Industrial metal icons Static-X are back in the spotlight with the release of a music video for “Stay Alive,” the first original track from their upcoming album, Project Regeneration: Vol. 2, set to drop on November 3rd. This haunting song was one of the last compositions Wayne Static worked on before his passing in 2014 and reflects his struggles as a “professional addict.” The video, directed by Edsel Dope and co-directed by Matt Zane, offers a raw glimpse into Wayne’s mindset during this turbulent period. Tony Campos, a member of the original Wisconsin Death Trip lineup, hopes viewers will understand the cautionary tale behind Wayne’s life.
Campos explained:
“We knew that if we were going to release this song, we wouldn’t be able to tip toe around this tragic subject. The first draft of the video was really hard for all of us to watch, so we ended up removing many of the more graphic scenes. As dark as this piece of art may be, it is also a very honest representation of where Wayne was at during this controversial time. My hope is that when people see this, that they understand the cautionary tale that Wayne’s life ultimately became and can avoid some of those pitfalls.”
Wayne’s younger sister, Aimee Pittman, adds:
“We always want to remember Wayne as the intelligent, funny, Star Trek loving, rock star,” adds Aimee Pittman – Wayne’s younger sister. “It makes his family sad and angry to see Wayne depicting himself in a way that we understand to be a realistic portrayal of his life and the choices that ultimately ended it. If one person watching this video can benefit or make better choices related to drugs and alcohol, then we are grateful for the reminder.”
Static-X has been on a resurgence with the success of Project Regeneration: Vol. 1 and a sold-out Rise Of The Machine tour. The Machine Killer Tour, co-headlined by Static-X and Sevendust, is set to kick off in October, marking a reunion over two decades in the making. This 21-city tour will feature support from Dope and Lines of Loyalty.
Watch the clip below and pre-order the album here:
