On August 18, 2025, the progressive rock band NOTHING MORE premiered their highly anticipated music video for “Existential Dread,” a track from their 2024 album CARNAL. The release, shared across platforms like YouTube, has sparked widespread discussion among fans and critics due to its bold visuals and the band’s innovative approach to its creation.
NOTHING MORE – EXISTENTIAL DREAD (Official Video)
EXISTENTIAL DREAD (Official Video) by NOTHING MORE Listen/Buy NOTHING MORE’s album, ‘CARNAL’ (Deluxe) here: https://nothingmore.ffm.to/carnaldeluxe Shop at the NOTHING MORE store which includes CARNAL super Deluxe bundles and more: https://store.nothingmore.net/collections/carnal Subscribe for more official content from Better Noise Music: https://betternoise.ffm.to/bnmytsubscribe For tour dates, vinyl, and merch visit: https://nothingmore.net/ Shop the
The “Existential Dread” video is a kaleidoscope of fantastical imagery, featuring haunting scenes such as hooded figures submerged in a river of gold. These surreal visuals complement the song’s introspective and heavy themes, which explore the anxieties of modern existence, the fleeting nature of life, and the struggle to find meaning in a world dominated by technology and fleeting pleasures. The track itself, released on June 28, 2024, as part of the CARNAL deluxe edition, blends NOTHING MORE’s signature mix of aggressive riffs, introspective lyrics, and atmospheric soundscapes.
Frontman Jonny Hawkins described the video’s creation process, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind its striking aesthetic. “AI didn’t make a video for us,” Hawkins clarified in response to fan speculation. “We hired an artist, I plotted out a vision, theme, and visuals. Then that artist (Tristan) used AI to start generating images that he edited together through multiple versions with notes… and then tweaked that into a visual experience for the viewer.” Hawkins challenged critics to match the video’s impact with traditional methods, defending the use of AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity.
Lyrically, “Existential Dread” captures the overwhelming sense of unease that defines the human condition in the digital age. Lines like “Existential dread / Always in my head / Every little thing is at our fingertips ready to go / Pleasure and my pressure is a weapon and it’s ready to blow” reflect the band’s commentary on the paradox of instant gratification and the isolation it breeds. The song also features a spoken word segment by philosopher Alan Watts, adding a layer of existential philosophy with the phrase “Truth is time.” The bridge’s provocative imagery—“Enjoy your f*cking wet dream / While you’re floating down the mainstream / Good and evil is a thin line / Ones and zeros are a hard drive”—critiques society’s obsession with superficiality and binary thinking.
This thematic depth has resonated with fans, as seen in online discussions. On Reddit, one user expressed their love for the raw energy of the song, particularly Hawkins’ delivery of the line “Enjoy your f*cking wet dream,” highlighting its emotional impact. The track’s ability to articulate universal feelings of anxiety and disillusionment has made it a standout on CARNAL, an album that also spawned Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay #1 hits like “IF IT DOESN’T HURT,” “ANGEL SONG” (featuring Disturbed’s David Draiman), “HOUSE ON SAND” (featuring I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe), and “FREEFALL” (featuring Chris Daughtry).
The video’s use of AI-generated imagery sparked debate among fans, with some initially assuming it was entirely machine-created. Hawkins’ response underscored the band’s commitment to artistic integrity, emphasizing that AI was a tool wielded by a human artist to bring his vision to life. This approach reflects NOTHING MORE’s broader ethos of blending innovation with authenticity, a hallmark of their career. The band’s willingness to embrace new technology while maintaining creative control has positioned the video as a bold statement in the evolving landscape of music video production.
The release of the “Existential Dread” video coincides with the success of CARNAL’s deluxe edition, launched in March 2025. The album has solidified NOTHING MORE’s place in the hard rock scene, with its blend of introspective lyricism and genre-pushing sound. The video’s premiere, shared by outlets like 98 Rock and BraveWords, has further amplified the band’s reach, drawing praise for its cinematic quality and thought-provoking imagery.
With “Existential Dread,” NOTHING MORE continues to push boundaries, blending raw emotion, philosophical depth, and cutting-edge visuals. The video not only enhances the song’s powerful message but also sparks a broader conversation about the role of technology in art. As the band tours and builds on the success of CARNAL, their latest release cements their reputation as one of rock’s most innovative and introspective voices. Fans can stream the video on YouTube and explore the deluxe edition of CARNAL via platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud.
