“Depravity Bites,” the latest single and video from Staytus’ upcoming sophomore full-length Wasteland of Broken Hearts, which goes for an even starker edge than the previous single “Lovesick.” The “Depravity Bites” video sees Grundemann incorporating BDSM imagery for the first time, alternating between a whip and the guitar that has become the centerpiece of her sonic arsenal. Once again, Grundemann shows that she can match her prodigious DAW chops with a burgeoning sense of songcraft.

In an age where the full-length album is supposedly dead and buried, Grundemann is doggedly striving to revive the epic appeal of Nine Inch Nails’ classic double album The Fragile. She also unabashedly wears the influence of groups like KoRn, Orgy, Kittie, Black Dresses and How To Destroy Angels on her sleeve. If there’s one act poised to give nu metal a modern makeover so that the familiar riffs, grooves and attitude hit us as fresh and stylish to us again, it’s Staytus. 

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

“Depravity Bites” comes from a deep, personal space where I’ve explored themes like gender identity and the complex emotions surrounding sexual self-exploration. The song and the visuals, especially the BDSM elements, are deliberate choices to represent control – how society often tries to control how we express our sexuality. I wanted to show that struggle and rejection of societal norms clearly in the video. I chose to visualize this track this way as an unapologetic rebellion against purity culture, making certain there is also the message of self-empowerment.

What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

Answer: The music video’s visuals and story stem directly from the emotional and theme of the song itself. Using BDSM imagery, moving between wielding a whip and strumming a guitar, shows the struggle between submission to and the battle against society’s rules and standing against them, especially about our sexuality and who we are. The stark and edgy visuals are meant to portray not just the internal struggle but also the fierce defiance against purity and correctness.

What was the process of making this video?

Creating the “Depravity Bites” video was an incredible journey! Jim Louvau, a renowned rock photographer, helped bring the video to life with his incredible skill behind the camera. From the outset, I knew the video needed to mirror the raw,  emotion of the track. We used BDSM imagery to visually depict themes of control, rebellion, and self-exploration, alternating between different elements like the whip and the guitar. It was super important that the video and the song felt really connected and told the same story, creating something that you can both listen to and see.