Watch Afghan Whigs’ Disturbing, NSFW ‘Oriole’ Video
The Afghan Whigs invite fans into a nightmarish, sexually charged witch coven with their “Oriole” video. Director Amy Hood stars in the clip, arriving at a massive house filled with hallucinogenic scenes.
Upon entering, the protagonist is swarmed by women dressed in white and hypnotized by the kiss of their leader, wearing black. Hood weaves in nude fire dances, human sacrifice and haunted flashbacks, presented like a vintage horror B-movie, as Whigs singer Greg Dulli matches the eerie mood with occult-like imagery (“Light the candle, lock the door too/ Draw the circle”).
In a statement about the video, Hood said Dulli reached out about the project after discovering her work – including 2016 book Cult Classic – and realizing she could grasp the song’s dark themes. “It was the perfect collaborative opportunity to expand exploration within the cult realm, and to give a sexy narrative to the song,” she told The Fader.
“Oriole” appears on the Afghan Whigs‘ upcoming “spooky” eighth LP, In Spades out May 5th. The indie-rock band released a surreal clip for lead single “Demon in Profile” last month.