doubt. Vergara mentions, “We are at a time when rock has become a conservative style, and we wanted to break that with that video clip and with the song. On the one hand, the video shows another vision of love, and musically we experimented with heavy influences and also something urban, as well as with a more pop vocal part. We as a band are constantly trying to break our paradigms.”
“Megalomania” was influenced by the heaviness of progressive metal band Animals as Leaders, as well as the electronic sound of Richard Spaven and recent albums by English rockers Muse. "It is an ode to darkness, the nostalgia for what was left behind, and the internal force that pushes you forward," explains Vergara. The lyrics are inspired by “the use of pleasure to cover pain. It is like saying that beauty will drag you down, will take your soul, will heal your wound”, says the musician. This is the third single from their upcoming fifth album, which will be released in early 2022.
The track was recorded at Estudio del Sur, produced by Angelo Marini and Germán Vergara, mixed by Pepe Lastarria (Kuervos del Sur, Nunca Seremos Dichosos) and mastered by American engineer Randy Merrill (Muse, Paul McCartney, Beck, Liam Gallagher). “Megalomania” is the third single from the band's new studio album, following the release of “Fast”, which came out on June 4th, and “Disobedience”, released on July 15th.
The group, formed by Germán Vergara, Felipe Candia, Rodrigo Sepúlveda (guitar), Juan Pablo Gaete (keyboard), Israel Gil (vocalist) and Daniel Concha (bass), is currently finishing their fifth studio album, which will be released in 2022. The new album leaves behind the concept and sound of “Hawaii” (2016) in favor of a more direct and powerful sound influenced by bands like Porcupine Tree, Rush and Animals As Leaders.
About Aisles
Originally from Santiago, Chile and with four acclaimed studio albums, Aisles have become the most important South American progressive band in the last two decades. Their intricate melodies and sonic openness reflect their incomparable music approach. The group has played in North and South America, and Europe and toured extensively in Chile, opening for iconic bands such as Marillion and Focus.
In 2005, Aisles released their debut album, "The Yearning", in Chile and the U.S. It was recognized for its elegant and delicate melodic work, especially on epic songs such as "The Wharf that Holds His Vessel" and "Gray." In 2009, their second album, "In Sudden Walks", inspired by existentialist literature and theater, was nominated for Best Foreign Album at the Prog Awards in Italy. The group also participated in the 11th version of the Progressif Crescendo Rock Festival in France. Their third record, “4:45 AM”, which investigated human loneliness, received rave reviews and was ranked among the best albums of 2013 in numerous progressive rock media.
Their latest album, released in July 2016, is “Hawaii”, a conceptual double LP that narrates the life of humanity in space after the destruction of Earth. It was chosen among the best albums of the year by several publications, including Prog (England), NeoProg (France), Headbangers Latinos (Mexico), Aural Moon (USA) and Rockaxis (Chile). The success of the album allowed them to tour Europe, the United States, and Mexico.
In 2018, as a way of closing the era of "Hawaii", they released the EP "Live from Estudio del Sur", along with four videos recorded live, now available on YouTube. After the departure of their original vocalist, Sebastián Vergara, at the end of 2018, Aisles returned in September 2020 with a new singer, Israel Gil, and reignited their artistic evolution by releasing a new version of their song “Smile of Tears”, from the 2009 album "In Sudden Walks". The band will release their fifth album in 2022.