Huddersfield rock band Midnight Architects aren’t so much slaves to the rhythm as ‘slaves to the way.’
The band has just recorded a tribute to the Pennine Way and the video is going down a storm online.
When you think of the Pennine Way, muddy boots, soggy moorland and Arthur Wainwright may spring to mind but loud guitars, drums and Northern rap? Not so much.
The Architects have now recorded ‘Slaves to the Way’, a theme tune to the 268-mile hiking route.
The second single from the band’s forthcoming album, the song aims to capture the very essence of the 16-day walk – from the Peak District to the Scottish borders.
Kicking off with aggressive power chords and a football-chant-like refrain, this song speaks to a new audience in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.
Inspired by the restraints of lockdown, lead guitarist Alex Krzesinski decided to start his Pennine Way adventure in 2020, which soon turned into an annual pilgrimage. Putting pen to paper with the rest of the band, the opening verse soon fell into place with the lyrics:
“Sick and tired of the new world order, they’ve got us all lined up like lambs to the slaughter, got to get away from the bricks and the mortar, the Pennine Way from the Peaks to the Border.”
The catchy chorus: “I’m a slave, I’m a slave to the Way” reflects a commitment to a life-changing journey that you are unable to quit until the very last milestone is passed.
The song goes on to reference various landmarks along the Way, including the notorious Jacob’s Ladder and the Stoodley Pike monument near Todmorden which is also the location of the band’s accompanying music video.
Shot using state-of-the-art drone technology by Halifax YouTuber and fellow Pennine adventurer, Grizzly Gaz, the video sees the boys rocking out on the path equipped with blow up guitars and the latest walking attire.
Bass player Paul Whiteley takes on the role of a Gandalf-esk wizard clenching a magical staff, highlighting the fact the band doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is a song about a walking trail after all!
Lead singer Kieran Ellam was delighted with the video and said: “The shoot was absolutely class. We were all buzzing.
“We got so much attention from random walkers. We asked everyone we met to take part in the video and sing the chorus and loads of people did, including a hen do and a group of horse riders. Everyone loved it.”
Drummer Garf Morris added: “Despite forming the band over eight years ago, this is our first music video.
“It’s great to release a song that will relate to so many people. It may even inspire folk to get out there on their own Pennine quest.”
‘Slaves to the Way’ was released at the end of June on all major music platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
The music video can also be viewed on the band’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MidnightArchitects_UK.
It’s the second release from the band’s forthcoming album, ‘Too Dumb to Listen’ which will be out before Christmas.
