Staytus wades into battle on her darkly aggressive new industrial metal single 68 Kill — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Her darkest and most powerful track yet, 68 Kill is an eerie anthem about reclaiming power and conquering trauma. It’s the first song in Twisted Frames, a series of singles inspired by Matthew Gray Gubler’s iconic cult horror films.
68 Kill speaks from the PoV of a woman who has faced dark moments and is now fighting back. Staytus sings about how she is no longer a victim and is reclaiming her power. Working alongside renowned producer Matt McJunkins (A Perfect Circle) at Secret Hand Studios in L.A., Staytus created an intense sound that matches her lyrics.
“Working with Matt was an incredible experience,” she says. “Matt brought so much depth to the production with his bass and synth work, creating a sonic landscape that perfectly matched the intensity of the song. His talent and energy really pushed me to elevate my own creativity and singing.” Staytus vulnerably shares her experiences with abuse using her bone-chilling lyrics:
“Bloody nose, black eye
You make me wanna die
Your manipulation was a form of masturbation.
Call me spineless, call me useless
It doesn’t change the fact you do this.”
The upcoming video, like the cover art for 68 Kill, was shot by photographer and There Is No Us frontman Jim Louvau. He is known for his work with some of the biggest names in rock, pop and metal, including Metallica, KISS, Alice Cooper and even Taylor Swift. He captures the essence of Staytus’s new song with a theme of anger and resilience. The artwork was inspired by Gorillaz and Tank Girl, symbolizing rebellion in the form of a warrioress.
Staytus began her music career at just 17 years old, inspired by her love for anime, gaming culture, and artists like Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode and Black Dresses. She is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who blends dark and emotional landscapes with intense lyrics to create her boundary-pushing metal sound. Her innovative work has earned her collaborations with many revolutionary names in the metal world.
Check out 68 Kill above, hear more from Staytus below, and join the fight on her website, Instagram and TikTok.
